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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

London tubes AIBU?

104 replies

mumstheword1x · 08/04/2026 19:30

I’m really nervous to get on a tube tomorrow, it’s only one tube and about 5 stops- but it’s my first time doing it alone and it’ll take about 15 minutes. I’m generally scared something will go wrong and I worry about security threats in London.

anyone do it regularly? My husband says IBU and lots of people do it everyday with no issues.

ugh 😭

OP posts:
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remodelornot · 09/04/2026 07:53

you did it OP! Bottle that feeling. Have a great day

Spidey66 · 09/04/2026 07:52

I'm not in London now but lived there until 18 months ago and I'm nearly 60. I used the tube all the time. It can be overcrowded at peak times but it's safe. Any unsafe issues are vv rare.

Sartre · 09/04/2026 07:49

Meh, London is safe. I know they had a random spate of moped muggings at one stage but compared to the size of the population, that risk was relatively low. The person saying not to wave your phone around is OTT, everyone walks around with their phones!

Never felt unsafe in a tube station or on the tube. Everyone’s just in their own world trying to get by OP. The only time I’ve almost been mugged was Paris in a tube station actually.

Backpain2026 · 09/04/2026 07:49

Just seen you are en route, have a great day

GetOffTheCounter · 09/04/2026 07:48

Good on you, OP. Doing anything new can be scary.

FWIW I used to use the tube twice daily for 5 years. I was really scared at first but came to really enjoy it. Love people watching.

LezUlez · 09/04/2026 07:44

Well done you, and great advice from your dad. Have a great day ahead

Backpain2026 · 09/04/2026 07:42

Roughly the same number of journeys happen on the tube each day as on the whole of the rail network, 4.5 to 5 million journeys.

It's far more dangerous to travel by car than by train or tube

remodelornot · 09/04/2026 07:40

it’s calm. Absolutely fine

HoraceCope · 09/04/2026 07:36

well done
and thanks to your dad who gave you great advice

mumstheword1x · 09/04/2026 07:29

Thank you everyone. My dad is a Londoner born and bread, and he told me to change my route up a little and spend 10 minutes longer on my Kent to London train, and go to Victoria, jump on the circle line for a few stops as it’s half outside and would make me feel better. Which it has! - I’m now only 2 stops away from Paddington 😭 I feel proud of myself LOL.

I’ve just got to do it on the way back tonight and then I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished something on my own! ( I’m a little village girl and don’t get to London much! )

OP posts:
titchy · 08/04/2026 21:52

bunnyvsmonkey · 08/04/2026 20:49

I think the worst thing that could go wrong is that you stand on the left of the escalator. As long as you stand on the right it'll be fine.

Or stop at the top of the escalator looking at your phone Angry

Blueeberry · 08/04/2026 21:50

The tube is absolutely amazing - the easiest, most user friendly transport system I’ve ever used (globally!!). Apple Maps will tell you exact platforms and all you have to do is follow the signs and keep an eye/ear out for your stop. It’s very simple

Givemebackmygirlhood · 08/04/2026 21:47

Lots of very lovely people have put reassuring and helpful messages above me but I wanted to say I also suffer from anxiety and I know it’s not rational and you don’t get to choose what makes you anxious. That said you sound like you know the route and you will be doing it early in the morning so it’s quiet and think how brilliant you will feel all day when you have achieved your goal of travelling alone on the tube. All recovery starts with small steps like these and you’re really brave for feeling the fear and doing it anyway. For what it’s worth I feel anxious about lots of small things that you can probably do very easily BUT I don’t have any anxiety about the tube, I use it most days and I love it. I hope one day you will feel the same. Good luck tomorrow 💐

Flymehomejeff · 08/04/2026 21:45

mumstheword1x · 08/04/2026 20:47

Thanks everyone. I’ve done this route before with my husband. So I’m pretty ok with what platform to take etc. I guess it’s the fact I’m alone & the fact I have really bad anxiety- I’ve got myself into a state of what can happen in terms of terror & im aware this can happen on a bus / on paths too.

I’ve got to do it in the morning, at around 7:30. I don’t have time to get the bus / walk it - as I’m only just making it by getting my first train at 6am into London! 😭 on the way back i guess I’ll have all the time in the world as I’ll be back in London by 6pm!

I travel in London every day and am sure it will be fine. Also, 7.30 will be a stupid time for a terror attack as the bakerloo line won't be very busy.

Yellowchair1 · 08/04/2026 21:44

The tube is like any other form of public transport- trains / buses / trams; though I agree any if these feel intimidation if you are not use to them. London is generally a safe city and there are lots of peoole around so ask someone if you get stuck. Download a tube map so you can plan your route, though there are maps and signs everywhere

HateThese4Leggedbeasts · 08/04/2026 21:41

I get the tube very regularly and am a nervous anxious person in general.

I honestly never think about something going wrong as it feels very familiar to me getting the tube.

Put some headphones on and listen to a pod cast or music. The worst thing that will happen will be a delay or feeling too crowded in a carriage.

isspringaspringing · 08/04/2026 21:39

It will be absolutely fine but you could get the circle line from Embankment ( 1 min walk from Charing Cross ) to Paddington rather than the Bakerloo line. A lot of it is above ground so you might find it less stressful and the trains are generally nicer. Will take a bit longer though.

MinnietheMini · 08/04/2026 21:38

I'd walk, looks like it will take an hour. We were in London at the weekend and we didn't take the tube, we never do when we are in London. Always cycle, or walk. There is so much to see when you are not under the ground x

SummerInSun · 08/04/2026 21:37

My 12 year old regularly takes the tube by himself. As do thousands of high school students in London every day. You will be fine. You’re built this up into something in your head that it really isn’t!

TrixieFatell · 08/04/2026 21:37

I dont live in London but do go there a couple of times a year. The tube is really easy to use. I Google where I want to get to from where and it tells me the line I need, the direction and which train. Plan your journey before you get there and if you do get overwhelmed there are always people around to help.

I find the tube easier then the buses

HotRootsAndNaughtyToots · 08/04/2026 21:33

Statistically, your chances of being caught up in a terror attack in the UK are about the same as you winning the big bucks in the Lottery.

You'll be fine op :)

Bubbles332 · 08/04/2026 21:33

I live in London and get the tube a lot. Here are some things that helped me when I first moved here:

  • You need to know if you’re going North, South, East or West. When you get to the bit where you choose which platform to go on, read the blue banner at the top which will tell you the direction.
  • Some lines split into multiple branches, so you need to know the final stop of the branch you need. For example, if you’re getting the Picadilly Line you need to know if you’re going to Uxbridge or Heathrow.
  • Sometimes it is less faff to get a bus.

Just enjoy if you can! The Bakerloo is my favourite line for seat layout and the upholstery is quite nice. (Victoria Line has the best colour scheme IMO.)

Remember that the reason scary things make the news is because they are news. If they happened all the time it wouldn’t be news.

cocoromo · 08/04/2026 21:32

I went to London with my children last year to see the sights - managed the tube no problem and was with 2 kids and from the North so hadn’t done it before either! If I can do it you can too!

Mamabearandcubs · 08/04/2026 21:30

I felt the same when I was on the tube, was so nervous for the same reason as you OP

Rollonsummer1 · 08/04/2026 21:26

Op can you just get a bus instead .