The thought of negotiating the London underground with a small child and infant in a stroller terrifies me!<BR><BR>Any tips? (besides take out extra hospital insurance.)<BR>

It is hard. I don't speak from personal experience, but from watching people struggle with children and pushchairs both in the trains themselves, and up and down the escalators and stairs. Why not go to www.thetube.com and see which stations are wheelchair friendly and therefore which have lifts. The other option is to get an A-Z (ay to zed) map and work out how to get to places on foot.

I think the main bit of advice I woudl give you is to avoid rush hour, so try not to travel between 7.30-9.00am and then 5.30-7.00pm. Understandably poor commuters who have to brave the tube on a daily basis, packed in like sardines may not be overly welcoming towards a pushchair! Plus, you just won't be able to get on most trains at those time, as they are so rammed<BR><BR>Otherwise, just be brave! Poeple will usually offer a hand with carry it up and down stairs.<BR>Good luck

It's a bit of a nightmare - from experience! Not all stations have lifts, and many of the ones which ddo not are the ones you might think would (Leicester Square springs to mind.) Also, more often than not they're out of action for one reason or another - mechanical, industrial action (technically a member of tube staff must accompany you in the lifts!) or because of the recent fire brigade strikes.<BR><BR>If you're careful, you can get the stroller on the escalators. Go on backwards when going up, and make sure that the back wheels are at the back of the step, and keep the baby level. Going down is a bit easier as you can face forwards. You don't say if you're the only adult - it is easier with two (especially with two children!)<BR><BR>Nigel's point about walking is a good one, though. Many sights - eg Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Covent Garden - are within walking distance of each other so cuts the amount of time on the Tube!

If memory serves, you may need some assistance to get through the gates. The typical turnstiles (sp) are not easy to use with a stroller, but there is usually a gate for people with luggage. The only other suggestion is to make sure the small child, if walking, minds the gap. HIs/her feet could slip between the train and track.

If you are not in a hurry, why not try buses instead? It will be much easier and with all kinds of street sights to see.

I HIGHLY recommend buses over the tube for stollers. Bear in mind - even stations served by elevators and/or escalators often have at least some starirs either to get to from the platform or to another line. And everyone walks very fast - they won't knock you over but you will feel under &quot;assault&quot; with everyone rushing past. Some stations and transfers invlove VERY long walks.<BR><BR>On the buses you merely have to fold up the chair and step up a short couple of steps.

I just noticed you said a small child AND an infant - definitely the buses!!!!<BR><BR>Trying to keep control of a really young child and a stroller in the tube will be difficult.

Buses are lovely but very slow most times in central London as traffic always seems to be dense. Plus, some buses didn't let me on with a stroller, another one said I had to fold it (not practical). I strongly suggest a front carrier if your baby is still small (under 6 mos).

Hello, this is not meant to be nasty. I would not take the children if I could not use taxis. I always used the tube and buses thinking it an awful expense to use a taxi. One year I fell down some small stairs at the D'orsay in Paris (looking at beautiful art instead of where I was going) DUMB! Still had the London Portion of trip to go. I could walk some but absolutely NO stairs. I had to use taxis and also used the hop on hop off bus as transportation. The taxi expense was not that bad at all and what a convenience. I could not believe all the years I had denied myself the convenience of taxi travel, and the wasted time. If you use careful planning and walk as much as possible/comfortable between sights it is really not too expensive to take the taxi there and back. <BR>Of course I don't exclusively use taxis now but do not hesitate when I feel the need/want.<BR>It seems to me it would be somewhart dangerous to try to get strollers and children up and down and on and off the train. <BR>Have a wonderful trip whatever you decide.

<BR>How about Wacko Jacko hanging his kid out the window? The poor thing turned pale white from fright!

When I was in London in August, the tube near by hotel (Gloucester) had a lift from one exit but it was broken at least 2/7 days. Also, I took the bus at times and several times they were absolutely crammed full to the point one could barely breathe, so I can't imagine someone trying to get on with a stroller. Just a warning, I suppose there are ways to plan using a bus, but I don't know what they are. This was weekdays, not rush hour that I can recall.

Buses are much preferable. However do not attempt to board a bus with a stroller with your child in it. You must fold up the stroller and carry the baby on board. But that is the same as buses here in the States. If you are not used to public transport, perhaps you should take a couple of local bus rides to see if you can manage. And do take a few Cab rides - you will also have to fold up the stroller to get into a cab.

I love London and travel there frequently. I made the mistake of trying to navigate the tubes with luggage one time and vowed never again. As other writers have mentioned, many stations don't have elevators, and the escalators are sometimes broken. The rushing Londoners will not be very nice if they are running up and down stairs and broken escalators; they will act like you are hassling them and blocking their movement on purpose. If you value your sanity and health and welfare, Do Not bring your kiddie and baby into the underground.

In addition to the points raised I would add that the noise and activity levels can be overwhelming to little people. We took our 18 month old on the tube during our first post-kid London visit and in less than two days she was a wreck. Things improved dramatically when we stuck to walking, cabs, and buses.<BR><BR>This was a kid who'd ridden the DC Metro since infancy so we figured the big city noises were no big deal. Way wrong.<BR><BR>I'd avoid the underground if you can. You're already dealing with jet lag and disruption of routines.

Thanks guys for your replies - some great advice, good points, and some of you even made me giggle.<BR>

Following on from using taxis - you can easily wheel a stroller into a black cab without having to fold it down. I do it all the time. On tubes the first and last carriages are likely to be more empty - I would aim for these. There are lots of stairs in tube stations but people usually offer to help. I personally use the tube as little as possible with a stroller (and avoid rush hour), but don't be put of trying it. Enjoy your trip.

&quot;you can easily wheel a stroller into a black cab without having to fold it down.&quot;<BR><BR>That depends on what you are calling a &quot;stroller&quot;. In the UK most Moms use small push chairs which would easily roll into a black cab. But if Worried's stroller is like most in the US they are HUGE. Room for a child, shopping bag, sun cover, lots of extra padding. They are just really too big to put inside a cab.

Thanks- the stroller is just a small , light one that folds up quite small.