Can anyone give me any advice on using the London Tube?

I am going to CX in London on thursday and I am worried about using the tube and getting lost. I know I probably don't need to worry, I worry about everything though . My sense of direction is pretty bad and I've never been to London before or used the tube.

Firstly, is it easy to get from Paddington Station to the Paddington Tube Station? I'm getting a train from Bristol to Paddington. Is Paddington Tube Station signposted from Paddington Station?

I'm planning on taking the pink line from Paddington to Hammersmith. I'm hoping it's not too far to walk from Hammersmith Tube Station. I don't mind a 20-30 minute walk. Will it be easy to find from Hammersmith Tube Station? I have of course the blocky map that CX sends you in the post. I'm also going to look on the internet for a map before I go as well.

I am also worried about gettting on the right tube and getting off at the right station. Is it easy to know when to get off?

So any advice you can give me to put my mind at ease would be greatly appreciated. I am so useless at public transport, I get way too confused too easily.

EDIT: Just looked on the underground map and the green line goes to Hammersmith as well if I am reading it correctly. Is the green line going to be better than the pink line? Or will it not matter?

Thanks .

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Chrissy
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I just read that the pink line (Hammersmith and City Line) goes to a different station in Hammersmith than the green line (District Line).

I'm thinking that perhaps it is better to go on the green district line now as my map tells how to get there from Hammersmith tube station (Piccadilly & District Lines).

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Chrissy
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Always have faith and believe in yourself.
Never run from the truth.
Have the will to change your fate and your spirit will never die.
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Im just back after a stupid long time not posting (the forum has moved since)

Paddington tube station is well signed from the mainline station and I *think* you dont have to go outside but I havent been there for a while

If you get the green (district line) you will have to change at Earls Court or Gloucester Road. Earls Court would be an easier change (same platform) but no direct trains from there, you would have to change at High Street Kensington!

I would get the district or circle (green or yellow) depending on what comes first to Gloucester Road. When you are there you will need to use the steps at either end to cross over on to the other platform (you will arrive on a double sided platform, but need to be on the single)

Get the 1st district line (green) train anywhere except Wimbledon and it will take you to Hammersmith.

I cant remember how to get out of Hammersmith Station because I havent got of the tube there for a long time, but its effectively in the middle of a roundabout. You need to walk down the road under the flyover opposite where the busses leave

I hope that makes some sense!

If it was me, I'd take the Hammersmith and City (pink) line as you don't need to change. The tube station is well signposted within Paddington Station, and as far as I can remember, you don't need to go outside. The entrances are in different places, so make sure you follow signs for the line that you want.

The Hammersmith and City line comes out opposite the other tube station in Hammersmith, so don't worry - it's not miles away or anything. If I was making that journey, I'd definitely go that route.

When you et out of the station, if you're a bit disorientated you can always ask someone where Fulham Palace Road is - there's usually newspaper sellers around and I'm sure they'd point you in the right direction.

And I'll be on the other end of the phone if you're lost or confused, so don't be afraid to call me if you need to!

Dave

Chrissy,
April's advice is spot on. You don't need to go outside to get to the Paddington underground station, just keep walking and following the signs. You might check the interactive tube map on the Transport for London web sitehttp://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/1106.aspx
-Andee

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Andee is the Transgenderzone US moderator

Oh, and in answer to the other parts of your post - yes, it's easy to know when to get off. There's maps in all the carriages of whichever line you're on, and clear signs at all the stations. And it's about a 10-15 minute walk from the tube station to the clinic - straight down Fulham Palace Road until you get to Sainsbury's, it's dead easy!

Dave

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Chrissy
Forums Moderator.

Always have faith and believe in yourself.
Never run from the truth.
Have the will to change your fate and your spirit will never die.
Check out the tzone team bios here: http://www.transgenderzone.com/bio.htm

Hey, I personally think getting the Hammersmith & City line is a fair idea, the trains are frequent (around every 5 to 10 mins), only takes around 10-15 mins to travel (as apposed to the 30 or so its going to take going some other crazy route) and the station is almost in the same location as the Hammersmith station for the district line.

when you get out of the station walk towards the flyover

here is a live maps thinggy of where both of the stations are:


word of advice though, check the TLF website before you leave and make sure its a good service on the line/s you're going to take so you can plan your journey around it.

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When I grow up I want to be a BIZARRO fire engine

Above all, Chrissy, allow yourself plenty of time for crossing London, so that you won't end up frantically dashing down Fulham Palace Road if there are delays or overcrowding on the tube, or you lose your way somewhere.

Better by far to arrive an hour early for your first appointment, and chill out with some tea and grub in a cafe near the hospital, than to leave yourself so little time that you arrive in a state, or worse, late.

Arriving a bit early at the clinic, you can refresh your make-up and hair in the ladies, so you'll feel calm and confident for the consultation.

Very Best of Luck!

Gotta agree with Stella check the TFL site the morning you leave the condion of the tube can change majorly overnight as i found. In the end it took me nearly 1hr40 to 2hrs instead of the hour that its ment to take from where i live.
next time i go im definatly going to hammersmith station and not barons court.
Jess

*pokes his head in* Just to say I edited nenaw's post a bit (change the link into a hyperlink) to avoid stretching of the page.

Good luck, Chrissy!

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I have to EDIT because I can't SPELL!!

Hammersmith and City Line

to Hammersmith

ask for a HAMMERSMITH RETURN ticket

then when you arrive at Hammersmith walk out and through the big shopping mall opposite the traffic lights

as you walk through it you will pass another Hammersmith tube station (actually in the mall) then bear right and you come out at the top of Fulham palace road

walk down Fulham palace road past CX hosp then there are two more streets i have a photo i took of the place and will post it tomorrow

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Man [...] must count no one but himself; that he is alone, abandoned on earth in the midst of his infinite responsibilities, without help, with no other aim than the one he sets himself, with no other destiny than the one he forges for himself on this earth." (Jean Paul Sartre, 1943)

OK when you arrive at your destination the door is in a side road (quiet) no trouble

press the button on the door and they will say WHO IS IT


just say i have an appointment to see Dr ....

they will BUZZ YOU IN

IT IS on the First Floor

if you need your expenses paid back (income support etc) take evidence of your entitlement and train and tube tickets ) ask the receptionist for a claims form

then make you way back to Charing cross Hospital the cashier is in the main building ground floor - just ASK

they will check that then return your costs and retain your up ticket make sure you get the return tickets then make your way back to the clinic

the cashier opens at 3 - if you have a late appointment

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Man [...] must count no one but himself; that he is alone, abandoned on earth in the midst of his infinite responsibilities, without help, with no other aim than the one he sets himself, with no other destiny than the one he forges for himself on this earth." (Jean Paul Sartre, 1943)

The blond receptionist is allergic to Cadbury's chocolate. Don't even *unwrap* them in her presence!

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I have to EDIT because I can't SPELL!!

she is Australian - size 10
oh and one is Black the other is White with dark hair

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Man [...] must count no one but himself; that he is alone, abandoned on earth in the midst of his infinite responsibilities, without help, with no other aim than the one he sets himself, with no other destiny than the one he forges for himself on this earth." (Jean Paul Sartre, 1943)