Commuting to work can be a chore at the best of times. At the height of summer, though, that chore becomes outright unbearable. If getting into your car after it’s spent a day sunbathing in a car park feels like torture, spare a thought for all those who rely on public transport to complete their commutes. The London Underground in particular, which carries over a billion passengers a year, becomes a furnace once outdoor temperatures start to pick up. However, as much as we might like to, it’s not possible for everyone to take a summer sabbatical to avoid travelling in the heat. So, here are some handy, budget friendly tips on how to stay cool when travelling on the tube in summer.
Why does it get so hot on the tube?
When you’re working out how to stay cool on the tube, it makes sense to start by understanding what makes it so hot in the first place. There are a number of factors that make the tube warmer than you might expect.
First, the materials the tube network is built from hold a lot of heat. The walls of the tunnels are supported with clay and chalk, both of which are remarkable thermal insulators. Second, the trains themselves generate heat as a result of the friction produced when they brake. Many stations are quite close together, which means a lot of stop/start for the trains. This means more braking, more friction, and in turn, more heat. Then, there are all the electrical and other systems needed to keep the network running. They generate heat, too. Even tube passengers contribute to the generation of heat in the tunnels!
Thankfully, most lines are well ventilated and portions of them run above ground. But, the average temperature on the tube is still between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius year-round, and in the summer that can feel unbearable. So, what are you to do if you want to stay cool?
How to switch up your commute and stay cool
Travel outside peak times
The London Underground network is at its busiest between 7am and 9am, and between 4pm and 7pm on weekdays. If more trains are running during these times, and the trains are the cause of most of the heat in the tunnels, it makes sense to avoid travelling during peak times where you can. Avoiding the rush hour can be as simple as changing your working hours, if you have that flexibility. If you can do this, you could save money by using an off-peak ticket, too. If not, why not build another activity like exercise into the beginning or end of your day? A run in the park before you start work means you can travel earlier, and get some exercise in without forking out for an expensive gym membership.
Try a different mode of transport
One of the best bits of London is how many different transport options there are to choose from. Rather than diving straight underground, take a look at what other options are available for your journey. Mainline trains and the overground are both surprisingly under-used options in some parts of the capital. Their stations are also often in locations just as convenient – if not more so – than the tube. Alternatively, why not try a bus on for size? Any single bus journey, no matter how long, costs £1.50 in London, which is much cheaper than the same journey on a train or tube. You can even take a boat down the Thames to get from A to B!
While you may save money on your journey, you could end up paying with time. But if a longer, cheaper journey means a cooler commute, we’d say it’s worth the time.
Vote with your feet
Particularly in Central London, a lot of destinations are closer to one another than you might think. So, vote with your feet and use them! After all, they’re free! You may not be able to walk your whole commute, but if a mainline train or other above-ground transport option can get you within a mile, then you’ll be at your destination within 20 minutes on foot. If you’re tactical about the route you take and the modes of transport you use, you could cut your commuting costs as well as enjoying a cooler journey.
Cut down your time underground
It’s not always possible to completely avoid going underground on your commute. But, you can cut your tube time to a minimum. Many stations are so close to each other that hopping off a stop or two early and either walking or using an alternative means of transport for the rest of the journey will have little impact on your journey time overall. Plus it means less time in the sweltering underground, more fresh air, and a bit of exercise to boot. It could even save you money if you can leave the Underground before you enter the next fare zone.
Can’t avoid the tube? Travel prepared
If you simply can’t avoid the tube on your daily commuting, there are still plenty of things you can do to stay cool as you commute. If you know you have to do a long stint underground, think about the clothes you pick that day. Go for light fabrics and loose fitting clothes that will allow what little breeze there is on the Underground to get to your skin and help you stay cool. Remember to always take a bottle of cold water with you when you travel during hot weather, as it can be a lifesaver in the heat of the tube. To be extra prepared, you can even buy cheap electric fans that are powered by your phone battery to create a breeze for you where there isn’t one elsewhere! You really can buy anything on the internet these days…
How do you keep cool on your commute?
