AIBU to be scared to go to London!

[LifesABeachCoaster]

I have only been to London once and that was with a city savvy friend who had planned everything.

I have just purchased Fleetwood Mac tickets for Wembley for my DP and now I have no clue what to do.

I will be staying in a hotel in NW2. So I need to get a train to Paddington Stop H? What is this Stop H? How many stops are in Paddington, is it not just one station?

I am worried because I have bad anxiety about things like this. Does anyone care to plan my trip!?

You will be fine, honest. Just make sure you have battery on your phone and google maps ready to use. Honestly, millions of people visit the place every year and live to tell the tale!

Make your plans cos I know that having a good solid plan really helps my anxiety, but honest. You will be fine. Enjoy your trip!

For some reason some Londoners on here are hugely sensitive about any perceived slights towards London.

I would recommend getting the tube everywhere if you are nervous. The tube map is so easy to read it’s almost impossible to get lost. The other thing about the bus is you have to use contactless or an Oyster card, they don’t take cash. Using a contactless card is probably the easiest way for and out of town we to get around, so make sure it’s with you.

I live up North now, although am a Londoner by birth. I know it is a bit daunting for non-Londoners. I think lots of Londoners forget that using your contactless on buses or knowing a numbered stop is a bus stop or standing on the right of the escalator doesn’t come naturally if you’re not used to it.

I sometimes forget I’m not up north anymore and chat to strangers. They look at me like I have 3 heads!

Glad you’re feeling better about your trip. I have a big empty space where a sense of direction is supposed to be and have to note which way I’ve turned into a building so I can exit in the right direction. It’s scary. Am on the train to London as I type and have to go somewhere new. I have google maps and city mapper downloaded but am very anxious about where to go. If it goes wrong I’ll get a taxi. I think unless you have problems getting around unfamiliar places it’s hard to understand that what one person just does with ease, can be a real hard task for another. Hope you have a great time.

Op if you havent already dont use a booking site for your hotel. Look at what hotel you want and book direct on their website its always been cheaper forme

Well done OP. Us country folk can get a little worked up over going into a city! It seems like such a big place, full of busy people with a million ways to navigate yourself around. I feel much safer walking through a feild in the middle of nowhere in the dark then I do navigating myself across London!

Have a bloody great time. It's my dream to watch Fleetwood Mac.

Navigating a strange city can be daunting.

I alwaysballow plenty of time. I recently had to navigate my around a foreign city and was quite nervous about it. On the whole I did ok. I did mess up with 1 stop on the underground but just had to turn around and get on another tube back.

The good thing about major cities like London is that you are never waiting too long for public transport unlike some smaller towns with 1 bus/train an hour. So even if you make a mistake it's not too time consuming to get back on track.

I don't understand why some people are so sarcastic on here - asking if the OP is 6yo?? Really?? More like are you??

Doing somethinhg out of tour comfort zone /out of the norm is always a bit stressy but you don't half feel good once you manage it and it gives you more confidence for another time.

I'm sure you'll be fine. Just plan ahead and allow plenty of time and mostly have a great time OP.

Get the tube. if you end up at the wrong stop just get off and come back the other way. It's surprisingly simple once you've done it once. Get the TFL app on your phone and off you go. Enjoy it!

Well you can enjoy it all now. Sounds like a very well thought out and researched Christmas present! Best of luck to you both! Any wedding bells in the offing?

@LifesABeachCoaster what a fab present! Glad you managed to book the premier inn, it will make things much more straightforward if you're not used to travelling in London. And from Wembley you'll be able to get the tube into central and do some shopping. Go to the Camden Blues Kitchen for a drink/food if you do end up in Camden, it's good fun.

Staff at hotel will also help you if you are unsure how to get somewhere.

That sounds brilliant OP. She's going to love it. Premier Inn breakfasts are great too.

Any wedding bells in the offing We are already engaged :)

I understand why people get shirty but I wasn't having a dig at Londoners, I am "scared" of the navigating, not the people.

What we've done in past is ask Premier Inn to book our luggage in the store at kings cross or Euston for our last day so it's handy to just grab for heading home and we don't need to cart it about with us after check out.

@chartreuse Thank you for your kind words, you sound super lovely xx

Book a return taxi and have a glass of wine. It would be a shame to miss it because of your anxiety.

You'll have a brill time. Can I buy a hat then? When's the wedding?

All sorted, and with helpful pictures too.of course Ldn is daunting it’s ginormous
My experience is that if asked Ldn folk are helpful and accommodating to out of Towners
Enjoy your trip. Do go Camden it’s got a lot to see do at market

Finally be street smart,not just Ldn any city
Don’t have a back pack with wallet and cards accessible to others with fast fingers, too easy to dip. IMO A messenger bag across you is safer

Keep wallet jammed in pocket

Be careful with your iPhone at tube stations exits and be mindful robbers on mopeds/bike

Can't believe people are being so horrible to the OP. It's okay for people who know London and how it works but you can have a journey planned as much as you can but anxiety will make you worry regardless. So insensitive. OP well done for being brave and stepping out of your comfort zone and I really hope you enjoy your concert! Sounds fab!

What we've done in past is ask Premier Inn to book our luggage in the store at kings cross or Euston for our last day so it's handy to just grab for heading home and we don't need to cart it about with us after check out

Oooh I was worrying about that. Because I would like a few hours in London prior to heading home.

National express are showing no availability for my dates. Surely it's because it is so far in advance rather than all being booked up already. Train will probably be better option anyway, way quicker.

I have priced £198 - Swansea to Paddington return for 2. Reasonable?

Actually an open return is cheaper! £170 for 2

Why are you staying on Cricklewood Broadway?? Not a good idea! Either stay in one of the touristy hotels right next to the event in Wembley, or somewhere in the centre of town so you can actually enjoy your London experience.

Luggage check in a good suggestion
Go to Camden,the food,the market and nice walk around canal etc
If you’re going to town go to Compton street,pubs,food,people watching

When's the wedding not set a date yet, can't afford it now after purchasing these tickets

So all I have to do is get on a train to Paddington, 1 stop at Newport. Get off at Paddington, go the underground at Paddington and get the Bakerloo line to Wembley!

Any recommendations on food/bars around the stadium? Like I haven't asked enough!

Uber but get a quote first so don’t over charge you

@Miyajima98 I changed it to the Premier Inn upthread!