The London underground is one of the most popular ways to get around London. For some people jumping on the tube can seem somewhat daunting. However after a few trips it’s pretty easy to get the hang of. When you have been working in London for sometime you develop the ‘Shaun of the Dead’ zombie look when travelling on the tube and generally don’t even pay attention to where you are going…

Check out this draggable underground map!

The tube can be stressful mainly due to people rushing and barging about the place. Try not to pay any attention and use the maps and guides on this page provided by tfl to plan, organise and map out your journey.

Check out this large scale underground map!

click here to see larger version

Ticket prices vary but often it is worth investing in an Oyster card and topping up for frequent journeys which will work out cheaper than standard ticket rates. You can buy Oyster cards at most stations over the counter and don’t be afraid to ask tfl staff for advice on which ticket type is best for your journey and trip.

Also it is important to remember that you can use the bus service throughout London with your Oyster card. This can work out a lot cheaper and faster than jumping on and off the tube. Each journey costs 90 pence (correct at time publishing). You can also use the overground train service for harder to reach parts of London which again can be quicker to make specific journeys.

Remember to check for delays before departing and check out the tfl website regularly for service updates and planned maintenance work which mainly occurs at weekends to minimise distribution. You can use the widgets at the top right of this page

Tube Etiquette !

Here are a few rules for good tube etiquette!

• Always let people off the tube first!
• Never lean against the doors - this affects the braking system and makes the tube jerk!
• Don’t bother pressing the ‘open’ button - it doesn’t work!
• Don’t stop in the middle of places where people are walking i.e. in front of the barriers
• Be nice to the tube staff!
• If you’re feeling faint in the height of summer, DON’T press the emergency stop as you’ll get stuck on the tube for much, much longer!
• Respect people’s personal space…. don’t shove a book/newspaper in someone’s face on a crowded tube
• If it’s pretty busy on a tube when it arrives, don’t try and get on and annoy everyone by cramming in - don’t forget that tubes run roughly every minute and there’ll be one pretty soon afterwards!
• It’s pretty funny trying to guess where the doors stop when a tube arrives…
• Try to be subtle when counting down the stops……
• If you have a free paper, put it in the recycling bin and make someone else’s job a
• lot easier at the end of the day
• Be aware that some shorter people may not want to not want to sniff your armpit when your holding the central handrails!
• Keep to the right on the escalators because Londoner’s seems to be full of people dying to get to work!
• Although you may love Britney Spears try to resist from playing annoying music (of any kind) too loudly on your mp3, whilst in tight enclosed spaces i.e. train carriages!
• Take note of baby on board badges and pay attention to them! If you see someone who is clearly pregnant give up your seat

If you think we have forgotten any important tube rule drop us an email at info@londonerseye.com and we will add them to this list….