(Illustration: Erin Aniker for Metro.co.uk)

Let’s face, the tube is unbearably hot.

With London still in the grip of a serious heatwave, temperatures in Underground stations and on the trains themselves have moved beyond mild discomfort to truly sweltering.

On the Bakerloo line, temperatures of 38.2 degrees have been recorded.

To put this in perspective, livestock like cows, sheep and pigs cannot legally be transported in temperatures over 30 degrees.


In this heat, walking to your destination is probably preferable to suffering on an overcrowded and stiflingly hot tube train, and it could be faster too.

Transport For London has an official tube map that shows the walking distance between tube stations.



If you’re keen to be more active or you’re tempted to walk but don’t want to risk being late, the ‘walk the tube’ map could be a lifesaver.

You can save money, increase your daily step count and avoid the heat of the tube by hotfooting to your next destination. Even seasoned Londoners might forget that they can beat the crowds (and the smell of strangers’ sweat) simply by stretching their legs.

There are eight journeys that are faster to walk than to take the tube for, and we’re definitely not going to make the mistake of spending money when we could get some fresh air.

Leicester Square to Covent Garden

These two stations are just 250 metres apart from each other. They’re also in seriously busy part of London, crowded with shoppers and tourists.

If you can help it, you don’t want to queue to get into either station or cram yourself into a packed carriage if you can help it – particularly in rush hour.

Charing Cross to Embankment

It takes three minutes to walk between these two stations. Save yourself time and money by walking the 300m instead of tubing it.

Chancery Lane to Farringdon

Two changes and four stops? No thanks. You can walk it in just 10 minutes.

Knightsbridge to Sloane Square

It’s just 10 minutes on foot rather than a four stop, one change journey on the tube.

Bond Street to Oxford Circus

They’re both paradise for shoppers, but there’s no need to use the Underground to get between them.

It takes seven minutes to walk from one to the other, but remember that Oxford Street can be incredibly busy at peak times. Skip the crowds and walk down the adjacent (and much quieter) Brook Street instead.

Lancaster Gate to Paddington

Another convoluted journey that needs a change and four stops if you’re going on the tube.

It will take at least 15 minutes on the Underground, but just five minutes if you’re walking.

Aldgate to Aldgate East

Whichever station you’re aiming for, get off the tube early. These stations are a three-minute trot apart.

Blackfriars to Southwark

Don’t waste your time and money on two changes and six stops on the tube when you could simply walk across Blackfriars Bridge and get there faster.

Cut down on tube journeys where you can this summer (and beyond) and you’ll save money, see more of the sky and avoid the sweltering crush of commuters.



At least when you’re walking, you can maintain a better sense of personal space.

MORE: London Underground stations are hotter than Ibiza this summer

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