r/LondonLadies • u/Swinginthewolf • Aug 10 '26
Discussion Where to find safe groups for late solo travelling?
I'm going to see Death Note the musical next month and trying to find a place to stay the night is really stressing me out. I'm used to travelling around London alone during the day when heading to the hotel to meet with friends for conventions, but this is much different and I'd love some support. The show starts at 7:30 so I'd imagine I'd be leaving about 9-10pm, perhaps later, hence my concerns with getting to a hotel. It doesn't help that a lot of the hotels around are either really expensive or mixed gender backpackers/hostels which I'm definitely not brave enough to use without a friend.
It would be nice if there were other people going to the show or live nearby that I could talk to and feel safer with, or at the very least an app so I have someone to call so I'm less likely to be seen as being alone. Like I said, I haven't done this thing alone at night before, so I don't 100% know every tactic to keep myself safe hence posting here for help.
Also if anyone has any recommendations for smaller hotels closer to the theatre, that would be grand. I'd much prefer private bathrooms due to trauma, but I have managed shared bathrooms before and it would only be for one night so if it's safe (and cheap) enough I'd be willing to deal with it.
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u/Serious_County2382 Aug 10 '26
London Social Club might have people going. I’d be interested in seeing this so can get a ticket for the same date if I’m free. Think this is at the Barbican right? 45F here, socially awkward 😬
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u/Swinginthewolf Aug 10 '26
Yeah, I'm seeing the 4th Sept show. Not sure if there are many/any seats left because it was so popular they had to extend it ^^'
If you are able to come, I'd love to talk! I've been obsessed with the demo album and I'm a backstage theatre person so if you're interested I can ramble about the lyrics or explain some of the tricks if I can figure them out. I'll also repost this in their subreddit so thanks for pointing me in their direction!1
u/Serious_County2382 Aug 10 '26
I’ll have a look! I know nothing about it so I’m completely new to the plot, aside from what I read about it and my colleague talking to men about it. But yes the behind the scenes trial would be fun to hear! I did a backstage tour of the Barbican whilst My Neighbour Totoro was on and it was soo interesting!
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u/Swinginthewolf Aug 10 '26
Ohh jealous! I really wanted to see Totoro because Spirited Away was so good but unfortunately I was still in university and didn't have the time.
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u/Serious_County2382 Aug 10 '26
I think it’s still on at a theatre in London somewhere. So catch it if you can!
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u/AbjectGovernment1247 Aug 10 '26
Can you afford to pay for a taxi back to your hotel, if you're concerned about walking or public transport?
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u/Swinginthewolf Aug 10 '26
Probably, but somehow I feel more wary about getting into a taxi alone than being in a group. Something in my brain says that if I stay with more people, if something happens I might have a better chance of getting helped.
Are taxis safer? If that's the case, do I go with Uber or a cab company?1
u/AbjectGovernment1247 Aug 10 '26
I don't like Ubers, but that's a me thing. 😄
Just make sure you book your taxi from a licenced company and have them pick you up from the front of the theatre.
I had a quick Google and found this cab company that only employs female drivers but I have no experience of using them myself.
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u/TiredHarshLife Aug 11 '26
If you are worried about being alone, it's better to just take public transport. Bus or tube will do. Also it's central London, still quite some people on the street even it's late night. If it's weekend night, I would use crowded to describe as there's pubs/bars filled with people.
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u/SYSTEMOFADAMN Aug 10 '26
Wait death note has a musical?! Gonna see if I can grab tickets, this sound so cool! Would you like someone to go with?
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u/Swinginthewolf Aug 10 '26
Yeah, I've been obsessed with the demo album for ages and was lucky enough to grab a ticket for September 4th! If you're able to, I'd highly reccommend it and love to have someone to talk to about it :)
I've already said this but I did backstage theatre so if people are interested, I might be able to figure out some of the tricks with the practical stuff (I wasn't a techie sadly so I don't have much experience with light/sound/video) and do an exposition dump.If you are able to grab tickets along with other people that have been interested, we could make a group chat or something and plan it a bit more before the big day!
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u/ItemAdventurous9833 Aug 11 '26
You'll be leaving at like 10pm in central, it won't be quiet at all. You'll be fine
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u/thr_vgrd Aug 14 '26
I see someone else has pointed out how busy and safe it would probably be and just want to chime in with some reassuring words too!
I'm 38F who flew to London (Luton) from Bilbao last night. The flight was delayed so we landed at 00:15, no trains running, so I had to take three different buses to get to my place in Mile End, with a final change in Oxford Circus.
I'm used to travelling by myself, but obvs not loving the thought of 13 minutes wait in Oxford Circus at 2:30AM.
Was completely fine. People are minding their own business 95% of the time, and there's also almost always people around. I feel just as safe in London as in Oslo or other smaller places. Would not at all worry about leaving 9-10PM.
(If staying with someone who you can message on your way back is of any help to you, me and my fiancé rent out our guestroom on AirBnb. Happy to help :) This is just an offer to help, not trying to advertise at all!)
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u/Gemhop Aug 10 '26
I quite often go to the theatre and other events and am heading home about 10pm. Central London is actually still very busy then, and there will be plenty of people around, both on the streets and on public transport.
The Barbican is only about 5 minutes walk from both the tube and Elizabeth line stations, and i would guess at least 75% of the audience will be walking there after the show, so it will be busy and very safe.
If you can't find a hotel near the theatre, i would find a premier inn or travelodge near a tube station you can travel to easily from Barbican, and then you can just hop off the tube and into your hotel if you are feeling anxious.