Trip to London and feeling anxious, help!

[Beebatron]

DH randomly booked a hotel for me in London as I've had a rotten time recently and I've wanted a solo trip to London to do museums etc for a long time. However now he's done it I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and anxious, so for those of you who live in London can you help me get my head around using the tube? Do you just use contactless or will I need an oyster card? I'll also need to get a bus from Archway to Highgate cemetery on Tuesday morning and I've never used a London bus. Do you use money or contactless?
Sorry for the silly questions but I'm feeling quite anxious and overwhelmed about it all!

All done via contactless. Enjoy!

Download the citymapper app it will help you plan routes etc. and just contactless is the easiest way to pay.

Contactless on everything. When you check your statement, you'll see there's a travel cap where you won't pay over a certain amount for travel.

Thank you! So when I enter the tube station I just pop my card on and then again on exiting?

You can use contactless for everything! Same fare as oyster. Bus from Archway to Highgate should be no problem, that's not far at all. You can check on the Tfl website what letter bus stop your bus departs at (as Archway has several bus stops). At each bus stop there is a small map showing where the different letter bus stops are. Enjoy!.

All on contactless. Depending on your mobility, Archway to the cemetery is perfectly walkable (although a from memory there is quite a steep hill). Personally I often prefer to walk than get the bus.

Yes, tube on entry and exit; bus just on entry.

You can just use contactless for everything, and despite their often moody faces, London bus drivers and station staff are a helpful bunch, so just ask if you need to know which stop to get off at. Enjoy your trip

Contactless all the way, couldn't be simpler!

The only thing to remember is that on the tube you tap in and out (to get through the barriers) - whereas on a bus you only tap in.

Remember on the tube or train, you tap at the start and end. On the bus you only tap when you get on. It's a fixed price regardless of the number of stops you go.

@Beebatron Have a look at the TFL (Transport for London) website.

Everything is contactless now. You can either use your card, or if you have your card set up on your mobile, then you can just hold that against the scanner.

I would recommend not using the tubes at rush hour, as this can be overwhelming even for the most hardened Londoner; go after 9:30 and take your time - once you’ve got the hang of it, it will be a breeze. Enjoy!

Thanks so much everyone this is so helpful. I have some mobility issues so need to minimise walking as much as possible really.

Uh oh I didn't even consider this. I'll need to travel on Tuesday at rush hour to get to Highgate!

Feeling nervous is understandble.

The only tip I would say is make sure the card you are using for contactless is easy to whip out - nothing worse than having to rummage around in a backpack when you're right at the barrier. I use a cross body bag, or will have my card in pocket if they are deep enough to be secure.

If you're someone who doesn't mind a walk, its worth bearing in mind that in Central London, walking is often as quick as getting the tube.

City mapper app is a good idea. Does your phone run out of power easily? You might end up using location on your phone a lot which could drain battery life. If you have a power pack/bank i would take with you.

There are priority seats for people less able to stand by every door in the tube, and at the front of the bus. If people are in them, they should move if you say you need the seat due to mobility issues. But do ask, they’ll pretend not to notice you if they think they can get away with it!

In that case, take as many buses as you want even if it's just one stop.

This is from TFL website...

Bus fare is £1.65, and a day of bus-only travel will cost a maximum of £4.95. You can transfer to other buses or trams for free an unlimited number of times within one hour of touching in for your first journey.

If you don’t have Uber download that - if you have some mobility issues a quick cab ride will get you out of a rush our commute.

Also don’t be afraid to say ‘would you mind if I sit down I have XYZ when you are on the tube’

The staff stations are also helpful.

Carry some water and a snack with you.

Archway to Highgate is travelling in the opposite direction to most commuters so it might be totally fine. I would just walk it if you don't have mobility issues - it's only about 20 minutes.

Re rush hour to highgate, where will you be travelling from?

perhaps an Uber from Archway to the cemetery.

I really wouldn't worry! I regularly take the 210 bus from Archway to Highgate on morning rush hours and it's fine, can usually get a seat no bother.

Where are you staying? There may be better options that tube to Archway then bus to the cemetery. Don’t worry about rush hour as you’ll be travelling in the other direction to commuters.

There's no such thing as a quick cab ride during rush hour!

I'm staying near Finsbury park