London tube question!

[Rollerbird]

Arriving at Euston on the train this afternoon. Staying in London with a 6 year old until Monday afternoon. Visiting 'attractions'. Staying near Leicester Square. What train ticket can I get for tubes etc? Best value.?
Also is it worth taking the microscooter?

As people have said it is easiest just to use your contactless bank card, just tap it on the gates. You can also use it to pay for bus journies.

If you are staying near Leicester Sq a lot of the central London attractions will be walkable. Make sure your wear comfortable shoes, prepare for a lot of walking and DO NOT bring a micro scooter. The area where you are staying gets very busy at the weekend and a small child on a scooter will just be a nuisance.

Agree that bus and walking is the best way to get around central London - waliking can be quicker than the Tube for short journeys. But it's worth getting the Tube at least once so 6 yo can experience it, and begin to become familiar with it. Speaking as someone who was taken on the Tube from a young age, so when I was old enough to travel about alone, I was perfectly confident about navigating my way around. (And I loved the Tube as a small child.)

Leicester Sq tube station and the areas around it can be very very busy at the weekend so be prepared for that. London is pretty safe but I would advise taking a cross body bag that secures properly to keep your purse and mobile in. It will make it easier when walking around as well.

If you are ok with buses, the number 24 bus will get you from Euston to Leicester Square pretty quickly - take the one bound for Pimlico.

It's only a half hour walk, or the bus. Use the same contactless card on each bus and it caps the fare.

Tap in and out with same card on every journey, don’t forget to do this! And even if there’s an interchange tube with a touch in point for cards.

Big no to the scooter, they’re bad enough at the best of times but in crowded tourist areas even worse.

Agreed with people saying bus and walking is quicker than tube. You can do a walk that covers most of what you’d like to see and/or stop off at Starbucks etc for drinks/snacks.

London is pretty safe but I would advise taking a cross body bag that secures properly to keep your purse and mobile in.

Pocket picking or bag dipping are the most likely crimes in busy tourist areas. Keep bags securely zipped with valuables at the bottom, under a scarf or something. Keep bag on your lap in a cafe; don't put it on the floor or hang it on your chair.

And if you come out of a tube station, don’t immediately get your mobile out.

I wonder if you have underestimated just how busy London will be. The idea of taking a scooter maybe indicates you think there will be space around you OP? There won't be. It's busy, you need 10 sets of eyes, especially with a child to look after, and yes to keeping all your valuables close across your front and don't take your phone out unless you absolutely need to.

I'm not trying to disagree there's pick pocketing in London but I'd say most people have their phones out at some point when walking around. Some of the comments make it sound like the Wild West.

Def get Citymapper app it tells
you which bus stop to use. Is super useful and accurate. Bus often better than tube. Hard no to the scooter.

And some people get them stolen from said hands. There is nothing wrong with being careful.

That said I'm hyper vigilant so possibly being extreme.

OP, I sometimes take my kids out on their scooters in central London. Somewhere like Oxford Street/Leicester Square is too busy, but on other streets it’s fine. Means we can do lots of walking without them getting too tired. I’ve also never been pickpocketed or had my phone stolen (not suggesting it doesn’t happen, but it’s not frequent)

but on other streets it’s fine

You might think it’s fine, but I guarantee that other pedestrians do not.

It’s incredibly selfish.

Hard no on the scooter.
It would be a nightmare to manage.

But I wouldn't stress about using your phone, every other person will be glued to theirs.

I’d get the Citymapper app and look at doing more bus / walks.
much more interesting for your child as they get to see London.

And ignore the comments about not getting your phone out 😂 every has their phone out. Be mindful of course but it’s not the Wild West

Ah so you don't need a visitor oyster card? Contactless is better? We are also visiting soon!

Oh god OP ignore the more hysterical comments 🙄 Millions of people successfully raise children in London and manage not to get mugged every time they step out of their front door! Loads of London kids have scooters and manage fine but they are more used to the roads and crowds. I think if you’re on and off tubes etc it will be a bit of a faff. As others have said buses are your best bet unless in a hurry! Have a great time.

Life long Londoner. Never have a phone stolen but maybe I have that angry Londoner look which suggests I’m gonna steal your phone, and not offer you a seat on the tube, and accidentally on purpose kick your slow moving wheeled suitcase.

Absolute no to the scooter.

Also if you have just one child, this is as easy as piss. I’ve navigated 3 around london almost 1000 times, with a double buggy and slings and whilst alone too. Through kings cross which is busier than Euston.

Biggest tip. People in London move fast and purposefully. We don’t mind slow moving people at all but if you recognise you are slow moving and keep to the side, no one will bother you.

Also: along with the 'use the same card' advice, also be aware that you should either use the card OR Apple Pay. Even if it's the same card, don't switch between the two as they get registered as different payment types and you could be subject to the payment cap twice.

www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/new-map-shows-london-phone-25866762.amp

If you don't agree that it's a risk, fair enough, not no need to label people hysterical for raising a well known issue.

It's more the fear-mongering that can spoil a visit if people start to feel a bit paranoid.

I'm out and about in London a lot and I've never seen anyone mugged. Not to say it doesn't happen but you'd be very unlucky on a two-day visit. Whereas we've been pickpocketed in Rome and attempted in Paris.

As with every town, most people have their phones out constantly so you'd not be a particular target with yours out. I left a random stranger looking after my computer in a coffee shop in London last week while I nipped downstairs to the loo. There's a nice side to London too.