Please explain to me like I'm dumb - how do I use the tube?

[Knbcdryhb]

Sorry posting here for traffic

Never been to London before, going in a few weeks and a bit nervous about getting around on the tube.

can anyone explain how it works? How do I pay? How do I know where to go, will there be someone there to help? How will I know if I'm getting on the right line? Anything else I'm not thinking of / general advise?

Some places are MUCH quicker to walk to rather than getting a tube there so make sure you look at the street map as well as the tube map so that you know exactly where you are and where you're going. For example, you wouldn't want to get a tube between Embankment and Charing Cross. The same applies to umpteen places. It would be a shame to get off a tube train and spend ages transferring from one tube line to another and getting another tube to somewhere, when you could have come out of the tube at the first place and walked five minutes along the street.

@PlumPeony that's good to know, I didn't realize that and my am sure I tapped in with phone and the same physical card last time I was down there. I'll keep that in mind next time.

I just tap on and off with my Apple Watch - very easy.

I have the tube app - it tells me what lines to use. It’s really easy.

I go to London every year for a long weekend and navigate my way around the tube very easily

The tube is very easy to navigate. Arm yourself with a tube map, and work out a) which line you want, and whether you’re going (according to the map) north- or southbound, east- or westbound.

My Dm explained it to me when I was 16 and coming from 100 miles away to attend a course in central London. Honestly, it’s pretty much a doddle. But do remember to stand on the right on the escalators!

Okay may be outing but who cares!
I'll be getting the train into Waterloo and then the tube to my hotel. The hotel website says this:
Edward Hotel, within a short walk from Paddington Station and Hyde Park. Our prime location means that guests can enjoy easy access to the lush greenery and attractions of Hyde Park, making us one of the best hotels near Hyde Park Station. It serves underground lines: Elizabeth Line, Piccadilly Line, Hammersmith and City, Bakerloo, District and Circle Lines and national railway services.
Only 5 minutes walk away from the hotel, there is another underground station Lancaster Gate serving Central Line.

not sure?

and then from the hotel we need to get to the lyric theatre

also not about the tube but if anyone has any recommendations for restaurants and bars around there then please say!

All these posts but nobody's said

DON'T STOP DEAD ANYWHERE.

If you're not sure, find a gap, a small alcove, behind a pillar, anywhere but dead in front of everybody who knows where they're going.

second this- Google maps is really helpful and even shows which platform at the station to use.

Yes buses too. You only need to tap on when you get on the bus (there will be a yellow reader at the driver’s cab and another one near the middle doors because wheelchair users get on there). No need to tap out when you get off a bus.

Here is the journey from Citymapper. Very straightforward. When you have Citymapper you click in the option you want to travel on and it gives you the exact details eg this is how you would get there using the Elizabeth Line from Paddington

Oh actually is it the Lyric theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue or the one in Hammersmith?

@Knbcdryhb that's a straightforward journey. Just follow signs to Jubilee line and either change at Green Park to go one stop on Piccadilly line to Hyde Park or change at Bond St to go one stop on Central line to Lancaster Gate.
TBH if you don't have lots of luggage and the weather's nice I would just get off at Green Park and walk along Piccadilly and through Hyde Park to the hotel.

Keep right on the escalators!

not sure if it’s already been said but you can set a card up on Apple Pay specifically for travel so you just tap your phone without needing to do facial recognition or clicking in to Apple pay

To get to the Lyric theatre just get back on Piccadilly line at Hyde Park tube and get off at Piccadilly Circus. Or you could get a bus if you want to see the sights.

The Edward Hotel is very close to Paddington. When you get off at Waterloo, take the brown line (Bakerloo) line northbound and you'll be there in about 15mins, no changes. For the Lyric Theatre, you can get the Bakerloo line again southbound from Paddington to Piccadilly Circus and it's about a 30 second walk.

I have an Oyster card. I have a disabled railcard for trains, but you can link a railcard to an Oyster card and that gives me a third off tube fares outside of peak hours.

Definitely don't go to Hyde Park tube station! It's right the other side of the park and about 35 mins walk from the hotel whereas Paddington is a 5 min walk.

How do you do that ?

Sounds like a fab adventure!

If it’s the central Lyric then I love this place to eat - great value and brilliant quality for central London -

https://www.brasseriezedel.com/brasserie-zedel/

Not sure about restaurants near the Hammersmith Lyric tho x

Instructions here: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/105123
I believe it also works if your battery has died.

I hate to put a downer on your trip, but having recently been taking visitors round London, I should warn you that pickpockets are an absolute menace at the moment. (As I know to my cost they are in many places in Europe.)

Keep all fastenings on your bag under your arm or in front of you - zips on backpacks will be opened without you noticing. Don't wander about with your phone in your hand, and if you must look at it, stand by a wall to avoid it being snatched by a passing biker. No phones, cards, money etc in unzipped pockets.

Basically, keep your wits about you and don't allow yourself to be hassled or rushed. Central tube stations are the worst. (Personally I haven't had a problem in London.)

This place is amazing and such good value!

Firstly, Welcome!! I hope you have a really great visit.

1. The tube map is designed to make it simple to work out what line you need and where you need to change, so it is not accurate in terms of distances between stations or their actual positions in the real world. Check to see which stations are near to your start and end points and plan the journey from there.
2. Make sure you tap in AND out for every journey, using the same card, EVEN IF THE GATES ARE OPEN. The system is set up to penalise fare-dodgers, so if you only tap once it assumes the worst and charges for a long journey.
3. Use the same payment card all day, so the system knows it's the same person, and it will automatically apply the price-cap.
4. take water in the hot weather, and don't be afraid to ask for a seat if you need one.
5. STAND ON THE RIGHT on the escalators or pass on the left. If you stand on the left, you will probably be in someone's way, and they will curse you and your family for all eternity. Possibly your pets too.

Honestly op it's super easy...go to gate, tap debit card or olyster card (get from friendly staff in pay place)...id pick up a free guide...take tube to where you want to go and make sure you tap out too...enjoy your trip to London...it's a city with so much history...I used to spend my weekend s walking and getting lost...look up and down at the buildings...

8 year olds use it routinely. Unaccompanied.

Everyone else managed to be really nice and helpful. I hope that comment made you feel better about yourself though 😊