Mom and I just came back from a week in London where we used the underground multiple times a day. I am directionally impaired, but the whole experience was really not difficult for several reasons that I wanted to share. First of all, there were always employees by the turnstiles who despite being asked for help a thousand times a day, were always kind and helpful in directing us to where we needed to go. A feature that I love about the underground in London is that there are machines everywhere where you can access either emergency help or help finding your way to the appropriate track. Whenever I got turned around, I knew there would be a machine nearby and I could push the blue help button and find out exactly where I needed to go. Mom was a little embarrassed that I kept pushing blue buttons everywhere and looking like a true tourist, but I will take help wherever I can get it! And finally, the kindness of the locals was heartwarming. Several times we were helped by locals who not only took the time to give us the correct directions, but did it with a smile. For someone who lives in a city with no underground and has limited experience in this area, I was grateful for the organization and help that made our journeys much easier. I hope this post will help anyone who might be intimidated at the thought of using the underground.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33992 posts
Thanks for this view of the Underground through your eyes. It is both valuable for new visitors and good to hear for residents.
I'm surprised the Underground would be puzzling to somebody from New York. I find the subway even more confusing.
Posted by
OP
New York
521 posts
I live in Rochester New York, and we don’t have a subway. Believe it or not, I’ve only been on the New York City Subway twice in my life – we are six hours away from the city so I don’t make it there very often and when I do, I tend to take buses. My only other subway experiences are Washington DC as a child and Rome, which is quite small and easy to navigate. So initially, the London underground seemed overwhelming, which is why I was so grateful for the supports.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
What a lot of people don't realise is, EVERYTHING is colour coded.
First the signs (click for photo) , Green = District Line, Dark Blue = Piccadilly Line.
This extends to the platforms (click for photo) , see the red line along the wall above the word "Bank"; Red = Central Line.
And this one (click for photo), Black = Northern Line
In some cases it includes the train interiors (click for photo). See the grab poles, Green = District Line (again).
And finally this one (click for photo), Red = ???? (test to see if you are paying attention).
This is all designed to subconciously confirm you are in the right place.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33992 posts
But the colour code failed just a teensy bit when District Line and Circle Line trains were replaced by fancy new trains which all have yellow poles inside. Am I on a Circle Line train? Oh no, the announcement has just said, "this is a District Line Train". Oh well, they share track for a fair while. Pink trains do too, but on the other side of the Circle.
But yes, it is very convenient that everything is colour coded, and they all match the map and apps.
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2201 posts
I also recommend the Tube Map app for smart phones. You can put in your destination station and it will show you the lines you need to take.
We found the London Underground and the Paris Metro a great way to get around.
Posted by
OP
New York
521 posts
Great tips- thanks 😀