From riverboats and London buses to the Tube, you can travel around the city and discover top attractions using public transport in London.
Travellers with mobility requirements and other needs can find a wide range of accessible facilities and wheelchair-friendly services across all modes of transport in the capital. Plan your journey with a free London travel map and find out more about accessible London.
Accessible London transport
London Underground and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
The London Underground network offers accessible facilities and step-free access at many locations. However, not all London Tube stations are fully accessible, so check the Transport for London (TfL) journey planner before you travel.
More than 90 Tube stations offer step-free access from the street to the platform, and all DLR stations are step free. Most stations have tactile markings on platform edges, contrast-colour facilities for travellers with low vision, audiovisual announcements and information points.
TfL offers a range of accessible travel guides, including an audio Tube map, a large-print Tube map, a step-free Tube map and a Tube map for avoiding stairs.
All Tube trains have priority seats for travellers who need them. If you need to sit down for the journey, you can ask any passenger in these designated spaces for a seat. Travellers who live in London and southeast England can apply for a “Please offer me a seat” badge.
Assistance dogs are welcome to travel on the London Underground, but only trained assistance dogs are allowed to use escalators. Staff can help find an alternative accessible route or may be able to stop the escalator during off-peak times.
If you’d prefer to travel at less busy times, check TfL's recommendations for quieter times to travel and follow the TfL Access Twitter account for travel updates.
Download the TfL Go app to your smartphone to get live bus and train times, see quieter times to travel and plan a step-free journey with real-time information.
London Overground and National Rail trains
60 London Overground stations and all Elizabeth line stations have step-free access as well as additional accessible travel features, such as audiovisual information, wheelchair ramps, wide-access doors and grab rails. Station staff are available to assist with your journey, and assistance dogs are welcome to travel on London Overground trains.
For journeys on London's National Rail services, check National Rail Enquiries’ passenger assistance information which provides accessibility guidance on planning your journey, accessible facilities by station and available discounts.
Tube-free London transport
London buses
All London buses are low-floor vehicles, and bus travel is free for wheelchair users.
Low-floor buses are accessible to everyone including those using wheelchairs, with baby buggies (prams/strollers), with assistance dogs or with other mobility requirements. Every bus also has a retractable ramp.
All London buses have room for one person using a wheelchair. Buses can accommodate wheelchairs up to 70cm (28 inches) wide by 120cm (47 inches) long. Wheelchair users have priority over everyone else for use of the wheelchair space. There is no limit on the number of assistance dogs allowed on the bus as long as there is space.
Riverboat services
You can ride along the Thames on a riverboat service. All London's piers are wheelchair accessible, except for Cadogan Pier which has steps to access, London Bridge City Pier which has very steep access at low tide and Wandsworth Riverside Quarter.
All river buses have step-free access, and larger riverboats have wheelchair spaces. Assistance dogs are welcome onboard.
Staff can help with boarding and disembarking from riverboats, but people with disabilities who are travelling as a group are advised to provide advance notice to ensure support is available.
You can also enjoy a relaxing riverboat sightseeing tour past London attractions including the London Eye, Big Ben and Tower Bridge with City Cruises, which offers a 50% discount on tickets for wheelchair users and a companion. Riders with vision impairment travel free of charge.
London trams
Access to all London trams is step free. People using wheelchairs can easily wheel on and off the trams, and each tram has two dedicated spaces for wheelchairs. Next to the wheelchair space is a specially sited intercom, which allows you to speak to the driver in an emergency, and an easy-to-reach stop request button. All doors have an opening button at an accessible height.
Tactile markings are in place along the platform edge for travellers with vision impairment.
Trams have priority seats for the elderly, people with disabilities and those travelling with small children in each section of the carriage.
IFS Cloud Cable Car
Enjoy incredible views of London from the IFS Cloud Cable Car, which has step-free access, wide-aisle gates and space for most wheelchairs and mobility scooters (up to a maximum weight of 300kg). Cable cars can be stopped to allow time to board.
London taxis
Take a ride in an iconic London black cab, all of which are wheelchair accessible. Most taxis have additional accessibility features for travellers, including wheelchair ramps, an intermediate step, swivel seats, induction loops and an intercom system. London taxis are required by law to accept assistance dogs at no extra charge.
Liberty Drives
Explore London's Royal Parks such as Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens during your trip to London with Liberty Drives. Enjoy free transportation around the beautiful London parks in an electric buggy, which has space for one wheelchair user and up to five friends.
Travel assistance in London
TfL staff can offer assistance to help you board the train and meet you at your destination. You do not need to request travel assistance in advance.
If you require assistance completing your journey, fill in a printable Travel Support Card to help communicate your accessibility needs to TfL staff.
For assistance on National Rail trains, it's best to book in advance. You can contact National Rail or download the Passenger Assistance by Transreport app.
London fares and discounts for travellers with disabilities
If you have accessibility needs, you may be entitled to a discounted fare on London transport.
- All wheelchair and mobility scooter users travel free on buses and trams. Contact TfL to ensure that your mobility scooter is suitable for travel.
- Register your Disabled Persons Railcard (UK residents only) on your Oyster card to save a third on most fares.
- If you don't have a Disabled Persons Railcard but are travelling on National Rail services, you may be eligible for a concessionary fare.
- Disabled Londoners may be eligible for free travel on public transport with a Freedom Pass.
- You can use an English National Concessionary Pass to ride free on London buses.
For more accessible London information, read TfL’s accessibility guide and check out AccessAble for detailed information on accessible hotels, restaurants and attractions in London.