To be worried about traveling alone?

[NameChangeToAvoidBeingFound]

I'm going to London for a couple of days next month, going on the Sat possibly seeing a friend that evening, seeing him again the Sunday, Monday meeting another and a friend and her friends boyfriend she wants me to meet the next and then possibly meeting another the next day. All good and I'm happy with the meeting arrangements but I'm a northerner and have never visited the city alone or needed to navigate more than Oxford Street.

I'm worried because I'm either gonna have to book a hotel somewhere between all of these places or AirBnB (which I've never used before) and then navigate London's public transport, never having done this before and get to and from where I'm staying late at night alone in an unfamiliar city.

AIBU to be scared about wandering an unfamiliar and busy city alone at night?

At Tube stations there'll be someone on the ticket barrier you can speak to if you need assistance. It's true that most people in the street are happy to help, the problem is that quite often the person you ask is a visitor too, and doesn't know the answer!

If using the Tube, study the map first and work out whether you need, for example, the Victoria Line Northbound, or the Central Line Westbound. Then you can look out for signs which tell you where to go. As long as you know where you're going, it's pretty well signposted.

And, most important, stand on the right of the escalator. And have your ticket or card ready as you approach the barrier.

Ah sorry yes you're all friends outwith London.
Apart from Google you have us too.
You well maybe able to walk between meetups. London is great.
Give us a shout if you have questions

@MartaHallard, I'll probably spend the journey there studying the map. If nothing else it'll kill a few hours. I'd automatically stand on the right, it's the side we stand on here, also when in doubt do as the locals do.

@Monty27, yeah makes it all a little bit more complicated if nothing else it'll be an adventure. I'll probably be posting questions I have here in the run up to the visit. I figure if anywhere has the answer it'll be Mumsnet.

Make sure you have plenty of charge on your phone. You can buy portable chargers for £10 or so. And use the Tube. It’s fast and easy.

NameChange I hope you have a brilliant time - if you enjoy Christmas lights and stuff, London is magical in December (I am a life-long Londoner). You might want to try and avoid big crowds by going to quieter areas, for example if you want shops, Marylebone High Street is very pretty whereas Oxford Street is always heaving. Or get somewhere as soon as things open.

@SabineUndine, I've got a portable charger that supposedly carries three days worth of battery I'll be using. I can't think of a worse time to lose charge than an unfamiliar place.

@Bloodybridget, I know my friend wants to visit Hamleys which won't be fun. I've done it once and did not enjoy, the crowds were massive. I think the plan is to mainly stick to the less known places other than that but we'll see. I know none of my friends will put me in a deliberately stressful situation and if they do they know how to help me out of them quickly.

I often travel to London for business, public transport there is pretty easy to negotiate and very frequent. No waiting an hour if you miss the bus as I would do at home!
Student halls of residence are a good, cheap option for accommodation. They let rooms when the undergrads aren't there.
I recommend LSE Northumberland House. It's a couple of minutes walk from Embankment underground station and Charing Cross main line. Very secure, 24 hour reception and key fob entry to main lobby.
Right by Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace.
Plenty of places to buy food, including a small Tesco and as it's halls, you have use of a kitchen. The rooms are simple en suite singles or doubles.

Also install the Citymapper app. Enter where you need to go and it will give you the options to get there with handy map of each end.