Working in the office brings many benefits. You get to meet your team face to face and connect with colleagues in a way that is not possible over zoom. When you get bored or frustrated, there is always someone around to chat to. And there are also office lunch trips and after work drinks to enjoy again.
However the main drawback of working in the office is the return of the dreaded commute. Picture platforms full of commuters waiting to crush into an already full carriage. If you are just moving to London, this is something you will have to get used to. However, do not fear, there are ways to make the commute more bearable.
Read on below for the secret to surviving your London commute.
Consider your commuting options
The beauty of London transport is that you very rarely only have one option to get into work. Consider which option is going to be more pleasant at certain times of the day and always have a few backup options in case of cancellations or delays.
Maybe the bus takes 10 minutes longer, but you are guaranteed a seat and don’t need to change. Or maybe one tube station is further away but it is at the end of the line so you won’t need to queue to get on. Getting off one station earlier may mean a longer walk to the office but avoids the need to fight through crowds at a busy station.
When you move house or jobs, see what your options are and try them out at different times of the day to get a feel for what you prefer.
When I lived in Clapham, I used to get the tube from Clapham South. The northern line is notoriously busy and there can be long queues especially at the clapham stations. However, because I got to the station around 9am, slightly after the peak, I generally had no problems getting on. However if for some reason I had to be at work early, I would instead hop on a bus to brixton (end of the Victoria line) and get the tube from there.
Timing is key
Most people work between 9am and 6pm and therefore the rush hour exists. It varies from station to station, but generally if you get on public transport between 7am and 9am expect it to be busy.
If you have flexibility on your start times, consider starting later. While starting earlier doesn’t much improve the experience, starting later generally does. I’ve found the tube much more pleasant at 9am than at 8am.
Surprisingly the evening rush hour is never quite as stressful. Generally it is busier between 5.30pm and 6.30pm but not so much that you’d need to consider alternative routes.
Check for delays and closures before leaving
Remember to always check if there’s a problem with your usual route before setting off. This can save a lot of stress and time in advance. A good way to do this is through the transport for London twitter or city mapper app.
If there is an issue with your usual route, you can replan before leaving.
This is a lesson that I had to learn the hard way. On the day of a job interview, I turned up at my usual station only to find a stationary queue out the door. In a mad panic I had to find another route and only just made it on time.
I am now careful to check before I leave, especially if it is an important day at work.
Pick you position
When getting on public transport, the position/seat that you select can really improve your journey if you pick well.
Below are my top tips for how to pick the best position on the tube. Similar techniques can be applied for the train or the bus once you are familiar with the journey.
Firstly move down the platform. I am amazed how many people cluster around the section of the platform nearest to the escalators. It seems obvious but by walking down the platform there will be less people and therefore less competition to get on the next train.
It’s not just your position on the platform either. Be careful when picking your position once you are able to get on the tube. I recommend aiming for the double doors (rather than single doors) as you will have more choices of places to stand and more people can get on.
Generally, if you get the tube at rush hour, you will have to stand. However not all standing positions were made equal.
In my opinion, the best option for a longer journey would be between the rows of seating. While you have to deal with the seated people staring at your crotch, when one of them gets up to get off the tube, you have first dibs on their seat.
If you have a less long journey and don’t want to try for a seat, the best position would be in the corners of the standing area where you have something to lean against.
Consider your outfit
You can easily make your journey more pleasant by dressing sensibly. By this I mean consider the fact that it is generally warmer on the tube than it is outside, especially considering how close you might be standing to other people.
Even in the winter you will probably want to take your coat off when you get on. In the summer, plan outfits that can stand the sweat!. And if your normal work shoes are not comfortable, consider commuting in a pair of trainers!
Avoid taking bulky luggage that will get in the way and always take off your rucksack when you get on. It is also good to have some pockets handy for easy phone access on the tube and to carry your oyster or contactless card.
Make use of your commuting time
Let’s face it, commuting is often very boring. Especially when you are crammed into a small carriage and have no room to get a book or laptop out.
The secret to surviving your commute is to make good use of the time. My preference is to listen to audiobooks or podcasts on my commute. All I need is a pair of headphones and something to listen to, downloaded to my phone. Some people like to watch tv shows and movies downloaded to their phones or play games.
If you have more space, you could use the time to get on with a project or reading a physical book.
Find something that works for you so that you don’t dread the commuting time. You may even look forward to it!
Learn your Journey
This should be fairly easy as you will be doing your commute many times each week. Once you get familiar with the journey, you can learn the secrets to speeding up the commute.
Learn the best exit and entrance, learn the fastest ways to switch platforms, and where to stand on the platform. Some tube stations signpost you to take the longer routes when changing platforms but if you know the station well you can save time by going the quick way. Check out this youtube video for more info.
Learning the route inside out will make your life smoother and will help you feel like a superior Londoner!
And Finally…Try not to worry!
When I first moved to London my commute was one of my main worries. Getting public transport at rush hour can seem like a daunting experience, however try to not worry too much.
If you are getting the tube or the bus and can’t get on straight away, be patient and try not to panic. Another one will be along in a few minutes.
Even if you have to wait a while you will eventually make it on. And if your usual route is cancelled, there will always be an alternative route home.
Travelling at night? Read my post on how to stay safe in London.
