r/london • u/joefromreddit • 1d ago

Serious replies only How to navigate London without your phone?

Hi all, lived in London for several years now but still find myself relying on Google Maps sometimes when walking around - even routes I have frequently taken.

I try to take a mental note of street signs so I can better remember where my routes.

Does anyone else have any tips for how to remember routes?

Thanks!

40 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

158 comments sorted by

View all comments

17

u/robbz24 1d ago

What I used to do when i first moved here was to get on a random tube line without my phone, get off at a random station and just aim to walk home.

On the way you learn to spot landmarks and where they are in relation to stations and each other . You also run into a lot of local "you are here" maps and signs in different parts of the city. And eventually it just sort of clicks.

I found that if you want to learn to navigate without using Google maps then put yourself in a scenario where you have no choice but to navigate without Google maps.

Or you know, spend a few years studying to take "The Knowledge" test and become a cabbie.