Getting around Central London with a baby

[Chickpea]

I have to go up to London on Thursday for an appointment and I was planning on taking Esme with me.

I only need to get off the train and walk a little way to where we're going, but then I started getting all 'adventurous' and thought I might go and visit a friend over in Vauxhall, but I'm a bit :puzzled: on how I get around (sorry if this sounds like an incredibly stupid post) Normally I'd just hop on a tube, but there is no way I'm trying that with a baby in a buggy! Then I was thinking that buses may be a bit of a nightmare - can I just collapse the bug and get in a black cab. Surely she'd need to be strapped in - so would it be worth using the maxi cosi carseat instead, and could I strap that into a black cab?

So sorry - I'm a complete bumpkin :zombie: and have no idea how to do this!

cp
xx

[Princess Fiona]

I might be wrong but i'm sure that there was a thread similar to this a while back on HB and that people said that you can wheel the buggy into a black cab whilst it was still up and with baby in it and travel like that. Not sure i'd want to do it tbh doesn't sound very SAFE.

I would put her in the maxi cosi personally and try and strap her into the black cab, i've never used a black cab in London though, do they even have rear seatbelts :huh:

[polkadotgirl]

You could try the bus and if you find yourself stranded just hail a black cab.

Black cabs do have rear seat belts but not sure if they'd go around the carseat. I usually just wheel the bug into the black cab.

xxx

[silverpod]

If youy have a look at the tfl website
here
http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en&ptOptionsActive=1

You can do a search for your journey in which you can set options like not using stairs etc. I would have a look at that first to see if it is possible, or even to keep that as a back up plan in case you can't get a cab.

I don't know about a cab having never taken one with a pushchair but it would be interesting to know what wheelchair users do. On a bus/train, there is usually no strapping either I think, even in the spaces. I can't remember, it's been that long!

Somewhere is also a list of train/tube stations with wheel access but I can't find that- perhaps this journey search I've found has superseeded it?

And generally, people are happy to give you a hand getting up and down stairs/steps anyway.

Have fun
SP :smile:

[Angel]

I had to go up to London for a meeting with Alex when he was about 3 months old. I only took the car seat as I got off the train at Charing Cross, jumped straight into a cab to get where I wanted to and did the same getting back. The cabbie was really helpful too, helping me strap the seat in etc, I'd suggest you do that if you're worried about using the buses. I know I've used the buses with Alex in his Zapp when he was nearly 2 and it wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done !

[Chickpea]

I usually just wheel the bug into the black cab.



and the cabbies are happy with that? I just had visions of them telling me I couldn't do that for safety reasons etc, but if that's what you can do with a bug, then I'll do that. I'd really rather avoid buses/tubes if poss.

cp
xx

[polkadotgirl]

I've never had a problem with my bug Chickpea. The cabbies have always been pretty helpful, helping me in and out and none have said they can't for safety reasons. I've also had to use a wheelchair in the past and it's the same... you just wheel on and go (all black cabs have to be wheelchair accessible now I think.)

xxx

[Minky]

I've wheeled my pram into the back of a black cab numerous times. I would use the carseat and take it off the chassis if you do have this option, as it's safer.

I have gone to Vauxhall and I'll tell you right now there are HEAPS of steps and it's very quiet so not many people to help you as a matter of fact!

Black cab or bus is the way to go, though buses are VERY slow.

Most cabbies are lovely when they find you have a buggy.

Minky xx

[cartchick]

I use black cabs all the time too - no cabbie has ever complained. You may however have to endure a discussion about the yoof of today.

But the bus is my main mode of travel. Do you have a bugaboo? They fit in buses just fine. My one bit of advice is get on the bus with the pram facing forward, get off the bus with the pram facing backward

Give it a go, you'll be fine! :smile:

[ms sweetcheeks]

I have ordered black cabs over the phone (computer cab and one other company) and stated that I have a buggy and is it allowed and they always say yes, just wheel it in.
All the cabbies have always helped but to be honest it's so easy to get in and out, that even if the cabbie was a lazy sod, you'd manage on your own anyway.
As for busses, try getting off one with no one helping you- it's dangerous, there's soo far to the ground, and everytime I do it, I nearly drop the bug, or have to literally carry the whole thing (and I have the carrycot on it)..

So go for the cab option..

[katkinn]

I live in pretty central London and have to say that I can count on one hand the amount of times that I've had a problem and H is now nearly 21 months! ( :faint: feck - HOW??!!)

I actually will only use the tube on the Jubilee Line (or one that starts at a Jubilee line station south of Westminster, as they all have lifts!!) and it's absolutely fine.

re buses, I find in Central London they are really really easy. (and normally there aren't THAT many buggies and you can always get on - the bendy buses which I mostly use are definitely the easiest and a total piece of piss!!)

The further you travel towards what I affectionately call the burbs (ie zone 2 + :teehee: ) the buses do get more crowded and do take longer (and for some reason, people seem to be arsier and not as helpful) Plus there are more buggies so you are more likely to have to fold the buggy. (if you have a bug this is definitely a big :no: ) If I am travelling "out of town" :teehee: I tend to take my Ziko as that folds really easily and is light to lift up.

RE the black cabs - definitely just wheel the buggy in. In fact, I have been told by a number of cabbies, that that is actually the legal way for them to carry babies. So go figure!! (but make sure you put the brakes on!!!)

HTH!! It really isn't as hard as it sounds!!! although I can totally appreciate that it does seem quite daunting.

Have to say that I'm not particularly cherishing the thought of getting out and about with a double buggy :faint:

katkinn
xxxx

[Chickpea]

Thanks for the help all - I think I shall wimp out and go for the black cab option, esp if it's fine to just wheel the bug in.

cp
xx

[katkinn]

oi I've just noticed it that it's you!!!!!

When you are going to Vauxhall - that's about a 15 min walk from my house!! I'm more than happy to come and help you down the stairs or with the buses if you let me know when you're around!! Would be lovely to see you and E again!!!

katkinn
xxx

[Chickpea]

Well if you fancy a coffee...? I'm going to be around that way late afternoonish?
cp

[katkinn]

oooh that would be perfect as I'm going out in the morning but had planned to be at home in the morn!! There are quite a few lovely Portuguese cafes round Vauxhall - do you still have my mobile number??

PM me chickie and hopefully we'll meet up on Thursday!!

If you want to let me know where your appt is, I can let you know if there is a bus that can get you from there directly to Vauxhall.

oooh really looking forward to it - can't wait to see how E has changed!!!!

katkinn
xxxx

[Chickpea]

shall PM you, appt is at Guys, London Bridge, am still waiting to hear as to whether my friend (who I'm hoping to visit in Vauxhall) is free.

Would be great to see you, H and bump!

cp
xx

[Adelelee]

Have to say that I'm not particularly cherishing the thought of getting out and about with a double buggy :faint:

katkinn
xxxx

Ahh but which double buggy will it be :teehee::teehee:

[katkinn]

appt is at Guys, London Bridge, am still waiting to hear as to whether my friend (who I'm hoping to visit in Vauxhall) is free.


If she can't, then I can easily come and see you at London Bridge (that's a 15 min walk in the other direction for me!!!)


Ahh but which double buggy will it be

:rolleyes: :zombie: feck off. I've decided that Jack can just go in my handbag :thumb:

[katkinn]

Interesting post Cathy......................:teehee: :zombie:

[Blonde Girl]

I know feck knows what happened there - am frantically deleting!!!

[ms sweetcheeks]

Cathy stop it :tongue: :puzzled:

[katkinn]

You're just trying to get your post count up aren't you? :rolleyes:

[Blonde Girl]

No idea what you are both talking about......