The London Tube: Don'ts of the London Underground

Heading to London and not sure how to get around? Here is basically everything you need to know about the London Underground or Tube before you go. So you can get around the city easy and maybe may save yourself some time and money with the tips on public transportation in London, England.
Filmed in London, England

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Copyright Mark Wolters 2023

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[globalfilmpaul]

Londoner here, the move to the side to look for something in your bag is great advice and can be used for london more generally. The most annoying thing is people stopping in a busy street. London operates on people getting A to B quickly as possible. It might sound rude but people are busy

[vongodric]

One thing all the transport guides never mention... there is more than just the TUBE. We have DLR, Overground, Elizabeth line and a massive mainline rail network which all operate within London and can be extremely useful to get around. So don't be afraid to look at the whole london rail connections map when you plan your trip!

[gchecosse]

Also, if you're a tourist and you're not in a desperate rush, take the bus, sit at the top and see more of London that way.

[custardo]

One "don't" I would mention is Don't forget to check if you really need the Tube for your short trip, because although some stops look like they're quite far apart on the map, in reality they close enough to walk. To name but three:
-Charing Cross to Embankment
-Leicester Square to Covent Garden
-Chancery Lane to Farringdon

[Sam-bnix]

As a member of London Underground staff I wish more people knew all of these tips! It makes your life easier not to mention everyone else's

[kenbrown]

a tip he missed: use the same payment method every time you ride. there is a maximum daily charge, but if you use a different payment method every time, the system can't track how much you've paid. if you use the same payment method every time, when you hit the maximum, THE REST OF THE DAY IS FREE.

[blackydon]

I am a Ex tube train driver and you have covered all the don’ts. Absolutely fantastic video. Should be a leaflet made for Londoners and not just tourist.

[Christinebythesea]

Another Londoner here: up to 4 children age to 10 can travel free with each paying adult - just use the wide gates that are also for luggage and mobility aids. Age 11-15 there is a visitor oyster with discount fares and offers worth queuing to get though.
Also, paying by card or phone will still get your daily or weekly caps applied.
Also, despite the reputation if you’re struggling with luggage and kids and getting lost not only the staff will help, plenty of local travellers too - but do try to avoid rush hour when people do not have the patience and the trains are very tightly packed!

[RobCCTV]

As a Londoner all my life, this video is OFFICIALLY APPROVED. Very well observed, and explained. The only comments I would make is that cell service IS available on most of the Jubilee line, and soon for most of the other lines too [even deep underground]; secondly don't be worried about replacement bus services. That really only happens on some Sundays and Saturdays and is relatively rare. Also, stinky tubes in the summer are not that bad. No worse than any train service in the summer.

[fuzzylon]

Great video !
One thing I'll add about tapping in and out on The Tube - You must tap out as well as in because otherwise the system won't know how much to charge you and will deduct the maximum off your card if you don't tap out. Also, at some stations there are no gates to pass through and there is a separate card reader. It's easy to forget to tap out if there isn't a line of gates.

[BF-mmoz]

Even if barrier is open (sometimes they are) still tap out

[moofey]

I feel like I can apply this to Vancouver too, especially the parts where:

- People stop in front of the gate line to look for their card
- People crowd the top/bottom of the stairwell
- People stand on the left of the escalator
- People put their stuff on a seat
- People stand in doors
- People try to push on when people are getting off

[danjcollier]

Another couple of don’ts:

- If the doors are closing, don’t take that as a sign to wrench them open, and get on the train: it’s not the last helicopter out of Saigon, there’ll be another train in a minute or two.

- Don’t take the tube, if it’s impractical: Especially in Central London - not only are the stations around a 5-10 minute walk away from each other - but a lot of the most touristy landmarks are surprisingly walkable distances away; there’s even a ~2 hour walking route, which takes in a lot of the sights you probably came to see. In a lot of instances, it can be quicker, easier, or cheaper, to walk or even take the bus. You might even spot some more landmarks on the way
(eg. Piccadilly Circus to Big Ben is ~15mins by tube, ~20 mins walking. If you take the tube, yes you will see those two landmarks. But if you walk, you will see: Jermyn Street, Pall Mall, The Mall, Buckingham Palace, Admiralty Arch, Nelson’s Column, Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade, Downing Street, and much more)

[lewiscollins]

Last time I was in London a couple of months ago, my 8 year old son travelled free on the tube with me, just use the larger barrier to the side to go in and out, using the same card - staff will usually help you and keep it open so you can both go through.

[lips]

I'd add, don't hold the doors open. This happens a lot with families where dad is ambitious and the last one to board, then looks around and spots his wife and two children on the platform! Maybe split into two groups, maybe wait for the next train. And on that subject, if your party does get split up, have a plan already, don't try to discuss it as the train leaves the station!!

[Gasmanic]

Excellent tips - found myself nodding along emphatically to most of them! Just one thing I'd add: If you arrive at the platform just as a train is about to leave, don't hold the doors open for the rest of your group. It takes a LOT of force to stop them from closing (don't expect them to be like elevator doors...) and if you do succeed, it'll trigger the rest of the doors to reopen, delaying the train and annoying everyone (including the driver). Just let it go - there'll be another one along in two minutes!

[ljrigsbee]

If you have larger than carryon size luggage, you might want to take the Elizabeth line from Heathrow instead, assuming it goes somewhere near your hotel. It costs more, but there is more room. Also, the stations have lifts from platform level, while some tube stations will require you to climb stairs before getting to the lifts.

[AidanMcLeodProductions]

Excellent vid! I’m getting to live here for three months and my best tube tip is that you don’t have to wait for the barrier to close behind the person in front of you before scanning your card. Keep it movin!

PS: cell service was a great shoutout, my home is Chicago where you can use your phone on the train anywhere. Not here, so it’s advantageous to download the map

[andrewrussack]

Nice work! These tips are good manners on any public transport system. When you are a tourist, please remember most people using the train/tram/bus are locals trying to get somewhere as part of their normal lives.

[bornenjoy]

Thanks for clarifying a very important point I was looking for i.e. we need separate cards for each individual of the family.