London 10th - 14th December, best times to use the tube?

emmyreece

Hi everyone, I'm off to London with my fella on the 10th December for 4 nights.

I'm absolutely petrified about going on the tube and have somehow, stupidly got it into my head that it's going to be packed and I'm going to get crushed lol (my fella says if it looks a bit too packed for us we should take a step back and wait for the next one to come along). So I was wondering, what would be the best time to get from Earl's Court (the road leading down to our hotel is literally opposite Earl's Court tube station) to Oxford Street on the tube? I feel like such a whiner

I've never been to London before so I want to take in all the Xmassy lights, go to Winter Wonderland on hyde park, hit the shops, the London eye etc. Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Despite my worry about the tube I can't wait to get down there as I know it's going to be absolutely magical :rotfl:

susancs

Its less crowded at off peak times (also cheaper to travel with Oyster) such as after 10am in the morning and either before 4pm or after 6.30-7pm weekdays. Weekends it is less crowded earlier in the morning. You can also use the buses if you are a bit worried about the tubes or plan walking routes. www.tfl.gov. use the advanced journey planner and select buses. To help reassure you that the tubes are Ok, I will just say that although they are busy my children when toddlers had no problems travelling with me or hubby during peak times. You will have a great time.

emmyreece

Thank you for the advice it's very much appreciated :beer:

I live in the middle of nowhere in Wales, so going down to a big city like London is a little bit daunting lol, but something I've always wanted to do.

We've already nabbed our travel tickets for while we're down there, we've got the travel cards that cover the tube, bus and dlr.

I'm sure we'll be ok, other people manage it all the time, so no reason why I should be such a baby about it lol

susancs

emmyreece wrote: »

Thank you for the advice it's very much appreciated :beer:

I live in the middle of nowhere in Wales, so going down to a big city like London is a little bit daunting lol, but something I've always wanted to do.

We've already nabbed our travel tickets for while we're down there, we've got the travel cards that cover the tube, bus and dlr.

I'm sure we'll be ok, other people manage it all the time, so no reason why I should be such a baby about it lol

Don't worry you will be fine once here. I have family who live in very rural areas who come to London and they have had similar concerns, but once here they are fine. I would say though plan your journeys and activities in advance for each day as there is a lot to do and see. Consider what you would to do each day and then go on on the www.tfl.gov.uk website and plan journeys from each location, grouping things together. For example if doing Lights, Shops in Oxford/Regents St and Covent Garden I would group these together. The Eye is in SW London, so maybe on that day plan to go on that, see Houses Of Parliament, Big Ben, Imperial war Museum and Westminster Abbey. You could check out the changing of the Guard dates at Buckingham Palace, maybe prior to that go to the theatre box office in Victoria at 10am and see if you can day tickets for Wicked matinees or evening performance front rows for about £25 each. You are walking distance from the Museums in South Kensington so you could do that on one day. Sunday maybe look to go to the Camden Town Markets. The key to having a good time in London is to plan well.

marksmith99

You should be fine at whatever time. It will be busier peak hours, but there will be space to get on trains and you're not on them for long.

One thing, look at a map before you come down; many places it is quicker to walk than go all the way underground for a couple of stops eg Embankment/Charing Cross to Covent Garden would be a nightmare on the tube, 5 minutes to walk, Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus, almost as quick to walk as tube, especially if you're not keen on tube.

Foggster

I am a country bumpkin and used to hate using the tube but we normally go just before Xmas and although it gets busy you soon get into it! Your bf is right, if it looks busy we wait for the next one. Dont waste money on the proper tour buses, take a look at the tfl site mention again and get a normal service bus which will take you around Knightsbridge and Oxford street and see the lights for a couple of quid! ]

Be warned, Winter Wonderland is very very pricey. We were really disappointed because it was stupidly expensive and spoilt the experience. We had more fun taking a ride on the London Eye and then taking the walk along the Thames down to Tower Bridge and taking in the atmosphere, it was magical.

Dont forget Trafalgar Sq and the tree!

Enjoy - I love London at Xmas but always love coming home to the beautiful hills of Wales!