To ask here for advice about using the underground.

[PumpkinPie2016]

Firstly, I apologise if these seems totally stupid!

I am going to a conference at central hall Westminster in December. I am catching a train into Euston so I will have to get on the underground from there to my destination.

Problem is, I have never used the underground - at all! I literally have no idea where to start. Tried looking at the map and just ended up totally confused.

Can anyone give any tips as to which underground route I need to follow? I'm travelling solo so I want to make sure I know where to go.

Part of me thinks I have used trains all over the country so it can't be that different but it looks so different!

Alternatively, it's only 2.7 miles from Euston to Westminster so I could take a black cab? But at 8.30am on a weekday morning, am I destined to just sit in traffic forever? I need to be in Westminster for 9am-9.15am.

All advice appreciated (and please try not to laugh ).

Download an app called ‘tube map’, you put in your starting point and destination, and it gives you the route, with change points!
Super easy 👍🏻

Ooh thank you jarline - that sounds like exactly the sort of thing I need!

Use the tfl journey planner - here’s a route I planned for you :

tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/results?InputFrom=Euston&FromId=1000077&InputTo=Central+Hall+Westminster%2C+Storey%27s+Gate%2C+London%2C+UK&To=Central+Hall+Westminster%2C+Storey%27s+Gate%2C+London%2C+UK&ToId=51.500057220458984%2C-0.1296481043100357

Thank you HelloYouTwo

Thanks to you and jarline I no longer feel like I will be lost in London forever

I just put where I want to go into google maps and choose public transport and it tells you what lines to take.

Hello.

From Euston the VICTORIA line to Victoria then CIRCLE line to St James Park and walk 4 mins to Central Hall

Use google maps if you have it on your phone- choose the train picture and it will tell you the best route via public transport.

From Euston you can take the Victoria Line to Green Park then change there for the Jubilee line to Westminster. Use your contactless card to pay.

Or the circle line as recommend above- both work!

Euston is just on 2 tube lines, Northern and Victoria. You can either get the Northern line southbound to Embankment then the District / Circle Line west to Westminster or the Victoria line southbound to Green Park then the Jubilee Line east to Westminster. Which is the best option varies on a day to day (minute by minute!) basis to be honest. I would probably opt for Victoria then
Jubilee as they are newer and a bit more reliable but check on the day for delays then decide.

I would definitely take the tube not a taxi. It should take you less than 30 mins from getting off your train at Euston to be at Central Hall (I commute from Euston to Westminster area).

From Euston take Northern Line Southbound to Embankment.
From Embankment walk along river to Westminster. Will only take a few mins and is a lovely walk. (Although take umbrella this week!)

Saves all the faff of changing which often takes longer than walking. Loads of places in London are quicker to walk than go by tube if you know where you're going, but the above route is easy as you literally walk along the river.

Embankment station to Central Hall is a 15 min walk, which is pleasant if it’s not cold/raining. You could also do Victoria line southbound to Victoria, then walk up Victoria Street - also about 15 mins to Central Hall, if you want to avoid changing tubes.

I can’t give exact guidance but as a visitor to London i think the tube is great for being intuitively signposted and designed. The platforms reassure you the list of stops you’ll pass through before you get on so you’ll be fine. I’ve done a few metro systems in the world and London’s is the best.

Some good recommendations above! I'd throw another app into the mix - Citymapper. Shows you real time transport options and breaks the trip down into easy to follow steps. If you're on WIFI or data it will move onto the next step of its own accord and remind you when to get off. Lifesaver for buses in unfamiliar areas - not just Tube!

In terms of using the Tube, you need to know the name of the line you're after and which direction your destination is in along that line - i.e. east or west, or north or south. The apps mentioned so far will tell you; otherwise if it's to the left of you on the map it's east, if it's up it's north etc. If your trip involves a change (which yours will unless you want a short walk from Victoria) you also need to know which line you're moving onto and again, which direction you're going in.

Makes a lot more sense once you try it a few times. Maybe check what route one of the apps recommends and then try to make sense of that using the Tube map, to get some confidence.

Have fun! 😊

You haven't asked, but no need to buy a ticket or oyster card, you can use any contactless card or phone payment app (well certainly Google and Apple pay) at the barriers. It's all really well signposted and plenty of station staff at big stations. Agree with other posters about the walk from embankment, weather permitting.

TfL journey planner is your saviour. Put In Where you are where you want to go and it will give you the route, delays and closed lines. I would have a practice with it before you go just to familiarise yourself.

I work just minutes away from Central Hall and have been in there several times, feel free to ask if other questions.
Everything that everyone has already said.
Use your contactless card to pay as you go.
You can walk to Central Hall easily from Westminster, St James Park or Victoria stations.
If the budget allows, stay overnight before for convenient early start. Several places nearby but there's a couple of premier inns a few minutes walk as budget options.

Another vote for CityMapper app as it tells you the best entrance and exit if there's more than one, where to sit on the tube so you're nearest the exit and shows alternatives if there's delays/closures on the quickest route.

When you arrive at Euston you will see signs for Underground follow them down to a ticket area, this is where you go pay and go through the barriers (use your contactless). Before you go through look beyond the barriers for signs directing you to the Victoria line in pale blue , follow these and you will next have to choose between north and Southbound options, you need southbound towards Victoria. Change at Green Park, follow signs for Jubilee line (silver) towards Westminster. (Victoria/Jubilee are faster ime).

You'll find it easier than you think, it's all well signposted and colour coded! But if you do need help, I've always found TFL station staff excellent.

Try TfL journey planner here: tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey - I’m a Londoner and always use it! You type in your starting point ie Euston and your destination station and it’ll give you details on which line you need to get, where to change, and how long it’ll take etc! HTH

Also take a screen shot of your route from the tube map app, particularly if you have to change tubes as you won't have any signal underground x

Use citymapper! It will tell you which route is quickest, if there are any delays on the line...

You’re not going to the A Level Politics conference are you?

In addition to the above, know the names of a few stops on your line and the direction of travel as this will help when you are trying to figure which direction to take.

Also don’t worry, it looks really confusing and I say this as an occasional visitor who easily gets lost!

My tip- make sure you know the direction of the tube you are getting
I.e. euston to Victoria- Victoria line southbound towards Brixton
All the signs are plentiful in the tube stations, if you know the direction/final destination(s). Northern line also has two branches -bank or charing x, you need to know which one to get.
When on the tube pulling into the station/your stop, try to look through the windows for the way out/other line sign with an arrow. This way you’re straight off and moving left/right rather than dithering, panicking and swept along in a fast moving crowd.