London tubes AIBU?

[mumstheword1x]

I’m really nervous to get on a tube tomorrow, it’s only one tube and about 5 stops- but it’s my first time doing it alone and it’ll take about 15 minutes. I’m generally scared something will go wrong and I worry about security threats in London.

anyone do it regularly? My husband says IBU and lots of people do it everyday with no issues.

ugh 😭

I love the tube - so easy.

My DS has taken it to school since age 11- about 45 min journey. If lots of kids can manage it every day, you’ll be grand! Just don’t do what I do and get distracted, miss your stop and reluctantly have to go back to previous stop so you can go to work!

What a lovely post @pudseypie, much more helpful than dismissing what is a real fear for the OP. Not everyone has travelled on the tube before and OP will be alone.

OP, for what it is worth, I had to navigate the tube alone for the first time not so long ago, and you will probably find it is a lot easier than you may expect. Once I got my head around checking the boards for which 'side' of the platform I needed to be on to go in the right direction, I enjoyed it.

Have a good journey!

With some 4-Million passenger journeys taken on the London underground daily, I think that statistically you will be fine.😐

Op can you just get a bus instead .

I felt the same when I was on the tube, was so nervous for the same reason as you OP

I went to London with my children last year to see the sights - managed the tube no problem and was with 2 kids and from the North so hadn’t done it before either! If I can do it you can too!

I live in London and get the tube a lot. Here are some things that helped me when I first moved here:

• You need to know if you’re going North, South, East or West. When you get to the bit where you choose which platform to go on, read the blue banner at the top which will tell you the direction.
• Some lines split into multiple branches, so you need to know the final stop of the branch you need. For example, if you’re getting the Picadilly Line you need to know if you’re going to Uxbridge or Heathrow.
• Sometimes it is less faff to get a bus.

Just enjoy if you can! The Bakerloo is my favourite line for seat layout and the upholstery is quite nice. (Victoria Line has the best colour scheme IMO.)

Remember that the reason scary things make the news is because they are news. If they happened all the time it wouldn’t be news.

Statistically, your chances of being caught up in a terror attack in the UK are about the same as you winning the big bucks in the Lottery.

You'll be fine op :)

I dont live in London but do go there a couple of times a year. The tube is really easy to use. I Google where I want to get to from where and it tells me the line I need, the direction and which train. Plan your journey before you get there and if you do get overwhelmed there are always people around to help.

I find the tube easier then the buses

My 12 year old regularly takes the tube by himself. As do thousands of high school students in London every day. You will be fine. You’re built this up into something in your head that it really isn’t!

I'd walk, looks like it will take an hour. We were in London at the weekend and we didn't take the tube, we never do when we are in London. Always cycle, or walk. There is so much to see when you are not under the ground x

It will be absolutely fine but you could get the circle line from Embankment ( 1 min walk from Charing Cross ) to Paddington rather than the Bakerloo line. A lot of it is above ground so you might find it less stressful and the trains are generally nicer. Will take a bit longer though.

I get the tube very regularly and am a nervous anxious person in general.

I honestly never think about something going wrong as it feels very familiar to me getting the tube.

Put some headphones on and listen to a pod cast or music. The worst thing that will happen will be a delay or feeling too crowded in a carriage.

The tube is like any other form of public transport- trains / buses / trams; though I agree any if these feel intimidation if you are not use to them. London is generally a safe city and there are lots of peoole around so ask someone if you get stuck. Download a tube map so you can plan your route, though there are maps and signs everywhere

I travel in London every day and am sure it will be fine. Also, 7.30 will be a stupid time for a terror attack as the bakerloo line won't be very busy.

Lots of very lovely people have put reassuring and helpful messages above me but I wanted to say I also suffer from anxiety and I know it’s not rational and you don’t get to choose what makes you anxious. That said you sound like you know the route and you will be doing it early in the morning so it’s quiet and think how brilliant you will feel all day when you have achieved your goal of travelling alone on the tube. All recovery starts with small steps like these and you’re really brave for feeling the fear and doing it anyway. For what it’s worth I feel anxious about lots of small things that you can probably do very easily BUT I don’t have any anxiety about the tube, I use it most days and I love it. I hope one day you will feel the same. Good luck tomorrow 💐

The tube is absolutely amazing - the easiest, most user friendly transport system I’ve ever used (globally!!). Apple Maps will tell you exact platforms and all you have to do is follow the signs and keep an eye/ear out for your stop. It’s very simple

Or stop at the top of the escalator looking at your phone

Thank you everyone. My dad is a Londoner born and bread, and he told me to change my route up a little and spend 10 minutes longer on my Kent to London train, and go to Victoria, jump on the circle line for a few stops as it’s half outside and would make me feel better. Which it has! - I’m now only 2 stops away from Paddington 😭 I feel proud of myself LOL.

I’ve just got to do it on the way back tonight and then I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished something on my own! ( I’m a little village girl and don’t get to London much! )

well done
and thanks to your dad who gave you great advice

it’s calm. Absolutely fine

Roughly the same number of journeys happen on the tube each day as on the whole of the rail network, 4.5 to 5 million journeys.

It's far more dangerous to travel by car than by train or tube

Well done you, and great advice from your dad. Have a great day ahead

Good on you, OP. Doing anything new can be scary.

FWIW I used to use the tube twice daily for 5 years. I was really scared at first but came to really enjoy it. Love people watching.