Before I went to London I knew the city is home to one of the biggest underground networks in the world and it would be a bit of a nightmare to handle it.

Well, that’s partially true. The underground network is huge (13 lines) and the map can be downright confusing at times. But , we managed to get the hang of it in just two days. And although we took the train in the opposite direction twice, we never got lost.

Albeit we didn’t realize many things until Thursday (and we got to London on Monday). I’m still amazed we managed to get to Paddington on day one without getting lost on the way. Really.

The first rule is to buy a map of the underground (which comes with a streets map, as well). Then be very attentive and make sure to check and double check the stops on each platform / line. Typically, trains are marked both with the line and the end station (where it terminates). So look for that as well.

Once you get in the train, they announce the line you are on and where it terminates. Plus some intermediate stops (large stations). At each stop, they also announce which line you can change for, whether you can change for the national rail system and which large sights are located close by. If you , by mistake, took the train in the wrong direction, get off at the next stop. Don’t be afraid to ask the persons working in the stations. They offer assistance and if they see you are looking for something or looking disoriented they will ask whether they could help.

Also, if you get to the station around 6 a.m. GMT there won’t be anyone selling tickets so you need to use the machines and have exact change. Or do what we’ve done. The assistance guy got the tickets for us. Very nice of him.

You will need the tickets both when you enter the underground and when you exit it. Day tickets are available (off peak adult ticket – traveling starts at 9:30 a.m. – on all lines costs 6.60 pounds). The price of a journey is calculated considering how many zones you travel through and at what hour. So we ended up paying 4 pounds for an adult , one way , to get from Bayswater to King’s Cross at 6:30 a.m.)



Photo credit: Alex G.