How hard is travelling in London, really??

[3kids1cat]

Need to take dd to London on Saturday. Have only been there once, on a school trip when I was 12!

I am getting the train to Euston, then will need to get the tube to Clapham Common station. Am feeling really worried, which isn't helped by people telling me it's a nightmare.

Will I be able to find my way around? Am I being silly by worrying? And is there anything I should really know?

Euston to Clapham Common isn't hard at all, they're both on the Northern Line. It's just a long journey for the tube (about half an hour).

Don't worry about it, just take lots of water in case it's hot.

You can either take the northern line all the way or take the victoria line to stockwell then change to the northern line

With the Northern line you should take the first train south and then change at Kennington

Totally trivial - on a single tube line. Particularly if it's not in rushhour. But be prepared for quite a long walk at Euston from the mainline trains to the underground. And agree about water if it's a hot day - the tube gets very toasty.

Have a good day.

Is there a tube station in Euston or do I have to walk to one? Sorry if that's a stupid question, I really do know nothing.

DOn't worry in the least. I bet all the people whining and gibbering at you are inadequate car-owners who are frightened of their own feet.
Euston to Clapham takes about 15 minutes and you can't get it wrong as both stations are clear of the bank/charing cross divide. Just follow the signs and don't stand around at the top or bottom of the escalator with your mouth open getting in people's way

The train and tube are in the same station at Euston

sorry, yes when I warned about the long walk, I just meant that it may take you 5 minutes to get from mainline trains to tube. It's all in the same place and is signposted.

You need to look for sign for underground (easy) then follow any arrows for northern line, you need northern line - Southbound - you need a train for Morden, but getting on at Euston the trains will probably only go as far as Kennington. Just hop off there and look on the 2 platforms there for trains to Morden. It's easy, everyone else will be milling around waiting for a Morden train too. then it's just a few stops to clapham common. the trains have little display in the carriages telling you the next stop.
I've really gone overboard here on info - it's dead easy, but just thought i'd spell it all out. Hope it's helpful.

totally easy journey and a fab adventure for you and your DD if neither of you have done it before! agree with madamez - do not stand around or commuters will tut at you (or ruder) - also pls pls stand on the right on the escalators as per the signs! pet hate of mine...

It's so easy! Incredibly easy.

Do check with TFL though to be sure that there are no "essential works" going on on the line you need.

No, it's not hard! I travel around with my three DSs, one of whom has autism, and we've never come unstuck yet!

I'm sure you'll be fine, and it will be an adventure!

If you're taking one child, a piece of cake. It only gets tricky if you have to manage a toddler plus a baby in a buggy or if you have two or more mobile children prone to legging it in opposite directions.

Pushchair on the underground is a nightmare, ime.

Thanks everyone, dd is 5 so no pushchair and isn't prone to running off so hopefully will be ok.

I'd looked it up on the underground website and thought I could get the tube straight from Euston to Clapham common but sounds like that's not the case.

Am still scared but excited too, and your help and advice means at least I'm not totally clueless.

One last thing, will it be very busy between 2 and 3pm? I'm not great with big crowds, so that's my other worry.

bump

between 2-3 on a saturday -I'd have thoguht not that busy. and really no need to worry -that is a quite straightforward journey

Don't want to sound like a weirdy stalker but I live 2 stops away from Clapham Common and would happily meet you at Euston and "escort" you safely! I have nothing planned for Saturday around that time.

thornrose, thanks, that's so lovely of you to offer. If you really didn't mind, it would be great to have someone who knows what they're doing for this first journey.

And strangely I think my fear of getting totally lost in london, or stuck on the tube, will over-ride any fear of having a complete stranger from mn "escort" me.

But only if you're sure you don't mind, I could do it on my own if it came to it.

I absolutely don't mind, I am a very non scary person . I am originally from oop North and I remember first moving to London (many years ago!) and finding it very daunting. I'll leave my e-mail address and then we can swap phone numbers etc and sort it out. I'll probably bring my dd along for the ride! ssmain @ bt internet dot com

Ok, I'll email you shortly, dp is worried that you're going to be some big burly man, who will kidnap us. He just said " just because she's on mums net doesn't mean she's a mum!"

He's just giving me more things to worry about!

Oh how funny, I'll talk to him on the phone and reassure him if you like! I've been called a lot of things but never "a big burly man"