Your best time-saving Tube hacks revealed for quickest Underground journey
No matter how iconic the Tube is, most people want to get out of it as quickly as possible – and some tips can save you time and stress.
The London Underground is one of the most loved and hated transport systems in the world, inspiring praise and exasperation from commuters.
It is also one of the busiest, carrying millions of people each day through the morning rush hour until the Night Tube.
When a major problem like the recent power outage brings the Tube network to a standstill, there's not much frustrated passengers can do except wait and pray for internet connection.
But some time-saving hacks from seasoned passengers could end up saving you precious minutes you can spend on something more fun than listening to that guy blasting music without headphones or being stared at by a 'barebacker' on the Tube.
Temperatures have been summery in London for weeks, meaning the Tube is even sweatier, so we asked Metro readers for their travel hattricks.
It can be easy to forget where you are when travelling on the Tube and get disoriented, especially when it's hot and crowded.
Dudley said: 'On any regular journey learn where the exits are and get on in the right place.'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
But don't worry, we are not expecting you to learn every exit on the Tube network by heart – most stations have one or two exits, but Bank has 16 exits and entrances according to London Shoes.
Hayley agreed: 'Place yourself in the correct carriage where you need to exit.'
This might seem counterintuitive, but Metro readers revealed some stations where you might be quicker walking, especially in central London.
Dean said: 'In central London, walk. You'll be surprised how close together many stations are across different lines.'
Diana said: 'It's quicker to walk from Liverpool St to Monument than to get the Circle line.'
Nik said: 'By the time you've bought a ticket, gone through the gates, gone down to the train, waited for it, got off the train, went back up the other end and out of the ticket gates, yes, quicker to walk between Leicester Square and Covent Garden Tube stations.'
Chrissy warned others to 'never, ever, change at Bank,' but to exit and walk instead.
This will not only save you time, but earn you respect for not looking like a tourist when travelling with friends who don't live in London. More Trending
Metro reader Mark said: 'Just a general awareness of where you are actually going and what you need to do/go when changing lines.
Not all Tube lines are created equal – including how sweltering they get.
The Central line is one of the hottest lines due to its depth and age of the carriages.
Meanwhile, you might have noticed how pleasant the Elizabeth line is thanks to its air conditioning and new carriages.
When London is hot and you need to travel: Bring a waterbottle – This is a must
Use a mini fan
Wear light and breathing materials
If it's too unbearable, swap your journey to a bike if possible
'Tourists staring into the London Underground map looking confused is a common sight.'
Paul advised people to have 'a mental picture of the Underground map, to assist where you are going, saves having to stare at the maps on the Tube.'
If you want to take your Tube expertise to the next level, you could become the next person to rank all Underground stations like this superfan, or even run the entire length of the network.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: What I Rent: We pay £1,500 for our south London one-bed — now we want to buy it
MORE: Map reveals the most and least posh London boroughs — where does yours rank?
MORE: Full list of TfL closures this Bank Holiday weekend
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
The Race Across The World victors aren't too posh to win
How posh is 'too posh' to win Race Across The World? I didn't think there was an answer, but according to an alarming amount of viewers, there is a limit – and Caroline and Tom Bridge are it. Against the odds, the mother and son duo beat four other teams of two to win £20,000 and become crowned the fifth Race Across The World winners. Travelling 14,000 kilometres from The Great Wall of China to Kanniyakumari, the southernmost point of mainland India, without a phone or credit cards, they just had instinct and the kindness of strangers to guide them. The charm of Race Across The World is all about the casting. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Yes, the race and the spectacular places explored are magical too, but ultimately, without a cast of ordinary people who turn out to be quite extraordinary, Race Across The World has no heart and wouldn't draw some of the BBC's highest viewing figures each week. Five series in and its popularity only appears to be growing. On paper, Caroline and Tom are prime Race Across The World candidates. Caroline gave up her career to raise a family and said until the show came along: 'I didn't know what life would offer me.' Her self-esteem was shattered and she needed to prove to herself she could be more than 'just a mum'. Her son Tom had his own barriers to overcome too. He left school without any GCSEs, expelled for smoking cannabis, diagnosed with ADHD and said he was essentially failed by the education system that didn't fit his learning style. During the race, he also opened up about living with cerebral palsy, unable to use his right hand in the same way as his left. Tom has spent his whole life feeling shame because of his condition, even keeping it a secret from some of his close friends, but told millions of viewers and is now feeling less alone. They both had a lot to prove to themselves – they did that and then some. The thing is though, they're posh. They speak with RP accents and Tom calls his parents 'mummy and daddy'. They're so posh that they've received more backlash than any other Race Across The World contestant before them because, apparently, regardless of their personal journey throughout the race – their growth, determination and most importantly, the fact they just played the race better than anyone else when it mattered – they didn't deserve to win. The reaction to Caroline and Tom's victory has been both appalling and eye-opening. I saw critics complain that Tom was obviously going to spend the prize money 'on a business class ticket home'. Far from it, he's going to be investing some of it into starting his new business, teaming up with a family he met in India to import their rugs and sell them in the UK, with the money going back to the local community. Rather than Caroline's successful journey of self-discovery being something to be applauded, she was accused of turning her 'privileged life into a sob story'. Granted, I can't relate to what she's been through, but her experience is one that will resonate with so many others who put their family before their careers and later asked themselves: 'Who am I?' Perhaps they have more money than most but I'm not privy to their personal finances and neither are the people who are making assumptions they can't back up. But this isn't just about money, it's specifically about being posh. Brian and Melvyn were by far the most popular team this series and their story was perhaps the most compelling. Brian was sent off to boarding school while Melvyn, his older brother, stayed at home and subsequently didn't receive the same education; they became divided without any explanation from their parents. They captured everything golden about Race Across The World. They, by their own admission, were about to enter their 'twilight years' and took on the race to rebuild their relationship, which for most of their life had been unnecessarily fractured. It was like watching a comical road trip movie packed with so much heart and humour, they were impossible not to root for. But Brian wasn't shy about boasting that he was used to a lavish lifestyle, a regular business class flyer with a penchant for five-star hotels and luxury travel. I haven't seen anyone suggest he wouldn't have been a worthy winner. Race Across The World isn't a public vote; the most deserving winner isn't even a matter of opinion. The winner is the team who gets to the finish line first. We all have our favourite teams. I actually would have been happy for anyone to have won this series and was gutted for the other teams who didn't, but I was rooting for Caroline and Tom at the final hurdle. They started the race completely useless, lagging behind their rivals by hours and finishing the first leg in last place. The moment they left China though and touched down in Nepal, something switched in them both, particularly Caroline, and they just became unstoppable. They grasped how to embrace the culture and use it to their advantage, building relationships with locals and seamlessly zooming through countries at an impressive speed. They were completely transformed by the time they got to the final and that, for me, is what makes the best Race Across The World journey. More Trending Race Across The World has never been a rags-to-riches story. It's a game that tests relationships and, hopefully, makes them stronger. The stronger they become the better chance of winning. I think there's something particularly special about a mother and son taking on an adventure together, recapturing the bond they once had before children grow up and find their independence. After watching Caroline and Tom, I want to head on an adventure with my own mum, something so few of us ever get to do before it's too late. View More » They were inspiring, so wonderfully kind, determined, and such deserving winners because there is no such thing as being 'too posh' to win Race Across The World. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below.
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Families and couple among Britons feared to have been on doomed Air India flight
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Couples taking their children on holiday and wellness influencers are among the Britons feared dead after Air India flight AI171 crashed. More than 260 people were killed when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London went down in Ahmedabad less than 30 seconds after takeoff. The aircraft crashed into a medical college, tearing through a dining hall on the top floor, before breaking apart and bursting into flames. Follow Metro's blog for live coverage and latest updates from the Air India crash There were 242 passengers and crew members on board, Air India said. The sole survivor was Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, one of 53 British nationals. The victims have not been officially identified, with DNA tests being carried out. A Muslim community group in Gloucester identified three of the victims as Akeel Nanawaba, 36, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, 30, and their daughter Sarah, four. The couple ran a global recruitment agency, with business partner Shoyeb Khan Nagori telling MailOnline: 'They were here to celebrate a family festival and to spend some time with Akeel's father.' Many more Britons are feared dead including Javed Ali Syed, a hotel manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel and his wife Mariam, the tabloid said. They were with their two young children, Amani, four, and Zayn. Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and Jamie Meek, based in London, had been travelling in India before the crash and posted videos of their holiday on social media. In a video posted on the official Wellness Foundry Instagram, the couple were seen waiting at an airport gate. 'We are at the airport, just boarding. Goodbye India,' Fiongal said. 'My biggest takeaway is to not lose your patience with your partner. We're going back happily, happily, happily calm.' Greenlawe appeared on ITV's This Morning in January to talk about wellness. The programme's former editor, Martin Frizell, praised his 'vibrancy' in an Instagram post, writing: 'He was passionate about auras and although I'm a sceptical sort, his vibrancy and sheer enthusiasm won folk over.' Widow Raxa Modha, 55, her two-year-old grandson Rudra, and her daughter-in-law Yasha Kamdar, are also believed to have been onboard. More Trending The mother-of-three's husband, Kishor, wanted to spend his final days in India. After his death, Raxa was set to fly home to Northamptonshire. Raj Mishra, the mayor of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, said in a tribute: 'I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends and all those affected by this heartbreaking event.' Air India also said 169 passengers are Indian nationals, one is Canadian, and seven are Portuguese. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the crash was 'devastating', while his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, said it was 'heartbreaking beyond words'. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Two killers chased stranger into Tube station and stabbed him with zombie knife MORE: Readers defend OnlyFans teacher's right to a private life MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
'The strangest place in the world': Your top UK attractions for a quirky day out
From the London Eye to Hadrian's Wall, there are some pretty classic UK tourist attractions we all try to tick off at one point or another. But there's more to a day trip here than the same old museums or walks — the British Isles is also famed for its eccentricity (we're home to the Cheese Rolling Championships, after all). So if you're looking for something a little different, we asked you, our readers, plus some of the staff here at Metro, to share the best places in the UK for a quirky day out. First up, Metro's Rosy Shearman recommends Margate Caves, a subterranean adventure that's been a tourist attraction since Victorian times. At just £5 for adults and £2.50 for kids, the caves are an affordable — and educational — way to spend an afternoon. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. While you're in Margate, Metro's Katie Boyden raves about the mysterious Shell Grotto. Discovered in 1835, there's 70ft of passages completely covered with 4.6 million shells. The weirdest part? We have no idea who built it, or why it's there. For Metro reader Wendi Nichols, it's all about the Horniman Museum in London. It began as a huge collection of objects and specimens that Frederick John Horniman amassed on his travels to far flung destinations including Egypt, Sri Lanka, Burma, China, Japan, Canada. His hoard of artifacts grew so big that wife, Rebekah, insisted they move to an adjoining house. Since then, the collection has grown tenfold. There's taxidermy animals, and the largest display of musical instruments in the UK. Speaking of unusual museums, Metro's Kristina Beanland says you can't go wrong with the Pencil Museum, in Keswick in the Lake District. The town is the birthplace of the first ever pencil, and you can learn all about the graphite mines it was made from – as well as see the largest colour pencil in the world. For Lancashire born Metro writer, Jess Hamilton, Pendle Hill is worth a trip. It might be one to save for Halloween, as the area is famous for its links to 1612 witch trials. Across the Pennines, Metro's Phil Haigh spotlights The Forbidden Corner, which calls itself the 'strangest place in the world.' For £18, get lost in a 'labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created within a four-acre garden in the heart of Tupgill Park' in the Yorkshire Dales. A little further south in Matlock, Derbyshire, Metro reader John Mcdougall reccomends The National Tramway Museum. Visitors can ride vintage trams through mock period streets, and further out into the countryside. Back in London, Paul also says he has a big respect for the Crystal Palace Park dinosaurs, which were first unveiled in 1854. Apparently, the park has a history of hosting Formula 1 races too. Metro's Claie Wilson says the Kelvedon Hatch, a secret nuclear bunker, is a perfect weekend activity. As the biggest and deepest Cold War bunker open to the public in the southeast of England, it was designed for up to 600 military and civilian personnel, and possibly even the Prime Minister. Oh, and it's also casually hidden beneath someone's Essex bungalow. Entry for adults is £14. For kids between five and 16, it's £12. Rounding off her list of UK recommendations, Rosy says Bekonscot Model Village is worth a visit. As the oldest original model village in the UK (established in 1929), the finely detailed buildings perfectly capture rural English life in the 1930s. Ticket prices cost £14 for adults and £9 for children. However, if you book online at least 48 hours in advance, you can enjoy a 10% discount. You've got your selfie outside Buckingham Palace. You've marvelled at St. Paul's Cathedral. You've stuffed your face with pasties at London's oldest food market. You look up to Big Ben to check the clock, only to realise you've still got loads of time to kill in the Big Smoke. Tourist traps aside, alternative London is where it's at. The city is brimming with fun – and affordable – things to do, from game nights with friends to white water rafting. Yes, really. So, if you're looking to make the most of your time in London, but don't want to break the bank, Metro has rounded up 15 of the best alt activities the city has to offer. If you don't fancy something quirky, but you're still hankering for a UK staycation, we've got two standout suggestions for you. Metro reader, Jacob Evans loves Whitby in Yorkshire for its impressive architecture, charming beach, Gothic Abbey ruins and its connection to the Dracula novel. The iconic chippy, The Magpie, always makes it onto 'UK best fish and chip restaurant' lists, too. As for Metro's Kristina Beanland, a trip to Jersey converted her into a British holiday lover. She's not the only one hooked on the Channel Island charm, though. 'If you were to head 11 miles north of Liverpool or 16 miles west of Wigan, you'd stumble across a rather unassuming village that's home to around 8,300 people' writes Metro's Courtney Pochin. While those who've visited say it's a 'peaceful' and 'wonderful' little spot in reviews online, it's fair to say there's not exactly a lot to keep you occupied in Aughton, Lancashire. Despite this, people from all over Europe and even as far out as the USA, keep on flocking to the village each year and there's one very good reason why – the food. Read Courtney's culinary guide here. After a hearty meal at The Magpie, there's a lot to squeeze into a day in Whitby. If you can manage it, trek up the 199 steps to the historic Whitby Abbey. Sitting majestically on the hill overlooking the coastal town, the 7th-century Christian monastery is quite the spectacle. Especially at sunset. It's also a favourite visitor attraction during Whitby Goth Weekend, a twice-yearly alternative music festival and market that celebrates the Gothic culture. This year, the first event took place between April 24-27. The next one is October 30 to November 2. Other events include Whitby Folk Week, where traditional music, dance, and song of the British Isles are celebrated in venues and pubs all across the town. Enjoy a variety of activities, from Ceilidhs, dances, workshops, storytelling, and talks, many of which carry on into the night. Just six miles from Whitby is Robin Hood's Bay, a picturesque old fishing village that receives less attention than its more famous neighbour. Spend the day ambling along the beach, or hiking the steep and winding paths, before settling in for a pub dinner at one of the village's many cosy inns. Jersey is a unique place. While it might be part of the British Isles, it's positioned significantly closer to France than to England. This has led to the island being described as having a split personality. Kristina wrote that during her trip, she found Jersey to be 'British with its classic pubs and fish and chips.' But, 'with road names like Route de la Liberation, a Norman food market, and beaches with long stretches of white sand, you can hardly believe you aren't on the continent.' More Trending For the beach babies, two of Jersey's beaches are standouts. The first is St. Brelade's Bay, which boasts wide swathes of golden sands, turquoise waters, and the original Jersey Crab Shack. Make sure you try the oysters here. Six natural oysters served on ice with homemade shallot vinegar is £12.50. A Jersey whole crab (which you can pick yourself) is marked at market price. The second beach is Portelet. But beware: it's not the easiest to get to. You have to climb down steep steps before emerging into the sun-trapped cove. According to Kristina, if you don't want to venture down to the sand itself, the Portelet Inn is an olde worlde pub with panoramic views over the bay. History lovers, the Jersey War Tunnels are a must-see. As the island's most visited museum, it provides visitors with a glimpse of what life was like during the Second World War, when Nazi Germany occupied the island. Finally, to experience Jersey from the sea, book a RIB boat tour around the coastline. For £45.99, Jersey Seafaris take you around the Ecrehous, a cluster of isolated islands eight miles off the coast of France. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Beloved coastal cat who had run-ins with police honoured in new statue MORE: We travelled 14,000km on Race Across the World — this is the one place everyone should visit MORE: New bus ticket connects London to 'truly beautiful' seaside spot for under £5
