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Original poster

Do I need a stroller for London?

40 replies

Willyswaggingfinger · 05/03/2023 16:27

DH needs to renew his passport at his country's embassy in London so we're going to have to go with 5 month old DD.

We're going on the LNER service from Yorkshire then we'll stay in a hotel near King's Cross and travel to the embassy, probably by tube. The embassy is on the south side of Hyde Park.

We've got the Noordi Sole Pram but I'm conscious that it's not small or lightweight and might be a nightmare trying to navigate the tube. Do you have to fold down for the tube?
Would we be better buying a stroller? Or is that just as bad and we would be better with a baby carrier?
DD isn't able to sit up yet, weighs approx 7kg.

I've never done London with a baby before and probably overthinking it.

OP posts:
AperolSpritzUmbrella · 05/03/2023 16:34

If it’s just for a one off trip to one place and you have a carrier then do that. Not all tube stations have step free access so you either need to plan your journey accordingly using stations with lifts or carry everything down the escalators/stairs. You can leave your pram up on the buses but should either get off or collapse it if a wheelchair user or another pram needs the space and can’t fit.

Download the CityMapper app, it will show you options for your journey by bus/tube/walking.

We went recently and mostly used the carrier but managed our massive pram and carrycot on the bus on the last day.

Original poster
Willyswaggingfinger · 05/03/2023 16:38

Thankyou I'll look at the app.

London is a one off but we're going abroad to visit DH's family in summer so will need a stroller for then anyway. I'd just prefer her to be a bit bigger before we use one.

OP posts:
percypercypercy · 05/03/2023 16:39

I would just get a bus from King's Cross rather then a tube and I would take my pram.

I wouldn't go at all actually, I would just leave mine to go alone and stay home.

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BumblebeeWest · 05/03/2023 16:39

Do you and DD have to come too? If you’re only going to be staying one night and only to visit an embassy for his passport renewal, it seems like a lot of unnecessary hassle if all of you go, instead of just him.

SunshineIndoors123 · 05/03/2023 16:45

Having just done London with a baby, it was an absolute nightmare. Not all the tube stations have lifts and the ones that do are not always in service. DH and I had to carry the baby up and down the stairs of the stations in the pushchair in crowds of people (others doing the same) and it felt so, so dangerous. If you can do it with a carrier/sling, I would.

Original poster
Willyswaggingfinger · 05/03/2023 16:48

DH has only been in the uk 2 years and never been to London, he wants to sightsee while we are there. He wouldn't know where to start getting the tube, they don't have anything like that in his home country. I guess he could do cabs. It could be an option for him to go solo and then we go sightseeing when DD is older.

OP posts:
HackettGreen · 05/03/2023 16:53

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the user's request.

BananaBlue · 05/03/2023 16:53

I used an egg pram all over London tube network.

I generally avoided buses mind you.

citimapper shows step free access, you might have to get off at a further station and walk up.

what day of the week are you travelling? I was pre covid but generally you want to avoid rush hour (7-9.30/5-6.30 ish).

percypercypercy · 05/03/2023 16:53

Willyswaggingfinger · 05/03/2023 16:48

DH has only been in the uk 2 years and never been to London, he wants to sightsee while we are there. He wouldn't know where to start getting the tube, they don't have anything like that in his home country. I guess he could do cabs. It could be an option for him to go solo and then we go sightseeing when DD is older.

Honestly, buses are what you need.

I can't imagine a grown adult not being able to navigate some trains though

Original poster
Willyswaggingfinger · 05/03/2023 16:54

BananaBlue · 05/03/2023 16:53

I used an egg pram all over London tube network.

I generally avoided buses mind you.

citimapper shows step free access, you might have to get off at a further station and walk up.

what day of the week are you travelling? I was pre covid but generally you want to avoid rush hour (7-9.30/5-6.30 ish).

We'll be going on a Tuesday, getting in around 10am.

OP posts:
Whentwobecomesthree · 05/03/2023 16:54

People in London use big prams too. And on the tube. If there are two of you it will be absolutely fine. If there is only one of you someone ALWAYS offers to help carry. Don't buy anything new you don't think you need.

Imamumgetmeoutofhere · 05/03/2023 16:55

If you are going to be using a stroller on a regular basis and need a small one for travel I'd recommend the babyzen yo-yo. Folds small enough it can be used as cabin hold baggage and is a dream to use and fold

Original poster
Willyswaggingfinger · 05/03/2023 16:56

percypercypercy · 05/03/2023 16:53

Honestly, buses are what you need.

I can't imagine a grown adult not being able to navigate some trains though

Show quote history

He'd never been on a train until he came here, it's just not what they do in his country. They travel in mini buses or in shared taxi's. I thought it was weird when we were in a taxi and it stopped to let random people in.

OP posts:
vanillamint · 05/03/2023 16:57

I lived in London at the time but I giggle at my "buy a cute baby bjorn carrier and go around central"

No use your pram/stroller/baby seat.

You will want to put baby down at some point. You will want somewhere to store baby bag and anything you might buy, even if it's a drink.

And use the bus! It's better anyway and it's like sightseeing in central!

NuffSaidSam · 05/03/2023 16:57

The yo-yo is great for travelling anywhere (including London) as it's so light and easy to fold.

But for this, just send DH by himself! The tube is very easy to navigate, unless he's a complete idiot he'll be fine!

BananaBlue · 05/03/2023 16:58

10am tube on a Tues should be fine - it might look busy to a non-Londoner but I’d expect to get a choice of seats at that time.

I know Kings X fairly well, did it a lot on Mat leave. You might have a round about walk in station to take lifts (eg x3 to get to a platform) but you can get there.

coal drops yard is nearby and lovely, check Samsung events - I went to a free baby sensory class there.

Hyde park - not sure about pram travel on tube there I’ll have a quick check, my initial thought is Piccadilly to green park (did this with pram actually, lovely walk) as I don’t think Hyde park isn’t step free.

personally for a 5monoth old on tube I’d prefer a more solid pram than stroller. If you take pram also take sling maybe?

Kitchenette · 05/03/2023 17:01

You can do Kings Cross step free to Green Park on the tube and walk from there- easy.

Generally, two adults and a baby won’t be any trouble at all on the tube even if you have to use the escalators. Just avoid rush hour.

Bustard · 05/03/2023 17:01

I wouldn't bother with lifts. When we have been in London with our pushchair we've just folded it up to go on the escalators. If you get around your own town/city fine with your pushchair then you'll be fine in London (especially as there are two of you so you can easily take the baby out while DH deals with the pushchair).

Original poster
Willyswaggingfinger · 05/03/2023 17:02

We'll definitely take the sling but DD won't want to be in it for long periods so we'll definitely need the pram or stroller.

OP posts:
percypercypercy · 05/03/2023 17:02

He'd never been on a train until he came here, it's just not what they do in his country.

I understand that, but as a grown adult surely he can navigate this even though he hasn't done it before?

I didn't use the underground until I was in my 30s and hadn't been in a train since I was a child. As an adult I was able to work it out, that was before we had all the apps to help too.

AviMav · 05/03/2023 17:03

Defo buy a stroller. You will need to use it anyway... I've done the same route as you OP. I didn't fold my pram down I just wheeled it on. My boy loved his pram so there's no way I would be without it we went everywhere.

BananaBlue · 05/03/2023 17:04

City mapper gives step-free as Kings X to Green Park then bus.

personally I’d walk from Green P - it’s lovely.

Id use this as a sight seeing event and stay 2 nights 😳
I’m a born Londoner and used mat leave to properly explore it.

Original poster
Willyswaggingfinger · 05/03/2023 17:04

The tube is very easy to navigate, unless he's a complete idiot he'll be fine!

😬
Jury's out on that one sometimes

OP posts:
BananaBlue · 05/03/2023 17:07

I’m sure he would be fine but people often get confused on the tube esp if English isn’t first language.

You often see tourists huddled with a map looking confused.

percypercypercy · 05/03/2023 17:09

Bus no 30 to Marble Arch then walk down the side of Hyde park?