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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to take a pram on the tube?

49 replies

MrsGruffalo · 09/03/2011 18:58

Just wondering whether I could get from Victoria to London Zoo on the tube with a pram..?

Would other passengers hate us? Is it reasonable to expect there to be space for me & my fairly chunky Britax travel system?? Is it possible? Would the escalators be too much?

OP posts:
worraliberty · 09/03/2011 19:00

I've done it loads of times with a buggy, is that an option?

spudmasher · 09/03/2011 19:01

You'd be fine on the tube. Are you hiking across Regent's Park or getting the bus. Sometimes they won't let you on if there is already a pram on which is annoying.It's not a bad walk but it's a walk.

cocoachannel · 09/03/2011 19:03

Shouldn't be a problem at all, but avoid rush hour if you can for your own sanity!

lurkerspeaks · 09/03/2011 19:04

Would be fine. I'd just avoid rush hour.

Escalators might be challenging though. I don't know either station well enough to comment.

Is there a bus that vaguely goes in the right direction? They are generally more (big) pram friendly. Wee prams are fine on the escalators IME.

Vicbic · 09/03/2011 19:05

Make sure you avoid rush hour though! And you'll need to navigate a fair few stairs as the escalator is being refurbished.

BertieBotts · 09/03/2011 19:06

Buses are easier IME. Try the TFL website for a map :)

BranchingOut · 09/03/2011 19:06

It may be easier to do it by bus. I live in London and have made several long journeys across central London by bus. They move a bit slower, but there are no stairs and once you are on the bus, then all you have to do is relax and look out of the windows....If you get on at Victoria then you are likely to be getting on at a terminus/interchange where most people get on or off, so it should be fairly easy to get a pram space.

Use 'tfl journey planner' and, scrolling down the page, tick the options for the type of transport that you would like to use.

I do suggest that you don't attempt either Tube or Bus in the rush hours, as then you may become a bit unpopular!

pozzled · 09/03/2011 19:07

You'd be absolutely fine with a buggy, pram or travel system could be quite a hassle. There will be plenty of space if it's not rush hour, but do check out whether there is step-free access at the relevant stations.

step free map here

MarianneM · 09/03/2011 19:07

I wouldn't worry about the other passangers, but there will be steps! It is hard work carrying a pram up and down steps even if there are two of you! I would take a bus.

picc · 09/03/2011 19:10

been on tube in that kind of area many times with britax vigour (big, chunky)

has been fine, and someone has always offered to help me carry it up stairs when lifts/escalators not available

littlebylittle · 09/03/2011 19:12

Bus! Every time. Ring the info line, they're really helpful.

DilysPrice · 09/03/2011 19:14

Are you used to doing escalators with that pushchair?
Victoria is a nightmare during the late afternoon and I'm pretty sure there's a fair few stairs (though Victoria to bakerloo line change at Oxford circus is very simple and completely step free - I do it regularly).
Taxi or bus would definitely be easier if you're on your own - try the TFL journey planner.

tethersend · 09/03/2011 19:14

C2 bus goes from Victoria station to Camden and then it's just a short walk to London zoo

BertieBotts · 09/03/2011 19:17

Also - you might not want to which is fine, but if baby is too small for an umbrella fold type buggy how about a sling? I could carry DS in a stretchy wrap perfectly comfortably for 6+ hours even at 7 months or so, and I'm pretty weedy. Just thought I'd mention in case you hadn't thought of it.

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 09/03/2011 19:18

453 bus goes from regent's park to victoria. it's a bendy bus so lots of pram space

to go by tube you would need to negotiate stairs at regent's park, and stairs and escalators at victoria. i am particularly rubbish at balancing buggies on escalators though...

iamabadger · 09/03/2011 19:19

I was going to suggest the C2 bus as well. Easy for people to say "don't worry about the other passengers", but if you don't time it right you physically won't squeeze a buggy on the tube whether people are obnoxious about it or not!

toeragsnotriches · 09/03/2011 19:22

It's fine but don't do it in rush hour, obviously! I travel regularly on the tube with my pushchair (small Maclaren tho) and every single time I get offers of help. If the buggy's big I would get the bus tho.

picturerail · 09/03/2011 19:23

You'll be fine. You may get a few tuts at Victoria as it's a busy station (& i think it may be being refurbished?) but it's a really easy journey & shouldn't take too long. Just ignore the other passengers! I used to work at Warren Street & loved walking across the park down to the Zoo.

DilysPrice · 09/03/2011 19:29

If you're twitchy about taking the bus (I know a lot of non-londoners are) and have a smartphone then there are apps you can dismiss which will track your progress along a bus route so you know exactly when to get off. (London travel deluxe costs 59p and works fine but there are probably others).

meditrina · 09/03/2011 19:46

Personally, I think you'd be insane to attempt to take anything other than a small, lightweight and narrow pushchair onto the Tube.

Victoria Station is being refurbished at the moment, TfL is warning people to avoid the station and the escalator service is reduced and sometimes totally unavailable.

If you go for the bus, getting on at Victoria can be difficult because it is just so damn busy (pushchair may have to be folded during rush hours, or you'll have to wait). Can you arrange your day so you can avoid peak rush hour?

Another idea is to walk back along Vauxhall Bridge Road to try to get onto the bus the stop before Victoria so you don't have so many other people to swerve.

DilysPrice · 09/03/2011 19:49

I don't know why that came out as dismiss - I meant download of course - bloody iPhone (but it does stop me getting off strange busses at the wrong stop).

meditrina · 09/03/2011 19:52

Buses have a rolling display telling you the name of the next stop (sometimes they speak it out loud too). Far less scary than it used to be.

bambiandthumper · 09/03/2011 19:53

I take a double pushchair on the tube the whole time, so as long as you are prepared for it Wink, its fine!

Try to avoid rush hour, but that goes for tubes in general. Most stations have lifts, but imagine Victoria is a bit chaotic atm, is there any way you could avoid it?

Generally people are happy to help you if you need a hand, i've only' had to ask occasionally. Otherwise just ask, and most people will be happy to help.

eandz · 09/03/2011 19:56

or you could get the tube to maida vale station and take the water taxi?

wellwisher · 09/03/2011 20:17

It is highly U to take a pram on the tube anywhere near rush hour, and it always seems to be rush hour on the Victoria line! If you can't carry your dc in a sling, take a bus. Nicer and easier for you and dc - if he's too big for a sling, he's probably big enough to enjoy sitting on your lap and looking out of the window :)