Getting around London during the holidays can be hectic, hot and a fair bit of hassle especially with little ones by your side, but what if we told you walking is quicker than some tubes?
The London Underground is used by roughly four million passengers each day, transporting commuters across the city, but over Easter a lot of those travellers will be holidaymakers, keen to explore the city.
Depending on the zone of travel, prices will vary and if you’re travelling longer distance to get from one side to the other – you might just be wasting your money on tube journeys and find you are actually quicker walking.
This is great news for parents who will find it much easier to walk in the fresh air with little ones, avoiding the classic stair and escalator battle and the hot, sweaty and dirty underground stations. There’s the bonus of saving plenty of pennies for sightseeing fun, too.
READ MORE: ‘Babies will drift off on their own with genius 100-second rule’ says sleep expert
Tubes can costs tens of thousands for some a year but we’ve discovered short routes that would benefit from a speedy, scenic walk instead of heading underground, increasing your step count and letting you see more of the city.
Whilst it’s not always possible with some destinations, we take a look at the closest ones with a little help from John White, an expert at We Run.
Charing Cross to Embankment – 3-minute walk
Charing Cross and Embankment Underground Stations sit just 300 metres apart, with the Bakerloo Line and Northern Line serving both. However, if you’re aiming to get to Charing Cross for a National Rail Service, you can get off at Embankment Station using the Circle or District Line. This will save you from a transfer at another station, allowing you to reach your destination quickly.
Blackfriars to Southwark – 10-minute walk
If you’re aiming to get south of the river from Blackfriars to Southwark, you might be tempted to take the underground (14-minute journey). However, walking takes equal or even less time and gives you a pleasant walk over Blackfriars Bridge.
Lancaster Gate to Paddington – 6-minute walk
Getting between these two stations via the tube can take 20 minutes and requires a change in between. Alternatively, you can make a short six-minute walk along Craven Terrace and up the B410. This is a great tip for people who regularly use Paddington Station, as Lancaster Gate uses a different Underground Service on the Circle Line.
Bond Street to Oxford Circus – 5-minute walk
Oxford Circus is one of the most popular underground stations in London. Tourists flock to this area, as well as many of the city’s workers. To make your journey easier, it’s good to know that Bond Street is around a five-minute walk away from Oxford Circus. So if your aim is to get to busy Oxford Street or the British Museum, then Bond Street is a good alternative.
Leicester Square to Covent Garden – 4-minute walk
These two busy stations are 250 metres apart, but due to the crowds of people in this area, it might be hard to notice. Getting through the crowds, then down to the platform, and onto the tube can take up to 20 minutes. The short walk will instead take you past some of London’s most famous shops, bars and restaurants.
Bank to Mansion House – 3-minute walk
A tube journey between these two stations would take roughly ten minutes compared to the three-minute walk. This is handy for Londoners and tourists, as Bank Station serves several routes, including the Central, Northern, Waterloo and City lines. This means that if your final destination is Mansion House, it might be easier to simply get off at the Bank and walk.
READ MORE: Dunelm’s £36 wildflower bouquet that ‘looks so real’ – and includes a vase
