How to Use the Tube Like a Local (Unspoken Rules & Hacks)
The London Underground — or simply, the Tube — is more than just a way to get around. It’s a daily ritual, a social dance, and sometimes a battlefield of silent stares. If you're visiting London or even just moved here, riding the Tube like a local can save you time, embarrassment, and a lot of awkward encounters.
Let’s decode the unspoken rules, insider hacks, and best-kept secrets to help you master the Tube like you’ve lived here forever.
First things first: Get yourself an Oyster or contactless
Locals don’t fumble with paper tickets — ever.
Most Londoners don’t use Oyster cards anymore — they just tap in with contactless bank cards or Apple/Google Pay. But if you’re visiting from abroad or want to keep track of spending, Oyster still works just fine.
Use either:
Contactless debit/credit card
Oyster card (you can buy one at stations or airports)
Both give you the same fare caps and are way cheaper than buying tickets individually. There's also no need to "top up" if you're using contactless — it's automatically billed.
➡️ Pro tip: Always tap in and out, even on the DLR or Overground, or you’ll get charged the full fare.
Know the cardinal rule: Stand on the right
The single most important Tube rule.
On escalators:
Stand on the right
Walk on the left
If you block the left side, Londoners will huff behind you and possibly even push past with a passive-aggressive “Excuse me.”
Don’t talk. Seriously.
The Tube is basically a mobile library.
Talking loudly, taking speakerphone calls, or blasting TikToks without headphones? That’s a one-way ticket to getting side-eyed into another dimension.
If you must talk, do it quietly — or wait till you're back on the street.
Avoid eye contact (yes, really)
Eye contact on the Tube is taboo.
Most Londoners will bury their face in a book, Kindle, or the Metro newspaper, or stare blankly at ads for West End shows. Locking eyes with a stranger? Feels like you just proposed marriage.
Where you stand on the platform matters
The seasoned commuter knows exactly where the train doors open. They’ve memorised:
Which carriage lines up closest to the exit at their stop
Where to stand to avoid packed sections
➡️ Hack: Use the app Tube Exit to figure out the best carriage for a quick transfer or fast exit.
Avoid rush hour (unless you enjoy pain)
Rush hour on the Tube feels like a human sardine experiment.
Avoid these times if you can:
7:30am – 9:30am
5:00pm – 7:00pm
If you must travel then, prepare for:
Zero personal space
Delays
Unbearable heat on older lines (hi, Central Line 👋)
Mind the gap (and the signage)
"Mind the gap" isn’t just iconic — it's serious. Some Tube platforms have huge gaps between the train and platform.
Also:
Check the final destination on the train and platform screens.
Lines like the Northern Line have multiple branches — don’t end up in the wrong end of nowhere.
Don’t block the doors
If you're standing near the door, step off the train briefly to let people out. Don’t just squeeze to the side — it’s not a moral victory.
Londoners will thank you with a nod. And that's a big deal here.
Use apps that Londoners actually use
Forget generic map apps. Use these:
Citymapper – Best for real-time Tube routing and alternative routes
TfL Go – Official TfL app for updates and line closures
Tube Map – Offline map, handy in tunnels
➡️ Insider tip: If a line’s down, Citymapper will auto-recommend the best bus or walking alternative.
Always check weekend closures
On weekends, TfL loves doing “planned engineering works.” That means:
Lines randomly shut
Buses replace trains
Everything takes 4x longer
Check tfl.gov.uk/status-updates before you head out.
The Tube isn't 24/7
Only a few lines run all night on Fridays and Saturdays (e.g. Central, Victoria, Jubilee). Otherwise, last trains are usually around midnight to 12:30am.
Missed the last train?
Your best bet is the Night Bus or a very expensive Uber surge.
Use the Overground and DLR too
They’re part of the same network — just above ground.
The Overground is a great alternative when the Tube’s packed, and the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) is driverless and runs through east/southeast London. Kids love sitting in the front!
Get strategic with interchanges
Avoid overcrowded interchange stations like:
Bank (chaos)
Oxford Circus (tourist hell)
Green Park (endless walking)
Use alternative stations when possible — sometimes walking 3 minutes to a nearby stop saves time and your sanity.
Don’t rely on Wi-Fi
Most platforms have free Wi-Fi, but it often cuts out in tunnels. Download offline maps, music, or podcasts ahead of time.
Keep right at exits, stairs, corridors
It’s not just the escalator — locals walk on the left, stand on the right everywhere in Tube stations. Block the flow and you’ll cause a domino of muttered British rage.
Say thank you with your feet
No one talks on the Tube, but body language rules:
Letting someone off? Small nod.
Someone moves to let you sit? Tiny smile.
Holding the door? A subtle “cheers” or “thanks” will earn you karma points.
Bonus: The secret air-conditioned lines
Want a cooler ride?
✅ Air-conditioned:
Elizabeth Line
Jubilee Line
Circle, District, Metropolitan, and Hammersmith & City
❌ Not air-conditioned:
Central Line
Bakerloo Line
Northern Line
Plan accordingly in summer — the Central Line can hit 35°C during a heatwave.
Final tip: Accept the chaos, embrace the silence
The Tube is a paradox — busy yet silent, chaotic yet routine. If you lean into the rhythm of it, you’ll come to love it just like locals do.
Save this guide, and follow @Londonyaar for more London hacks, culture tips, and hidden gems only locals know!