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It’s boiling in London! So hot in fact that according to the Met Office, today is the hottest day in June for 41 years! And while this heatwave might be good weather for a picnic, it’s not so great for commuters.
While it might be good weather for a picnic, it’s not so great for commuters. The Tube in particular can be a challenge with some lines reaching 31°C.
As you can see from the graph below the Bakerloo line is the hottest with the Central line not far behind!
So what are Londoners supposed to do to survive in this heat wave? We’ve got a few suggestions.
Tip 1: Avoid the Bakerloo and Central lines.
Take the bus, favour the surface-level lines and walk, anything to avoid the claustrophobic heat of the Underground’s hottest lines. If you’re wondering which Tube lines have air-conditioning these are the Circle, Hammersmith & City, District and Metropolitan lines.
Tip 2: Know your walking shortcuts.
A useful trick is to see which underground stations are easy to walk between. Why sit on a boiling hot tube for 15 minutes if you can walk it in about the same time? (Make sure to wear sunscreen.) We’ve got a
full guide to the Walking Tube Map.
Tip 3: Water, water, water, water…
You might have heard this one a thousand times before but it’s REALLY IMPORTANT so we’re going to remind you again. Make sure you’ve got a bottle of water with you especially if you’re taking the Tube or hopping on a bus. In this weather you’ll be thankful you have it.
Tip 4: Avoid caffeine in a heatwave.
Coffee can have the affect of making you feel dehydrated. This is the last thing you want during a heat wave. Add to that the hot cup you’ll be holding and you’re just making things worse for yourself.
If you really have to have that caffeine kick switch to an iced Frappuccino or iced tea.
Tip 5: Wear loose-fitting and lighter clothing.
If you can wear cargo shorts or a light summer dress this one’s easy. Let your arms and legs breath as much as possible.
But if your office has a strict dress code you might need to learn how to work within the rules. Swap black trousers for ones made of more breathable material and buy short sleeve shirts.
If your dress code is really strict, bring your office outfit in a bag and wear your own clothes for the commute then get changed when you arrive.
Want to tell us about your nightmare commutes in the heatwave? Or have your own tip for keeping cool? We’d love to hear about it on Facebook and Twitter!
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