Walking vs Tube: The Marylebone to Baker Street Race
In a surprising test of urban mobility, a race between walking and taking the London Underground from Marylebone to Baker Street has revealed that sometimes, the old-fashioned way is quicker. While the Tube journey on the Bakerloo line takes a mere 57 seconds, the total time including access, waiting, and exit can make walking the better choice for this short distance.
The Experiment Setup
The team at secret.london conducted this experiment to see if one of London's shortest Tube trips is worth the hassle. Two participants took the Tube, while another walked the 0.2-mile route, with all starting timers simultaneously at Marylebone Station. Google Maps predicts a six-minute walk versus a one-minute Tube ride, but real-world factors like ticket barriers and train schedules added complexity.
Narrator Tom kicked off the video by calling it "the most pointless Tube journey in London." He set off on foot, braving terrible weather with an umbrella, while his colleagues dashed into the station. The women faced obstacles such as crowded escalators and ticket barriers, while Tom navigated traffic lights and streets, sharing fun facts like Baker Street Station being the world's oldest, opened in 1863.
The Race Unfolds
As the women boarded the train after a two-minute wait, their timer hit four minutes and 20 seconds. One quipped, "It's not our fault we're tiny and petite and he's big and lanky and long." Meanwhile, Tom approached the station entrance, confident he had a chance as he saw no sign of them outside.
The women struggled with an uncooperative ticket barrier and rushed up the escalator, finishing in six minutes and 26 seconds. To their surprise, Tom was already waiting, having completed the walk in six minutes and 16 seconds. He concluded, "So for this one, you probably should walk it."
Quickest Tube Journeys in London
This race highlights a broader trend: many short Tube journeys might be faster on foot. Here are some of the quickest Tube trips in London, based on travel time alone:
- Charing Cross to Embankment: 35 seconds (Northern line)
- Leicester Square to Covent Garden: 39 seconds (Piccadilly line)
- Southwark to Waterloo: 42 seconds (Jubilee line)
- Tottenham Court Road to Leicester Square: 44 seconds (Northern line)
- Holborn to Chancery Lane: 45 seconds (Central line)
Other notable short journeys include Warren Street to Goodge Street at 46 seconds and multiple routes like Cannon Street to Mansion House at 50 seconds. The Marylebone to Baker Street trip ranks among these, but as the experiment shows, context matters.
Implications for London Commuters
This test serves as a reminder for Londoners to consider walking for very short distances, especially when factors like station access and wait times are involved. It challenges the assumption that the Tube is always the fastest option, encouraging a rethink of daily travel habits in the capital.
