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Wednesday, Oct 01, 2025

39 little things that drive everyone on the Tube crazy

39 little things that drive everyone on the Tube crazy

From people who don't move inside the carriage on a busy train or those who read the paper over your shoulder, there are certain things that are really annoying on the London Underground

The London Underground really is amazing. You can get from one side of the city in no time, and you hardly ever have to wait more than two minutes for a train in Central London.

But while we can all marvel at the city's transport system, there are several downsides.

Whether it's passengers who don't move down inside the carriage when it's busy or the absolute deafening screech of the Northern line, some journeys just get on your nerves.

Here are the 39 little things that drive everyone crazy on the Tub

1. The absolute pits of hell that is any Central line service

2. Only small children, the occasional dog and absolute maniacs say hello to strangers on the Tube

3. Anyone who dares get on the train before you have got off. Just wait you impatient so and so

4. How loud the Northern Line is - it's like listening to a thousand blackboards being scratched at the same time

5. Commuters who don't move down the carriage. Pay attention people!

6. Anybody who stands on the left hand side of an escalator . Again, pay attention people.

7. When the driver doesn't explain why you haven't moved for two minutes. If there's a delay we need to know why!

8. That jolt, just before the Tube stops. Especially when you end up having to grab a scary looking stranger to stop yourself falling over

9. The Underground is the most expensive in the world on average per month. RIP my bank account

10. The walk between Monument and Bank is just ridiculously long

11. As is the walk between the Piccadilly and Victoria lines at Green Park

12. That person who forces their way into a rammed carriage which already feels more claustrophobic than sharing a Mini with three elephants

13. The Jack Daniels adverts. Has anyone ever finished reading one of them?

14. Leg spreaders. You know who you are

15. Anyone who tries to read your paper over your shoulder - get your own!

16. When you are trying to read someone's paper over their shoulder and they turn the page while you are mid-article

17. When a guy gets on playing an accordion and asks for money

18. How may stops there are on the District Line if you are trying to get into London from the likes of Upminster or Hornchurch. The boredom is too much

19. When you're on the Night Tube home and someone was smart enough to buy chips and it wasn't you

20. People who hold hands while walking through a Tube station. It's too busy for romance. Get a room!

21. The depressingly low number of people who look up from their phones to check if a pregnant woman or elderly passenger needs a seat

22. Spotting someone on the opposite escalator you sort of know through a friend. You better acknowledge them. You nod and smile. They totally blank you. You look an idiot

23. How annoying it is when someone sat opposite you eats an apple really loudly

24. You run for the train. You are now all sticky. You still miss it

25. That moment where your internet signal goes as you go into a tunnel

26. People who push in. You should be banned from the Tube. In fact banned from London

27. When you stupidly decide to take the stairs at Covent Garden. Although there's now no need to go to the gym

28. How infuriating it is when Holloway Road is closed during Arsenal games

29. You are used to there being a train every two minutes in Zone 1. You reach the platform and you have to wait a whole four minutes. Us Londoners are too busy for that kind of wait

30. People who don't take their backpacks off once inside a crowded carriage. What are you thinking?

31. You stand in front of the window at the end of a carriage and a hurricane force wind destroys your hair-do

32. Anyone who hasn't adequately prepared for the ticket barrier. Whether it's a paper ticket, an Oyster or a debit card, have it ready

33. When you put your ticket through but the person in front has tapped their Oyster and it hasn’t worked so now they have got through on your ticket. Cue mass panic

34. Say it, see it, sorted - an important message but when you hear it 73 times an hour it gets a little annoying

35. How did Chesham and Amersham manage to get their own Tube stations but most of South London didn't?

36. Those stations where nobody gets on or off - Bermondsey, we’re looking at you

37. When a District line changes its final destination while you're on it

38. Euston's new layout. It just doesn't work

39. When the train can't leave the station as one set of doors won't close properly. Whoever has got their bag caught in them, sort it out!

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