by Mike Dalley

Created on: February 06, 2011

It may be old, frequently delayed and ridiculously busy, but the London Underground still offers one of the best ways to get around London cheaply, quickly and conveniently. 

♦ Finding your way around ♦

The schematic London Underground map was created by Harry Beck in 1931 and is not only a design masterpiece, it is very useful in helping travelers find their way around.  Using only straight, coloured lines that go up, down, side to side and diagonally means that to plan a journey you only really need to know which point of the compass you are following and which coloured line you need to be on.  In an Underground Station, lines (and even trains) are colour coded according to the map, and placards tell the traveller which way they are headed (northbound, southbound, eastbound or westbound) and what stations are en route.

Despite this, the Underground can still be confusing to newcomers or even regular users.  The maze of different lines, interchanges and having little or no bearing to where you are in relation to roads and landmarks (especially in Zone 1, Central London) means that many people hone their skills on the Tube through trial and error.  Always take a map with you.  Pocket-sized paper maps can be found in most stations and there are poster ones in all station ticket halls and platforms.  It is even worth getting one for your Smartphone if you can.

Pay attention to the whiteboards at the top of escalators and in station entrances.  They tell you about engineering works, delays and incidents which may mean that your chosen route is no longer an option.  Sometimes, you only find this out when you are on the train and in the tunnel, so always have a ‘Plan B’ route picked out.  There is usually more than one way to get somewhere.  Although they may appear to be standoffish, the blue-suited station attendants are usually more than happy to assist lost travellers.  Pay attention to train destinations (on the overhead displays on platforms, and on the front of trains) as some lines terminate in different places.

♦ Tickets ♦

Oyster cards are the best way to go, even if you are only visiting London.  They are cheap and can be pre-ordered on the Transport for London website or bought in stations.  Once pre-loaded with money or travel cards, you can use them all day long. Alternatively, paper tickets such as singles, returns and travel

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