How to Travel During Train Strikes in the UK, by plane, train, taxi, bus & walk

 

In June in London, England, train drivers and train staff have been on strike for more pay. How can you get around and get home?

First you check the media for predicted strike days.

Second, assume there might be delays the following days. If the night staff have not been working signals, this will affect the morning trains. If key workers are late or absent, other businesses might not be open or might cancel events.

Check alternative routes.

Planes

Planes run from London to European cities and other parts of the UK. London City airport.

International Rail

Europe

European Trains

My husband came back to the UK on a pre-booked channel tunnel train from France on Eurostar, St Pancras (Kings Cross & St Pancras station) to Gare du Nord (station of the north) in Paris. The French trains were still running into London. However, they were full. He had booked his return journey the week previously to a wine show for the trade in Bordeaux (which means bordering on water), southwestern France, with a change of trains in Paris, so he had to take a taxi to the other station.

Intercity UK Trains

 If the underground trains in central London are not running, you might still be able to get in and out using the intercity trains. Note if they are express or if they have suburban stops.

Coaches

Check the bus routes, and the coaches. 

Coaches are single decker and go between cities and make fewer stops. Coaches might have toilets.

Buses

In the UK, buses are single or double decker and make numerous stops at bus stops. Some buses have to be hailed.  

All night Buses

A small number of routes. 

Hailing Buses

In the UK to hail a bus you raise the palm of your hand. (Unlike Asia. In Singapore  your palm faces the ground and your hand goes up and down like patting an invisible dog.)

Taxis and Cabs

Taxis

Taxis generally have meters.

Uber and other shared cab services (which may have raised prices to match demand). Uber prices apparently in some places shot up to six times the normal fare.

Share a taxi or cab with a colleague, or somebody you chat up in the taxi queue, to cut costs.

Walking distances and times.

London transport has a map online showing walking distances between main stations. If you have wheeled luggage, or small light luggage, you will find both the short walks and the long walks easier.

Bicycles

Consider hiring bicycles. No need to hunt for a bicycle hire shop. Bicycles in London are on stands in public places.  Now you see the name Santander in the Santander colours. You might remember when the bikes were first a novelty they were nicknamed the neatly alliterative Boris Bikes.

Phone a friend / relative in the city near a mainline station

My family member caught an intercity train to Hendon and his son drove Dad the last  couple of miles out to the suburbs.

Useful Websites

Tfl stands for Transport for London

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_United_Kingdom_national_rail_strike

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/walking-tube-map.pdf

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/city-of-london-night-a4-301119.pdf