As people continue to return to the office, the most common complaint is traveling on the subway during rush hour. We’ve all been there, wedged between someone who doesn’t know how to use deodorant and another who’s decided now is the time to haul their giant suitcase across London.
But unfortunately, over the years some people have gotten used to the tricks of the trade and know how to make those morning drives a little less stressful. Plus, you can use this travel knowledge for all hours of the day. Combine this with the new Elizabeth line and rush hour might become a bit more manageable.
Being forced onto the train sardine fashion is far from ideal, but there’s a trick to making sure you’re always first on the train and getting prime positioning, and maybe even further away from a smelly armpit be able.
READ MORE: Tube strike urges passengers on Elizabeth line who swear ‘we’re not going back’
This is a great trick to get on the subway before everyone else
(Image: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
This trick works well if you give yourself wiggle room and make sure you add about five minutes more to the trip. This way, if the subway platform is swaying, you can just wait for the next subway, but still be able to board first. Trains in London are so regular that you can usually count on the next train to arrive within two to three minutes. This often means that the carriages are a bit emptier and you might even be able to secure a seat.
What makes this even better is when the train pulls up and you bang right in the middle of the doors without having to elbow fellow passengers. This simple but reliable trick will ensure you’re first on the carriage and all you have to do is keep an eye out for the worn parts along the yellow lines.
Yes, those important lines that conductors often yell at us are your ticket to a front row seat to the subway doors. Just look at the spots where thousands of commuters have shuffled onto the subway and rubbed off the yellow paint, and you can almost guarantee that you’ll be one of the first to set foot on this bland carriage this summer put.
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