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Mind the Gap:
London’s public transportation
The London Underground is the oldest and largest subway system in the world. It is my preferred way of getting from A to B in the city and, aside from its practical value, it is also rich in its own history and famed for it’s logo and “mind the gap” slogan. It also has a museum devoted to it.
Using the Tube
In my countless hours spent on the London Underground, or “The Tube” as it is commonly referred to as, I have noticed that many tourists are lost, confused, or more likely making decisions that needlessly add to their journey times. This is a result of not understanding the tube, so I will therefore now endeavour to share my hard-earned wisdom to help you on your journey.
Stacy’s Tube Rules
1. Make sure you keep your ticket, you will need it to exit the station. The penalty for not having a ticket at your destination is £10.
2. Make sure you have purchased the correct ticket for where you’re going. The Tube is divided into zones, expanding out from the centre. Most tourist attractions are within Zone One. Failure to purchase to correct ticket will incur a £10 fine.
3. The tube map has nothing to do with reality. It was drawn as an electrical diagram as a way of simplifying the complicated system. Would you know Regent’s Park tube and Great Portland Street tube are no more than 200 metres apart, or that St John’s Wood and Maida Vale tubes are no more than a 10 minute walk from each other? Would you realise that Bayswater and Queensway tubes are actually on the same street. Never use the tube map when making a decision other than how to get from station A to station B. Use an above ground map to determine which tube stations are most convenient and then use the tube map.
4. Delays are inevitable. Always plan your journey time with at least a five minute buffer. Also, trains have a way of not coming when you want them to – especially when changing lines. Always allow an additional five minute buffer per change. You may get a lot of places 10 minutes early, but better safe than sorry. And don’t be too surprised if you get there 10 minutes late.
5. Don’t take the Circle (yellow) line if you can cut across the city on another line. For example, if you want to travel from Baker Street to Tower Hill, it will almost always be quicker to take the Jubilee line to Westminster, then change for the circle line to Tower Hill than it would be to take the Circle line the entire way. In fact, this particular example would probably halve your travel time.
6. Stand to the right on the escalator. Walk left, stand right. Remember this.
7. Don’t stop in the middle of the walkway to get your bearings. This is not good for traffic flow. Step off to the side. Don’t expect much help from fellow tube travellers unless you’re already on the train – a real ‘tube mentality’ exists, and it’s a war zone.
8. Don’t be afraid to use your elbows.
Fares
Ticketing on the Underground is complicated. There are different zones and different ticket types. I’ve tried to simplify the ticket choices.
Zones
The network is divided into six zones, moving outward from Zone One in the centre. Most tourist attractions and accommodation are located within Zone One. Notable exceptions are Camden Market, Greenwich (including the Dome), Kew Gardens, and Heathrow Airport.
Single Journey
Point A to B
£1.50
Carnet
Ten single journey tickets within Zone 1, saves £4 over buying 10 single journey tickets.
£11.00
One day travelcard
All day in zones 1 & 2, no limits on journeys, also valid on buses and DLR.
£3.90
Weekend travelcard
Saturday and Sunday in zones 1 & 2, no limits on journeys, also valid on buses and DLR.
£5.80
7 day travelcard
Valid for unlimited travel for seven days within Zone One (including buses and DLR). A photo card is required, photo booths are usually located in tube stations and cost £3.
£15.30
Please note that travelcards can be purchased for any of the zones as well. There are discounted rates for children under 15. £3.50 is the cost of a single journey ticket from Heathrow to central London. There is no saving on buying a return ticket (except in time). Last journeys from central London are between midnight and 12:45am, depending on the line.
London Transport Museum
Covent Garden, WC2E 7BB
020 7565 6344
Leicester Square, or Holborn tubes
Located in the south-east corner of the Covent Garden Piazza.
Hours: Friday 11am – 6pm. All other days 10am – 6pm
Admission: £5.50 adults, £2.95 children, students and pensioners.
A surprisingly interesting museum for adults, and is also great for kids. The museum traces the history of public transportation in London, from stagecoaches and Hanson cabs through horse drawn buses to trams, buses, and of course the Tube. There are many interactive activities, old photographs, informative movie clips and best of all, many original buses and train cars.
“A Logo for London” is a new exhibit opening September 28. The exhibit will explore the origins and evolution of London Transport’s famous circle with a bar through its logo. And if you don’t know what the logo looks like, you will shortly after arrival in London.
October Events
“The Story of London’s Most Famous Brand”
Wednesday October 4, 6:30pm
Tickets £6/£4 concessions, book by phoning 020 7379 6344
A talk by author David Lawrence to celebrate the opening of the “Logo for London” exhibit.
“Pioneers of the Underground”
Wednesday October 18, 6:30pm
Tickets £6/£4 concessions, book by mail or by phoning 020 7379 6344
Talk by head curator Ruth Kelly on the personalities that shaped London’s Underground.
“The Architecture of the Piccadilly Line”
Wednesday October 11, 2pm – 5:30pm
Tickets £8/£6 concessions, bookings only by mail
(zone 1-6 travel card needed)
A guided tour of stations on the Piccadilly line, led by assistant curator Mike Ashworth.
“Black Londoners and London Transport’s Workforce”
Saturday October 14
Tickets £15/£12.50 concessions (lunch included)
This is a one day course examining the role of black Londoners in the development of London Transport. In the 1950s there was a shortage of workers in England and many large employers, including London Transport, recruited directly from the Caribbean. A 1950s Caribbean station guard will also discuss her experiences. For more information contact Liza Smith, lizs@ltmuseum.co.uk.
Kids Events
The museum holds family events throughout the year.
“Family learning weekend”
Saturday October 7, Sunday October 8
Learning fun featuring the museum’s detective character.
“Make your own logo”
Saturday October 21 – Sunday October 29
Workshops and activities to celebrate the launch of the “Logo for London” exhibit.
The Depot
Gunnersbury Lane, Acton Town
Acton Town tube
A part of the London Transport Museum, the Depot is the home to the thousands of items the museum owns. Understandably the museum can only showcase a limited number of buses and trains – amongst other transport items – at the Covent Garden location.
The Depot is not open regular hours, but is open as follows in October:
Sunday, October 15 – Open Day
Tickets £6.95/£4.50 concessions. It is possible to book in advance to avoid queues. There is also a program of talks and stalls.
Friday October 27 – Guided Tours
Tickets £9.50/£7.50 concessions, must be booked in advance through mail only (address same as London Transport Museum). The tour also includes access to parts of the Depot not usually open to the public.
Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our Europe Insiders page.
