The Tube in Covid times

[duchy]

How do people feel about the tube ?
I’ve used it a few times recently (and once looked at how crowded Oxford Circus was and walked away and grabbed a cab instead) and generally find it’s not too crowded and feels okayish .
That said I’m travelling to Heathrow this week and really don’t fancy the tube all the way to Heathrow as it seems to be beyond my tolerance for been in an enclosed space in these times (I’ve used the tube for years for work and socially without a thought).
Having thought about it I’ve decided to swerve the tube altogether and travel up to Victoria, down to Clapham Junction and hop on the train to Feltham and grab an Uber from there .
It just feels more in my comfort zone (or maybe just needing testing on departure, arrival, and days two and eight has focused on extra caution ……(don’t panic that’s the UAE new rules not USA )

[Gill H]

From Victoria you could get the District and Circle line which goes above ground from Barons Court onwards. Then change at Acton Town onto the Piccadilly Line which again is above ground almost all the way.

Frequent fresh air (OK, maybe not fresh!) might help make you feel more comfortable with the journey.

[duchy]

Originally Posted by Gill H

From Victoria you could get the District and Circle line which goes above ground from Barons Court onwards. Then change at Acton Town onto the Piccadilly Line which again is above ground almost all the way.

Frequent fresh air (OK, maybe not fresh!) might help make you feel more comfortable with the journey.

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Yes I could ……..or get the train into Kings X/St Pancras (I can do either from my home station) and tube around to Paddington and get the Heathrow Express .
I have quite a few choices but I think from a fresh air/ventilation aspect overground makes more sense (and should have fewer passengers as I’ll be going the opposite way to most commuters.)

[porridge]

I went to central london the other day (from Hertfordshire) and both the mainline and tube were rammed. Standing room only. With the exception of the Victoria and metropolitan lines. The worst was the central and bakerloo line.

[duchy]

Originally Posted by porridge

I went to central london the other day (from Hertfordshire) and both the mainline and tube were rammed. Standing room only. With the exception of the Victoria and metropolitan lines. The worst was the central and bakerloo line.

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It’s not too bad from here (Kent) but I’ve made a point to not travel before 10am .
With so much testing I’m trying to stay as safe as possible as a positive test (days 2 and 8 ) in the UAE would be an utter pain. Everything needs a Covid pass there even shopping malls .

[rambocat1974]

We were in London at the end of October and for me, it was not the number of people that was the issue, it was the lack of mask wearing.

It was already a mandate from TFL that everyone had to wear a mask, yet so many people either did not bother to wear one, had them around their neck, or took them off completely as soon as they had passed the entrance to the station.

Obviously there are those who genuinely have a medical reason not to wear one, but I'd estimate that between 30 and 40% of people we saw, were not earing them on the platforms or trains.

[Alices Aunt]

I think that’s not a bad route if you wish to miss the tube out. I used work in Victoria and my husband was staying in a Heathrow hotel. I used to get the train to feltham all the time and then hop on the bus towards Heathrow but Uber would be quicker. There was last time I went a lot of roadworks but that’s 2 years ago now so will be completed.

I get the circle line a lot and mask wearing hasn’t been too bad but at the weekend it was about 50% of people.

[mickeyspal]

I was on the tube from kings cross to LHR last monday and at 06.15 there were only a few of us on it, I expect it depends what time you are on it

[duchy]

Bah, lifts at Clapham Junction are down for maintaince.
Train into Victoria and then National Express to Heathrow is the final choice .
One change and no steps , will pick the Hopper up from there .

[Louck]

I’ve just got home from London and was mostly on the central/Jubilee and Piccadilly lines which were never too busy, always seats available, apart from rush hour today.
Most people had masks, the minority didn’t.

It sucks that this is even a thing but you need to do whatever makes you comfortable.
The last time we were in London I drove (from Glasgow!) as I just didn’t feel comfortable getting a flight or train. We walked and avoided the tube mostly.

I used to be a frequent, confident traveller.