Step 3: See if alternative transportation is possible
If you are travelling in the city on a day of strikes and your route is affected, then you should look at finding alternative transportation.
For airport transfers, your options are:
Check which train lines/tube lines are running and see if there are any alternative routes you can take. We have an article about the best ways to get from your airport to the city centre.
You can also book a coach or a bus to/from central London to your airport. National Express and Megabus are the most well-known companies that regularly run from airports; some even operate 24 hours a day and generally are not affected by strikes. We recommend booking your coach tickets in advance.
There’s also the option to pre-book a taxi, but it’s worth keeping in mind that Uber is hit-and-miss from airports on strike days, as they’re often unavailable or the wait time is super long. However, you can book a ride through our reliable taxi partner.
For getting around London, your options are:
Check which services are actually on strike and which ones are still operating. You can use the TFL Journey Planner to plan your route or use Citymapper to determine your route on the day. Certain lines might still be running, and buses generally don’t strike at the same time. But, if you’re the sort of person who hates busy crowds, then be aware that transportation tends to be much busier during strike times.
Travel by foot
You can check on Google Maps whether it’s possible to walk your route. Not only is this a healthier way to travel, but it’s also a great way to see parts of the city you might’ve otherwise bypassed.
Hop on two wheels
Check if you can cycle or scooter. Santander Bikes, Lime Bikes, Tier and Dott are the main companies that offer e-bike and e-scooter services around the city. It’s worth noting that these can be harder to find on strike days, and they’re not always available in certain areas.
Uber Boat
Uber Boats only run to/from certain areas at 24 piers around London. You can check the timetable on the Thames Clippers website and use the Uber app to book and pay for your trip.
Pre-book a taxi
If you have plans that you can’t amend, then your best bet is to pre-book a taxi. But make sure you account for extra traffic, as the city will be busier on strike days. You could jump in an Uber (wait times can vary), or if you’re coming to/from the airport and want to be super prepared, as previously mentioned, you can secure a pre-booked ride through our reliable taxi partner.
For heading outside of London on a day trip
If you plan to head outside the city and your train is affected by the strike, you have a couple of options that don’t involve the train or tube.
Travel by coach
Pre-book a coach or bus to your destination. National Express and Megabus regularly run to cities and towns all over the UK. But it’s worth accounting for extra traffic.
Head on an organised tour
Several companies offer pre-booked tours with everything organised for you, including coach transport to/from the destination. Viator and GetYourGuide have thousands of experiences on their website, providing a convenient way to explore top attractions beyond the city without the hassle of planning everything yourself, including transport.
Take a look at our article on day trips you can take from London to start planning.
If you can’t find alternative routes, then…
