Info for someone who has never used the Tube
Info for someone who has never used the Tube
Author
Discussion

CoolC

Original Poster:

4,506 posts

244 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
So I’ve got to the ripe old age of 39¼ without ever using the London underground.

Tomorrow I need to be in Hammersmith at 09:00 for a meeting, so it looks like the best option is to go down to the big smoke by train and head over there on the tube. The place I need to be at is only a few minutes from Goldhawk road station so I’ve worked out I need either the circle or Hammersmith line from Kings Cross to Goldhawk Street.

Now obviously I’m going to get mugged by hoodies with the footage put up on YouTube, but just in case I do make it in one piece what else do I need to know?

How do I ensure I get on the right train in the right direction from the right platform? Is it obvious to someone who has never placed foot in a tube station?

I have the loan of an Oyster card, which apparently I just wave at the gate/turnstile thingy, is that correct? I don’t want to be the annoying tourist getting in the way of all the grumpy Londoners trying to get to work.

I also don’t want to be the numpty who got on the wrong train and ended up the wrong side of London missing a meeting smile

Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

291 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
CoolC said:
How do I ensure I get on the right train in the right direction from the right platform? Is it obvious to someone who has never placed foot in a tube station?

I have the loan of an Oyster card, which apparently I just wave at the gate/turnstile thingy, is that correct? I don’t want to be the annoying tourist getting in the way of all the grumpy Londoners trying to get to work.
Getting the right train is straightforward. There will be signs directing you to the line and the platform for each direction.

Haven't much experience with Oyster cards but if you go to an Oyster ticket machine and wave it the machine will tell you how much balance is on the card. Also remember to wave the card at the turnstile again when you get to your destination.

tank slapper

7,949 posts

313 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Stations are usually quite well signed, and most have a clear indication of which direction trains go from which platform. If in doubt there are staff at most stations who you can ask. Oyster cards are easy - just touch the pad when you enter the station, and most importantly touch as you leave the station at your destination. If you don't do both, then it automatically charges you the maximum fare. At most tube stations there are barriers to go through so you have to do it to get through them but there may be some exits at some stations without barriers, especially if you change from tube to overground or DLR.

mattdaniels

7,362 posts

312 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Maybe ask an adult to go with you?

Benmac

1,701 posts

246 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Once you're on the train and underway be sure to strike up a conversation with everyone around you. People on the tube love this. A good way to start it off will be to ask everyone to look out of the windows to see if anyone can spot the horses that live in the tunnels.

Crafty_

14,198 posts

230 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Far as getting on the train going in the right direction.. you should find a sign like this when you get down to the platforms, the station you are at is highlighted in blue at the top, so just go to the side that lists your station, or at least one in the correct direction - not all stations will be listed.



As you get to the turnstile you just wave the card over the black bit and the gates should open!


4keymonsta

12,133 posts

178 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Follow the pritty colours. Pink or yellow I believe.

GAB4R

27 posts

174 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
If you do manage to find the Station Attendants (when they're not sitting in their back rooms), ask one of them and they'll walk you to the platform and get you on the right train for your destination.

littleredrooster

6,412 posts

226 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Be careful not to 'jump the barriers at Baker Street'...

smokin

-crookedtail-

1,594 posts

220 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
So this journey is really simple, just follow signs to hammersmith!

However be careful to make sure you do not get on a met line train as they use the same platform, also as circle or h&c line trains are shorter don't go to the very end of the platforms, you might find it stops short of you!

Not sure if one of those tunnel digging machines are very PH but there is one just by royal oak station out the right side of the train, ready for cross rail duties. It's a beast and quite impressive!

CoolC

Original Poster:

4,506 posts

244 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for the info chaps biggrin

Lost soul

8,712 posts

212 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
You are going to be bum raped , maybe even tea bagged

Pothole

34,367 posts

312 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_TRIP_RE...

Where exactly are you going at Goldhawk ROAD?

ETA, the directions are slightly misguided, the H&C train will have Hammersmith as its destination. All Westbound trains from that platform go to Baker Street, but wait for one which says Hammersmith on the front.

Edited by Pothole on Monday 30th April 21:00

Blib

48,267 posts

227 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Get the "Tube Exits" app for you phone. It's free. Type in your start station and destination. Not only will it tell you which trains to get, it wull also point out which are the best carriages to be in for line transfers.

You will be mugged, raped and murdered though. There's not app to prevent that.

CoolC

Original Poster:

4,506 posts

244 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Pothole said:
Where exactly are you going at Goldhawk ROAD?
A place on Richford Street. Are you local?

davepoth

29,395 posts

229 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Best advice is to get into the "Mornington Crescent" thread, there is tons of useful advice there.

joebongo

1,517 posts

205 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Crafty_ said:
Far as getting on the train going in the right direction.. you should find a sign like this when you get down to the platforms, the station you are at is highlighted in blue at the top, so just go to the side that lists your station, or at least one in the correct direction - not all stations will be listed.



As you get to the turnstile you just wave the card over the black bit and the gates should open!

But dont try to go to North Weald or Ongar as per the above as they have both been closed since a long time ago.

sday12

5,068 posts

241 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
nono oyster cards are non transferable.

Chrisgr31

14,290 posts

285 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
sday12 said:
nono oyster cards are non transferable.
Even PAYG?

Pixel Pusher

10,422 posts

189 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Forget everything that has been said here.

All you need to know is never, ever make eye contact with anyone on the tube.

Or they will kill you. Kill you to death.

Horribly.