London Tips

London tips when travelling and sightseeing

London requires some special skills, tips and techniques to navigate as it is heaving with people. Most of them are impatient and in a hurry. Here is how to get from A to B without causing a pile up or suffering an injustice.

London tips for the Tube

Get your Oyster Card ready

• When you arrive at the station get your Oyster Card ready before approaching the scanning machine to gain entry.

Stand on the right and walk on the left

• Stand on the right on the escalators in the tube.
• Walk on the left, if going up or down a staircase or escalator.

Move out of the way

• As soon as you reach the top or bottom of an escalator, or after you have scanned your Oyster card, move quickly out of the way.

Carry water with you

• Most of the tube and bus network isn’t air conditioned and it can get very hot in the Summer months so always carry a bottle of water.
• If you feel ill or dizzy don’t press the emergency button on the tube in-between stops. Wait until the next stop.

Don’t drink alcohol on any part of the London transport network, including the tubes and buses, as it is against the law.

General Tube tips

• Plan your route in advance and know where you are changing and what bus or tube line you are going to take
• If travelling late at night, don’t sit in an empty train carriage.
• If anyone is making you feel uncomfortable by their appearance or presence, move to another carriage.

Transport for London has published its own tips for staying safe on its bus and tube network.

London tips for buses

Get in line

• Even if it doesn’t look like an orderly queue, let anyone who arrived before you, go in front of you.
• Let the elderly get on first and give up your seat if you see someone less able to stand
• Don’t sit on the seats marked for disabled, pregnant women or people with children (unless you are eligible to sit there).

London tips for sightseeing

• Don’t point in the street (it can cause injury).
• Don’t block the pavement or walk side by side if you are in a large group
• If you are walking move to the side, before stopping.
• Don’t stand in entrances or at the doors of shops, museums or tube exits.

London tips – personal safety

Be mindful of your safety

• Make sure that your bag is zipped and in front of you and don’t leave your wallet or phone in a back pocket.
• Avoid being distracted by strangers asking questions as many of these are pickpockets.
• Don’t wear expensive jewellery in the street or on public transport
• Only carry what you need. Leave a credit card, spare cash and your passport at home or in a hotel safe.
• Avoid confrontations with strangers

Check out our London Transport page for more information on using the tube.

Following these London tips will ensure that your days in London are memorable for all the right reasons.