London Calling: Explore, Experience, Enjoy

The London Underground is also known as the tube and is an intrinsic and often confusing system of travel.

But it is also your best travel option, if take a little time and try and understand it.

The tube is divided into 9 zones. Zone-1 is central London. Zone 6-9 are outskirts whereas 2-5 are all destinations in-between.

The cost of your ride will depend on the distance you travel, the time of day and the mode of payment.

The journey is made significantly cheaper when you use an Oyster Card, Visitor Oyster card, Travelcard or pay by contactless. But remember, you must have the Oyster’s card before you travel to UK i.e., the card is only delivered to your home, wherever that maybe on the Planet.

An adult cash fare for a single journey within zone 1 is £4.90, while the same Tube fare paid with any of the above payments costs only £2.40 – less than half the cash price!

But please check for any transaction fees or bank charges while paying for fares through cards issued outside of UK.

Also remember you can opt for full day passes. But remember it is important to identify the zones you will travel that day, otherwise your trip will turn out extremely expensive.

You can easily spot a tube station when you see this sign. (tube sign)

Each station will have a map and you are advised to read the map carefully to understand your current position and travel to your destination.

Each station has officials present at the entire, who are happy to assist, in case you seek help.

The last mile connectivity is one of the best in London and reaching your final destination is quite convenient.

Once you understand the zones, fares and distance on the tube, the rest is fairly simple, it is like traveling in Delhi Metro or in Singapore or Hong Kong or for that matter Dubai.

But there are a lot of tube etiquettes that you must be aware of.
So, if you’re planning a trip to London and want to make sure you don’t stick out like a sore thumb, this London tube etiquette guide is everything you need!

• Keep your contactless card, ticket handy, to ensure that you do not delay the person behind you.

• Don’t wait for ticket barriers to close behind you, move forward.

• While on elevators, Stand on the right and walk on the left 

• Let passengers off first.

• Don’t make eye contact with strangers

• Don’t talk to strangers and keep you voice down

• Once on the tube, Move down the carriage

• Don’t eat smelly food on the tube

• Don’t blast your headphones super loudly

• Keep your bag between your legs while standing 

• Don’t Seat Hog With Your Bag if you are sitting it, should be under the seat

• Mind the Priority Seat & Donate your seat to the elderly, pregnant, or those less able to stand