While Londoners frequently grumble about their Underground network, it remains one of the world's most extensive and celebrated metro systems. Yet amidst its sprawling 250-mile labyrinth of tunnels and tracks lies what many consider the Tube's most futile journey—a trip so short that Transport for London itself suggests passengers should simply walk instead.
The Covent Garden to Leicester Square Conundrum
The journey in question connects Covent Garden and Leicester Square stations, two neighbouring stops on the Piccadilly line that sit a mere 260 metres apart. The actual train travel time between these stations clocks in at just 45 seconds, making it one of the shortest possible trips on the entire London Underground network.
However, when you factor in the time spent navigating ticket barriers, descending multiple staircases, waiting for trains, and making your way back to street level, this supposedly quick journey often takes longer than simply walking between the two locations. The pedestrian route takes approximately five minutes at a comfortable pace, potentially making it the faster option despite the Underground's reputation for speed.
Official Recommendations and Passenger Behaviour
Remarkably, Transport for London's own guidance encourages passengers to consider walking or cycling for this particular journey rather than using the Tube. This official stance highlights just how inefficient this short hop has become within the broader transport network.
Despite these recommendations, the route maintains surprising popularity. Daily statistics reveal that more than 250 Londoners complete the Covent Garden to Leicester Square journey each day—enough passengers to fill two Tube carriages. Meanwhile, approximately 150 people make the reverse trip from Leicester Square to Covent Garden daily, suggesting this remains a regularly used connection despite its questionable efficiency.
Other London Underground Journeys Better Walked
The Covent Garden to Leicester Square route isn't alone in being potentially faster on foot. Several other London Underground connections exist where walking might prove more time-efficient than taking the Tube.
- Shepherd's Bush Market to Goldhawk Road: This one-minute journey on the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines connects stations so close that walking often proves quicker.
- Hyde Park Corner to Knightsbridge: These two stations sit so near each other that their entrances are visible from one another, with the Tube journey taking just three minutes.
- Oxford Circus to Bond Street: A mere one-minute trip on the Central line, though walking between these stations typically takes about five minutes—except during peak shopping periods when Oxford Street becomes congested.
The Psychology of Tube Travel
What drives passengers to choose the Underground over walking for such short distances? Several factors likely contribute to this behaviour, including inclement weather, physical mobility considerations, the perceived convenience of staying within the transport system, and simple habit formation among regular commuters.
The London Underground's complex fare structure and ticketing systems might also influence decisions, particularly for travellers using daily or weekly travelcards who perceive additional journeys as "free" once they've passed through the initial barriers.
These ultra-short journeys represent fascinating quirks within London's transport network, highlighting how infrastructure designed for efficiency can sometimes create counterintuitive travel choices. They serve as reminders that sometimes the simplest solution—putting one foot in front of the other—might just be the most sensible transport option available in the capital.
