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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Travel to London if train striking

14 replies

sthitch · 29/09/2023 14:48

I've won a trip to London which I've booked for November, but can't be amended now it's booked.

I'm concerned if there's going to be a train strike (and whilst one hasn't been announced for that weekend) I'm just wondering before I start booking other stuff like theatre tickets etc, if there is a back up way of getting into London.

We wouldn't drive in to the centre of London, but could do a park and ride type thing (coming from the North West). The closest we've driven to London is Slough. Any suggestions? I might be worrying for nothing but I'd like a back up plan ready!

OP posts:
cherryassam · 29/09/2023 15:02

I would have a back up plan if that would make you feel better

You could look at somewhere on the outskirts with a tube line - Uxbridge or Amersham are the right side for coming from the NW

TheFlis · 29/09/2023 15:05

There are lot of options including driving to a tube or getting a coach.

Rayna37 · 29/09/2023 15:18

I would always drive that journey. Parking at station car parks on the outskirts of London is often pretty cheap at the weekends. Pick a few options on a tube line that suits your destination and your route in and you can check car park costs and number of spaces online.

Google maps is your friend here!

cherryassam · 29/09/2023 15:23

I think the Elizabeth Line runs during train strikes, and is great for getting into the centre. You could look at going to Slough or any of the stations along the line.

Lottie4 · 02/10/2023 11:20

National Express. Takes you straight into London Victoria with lots of train, underground and bus connections from there.

sunshinesupermum · 02/10/2023 11:21

I used National Express during a train strike. Longer but better than the train!

SM4713 · 02/10/2023 11:25

National express or even the mega bus! Drive to London outskirts- Watford or a town with (ideally) free parking and get the bus from there.

Sometimes the strikes are only affecting national rail- so the tubes are still running. In that case, parking near the end of one of the tube lines would be an option too.

reluctantbrit · 06/10/2023 10:01

Ealing or Wimbeldon? You have the tube going into Central London from there.

It's rare that trains and tubes are striking so you should be ok.

SquirmOfEels · 06/10/2023 10:11

reluctantbrit · 06/10/2023 10:01

Ealing or Wimbeldon? You have the tube going into Central London from there.

It's rare that trains and tubes are striking so you should be ok.

Are you actually a Londoner? There has been action (work to rule and/or strikes) affecting London every month this year.

Last tube strikes were called off "significant progress", so some hope they will be running as normal. But always check the TfL website for planned engineering works as these are normally at the weekends and mean total closure for some sections of a line.

Unions have to give only 7 days of strikes, but in practice they've been giving longer notice of late. No announcement yet for November.

I think safest option would be coach the whole way, or drive to a town with good parking nearer London and coach the remaining part

reluctantbrit · 06/10/2023 10:19

SquirmOfEels · 06/10/2023 10:11

Are you actually a Londoner? There has been action (work to rule and/or strikes) affecting London every month this year.

Last tube strikes were called off "significant progress", so some hope they will be running as normal. But always check the TfL website for planned engineering works as these are normally at the weekends and mean total closure for some sections of a line.

Unions have to give only 7 days of strikes, but in practice they've been giving longer notice of late. No announcement yet for November.

I think safest option would be coach the whole way, or drive to a town with good parking nearer London and coach the remaining part

Show quote history

Sorry, I meant it's rare that both strike at the same time.

Yes, I am a Londoner and rely on the trains for commute. So I have plenty of knowledge about striking trains and looking for alternatives if I have to be in the office or have plans in London I can't change.

SquirmOfEels · 06/10/2023 10:24

Sorry too!

I see what you mean, now

But if Tube hadn't called it off, it would have been a double strike this Wednesday, and I think it's really happened at least twice this year. I agree that doubles aren't usually at weekends, though, because they are targeting commuters (you have my deepest sympathy!)

Chersfrozenface · 06/10/2023 10:25

"Unions have to give only 7 days of strikes..."

That's not true - they have to give notice 14 days before a strike starts

https://www.acas.org.uk/strikes-and-industrial-action/strikes#:~:text=Giving%20notice%20to%20strike,days%20before%20a%20strike%20starts.

CrispAppleStrudels · 06/10/2023 10:59

Worth checking the train situation anyway even on strike days. I had been on holiday in the north east on the day of the late aug train strikes and i had to get back to London that day. I found that there was the odd train running so i booked a seat expecting it to be rammed and it was absolutely dead. One of the nicest train journeys I've had in ages 😅 So if you have a little bit of flexibility on time, you could be ok!

Zippedydoodahday · 06/10/2023 11:05

Even if the trains and tubes strike the Overground normally runs. You could park for free with a few minutes walk of Chingford overground station and get in that way. Other ends of the Overground like Watford Junction may be the same, although I've not done it myself.

Just check no engineering work is planned.

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