Whether it’s for work or for leisure, train travel is one of the His & Hers Magazine team’s favourite ways to get from A to B, cutting out the stress of worrying about whether your cab will arrive swiftly, whether traffic will be gridlocked, or whether there’ll be a parking space available at your destination. Sitting savouring a good book and a nice cup of tea on the train can be one of life’s simple, underrated pleasures, but it does pay to plan your journey carefully. Here are His & Hers’ top tips for making your train journeys better and enjoying a less crowded side of life in the city, even if you want to visit London’s tourist hotspots.
Consider alternatives to London’s most popular (and most crowded) tube stations
Many visitors to London choose to visit key tourist destinations that are easy to get to on the Tube. However, in order to avoid the crowds, it can be worth doing things a little differently. Why not check whether it would be as quick to walk to your destination as it would be to hop on the Tube for a stop or two? In some cases, if you’re only making a short journey, walking could be just as fast, and could give you an opportunity to see more of the city while avoiding the crowds. Also, check out options such as getting a train travelling from London Victoria to London Bridge. You can book your tickets for this route in advance online with Southern, giving you plenty of time to plan your journey (and avoiding queuing for tickets on the day, which is always a bonus when you want to see a more peaceful side of London life!)
Book your tickets in advance
Following on from our previous point, one of the simplest ways to avoid the crowds is to book some elements of your trip in advance. From pre-booking train tickets, to making a restaurant reservation or getting tickets for that show or attraction you want to see in advance, there are several benefits to putting in a little planning. Firstly, it’ll make you feel super organised (which is always a bonus as far as His & Hers is concerned!) Secondly, it’s nice to savour the sense of anticipation as you count down to your well-planned trip. Thirdly, if you’re taking a friend, family member of partner away, they’ll feel extra special when they realise how much effort you’ve put into planning the perfect city break.
Ask for advice
If you have a friend who lives in London, or goes there regularly for work, it’s worth asking them about their favourite bars, restaurants and attractions and whether they can recommend any hidden gems that are well worth a visit. They may also tell you about the best times and routes for travel to avoid the crowds. Getting their insider’s tips will potentially add to your enjoyment of your time in London. Also, if you share a picture or a few words about visiting one of their favourite places in the city with them, it’s likely to make your virtual London guide very happy!
Do you have any tips of your own that you’d like to share for enjoying a less crowded side of London life? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch via the comments section below or via our social media channels.
We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with Southern. For more features, please pay a visit to our lifestyle page.
