London Tube Etiquette: 14 Unspoken London Underground Rules

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Getting the tube in London is an experience. Not always a pleasant one, but an experience nonetheless.

You can always spot tourists on the London tube because they still look at everything wide eyed and amazed, unlike the Londoners who are glumly trudging forward on their daily commute.

You can also spot tourists because it’s sometimes painfully obvious that they don’t know the unspoken London underground rules that command this mode of transport.

If you’re planning a trip to London and want to make sure you don’t stick out like a sore thumb, this London tube etiquette guide is everything you need! We will go over all the main rules and how to behave on the London underground.

14 London tube rules everyone should follow

Stand on the right, walk on the left

This is possibly the most important rule when it comes to the London underground. When you’re on the escalator you stand on the right and you walk on the left.

Please please please do not stand on the left of the escalator. Not only will everyone around you know you’re a tourist, but they will also hate you for adding 15 seconds to their commute.

If they end up missing a train because they were stuck behind you on the escalator, and having to wait a whole extra 3 minutes for the next one, you’ve probably just made an archenemy for life.

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Don’t make eye contact with strangers

You might be squashed up close to someone, sharing way more personal space that you have with anyone in months, but God forbid you make eye contact with them.

That’s why there are ads and posters on the tube, so that you can look at something besides people’s faces.

Don’t talk to strangers (and sometimes even to friends)

I’ve lived in London for 8 years but I’m originally from Italy. I’m talk a lot and I talk loudly, I can’t help it.

When I first came to London if I was taking the tube with a friend I would continue whatever conversation we were having before going underground, I’d even raise my voice to make sure they heard me over the noise of the tube.

It took one too many embarrassing tube journeys, where in the silence of the carriage everybody heard about my latest drunk feat, for me to finally learn to just shut up on the tube.

And definitely don’t start a conversation with a stranger, that’s just plain weird.

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Let passengers off the train before you try boarding

This one isn’t really an unspoken rule, they actually repeat it quite loudly with the speaker every time a train comes, but it’s always a good reminder.

When the train comes, don’t be that person that just tried to push through the crowd and onto the train while others are getting off. Nobody likes that person.

Move down the carriage

This is another rule that is actually spoken by the speakers, very regularly and very loudly too, but even Londoners keep getting it wrong so I figured I should repeat it.

Once you’re past the tube doors, don’t just stand there. I get it, you’re excited that you got on the tube, but you don’t need to mark your territory by planting your feet there and not moving till you’ve arrived at destination.

Move down inside the carriage and go stand in aisles between the seats. You will not only be more comfortable, but you’ll also help create space for other commuters.

Walk down the platform

Similarly, once you first arrive underground don’t just crowd by the entrance of the tube, walk down the platform to an emptier spot. I’m always baffled by the huge crowds that you can find on platforms by the entrance.

You don’t have to walk far, just a few metres down the platform you will usually find less people around you, which also means less people in the carriage.

Have your Oyster Card, contactless card or ticket ready

This is probably one of the things that upsets Londoners the most.

Going through the barriers and on the tube should be a seamless smooth process. I don’t want to have to wait 10 minutes as you fumble through all of your pockets and wallets searching for your Oyster Card.

What have you even been doing until now?! As you’re approaching a tube station start taking out your card or ticket, so that when you get close to the barrier you’re ready to just tap it and smoothly go through.

You don’t need to wait for the barriers to close before you tap your card

I’ll let you in on a little secret now. If someone has just gone through the barriers, you don’t have to wait for the barriers to close before you tap your card.

While the barriers are still open just check that there’s an orange light on the card reader, then you tap your card, get a green light and you breeze through the already open tube barriers.

It will save you a whole 27 seconds compared to waiting for the platforms to close and open again. Imagine all the things you can do with that extra time!

It might not look like it, but there is a queuing system on the platform

I’ve seen it happen countless of times before. Tourists arrive on the platforms and see people spread on both sides of the door, with a wide empty lane in the middle, and they just go straight for the middle!

Hint; that lane is to allow people to get off. You can’t just take it as your own personal fast-track lane to get on the tube. Pick one side and join the back of it. If there’s one thing British people are passionate about, it’s queueing.

Don’t eat smelly food on the tube

The tube already smells bad as it is, don’t add more upsetting smells to it. It’s ok to eat snacks like fruit or crisps (not cheese & onion though!) but if you have a burrito or kebab, you should really just wait till you get off to eat it.

Offer your seat to people who need it more than you

This should go without saying, but since this is a compilation of unspoken London tube rules, I figured it’s always worth mentioning. If you’re young and fit and are sitting down, please leave your seat if someone needs it more than you.

Whether it’s a pregnant woman or an elderly person, it’s the nice thing to do. You would want someone to give your grandma a seat on the tube, so just do the same for others.

Don’t blast your headphones super loudly

If I’m standing a few metres away and I can hear your music, it’s definitely too loud. Even if I’m sat right next to you and I can hear it it’s still too loud.

The whole point of headphones is for people to listen to music without disturbing others. If I can hear your morning pump up playlist, chances are your disturbing me and everyone in this carriage.

Don’t slow down or stop when you get off the tube or at the end of an escalator

The easiest way to spot a non-regular on the tube is by the way they stop as soon as they get off the train, and start looking up at the signs searching for the exit or next tube line they need. Please don’t do this.

It’s better to walk in the wrong direction and then correct your course later down the platform than to just stop abruptly as soon as you get off. Just go with the flow, chances are they’re heading in the same direction you need.

Keep your bag between your legs

Backpacks take up considerably less space if you put them between your legs than if you keep them on your back. Do us all a favour and reduce your tube footprint.

The guy that was standing behind you and kept getting wacked by your backpack every time you moved is especially grateful.

Final thoughts on how to behave on the London Underground

There you have it, a Londoners ultimate guide to proper underground behaviour. Just follow these London tube rules and you will be fine, nobody will bleakly stare at you as you incorrectly board the train or for standing in the wrong spot.

Just remember to be quick, efficient, polite and you’ll be fine. I hope you found this London tube etiquette useful! If there are other unspoken rules you think should feature on this list let me know in the comments!

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