Before I commit to these tickets (London trains and tubes)

[Warehouuse]

I've been waiting to book theatre tickets in 2 weeks time to see Matilda, but waited it out in case a train strike is announced - as we would need to go by train from the North West. Before I buy the tickets, am I right in thinking it is normal services between 17-19th Nov? And is it worth paying for the insurance with the tickets? They are a lot, eye watering but nearly £300, so I want to be sure! Thanks

Have a look on split ticket. FYI if you book train tickets earlier you can usually get tickets to London for about £50!

If you’re going with another adult look at getting a digital two together card. I have one with my husband and another with my best mate. It saves 30% on tickets but you have to be travelling together.

I've got my train tickets for around £50 each a while ago, as I knew they would be refunded if cancelled...its just all the stuff we want to do in London I've held out on 😊

I think theatres will usually allow you credit or to change date if you have to cancel with 24h notice. I'd ring and check. If not insurance probs is a good idea at that price.

I think that unions have to give 2 weeks notice for a strike, so you should be OK for 17-19 Nov.

You don’t need to pay for transport in London in advance. I would check the theatre’s policy for their tickets.

I’m also travelling that weekend so get your concern
train companies have to give 14 days’ notice for a strike so I am assuming we are in the clear if nothing announced by tomorrow

We saw it earlier this year- also from the NW- and it was fab. Enjoy!

The insurance for these things is a massive farce.

we had it for a show recently and there were train strikes that weekend - the insurance was void any claims to do with the strikes and they froze people being able to change their ticket dates.

We had insurance for another upcoming concert which we can no longer attend due to a work travel commitment- insurance still void, you basically need a doctors note or proof of a car breakdown/death in family/water leak in order for it to be valid. Won’t be bothering with insurance again!

To be honest I’m not sure where the hesitancy in this specific situation is coming from - trains anywhere can be unreliable. there’s always a risk of disruption or cancellation due to weather, illness, leaves on the line, trespassers etc. you can’t plan for every eventuality. No one here is more “in the know” than you are. We all have access to the same internet and none of us can see beyond that, there’s no magic globe for the underground. For example there were no strikes this week but there was lots of delays and cancellations due to the weather. At least in London you should have a few alternative routes you can take to get to your destination if that does happen.

The risk of cancellation is present whenever you book an event or weekend away. I think your question is more whether you can afford spending the £300 or not. If not, it is worth taking out insurance or going for an option that will let you cancel or give a partial refund even if it costs more upfront. Or see if you can book tickets closer to the time, again even if it costs more. Plus make sure you book showings that generously overestimate how long it may take you to get from the train station to your next destination. Go to London with a flexible agenda - and keep in mind it will generally be extra busy due to time of year

I don't live in London..I may have missed something as there's tonnes of news pages re strikes. I'm just asking if I've missed anything and whether the insurance is worth it, seemingly not so from the replies.

Thanks for the helpful comments!

Also strike negotiations are different on the tube and the national rail system. So if there is a national rail strike there won't necessarily be a tube strike (and vice versa).

Even if the tubes are on strike, buses in London will run and to be honest if you are staying and socialising in Central London it is very walkable.

Matilda is 72h notice for ticket changes, I just checked. I think they would have a hard time freezing them if it's in the t&C's - were they pulling a fast one @Bluesclues1 ?

It was about a week out that we tried to change the tickets. They had a large banner on the website that said due to strikes, ticket changes on the following dates are no longer available. Deep in the T&Cs was a clause saying they can do that in unforeseen circumstances!

It wasn’t Matilda though, it was another show (not on the west end).

Wow that's awful @Bluesclues1 ! Best double check the T&C's then op so you know where you are.