Business Travel Show: How to survive during a Tube strike

Drivers from the RMT Union on the Central line are due to go on strike for 24 hours from 9pm on Tuesday, 21 February, which could cause problems for some delegates trying to get to Olympia for the Business Travel Show on the 22nd. Here are a few tips for surviving this latest Tube strike to get to the venue.

Check the Travel for London website
Travel for London (TfL) says it expects services on the Central to be severely disrupted, with no service east of Leytonstone and a reduced service on the rest of the line. No other lines will be affected by the walk-out, but trains will be much busier than normal as commuters try to find other means of transport.

We recommend checking the TfL website HERE prior to your journey so you can plan accordingly and find an alternative route if necessary.

Find another route
The other London Underground and London Overground lines will still be open, so re-planning your trip may include a journey on another line. London busses are also fairly reliable, with the 9, 10, 27, 28, 49 and 391 routes all stopping directly outside Olympia. The venue is also one stop from Shepherd’s Bush or West Brompton on the Overground. Alternatively, West Kensington is an eight-minute walk and High Street Kensington is a 12-minute walk.

Leave plenty of time
Anyone who has experienced a Tube strike before knows that getting around London can be a nightmare, even with just one line down. Remember that your alternative route may involve catching a bus or a cab, which could take longer with the heavier traffic expected during strikes. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination – you may get there early, but it’s better than being stuck in unfamiliar territory when you have somewhere to be.

Consider a taxi
London is famous for its black cabs, so why not jump in one to get to the venue? There’s also a wealth of minicabs and taxis you can book ahead of time or hail using one of several apps, such as Gett, Hailo and Uber.

Services are expected to return to normal by Thursday morning. For more information on getting to Olympia, visit olympia.london/visiting/getting-here/public-transport.