If I ever have to leave the UK, there are a few things I would want to do before I go. I have a London bucket list, and it includes everything from exploring new London neighborhoods to indulging in more afternoon teas. But there’s one thing I’m always surprised I haven’t checked off my list yet: riding the Waterloo & City line of the London Underground.

Waterloo & City Line

Waterloo & City Line

I know. It sounds ridiculous. Why would anyone want to ride the tube? For most Londoners it’s a necessary evil, not an amusement park ride.

The chronic delays, severe overcrowding, and copious amounts of vomit are enough to put most of us off most of the time. But there’s something about the Waterloo & City line that has always intrigued me.

Maybe it’s that it’s the shortest tube line—there are only two stops—or maybe it’s that I’ve never had to take it in seven years—I’m not often in need of express transport between Waterloo and the City of London.

Or maybe it’s because when I mentioned my secret wish to my best friend, she said “Oooh, that’s the most civilized line on the tube!” (and to think I thought the words “civilized” and “tube” could never belong in the same sentence!).

Tube Station in London

Riding the Waterloo & City Line

Whatever the reason, I finally decided to ride the line, and here I am at Bank station wandering through the endless maze of tunnels trying to find it.

Which is one of the first things I learn about the Waterloo & City line: it has its own entrance. So exclusive, so James Bond! No wonder I’ve always been in awe of it.

Waterloo & City Line Station in London

After exiting the turnstiles and re-entering at the super secret (not really) entrance, I come to the next special thing: a long tunnel with a moving walkway descending into the Earth’s core (not really).

No stairs or escalators on this line. We’re fancy here. We use travelators.

Travelation complete, I find myself deep underground boarding a train that’s already waiting patiently at the station.

As I enter, I wonder what kind of people I will find here. Superhumans? A cross-section of the global elite, specially chosen to ride London’s most excellent tube line?

Sign in Bank Tube Station in London

The Journey

Actually, it’s mostly business people. The route from the City, where many of London’s banks and law firms are located, to Waterloo, the departure point for trains to wealthy commuter belts like Surrey, means that the line is popular with my former peers from my banking days.

Hopefully I still know how to blend in. God forbid they identify me as an impostor—who let a travel blogger on board?—and throw me off at the next station. Oh wait, there is only one other station, so it doesn’t really matter. Win.

As the train takes off, I look around. It’s less crowded than other lines, and I even see someone give up a seat for another passenger—civility is alive, if only on the Waterloo & City line!

I half expect business deals to be done, or maybe even for people to break out in a secret song that only those that ride this line know. For better or worse, it’s mostly just a civilized tube ride.

Waterloo & City Line Train in London

Four adrenaline-filled minutes later, I arrive at Waterloo, excited to see that here too there are special ticket barriers just for the Waterloo & City line.

I exit through them, excited to have completed my journey and joined the Super Secret Society of People that Have Traveled on the Waterloo & City Line. (Yes, the SSSPHTWCL is currently accepting applications. Contact me for more information).

Waterloo and City Line

And now that I’ve ticked an item off my London bucket list, I’m happy to say that I had a good time doing so. The normal misery of riding the tube was absent, and the experience was just as civilized as my friend promised.

I may never find myself in need of riding the Waterloo & City line again, but I might just go out of my way to do so anyway.

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Waterloo & City Line

10 Comments on Lady’s Guide to the Waterloo & City Line

  1. Ha, this was soooooo much fun to read!!! I was totally laughing – James Bond, travelation, “who let the travel blogger on…” LOL!! I didn’t have much hope at the beginning when you mentioned vomit but it sure looks and sounds (from your experience) to be just fine! Great post, Julie 🙂

  2. Cute post. I guess one can get used to riding the same old trains when you live in London. Good for you to seek new adventure and venture where few other people are willing to go! And a relatively inexpensive adventure at that! Thanks for taking us along.

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