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 ).

City mapper is great. The walk from Victoria to central hall is very easy. Turn right out of the station and keep going for about 10 mins, you go past an office block with the most amazing round light in the entrance! Turn right towards at James tube and central hall is 1 min away. Alternatively get on the circle and district line from Victoria to at James.
I always have my oyster ready when I get off.
I am actually at Central hall tomorrow. I would say, as a northerner who panicked the first time I came here, don't worry about what anyone else is doing. Everyone else might be rushing but you don't need to!! Don't get swept up in the London frenzy. Take your time and find your bearings as you go. You have just as much right as the commuters who do the journey in their sleep and so rush around

Another vote for Citymapper and use your contactless card, I love citymapper as it tells you everything you need to know and makes you feel like you have a proper personal guide as it tells you everything

And don’t feel stupid once you have done it once you will feel so happy with yourself ..

My advice is wear flat shoes as people walk v quickly on the tube and you will be on and off escalators!

I always ask the tube people for help if I’m lost

Have you got a contactless debit or credit card? If so, that is by far the best, cheapest and easiest way to pay. You don’t need to buy a ticket. Just tap your card on the panel with the yellow square on it at the ticket barrier. Watch the Londoners and do as they do. It works for buses, too.

The TFL system is very clever and it automatically calculates the fare and charges your card. Fares are capped at £X per day, depending on how many zones you travel in.

Enjoy your trip!

Good advice on here OP, and I'm sure you'll be fine. I am easily lost do to my dyspraxia and get really confused and disorientated. I have always found the staff on the underground very helpful if you do need ask, so don't be frightened of asking them once you're there if you need to

It's not that difficult I love how suburbanites/ rural types panic. Not meant in a nasty way.
You want the Victoria line (pale blue), change at Victoria to the District and Circle (green and yellow).
At that time in the morning prepare for it to be CROWDED - and hot, even on Dec, London is warmer anyway so don't bother with willies and huge coat etc. Leave plenty of time. Just foll the signs at Euston. Go to a self-service machine, get an Oyster card, it's £5 but that is a deposit so is credit on there, depends on how long you're in London and whether you want to do some sightseeing how much you then want to put on it, but it automatically caps your fare so you get a day travelcard and it's easy to top up. Tfl.gov.uk is your friend.

Just jump in an uber. I hate the tube, either walk/run or uber mostly!

Should have added get off at St James' Park.

Oh and DO NOT get any form of taxi, you will sit in traffic for hours moving more slowly than you can walk - and be charged extortionately for the 'pleasure'.

Do not block the left hand side of the escalators! At that time in the morning you’ll be public enemy number one. Also stand to one side whilst getting your bearings and have your card ready to tap out ahead of reaching the barriers, then you’ll look like an old pro.

I always think the hardest thing about the tube is picking which exit to use at your destination but just get to surface level and you can find yourself on a map.

You’d be mad to get a taxi, will take ages going the equivalent of one stop. However keep an eye on any disruption whilst getting ready so you can change your route if necessary

@Broken11Girl definitely no need for willies on the tube

I'd advise getting the Victoria line from Euston. Reason being, the Victoria line is the fastest route North / South IME, but also because there's only 2 options, Northbound or Southbound for the Victoria line at Euston so it's more straightforward. (You want Southbound)

The Northern line, on the other hand, has two branches running through Euston, so 4 separate platforms for the Northern line, it can be a bit confusing.

There a map at every station and your journey is astonishingly simple unless you’re very anxious or lived a highly sheltered life.

For getting around in general City Mapper is probably the best app though. I’m highly familiar with London transport but still use it as links everything together. Plus tells you when what you consider the quickest route is fucked because of delays, bad service etc

Use the app called tube map, it’s really easy to use.

When people say ‘use your contactless ‘ this is how to do it:
Have your card in your hand before you approach the barrier
Touch your card in the yellow card reader panel on the gate
Go through the gate, and keep walking forwards
Check the signs for the line you want / direction
When you leave the tube make sure you tap out again, even if the barrier / gate is open, with the same contactless card.
Use the same card all day to take advantage if daily capped rates
Always stand on the R on the escalator or walk up the L.

Londoners may look unfriendly but honestly, if you ask directions they will help you if they can.

—especially if you don’t get through a barrier and stop dead or stand on the L of an escalator—

Second the Victoria/Jubilee route, less prone to delays and overcrowding.

Euston can be a bit confusing with all the northern line branches, so ignore those entirely and head for southbound Victoria line. You'll be fine!

Once, as a young person having just moved to London, I actually used one of those pedicabs as a genuine mode of transport. I genuinely thought it was just another option we hadn’t had in my local area: double decker bus, tube, pedicab, black cab.

It left me £50 lighter and about 50 yards down the road. A kind sole explained to me about Oysters and helped me catch a bus.

Everyone makes mistakes and if you do, someone will be there to help you (just don’t pick a commuter with a look of steel in their eyes as they weave through the crown at lightning speed).

Last time I went to Central Hall it was very hot as is the tube at this time of year.

Get an uber! Hate the tube.

You need to look at an underground map, work out which line you need to catch, remember it's south!!! and follow the signs at Euston, it's really simple please don't worry. It will be crazy crowded though so be aware of that.

Make sure you touch your card on the card reader as you leave, OP. If you don't, the utter bastards charge you for the longest possible journey you could be making. They've got literally millions that way.

I agree with Widgeon and Scuzzy that you should go straight down to Victoria on that line, and walk to Central Hall from Victoria station.

I walked from the Hall to Victoria the other week and it was good. Victoria line is quick as it has fewer stops in central London.

Ask people on the Tube if necessary - I always help anyone who is nervous or worried! 🙂

Yes do make sure you 'tap out' with your card. You only need to do this wheN you're coming out if the station... Not any changes in the underground. You'll mostly see everyone else doing it!

There are plenty of maps around the tube station. Staff and sometimes other travellers can be helpful.
There are also maps inside the tubes too.

I think with travelling anxiety it's worth thinking through what could go wrong...

Even if you unlikely event you did get on the wrong direction... Which is very unlikely... You would just get out as soon as you realise... And go to the opposite platform.

Have fun in London and dont forget - everyone has a first time!