London Tube

London Tube Travel Information

Plan your route online with Transport for London's Journey Planner.

For detailed information on the Tube, stations, buses, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), trams or local trains within London visit the Transport for London website.

Free London Tube Maps and Guides

Transport for London produces free maps and guides to help you get around. You can pick up a London Underground Map upon arrival at any London Tube station. London Travel Information centres sell tickets and provide free maps. There are centres at all Heathrow Airport terminals, major stations in London and at Tourist Information Centres.

You can also download a handy Tube and bus map designed for visitors in our Travel Maps section.

London's Tube Network

Greater London is served by 12 Tube lines, along with the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and an interconnected local train network. Trains generally run between 5am and midnight, Monday to Saturday. Operating hours are reduced on Sunday. Exact details depend on the station and the line, so it's worth checking the Transport for London website.

Tips for Tube Travellers

Devised in 1933 by Harry Beck, the Underground map is a 20th-century design classic. It's very useful, clearly indicating the general directions used to designate trains (north, south, east or westbound), and with all interchanges clearly indicated. Some other useful tips when using the Tube:

• Avoid travelling during rush hour if at all possible
• Check the front of the train for the correct destination
• Stand on the right when using escalators 

Zones and Tube Fares

London's transport map is divided into six concentric zones with Zones 1 and 2 in Central London and Zone 6 covering the outer edge of the capital. You should consider an Oyster card and/or a Travelcard to get the best fares and beat the queues. If you're caught on the Tube without a valid ticket you're liable for an on-the-spot fine.

Cheaper by Oyster

Oyster card prices are always cheaper than paper tickets for the Tube. For example, the cash fare for a single journey in Zone 1 is £4.30, which is £2.30 more than the Oyster fare.

Concessions

Various discounts and free travel are available for children, students, the elderly and disabled travellers. See our Oyster and Travelcards page and the Transport for London website for details.

London Tube - Accessibility Information

Access to most Tube stations is via numerous steps. The London underground system can become very crowded at peak times and, therefore, difficult for those with mobility problems.

Many deep-level Tube stations have escalators to platforms. But nearly all the stations with escalators or lifts also have stairs between street level and the ticket hall and/or between the escalator/lift and the platforms. The dowloadable Tube map on our free London travel maps page indicates which Tube stations are step-free. 

When boarding Tube trains, you should be aware that there is generally a step of up to 8 inches (20cm), either up or down, between the platform and the train. If this is problematic, you are advised to travel in the first carriage, so that the driver can see you more clearly, and allow enough time for you to get on or off.

For more information, visit Transport for London's Accessibility page.