I’m sure we’re all familiar with the (outrageously irrational) feeling of shock and betrayal when reaching the Tube platform and being met with anything longer than a two minute wait. I’m also certain that we’re all perhaps a little too familiar with the feeling of being pressed up against the armpit of a grumpy commuter at rush hourright? So, as much as we love our trusty transport network, sometimes it’s worth keeping our Oyster Cards firmly in our pockets, and hitting the pavements instead.
Luckily for us, Transport for London have published a couple of ever so handy maps, detailing how long it takes to walk between each station, and which central London tube journeys might actually work out quicker on foot. And whilst some of the journeys are fairly obvious to us seasoned Londoners (yes, we’re looking at you Covent Garden to Leicester Square), others are far more surprising – and very useful to know about. Thank you, TfL – you’re the best.
We’d be here a while if we listed every single journey shown on the maps, and so we’re not going to do that. What we are going to do, however, is fill you in on the trips that take under 5 minutes to walk – because we’re nice like that. So, grab your walking shoes, folks, and prepare to rack up that step count.
1. Great Portland Street – Regent’s Park
⌛ Time it takes to walk between them: 2 minutes
That’s right, a journey that takes just two minutes on foot would require you to use two different tube lines and up to 15 minutes of your precious time if taking the Tube between them.
⌛ Time it takes to walk between them: 2 minutes
This direct journey on the DLR takes around 3 minutes (not including the wait on the platform), so why not save your pennies, save your time, and hit the streets instead?
3. Embankment – Charing Cross
⌛ Time it takes to walk between them: 3 minutes
These stations are just 300m and a pretty easy stroll apart. You’ll pass Gordon’s on route, so you could always pop in for a glass (or a bottle) to reward yourself for the extra steps – because that makes total sense, right?
4. Bayswater – Queensway
⌛ Time it takes to walk between them: 3 minutes
This Tube journey would require you to head to Notting Hill Gate on the Circle Linechange to the Central Line and head all the way back to Queensway. The walk would be just three minutes. I know which one I’d choose.
5. Mansion House – Cannon Street
⌛ Time it takes to walk between them: 4 minutes
Okay, so this one is technically quicker on the Tube (being just stop apart from each other on the District and Circle lines) but once you take into account the wait for the train and the commotion of going in and out of the gates; you may as well just opt for the four minute walk, in my humble opinion.
⌛ Time it takes to walk between them: 4 minutes
Pity the fool who queues to get into Leicester Square station, only to squeeze themselves onto a packed Tube carriage and then fight for a space in the lift at Covent Garden 30 seconds later. Please just walk between the two – you seriously won’t regret it.
7. Bank – Cannon Street
⌛ Time it takes to walk between them: 4 minutes
This very short walk could take up to 15 minutes on the Tube. Need I say more?
8. Great Portland Street – Warren Street
⌛ Time it takes to walk between them: 5 minutes
Another journey that would require using two tube lines and a tap of the Oyster when it can be walked in just five minutes.
9. Bank – Mansion House
⌛ Time it takes to walk between them: 5 minutes
Once you factor in the time it would take to find your way out of the labyrinth that is Bank stationyou may as well have just done the five minute walk.
10. Cannon Street – Monument
⌛ Time it takes to walk between them: 5 minutes
Last but not least, we have another journey in the city that takes pretty much the same time on foot as it does on the Tube. Save yourself the trips up and down the escalators and get yourself some (semi) fresh air instead.
