The Tube needn’t be a cramped, sweaty experience – in fact, in some corners of the TfL map it’s possible to be the only one in a carriage
The Tube is an extraordinary feat, and it shoulders much of the responsibility for establishing London as one of the most well-connected cities in the world. However, Londoners are intimately familiar with the morning and evening rush hours that transform our beloved network into a bit of a crush, where personal space is a memory.
Yet even amid the chaos, there are brief moments of calm, instances when travellers might enjoy a solitary journey on what has been described as the ‘loneliest’ stretch of the Underground.
This discovery emerged on a Reddit thread, after someone requested suggestions on where to conduct a photoshoot on the Tube without being swallowed by crowds of commuters. It’s worth mentioning that, if you wish to do likewise and arrange a photoshoot on TfL property, you’ll need to obtain their permission beforehand.
The Redditor asked: “Heya. I am hoping to take some photos of a friend on the tube, but preferably want as empty a carriage as possible. I am guessing it is best to ride out to the end of a Tube line at a remote hour, but which lines and which times do you think would be best? Thanks!”
Fellow Reddit users were quick to share their suggestions. The most favoured response was the Hainault Loop on the Central line, which stays surprisingly peaceful outside of rush hour.
One user advised: “Hainault Loop of the Central line, any time away from rush hour.”
Another commenter backed this up: “Yeah I was there last weekend and had it to myself.”
If you’re travelling on the Hainault Loop and consider yourself something of a railway enthusiast, you ought to make time to visit Gants Hill station. While it may appear unremarkable from street level, the station itself ranks amongst the most stunning on the network.
Fellow passengers pointed out various other Underground routes across the capital that provide similarly tranquil journeys.
One traveller recalled their peaceful morning journey on the Northern line to High Barnet, sharing: “I used to get the Northern to High Barnet at 8am on weekdays for singing tuition.
“Almost always had the train to myself after Finchley Central. I used to warm up after it emptied, there’s something very liberating about singing top note on public transport.”
The off-peak services on the Waterloo and City line received praise from another passenger as an exceptionally quiet route, while a fellow traveller recommended the District line to Olympia as a perfect option for those wanting a peaceful trip.
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