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

If you have a National Railcard then the staff at a tube station can add the discount to your Oyster card.

That'll be me, sorry.

Has anyone mentioned the noise and wind when the tube approaches?

buses you get on at the front, and you don't need to tap out.
you can travel on as many buses in an hour for a single fare as you want.

the daily cap covers tube and bus fares + docklands light railway and trams (and some overground, but the overground is a bit complicated)

Use buses as well as tubes - you'll get to see more

Google maps will tell you what bus & direction you need, and alert you a couple of stops before you need to get off.
The buses have visual displays and announcements ot the next stop.

Are you arriving at waterloo or waterloo east. Its a direct tube on the bskerloo line but there are 2 buses too if you're not in a hurry and you can pass through the sights.m

Use the same card to tap on and off, within I think zones 1-4 the price is capped at £8.50 for 24 hours use. Some trains on certain routes may not go where you want to be but when you hear a train approaching look at the destination on the front of the train. If you get on and then realise you're wrong just get off at the next station to wait for the correct train. In the carriages there is route and train information. Wear something cool because it can get hot, stuffy and sweaty. When using escalators stand on the right unless you want to run up or down them you do it on the left hand side. Tube maps are free and it's very well signposted. You can't really go wrong.

Make sure that you use the same card or phone/watch to tap in and out. I presumed it was ok to use a card to tap in, and phone to tap out. It got rather expensive!

8 year olds use it routinely. Unaccompanied.

Honestly op it's super easy...go to gate, tap debit card or olyster card (get from friendly staff in pay place)...id pick up a free guide...take tube to where you want to go and make sure you tap out too...enjoy your trip to London...it's a city with so much history...I used to spend my weekend s walking and getting lost...look up and down at the buildings...

Firstly, Welcome!! I hope you have a really great visit.

1. The tube map is designed to make it simple to work out what line you need and where you need to change, so it is not accurate in terms of distances between stations or their actual positions in the real world. Check to see which stations are near to your start and end points and plan the journey from there.
2. Make sure you tap in AND out for every journey, using the same card, EVEN IF THE GATES ARE OPEN. The system is set up to penalise fare-dodgers, so if you only tap once it assumes the worst and charges for a long journey.
3. Use the same payment card all day, so the system knows it's the same person, and it will automatically apply the price-cap.
4. take water in the hot weather, and don't be afraid to ask for a seat if you need one.
5. STAND ON THE RIGHT on the escalators or pass on the left. If you stand on the left, you will probably be in someone's way, and they will curse you and your family for all eternity. Possibly your pets too.

This place is amazing and such good value!

I hate to put a downer on your trip, but having recently been taking visitors round London, I should warn you that pickpockets are an absolute menace at the moment. (As I know to my cost they are in many places in Europe.)

Keep all fastenings on your bag under your arm or in front of you - zips on backpacks will be opened without you noticing. Don't wander about with your phone in your hand, and if you must look at it, stand by a wall to avoid it being snatched by a passing biker. No phones, cards, money etc in unzipped pockets.

Basically, keep your wits about you and don't allow yourself to be hassled or rushed. Central tube stations are the worst. (Personally I haven't had a problem in London.)

Instructions here: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/105123
I believe it also works if your battery has died.

Sounds like a fab adventure!

If it’s the central Lyric then I love this place to eat - great value and brilliant quality for central London -

https://www.brasseriezedel.com/brasserie-zedel/

Not sure about restaurants near the Hammersmith Lyric tho x

How do you do that ?

Definitely don't go to Hyde Park tube station! It's right the other side of the park and about 35 mins walk from the hotel whereas Paddington is a 5 min walk.

I have an Oyster card. I have a disabled railcard for trains, but you can link a railcard to an Oyster card and that gives me a third off tube fares outside of peak hours.

The Edward Hotel is very close to Paddington. When you get off at Waterloo, take the brown line (Bakerloo) line northbound and you'll be there in about 15mins, no changes. For the Lyric Theatre, you can get the Bakerloo line again southbound from Paddington to Piccadilly Circus and it's about a 30 second walk.

To get to the Lyric theatre just get back on Piccadilly line at Hyde Park tube and get off at Piccadilly Circus. Or you could get a bus if you want to see the sights.

Keep right on the escalators!

not sure if it’s already been said but you can set a card up on Apple Pay specifically for travel so you just tap your phone without needing to do facial recognition or clicking in to Apple pay

@Knbcdryhb that's a straightforward journey. Just follow signs to Jubilee line and either change at Green Park to go one stop on Piccadilly line to Hyde Park or change at Bond St to go one stop on Central line to Lancaster Gate.
TBH if you don't have lots of luggage and the weather's nice I would just get off at Green Park and walk along Piccadilly and through Hyde Park to the hotel.