I'm a Londoner who always rides the Tube. Here are 10 features of the Underground that would surprise most Americans.
I sometimes ride the London Underground four or five times a day. Most of the Tube is normal to me, but there are some unwritten etiquette rules.
Here are 10 surprising aspects of the London Underground, or Tube, that might come as a surprise to Americans:
1. Not all Tube trains have air conditioning; only around 31% of trains do. During extreme heat, like the recent June heat wave reaching nearly 103 degrees, many passengers rely on portable fans and blotting paper for comfort.
2. Tube seats are upholstered in a fabric called moquette, which has been used since 1920. While it hides dirt well and is durable, it can be less comfortable than modern plastics and may not always be the cleanest.
3. The cost of a Tube journey depends on which fare zones you're traveling through. London's system uses nine zones, and fares vary based on the distance traveled. For example, a trip within Zone 1 costs £3, but traveling from Zone 6 to 1 can cost between £4 and £5.90.
4. Rush hour, or peak time, sees higher fares on the Tube. Fares increase during Monday to Friday mornings and afternoons, between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Avoiding these times can save money and reduce stress when traveling.
5. You must tap your contactless card, Oyster card, or physical ticket both when entering and exiting the Tube. Leaving the Tube without tapping out can result in being charged the maximum fare for that line.
6. Many Tube carriages have armrests between seats, but these are more like separation barriers than actual armrests. Resting your arms on them can be seen as impolite if there are passengers on either side of you.
7. While the London Underground is famous for being mostly underground, this isn't always the case. Only two lines, the Waterloo & City and Victoria lines, are entirely underground. Most stations are above ground, which can be advantageous for getting service.
8. An important unwritten rule is to always stand on the right-hand side of escalators. The left side is reserved for people in a hurry to go up or down. Breaking this rule can result in being asked to move aside.
9. There's an opportunity to tour some disused tunnels and abandoned tracks, such as at the Piccadilly Circus disused tube station. These tours offer a glimpse into the history of London's transportation network.
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