{"id":2659,"date":"2017-12-13T13:08:08","date_gmt":"2017-12-13T13:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs-staging.imperial.ac.uk\/student-blogs\/?p=2659"},"modified":"2017-12-13T13:08:08","modified_gmt":"2017-12-13T13:08:08","slug":"an-ode-to-the-tube","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs-staging.imperial.ac.uk\/student-blogs\/2017\/12\/13\/an-ode-to-the-tube\/","title":{"rendered":"An Ode to the Tube"},"content":{"rendered":"

London is a big place, 1,572 km\u00b2 to be exact, so you definitely need to know your way around. Whether it\u2019s to shave off those precious seconds on the morning commute so you can lie in bed that bit longer or simply because you don\u2019t want to walk in the rain, one of the most iconic transport systems has got you covered.<\/p>\n

The Underground: A.K.A The Tube<\/span><\/p>\n

Riding at high speed in a metal tube down a very dark tunnel, miles underground sounds like a great way to travel, right? Well, that\u2019s basically the Tube! The massive network of underground tunnels crisscrossing all over London is one of the quickest (and more pricey) ways to get round on public transport. The underground system is currently made up of 14 lines, each one useful and unique in their own way:<\/p>\n

Bakerloo<\/span><\/strong> – Think old and rickety but ultimately useful line. Beware of the seats though,\u00a0if someone sits next to you, you will end up jumping 3ft in the air – just accept it.<\/p>\n

Central<\/span><\/strong> – If you manage to avoid getting your head decapitated by the closing doors, enjoy a journey in a moving furnace – especially in summer!<\/p>\n

Circle<\/span><\/strong> – The one that never turns up. Trains every 10 minutes + tourists = HELL.<\/p>\n

District<\/span><\/strong> – Probably one of the most useful lines, especially when living further out in later years – is there anywhere this doesn\u2019t go!?<\/p>\n

Hammersmith and City<\/span><\/strong> – See Circle<\/span> line, but with less tourists.<\/p>\n

Jubilee<\/span><\/strong> – Think fancy businessman with slick silver hair that is almost always on time.<\/p>\n

Metropolitan<\/span><\/strong> – Wait, this is a thing!? (never used it in my life)<\/p>\n

Northern<\/span><\/strong> – As useful as the District<\/span> line but just cooler and more edgy.<\/p>\n

Piccadilly<\/span><\/strong> – Hello, 1973 calling – We\u2019d like our trains back please.<\/p>\n

Victoria<\/span><\/strong> – Ah, sweet sweet Victoria, fast and reliable like a tube should be.<\/p>\n

Waterloo and City<\/span> <\/strong>– See Metropolitan<\/span> line.<\/p>\n

DLR (Docklands Light Railway)<\/span> <\/strong>– There are no drivers – that\u2019s totally normal\u2026<\/p>\n

Overground<\/span><\/strong> – Great for getting to those hard to reach, far out places that are still in \u201cLondon\u201d.<\/p>\n

Trams<\/span><\/strong> – I’ve never used them but I like the colour green…<\/p>\n

BONUS: Crossrail\/Elizabeth Line<\/span><\/strong> – a new Underground line coming in full in 2018 (#hypeisreal)<\/p>\n

Of course, riding the Underground comes with some serious etiquette – here are the essential Do\u2019s and Don\u2019t\u2019s of the Tube:<\/p>\n

Do:<\/p>\n