Please explain to me like I'm dumb - how do I use the tube?

Agree with this. The fastest way to irritate Londoners is to stand stock still in the middle of a platform or thoroughfare and block other people. A lot of people commute on autopilot and barely notice other tube users but some people get arsy if you’re standing around blocking traffic. Particularly if there’s several of you standing holding hands.

Carry water: the tube be really hot in summer and some lines don’t have air conditioning.

Build in a lot more time than you think you need.

If you can, avoid travelling during commute times (roughly 8-9.30am and about 5-7pm). The tube is a breeze when it’s quiet but when it’s packed it’s really packed.

Your journeys are pretty easy though so you should breeze it.

As a Londoner I use Citymapper to tell me whether tube or bus or walking ortaxi a combination of those is going to be quickest for me.

Tap in AND out on the tube.
Tap in ONLY on the bus.

Enjoy

Ah yes, sorry for the typo. The app is 'Citymapper' it's got a green background and a white arrow as the app logo for Apple.

i do use one because I don’t come up to London much and I’m not sure of the methods one can use.

I have stayed at that hotel, is eight mins walk from Paddington, in a straight line. So, Waterloo, head for the tube, tap in on barrier and follow signs for the Bakerloo line. You want a northbound train, get off at Paddington. Up the escalators, out of the station and walk along Praed St.

To get to Shaftesbury Ave, do that in reverse and get out at Piccadilly Circus. Once you are in Soho/Covent Garden area, have a nice explore, then Head back to Piccadilly Circus for the return to Paddington.

This is the one most people have been suggesting, no typo is there another one called citimapper though?

Look at a Tube map now - stations in circles with double rings round them are stations where you can change lines. All platforms have the direction of travel, eg North, South etc & also clearly show all the stops on them. Once you understand the map, it makes so much more sense. I first used the tube on my own when I was about 19 (many, many years ago) & having this explained yo me was the real key to understanding how yo navigate tge Tube system. (I lived very rurally, so was not a regular user until that point).

Oh and the app someone mentioned earlier got a typo in it - it is called citimapper.

@Knbcdryhb sorry if I'm copying other people's posts (haven't read them all).

The hotel is in a nice area.

From waterloo station I'd get the bakerloo line direct to paddington station, then walk. No need to change.

You can then take the bakerloo line back to piccadilly circus for the lyric.

There are other ways of doing this but as they are all on the bakerloo line then that will be easy

Haven’t read the whole thread but in case not already mentioned stand on right of escalators. Use the wider gates if you’ve got luggage (usually at the side of the row of barriers) and do not stop at the barriers or top of escalators to put your wallet or phone away as that will annoy Londoners. Just stand to the side in the ticket hall to get yourself sorted as there’s always room there.

Move along the platform, when waiting for your train, nothing marks you out more as a tourist than just gathering in entryways and exits and it’s annoying.

Also if visiting Covent Garden or Holborn area if often quicker to walk than get the tube. Don’t go from Leicester Sq to Covent Garden for instance, as it’s quicker and nicer to just walk.

I hooe you have a lovely trip. I love this city, so much to see and do.

But like someone's just said, oyster is good if you're wanted to keep an eye on budget, or not have your card or phone out :)

I'm in London every day. I haven't had an Oyster card since I was a child. I tap in and out using Apple Pay, never had an issue.

I prefer Oystercard - much happier not worrying about having a card or my phone out while travelling about the busy tube

Someone upthread did mention this but worth reiterating in case it got missed - you need a separate card/payment method for everyone in your group. You can’t use the same card/payment method for more than one person. I quite often see couples/groups trying to tap in a second person using the same card as the first and getting confused why it won’t work.

Oh! I love this. Probably more confusing than just a standard map for first timers. But the central London bit is super useful. It's often easier to walk one stop to get on the line you want than travel one stop and change.

TfL published a geographically accurate tube map here: tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-0525-1920

Plan ahead, write your instructions (if you need them) on a piece of paper so you don't need to keep pulling out your phone. Allow plenty of time and be prepared to retrace your steps if you do happen to get on the wrong train.
Most important of all, though, is avoid rush hour. Once you're a seasoned tube user you'll take rush hour in your stride but it's an unnecessary aggravation when you're on your first trip.
Enjoy whizzing through the city and imagining all those traffic jams you're avoiding!

I was taught (pre apps) to sit down with a tube map and work out:

• which line?
• what-bound?
• to where?

Or just use Citymapper.

We went a few years ago for the first time. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy. I think we used a map. We did ask at help desk about oyster card but she told us to just use contactless card if we're just visiting.

You can walk all over the place from your hotel, I'm not sure I'd bother with the tube much as you will miss seeing so much if you're on the underground!

Make sure you take a nice mosey down Marylebone high street. There's a great restaurant there called Fischer's and the lovely Daunt Bookshop.

I just set up Express travel mode too - amazing!

thanks to all on this thread for the tips as I’m going on Sunday for a few days. Been playing about with citymapper site too and it looks so much easier than the rubbish TFL one that doesn’t tell you which direction to go .

Work out your journey on City Mapper app then follow the colour code signs around the station.

Make sure you know if you are going east / west bound or north / south band to get on the right train - there are maps on ever platform.

If you take the northern line make sure take the right branch as you'll get trains on same platform going to different destinations. Similar with circle and district line.

You can tap in and out with contactless or Apple Pay

There are signs all over the stations but do plan your route in advance so you know where to change etc

The TfL app will tell you you routes to take it's a godsend

If you are arriving by train into a mainline station the staff are used to explaining the system.

I did have an Oyster card from years ago, I actually gave it away. These days the only reason to use it is so that you use the correct card to tap in and tap out. But you can do it with a credit or debit card, but use the same card.

The cost will be capped to the daily maximum, so if you take three journeys on the same day you won't pay any more that day.

Tapping in and out is done at the automatic gates but if you have a lot of luggage or a pram there is a wider gate the staff can open. Very similar to most train stations these days.

Once you have tapped in follow the signs to the line you want and the direction you want.

There could be escalators (stand on the right) lifts, stairs or level access, just follow the signs.

Once on the platform there will be a sign saying how long the next train is, just wait until it arrives, the doors will open and generally people let passengers off before getting on.

There are help call point on most if not all platforms.

Keep your bag in front of you.

Remember to 'tap out' on the same card.

Oh and London also has busses and trams. Sometimes the bus is a better route and you get to see things.

Have fun.