The London Underground isn’t the most baby friendly form of transport, but it is perfectly possible to use it to get about with a baby in tow. And on the plus side it is free for under 11s. Plus baby D loves to break the unwritten rule about not making eye contact on the tube, thus freaking people out by staring at them for ages… These are my top 5 tips for travelling on the London Underground with a baby
5 tips for using the London Underground with a baby
- Make sure your Oyster/contactless payment card is strategically placed in an accessible pocket. You don’t want to be fumbling around looking for it whilst trying to hold a baby. Other Londoners enjoy huffing and puffing at people who are unprepared for the entrance/exit barriers.
- If you possibly can, use a sling or baby carrier on the tube. It is much easier to manoeuvre around stations and trains carrying your baby than with a buggy. Personally I prefer to front carry on the tube as it is easier to prevent baby being jostled. And it is easier to sit down.
- If you really need to take the buggy, then do. I have an enormous running buggy and actually it is not too bad taking it on the tube. If you can, plan your journey ahead to avoid changes, escalators and steps as far as possible. Transport for London produce guides to help you avoid steps. And they also give you the walking times between stations, so you might be able to avoid the tube all together. (There is also a toilet map, just in case of poo explosions.) I found that people were generally very helpful with offering to assist carrying the buggy up and down stairs where necessary. Despite Londoners unfriendly reputation.
- Avoid rush hour if you can. This seems to get longer and longer. I would guess avoid between 7.30 and 9.00 in the morning and anything from 16.30 to 19.00 in the evening. But it depends exactly where you are going; some parts of the network are busier than others.
- Don’t hurry and just keep calm. I know, easier said than done… Try to allow plenty of time for your journey. I soon discovered that everything seems to take twice as long with a baby along for the ride. I was always terrified about baby D having a full scale meltdown on the tube. But when baby D was tiny, she tended to fall asleep. And once she was older she liked to people watch. And you can always get off at the next stop.
Happy travels!
Good to know the general sentiment of Londoners towards mothers and babies. I am considering a trip to London and have a 10 month old. He’s almost 11 kilos though so carrying him around in a sling can get really tiring. But, I’d rather tire myself out than have to lug a buggy up the stairs in the hopes that someone would help. #citytripping
I hope you have a great time in London!
Great tips. I regularly use the underground with my two kids and, you’re right, there’s always someone who will help with the buggy. It has certainly made me walk a lot more in London but careful planning and using the step free access stations can take away a lot of the stress. Oyster card at the ready is essential! I get my older daughter to touch in and out and she loved being a part of the experience. Thanks for linking #citytripping
Travelling with a baby does seem to make London Underground a friendlier place!
Very true! At the end of the day, most Londoners have kids so can sympathise. #fearlessfamtrav
I was surprised that Londoners seem friendlier when I have a baby in tow!
Great tips and I definitely agree on trying to avoid rush hour – I’m glad you found people so helpful too. #citytripping
Yes, rush hour can be crazy busy – it’s not great trying to cram onto a packed train, even with baby in a sling; I always worry about her getting squished
Good advice, London, especially the underground, with a baby can be daunting, so it’s good to know there are guides for the stations without too many steps. If you plan ahead it makes it all easier ? #wanderlustkids
It does seem daunting, but I have generally found Londoners helpful when travelling with a baby
Sensible tips-carriers are lifesavers hey? #wanderlustkids
Yes, sometimes carriers are so much easier than buggies
All great tips…especially using carriers. Carrying our twins has gotten us so many more places than we couldn’t have gotten with a stroller. #fearlessfamtrav
Yes, carriers are great – everywhere from cities to up mountains!
Great tips! I commutes by underground for years but never used with Baby! Will remember these tips for when we do
Thanks for linking to #fearlessfamtrav
At least you know your way around, which always helps!
Every thing does take twice as long with kids – you’re so right! I’ve never stressed too much about the London underground but these are very valid tips – nice post #fearlessfamtrav
Thank you!
Great post! We took the underground with a stroller and all our luggage when we visited London. People were so incredibly helpful! #fearlessfamtrav
Thanks!