To ask for transport recommendations - solo female in London at night

[CrappyJob]

Hi

I'm going to see the Ocean at the End of the Lane at the Noel Coward theatre on a Wednesday night. It finishes just after 10pm.

I need to get from there to a bnb close to Victoria Coach Station. It's a 40 minute walk, which is fine, but a) it's late and b) it's London and c) I really don't know London very well.

Would it be best to walk it, bus it, underground it, Uber it or try to get a black cab (and if it's the last option, where from). Or indeed something else that I haven't thought of. I'm not bothered about cost.

Get an Uber or a cab if you don’t mind cost

Are you familiar with google maps? 😃

I’d probably get a bus.

uber wont be much faster at that time and will cost more.

The tube is fine, its not too late so there will be plenty of people around

Looks like the 38 or 24 are your best options.

If you don’t care about the cost then a cab, but tube will be faster and cheaper. I’d walk down to Embankment and then just get the district or circle line. It’ll still be busy at that time and there’ll be plenty of people around.

Easy - number 24 bus

I'd get a bus or the tube. There are always loads of people around as the theatres empty so both will be busy.

I would get the tube. Unless there’s a decent bus route that’s quicker (google it). Central london is really busy and therefore public transport is very safe. Personally I wouldn’t get a cab/uber unless it was pissing it down and I’d forgotten a coat!

I'd probably use the tube if it was convenient, id imagine there will be lots of people around leaving theatre/concerts/meals out etc

I would get the Tube or bus. Both will be busy at 10pm. Both safe. London doesn’t really ever get that “empty scary city centre” vibe that you get in some cities in the UK!

Amazing, thanks everyone for the help!! I'm not bothered about cost. I've never been in London alone at that time of night, so just needed reassurance that it's not completely crazy to use public transport as a solo female!

I'm usually very confident about doing things alone - I'm doing this whole trip including two theatre shows solo. It's just that one journey I wasn't sure about.

You’ve had some good advice for this journey already but just to let you know that citymapper.com is a brilliant website (and free app) that’s great for planning journeys. Estimates how much a taxi will cost, tells you how long and how much various forms of public transport or walking will be, and even tells you which part of a train to get on for the quickest changes at stations. I use it all the time when travelling to bits of London I’m not familiar with.

Citymapper is my preferred London travel app but Google maps will do fine

Just put in the name of the hotel and it will show the various options to get home, including taking into account any problems/line closures/traffic closures.

Central London at 10.30pm is very busy and very safe. You can walk back if you like the exercise or want to take a look at the architecture - along Whitehall and the Victoria Street is probably best, very busy and lots of interesting government buildings to look at.

Or walk to Embankment station and get district or circle line. Citymapper reckons that is 23 minutes Vs 28 mins by cab.

London streets will be busy that time of night, bus and/or tube should be fine. https://citymapper.com/?lang=enl

Ok this is really easy.

Firstly the West End of London is very safe at night. There are always loads of people aroud and some bars and restaurants open pretty late in to the night. So don't worry about that.

10pm people will be leaving early evening theatre shows so it will be full of couples and families.

So - your options

Tube - Piccadilly line going west from Leicester Sq, change at Green Park to the Victoria Line going south and get off at Victoria station.

Bus - get the 38 bus to Victoria station from Piccadilly circus

Cab - there will be loads of black cabs hanging around at the time the shows end. Just hail any one that has their orange light on.

Walk - it is a really easy and well lit walk. Walk down to Traflagar Sq, then down Whitehall, walk around Parliament Sq past Westminster Abbey and onto Victoria street. Walk all the way along Victoria street to tbe end - there is the station.

This will range from free (walking) to about £25 - £30 (cab). I would get the tube. Easy, quick and quite cheap.

DO NOT GET A PEDICAB!!!

You guys are great!!

But now I need to Google pedicab...

Embankment for District or Circle for speed, bus or walking if you'd like to see a bit of London. No safety concerns -- I would happily walk that route at that time of night.

You've already had great advice so I won't repeat that but I will absolutely repeat do NOT get a pedicab / rickshaw / tuk tuk etc. They're scammy tourist traps and will charge you a fortune. You can recognise them a mile off, they're garishly decorated and usually playing music loudly.

That's a very safe walk, and there are loads of people on London streets at that time. Or just get the Tube. Honestly, you're safer in central London than in many small towns because there are so many people still out & about. Just look like you know where you're going & stride on confidently.

I've just found a news article about pedicabs, and it was far from complimentary - I definitely won't take one!

Tube or bus, whatever is easier. I've never felt uncomfortable on public transport in London. It will be busy still at 10pm and even if someone is a bit weird, just move on down and sit somewhere different if you need to.

This is an easy journey.

Number 38 bus (destination Victoria Station on front of bus) from Shaftesbury Avenue, very close to the theatre, then it's a few minutes walk from there to Victoria Coach Station. Both very busy areas.

Or walk to Embankment tube and get District Line, Westbound, to Victoria Station.

2200 is early for central London! Whatever route you choose you should be fine!!

Brilliant, thanks everyone 😀