5 things only real Londoners know about the Tube

The London Underground – or simply “the Tube” – is a symbol of the city.
For tourists, it’s a colorful maze on a map.
For real Londoners, it’s a second home… with all its unwritten rules and secrets.

Here are 5 things that only true Londoners know about riding the Tube:

1. “Mind the Gap” isn’t just a slogan – it’s survival advice
Tourists hear it and think it’s cute.
Londoners know better: if you don’t mind the gap, you might actually lose a shoe — or worse. Especially at stations like Bank or Embankment where the platform curves dangerously.

2. Not all Tube lines are created equal
The Victoria Line? Lightning fast.
The Circle Line? More like “guess if you’ll get there today.”
Real Londoners know when to trust the Tube – and when to just grab a bus instead.

3. Peak hours are a battlefield
Between 7:30 and 9:30 AM, and 5:00 to 7:00 PM, the Tube turns into a sardine can on rails.
Seasoned locals know which carriages are less crowded, which station exits are faster, and where to stand on the platform for a quick getaway.

4. “Good service on all lines” is a lie (most of the time)
The announcements might say everything’s running smoothly… but a true Londoner checks the TfL app first. Signal failures, strikes, “planned engineering works” – they’re as much a part of London life as double-decker buses.

5. You’re not a real Londoner until you’ve fallen asleep and missed your stop
It happens to the best of us.
One moment you’re texting, next thing you know – you’re waking up at the end of the line, wondering how life got so complicated.
Rule number one: never get too comfortable on a warm Tube seat.

London isn’t just about landmarks – it’s about learning the little tricks that make the city yours.
Master the Tube, and you’re halfway to becoming a real Londoner.

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