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AIBU?

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Original poster

How to use the tube in London.

37 replies

Mercedesaintmycar · 07/07/2025 16:14

sorry, haven't got anyone in RL and only been to the capital once many moons ago.

I have a medical appointment in London coming with with disabled DC. We bought all the train tickets but I just noted that some of the train tickets are not from train station to train station but I have to make the way myself in between (such as from Liverpool Street to London Euston). Do I need to buy a tube ticket or can I just swipe my debit card?

Sorry if the question is stupid. Travel with DC is difficult and I thought I have every single leg covered.

OP posts:
PollyIndia · 07/07/2025 16:23

From Liverpool st to euston, you can just get the circle, Hammersmith and city or metropolitan line via kings cross and get off at Euston Square, rather than faff about changing at kings x t get to euston itself. They are super close.

minipie · 07/07/2025 16:22

How old is DC, if under 11 they just go through the big “family” gate with you.

HeartandSeoul · 07/07/2025 16:22

I can’t add it as a link, but Visit London has a good guide on there. I’m heading to London on Thursday for a hospital appt for my son, and I found several things helpful on that site.

TheChosenTwo · 07/07/2025 16:21

Yes you’ll need to tap at both ends of the journey so TFL know how far you’ve travelled and how much to charge you. It’s really reasonable imo.
And don’t stress about remembering to tap out, you do it at the ticket barriers and won’t be able to get through without either a ticket or tapping.

GrannyGoggles · 07/07/2025 16:20

You can use your debit card. Make sure you’ve got your route planned and in your head, and ask station staff or fellow passengers if you’re not quite sure which platform/ direction

TheChosenTwo · 07/07/2025 16:20

You can tap a contactless card at tube stations but you must have a separate one per person travelling. Or buy tickets at the station, I think they all still have ticket machines. Depending on the age children up to the age of… 10? 12? (Someone will know!) travel for free on the tube.

Original poster
Mercedesaintmycar · 07/07/2025 16:20

So need to touch on the way on and out! Got it. sounds simple enough. Thanks all.

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 07/07/2025 16:19

You can use your debit card to touch in and out an tube station barriers

Heronwatcher · 07/07/2025 16:19

You can just touch in and out with a debit card/ phone- does your DC have one? If not you can buy a ticket for them to your destination at the first tube station or a travel card for the right zones. Depending on their age they might travel for free.

If you say where you are coming into and where you need to get to we can probably give you the easiest route. Citymapper is usually good too. The tube is really easy for the most part, it’s just best to avoid peak times if you’re not confident.

You can also get a tube map with step free stations online too.

CharlotteSometimes1 · 07/07/2025 16:18

You tap your card as you go through the ticket barriers at both entry and exit points, if you make a number of journeys in one day there’s a cap on the max cost, I can’t remember what it is though. Anyway, it’s easy.

HeartandSeoul · 07/07/2025 16:18

As the previous person mentioned, you can use your debit or credit card. Just make sure you use the same card (unlike me!), or you will be charged extra.

phoenixrosehere · 07/07/2025 16:17

You can tap your debit or credit card.