Transport in London during the Olympics
If you have tickets for an Olympic event, or just need to get to work in London during the Olympic Games, you will know by now that you may have a bit of a nightmare journey. The tube will be even more crowded than normal, some roads will be blocked off and basically, the city will be suffering the effects of thousands of people trying to get to the same place at the same time. Sadly, we can’t do anything to ease the transport situation but we can help you to make it as stress-free as possible.
Leave extra time
Make sure to leave plenty of time to get to the venue before the event starts. This may mean being far earlier than you had planned but that is infinitely better than missing it altogether! Transport for London predicts that the busiest times will be between 7am and 10am and between 4pm and 8pm, when most of the spectators, family and competitors will be travelling to and from the Olympic venues. If it’s at all possible, try to travel outside these hours.
Remember that tube operating hours have been extended for the duration of the Games. Sunday tubes will start early at 6.30am and both the tube and DLR will run an hour later than normal on each day, with last trains leaving central London around 1.30am.
Avoid busy stations
This may sound obvious, but if you are going to work or somewhere else other than the Games, try to avoid the stations which are closest to the events. Not only will it save you from getting squashed in amongst thousands of other people, you’ll be doing your bit to help reduce the congestion too. Getting Ahead of the Games has a guide to how and when each tube station will be affected; use it before you set out to plan your route. The interactive map is great for at-a-glance information on how stations are expected to be affected for each day throughout the Olympic Games and Paralympics.
Use a bus or the river
While the tube is the most obvious way to get around London (particularly as everyone will have a Games Travelcard), remember that being the most obvious means that most people will head straight there. Additional buses will be in service during the Games and may be a good alternative way to travel. However, bear in mind that diversions and road closures will be in place too. More information on bus travel during the Olympics can also be found on the Getting Ahead of the Games website. Also, don’t forget about the river! Using a Thames Clipper or City Cruises route may be the quickest way to get to your destination. If you plan to travel by river, you will need to book in advance.
Make use of information resources
Although planning your journey in advance will go a long way towards making it as hassle-free as can be expected, don’t forget to check for updates in case of cancellations or delays. The TfL Journey Planner, TfL email alerts and Get Ahead of the Games Twitter account are all easy ways to keep track of current journey times. Get Ahead of the Games also has a great guide to road issues and closures
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