London and using tubes

[Lifebegins21]

I'm taking my teen DS to London in a few weeks time for 2 nights- flying into Gatwick around 9am. I have only been in London once 20 odd years ago ( apart from transferring via London airports) so completely clueless.

We have the Harry Potter Studios booked for 4.30pm that day and I've booked a hotel at Watford Junction for the first night as I've read tour can take 3-4 hours. Now I'm wondering if I should just brave it and get the train/tube back to Central London at night and book a hotel there. That way we could leave our bags at hotel and then get train out to Watford and back. Is it safe at night travelling on the trains at around 8.30-9pm at night? Any ideas what will be best?

We are staying near Covant Garden the second night so could book the same hotel for both nights.

Is it safe at night travelling on the trains at around 8.30-9pm at night?

Yes, completely. I wouldn't consider that late at all, there will be plenty of people heading home from work/hobbies/drinks/out for night shift. The tube is safe and populated right up until it closes.

I think it's really a matter of preference whether you head back into central London that night, it'll be easy enough, but Watford hotel rooms will be cheaper!

Completely safe 🙂

The tube is CCTV all over these days yes incidents happen but usual for a reason like gangs or usual pick pockets.

I would feel very safe at 9pm on the tube in London, not a problem.

Definitely travel back into central London after the tour.

It's entirely safe for you to travel into Central London by tube at 9/10pm, but if you're leaving Harry Potter at kicking out time having had a very long day then it's probably easier and less exhausting to stay in Watford.
The only thing to check is whether your Covent Garden hotel will be happy to look after your bags for you the next morning until your room is ready to check in. As long as they'll do that then I'd probably stick with your current plan.

Completely safe, yes. And busy, well lit etc. I don’t live in London, but visit a lot, and use the tube until midnight or so without even thinking about it.

Arrive from Gatwick, drop bags off and get done lunch then head out to Watford. Will be much better to wake on your first morning and be in London ready to enjoy the day.

Ah thanks so much everyone 😊.

I will check if the Convant Garden Hotel is free for the first night and go from there.

Buses don’t accept cash. People couldn’t believe we didn’t know this

It's completely safe but I'd stay in Watford that night if I was you. You'll just be spending the entire day travelling otherwise.

Download Citymapper app before you go to help you get around, it's brilliant - tells you which part of the train to be on to be closest the exit

I cancelled Watford and booked an extra night at the Covent Garden hotel. We can leave the bags there and enjoy our trip away. The app sounds like a great idea thanks. We definitely need all the help we can get!