With less than a month to go until the big Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London, royal fans from around the world are kicking their travel plans into high gear — and Transport for London (TFL) has issued its first advice for those travelling to the capital.
Of course, the London Underground remains a popular and cost-effective way to travel the city, and the good news for Jubilee weekend is that service will be running as usual (minus any unexpected delays).
“The busiest times will be on Saturday night following the end of the BBC concert and other events, and Sunday daytime,” TFL advised, adding that many people will be switching from Tube stations to National Rail to travel to and from the concert Saturday and Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday.
Specific stations that will expect extremely heavy crowds, particularly on Saturday, include King’s Cross St Pancras, Green Park, and Bond Street. Riders should also anticipate “short-term safety measures such as queuing or changes to the way you enter or exit stations.”
Buses will run on their normal schedules, although some road closures due to events might divert certain routes. Bus travellers should check the TFL website ahead of their journey.
Because of the many road closures, driving is strongly discouraged on the Jubilee weekend. In addition to the planned Royal Family events, street parties also will impact travel plans as certain roads will be closed. If driving, it’s best to check with your local authority on any road closures.
TFL also recommends those using public transport download the TFL Go app, an interactive resource to plan the best way to reach your destination and to get live updates on schedules and any closures.
Despite the crowds, visitors to London shouldn’t worry about transportation. “Plan ahead, allow more time for your journeys and check your travel,” TFL advised, adding, “you’ll be able to get where you need to go.”
