Key London Underground information
-
The London Underground network is divided into nine zones. Central London is in Zone 1.
-
The Tube network has 11 lines.
-
The Tube fare depends on how far you travel, the time of day and the payment method you use.
-
Oyster cards or contactless payments are the cheapest ways to pay for Tube journeys.
-
Tube services usually run from 5am until midnight.
-
Night Tube services run on selected lines on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Greater London is served by 11 Tube lines, along with the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and local trains, which include the London Overground, the Elizabeth line and National Rail services.
London Underground trains generally run between 5am and midnight Monday to Saturday. Operating hours are slightly reduced on Sunday. Night Tube trains run on some lines throughout the night on Fridays and Saturdays.
For more detailed travel information on which stations to use and suggestions for the best route to reach your destination, use Transport for London's Journey Planner.
Everything you need to know about the London Underground
What is the London Underground and why is it called "the Tube"?
The London Underground is often called the Tube because of the shape of the tunnels. The London Underground is one of the oldest metro systems in the world, opening in 1863. When the Central Line Railway opened in 1900, it was called the Twopenny Tube, referencing the price of a ticket. The nickname has stuck ever since!
What are the London Underground zones?
London's public transport network is divided into nine travel zones. Zone 1 is in central London and zones 6 to 9 are on the outskirts of the city.
The London Underground network has 11 lines: Bakerloo, Central, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and Waterloo & City. The network covers a total of 272 stations and it is operated by Transport for London (TfL).
London's Elizabeth line connects London Heathrow Airport and Reading to Shenfield and Abbey Wood via major central London Underground and rail stations, including Paddington, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf stations.
What is the best way to pay for the Tube: with an Oyster card, a Travelcard or contactless?
The easiest and cheapest way to travel on the London Underground is by using pay as you go, with a Visitor Oyster card*, Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card.
A Visitor Oyster card can be sent to your home address before you arrive in London. If your contactless payment card was issued outside the UK, check with your bank before you travel to see whether you'll incur additional transaction fees or charges. Find out more information about London Oyster cards with these frequently asked questions.
Journey costs depend on the time of day (peak or off-peak hours) and which zones you travel through. Various discounts are available for children, students and older travellers. For more details about London Tube prices, see the latest fares on the Transport for London website.
Check out this guide to cheap travel for more money-saving tips when travelling in London. If you plan on travelling around London to do some sightseeing and visit some of London's best attractions, a London Pass* could save you money.
Are free London Tube maps and guides available?
Transport for London (TfL) 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, and you'll find centres at Victoria, Piccadilly Circus and King's Cross St Pancras stations, as well as at Visitor Information Centres.
Download a handy free Tube map, as well as maps for other modes of public transport.
Buy a Visitor Oyster Card*
Order online and arrive ready to go!Navigating and travelling on the London Underground
How to read the London Tube map
Devised in 1933 by Harry Beck, the London Underground map is a 20th-century design classic. It's useful and clearly indicates the general directions taken by the trains (north, south, east or westbound), with all interchanges clearly shown.
The London Tube map is easy to read and remarkably intuitive. Each London Underground line is represented by a different colour, and stations are indicated with coloured circles, with icons to determine railway stations, wheelchair accessibility and other information of interest.
Download free London travel maps of the London Underground and other public transport routes.
Which apps can I use for the London Underground?
The TfL Go and Citymapper London apps are the most widely used and efficient mobile applications to travel on the London Underground network.
Download the TfL Go app on your smartphone to top up your pay-as-you-go credit, buy travelcards, check your balance and find the best routes to reach your destination.
The Citymapper app simplifies public transport in London by providing live, up-to-the-minute information and multiple route options. Features include disruption notifications, offline maps, transport ticket prices, taxi fares and more.
How to tap in and out
To travel on the London Tube, simply tap your phone, contactless card, Oyster card or Visitor Oyster card on the yellow card reader when you start your journey and again when you end your journey. If you do not tap in and out every time, the system will not know which journey you have made, and you may be charged a maximum fare.
Navigating the London Underground
Here are some useful tips when navigating the Tube in London:
- Once you've picked a destination, find the closest stop on the Tube map and work out the best journey to get there from where you are. Useful apps such as TfL Go and Citymapper can help you plan your route.
- After you've worked out what Tube line to take to get to your destination, head to the correct platform, which depends on the direction you are heading (northbound, southbound, eastbound, westbound).
- The Tube trains' direction is indicated on station signs directing you to the platforms, on digital screens announcing incoming trains, as well as on the front of London Underground trains.
- Digital screens on Tube platforms also display arrival times and service updates, essential for navigating the London Underground during peak times.
- Whether you are inside a Tube station or riding a London Underground train, you can also look out for poster-sized maps on station walls, platforms and above seats within the train to help direct you to your destination.
- Once onboard, also listen for announcements identifying the next stop and any exchange opportunities.
- When it's time to exit the train, look for signs directing you to street level or connecting services inside the station.
Peak times v off-peak times
Different travel fares apply depending on what day of the week and what time of day you travel on the London Underground. Peak and off-peak fares are charged based on the time you touch in.
When using pay as you go on the London Underground, peak and off-peak fares are charged at the following peak and off-peak times:
- Peak fares: Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 6.30am and 9.30am, and between 4pm and 7pm.
- Off-peak fares: at all other times and if you travel from a station outside Zone 1 to a station in Zone 1 between 4pm and 7pm Monday to Friday.
Travel etiquette on the London Underground
Here are some useful travel etiquette tips when using the Tube:
- Stand on the right when using escalators.
- Wait for passengers to leave the train before boarding.
- Move down inside the Tube carriages while travelling so you don't block the doorway for other passengers.
- Stand behind the yellow line while waiting on the platform.
- Offer your seat to anyone who is unwell, elderly, pregnant or travelling with small children.
Useful tips for travelling on the London Underground
Here are some useful tips for travelling on the Tube to make your journey more enjoyable and efficient.
- Avoid travelling during morning and evening rush hours (weekdays from 7am to 8.45am and 4.30pm to 6.45pm).
- Trains run frequently so there’s no need to rush for the train, just wait for the next available service.
- Check the front of the train for the destination.
- If you’re carrying luggage, board at the raised platform areas for level access on to the train.
- Hold onto the rails if you are standing during your journey.
- Mind the gap!
- Download the TfL Go app for live train times and to plan your journey, or visit one of the TfL Visitor Centres.
What are the London Underground opening and closing times?
London Underground opening times vary slightly from line to line, but the first Tube trains normally start running around 5am from Monday to Saturday, with reduced operating hours on Sunday.
The London Underground normally runs until around midnight. Check signage or with staff at the particular Tube station you plan on using to find out exactly when the last train is.
A 24-hour Night Tube service operates on the Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines on Fridays and Saturdays.
How accessible is the London Underground?
Access to most Tube stations is via staircases or escalators, but some London Underground stations have step-free access. When boarding London Underground trains, be aware that you might have to step up to eight inches (20cm) up or down between the platform and the train.
All 41 stations along the Elizabeth line are set to be accessible with step-free access from the platform to street level.
Download a free London Tube map to see which stations are step-free or find guides on accessible travel from Transport for London.
Buy your London Pass*
Save time and money.Common route questions
How to travel between Heathrow Airport and central London
The Piccadilly line connects London Heathrow Airport to central London and the rest of the London Underground network. Taking the Tube is cheaper than riding the Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line, but it takes longer. The journey time to Piccadilly Circus is about 50 minutes.
Heathrow Airport has three Tube stations, serving Terminals 2 and 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. London Underground services leave Heathrow every few minutes from approximately 5.20am to 11.40pm.
How to get to London City Airport from central London
London City Airport is also connected to the London Underground network. The airport has its own stop on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects to Canning Town, Stratford and Bank stations. Services run every four to 10 minutes.
Alternative ways to travel around London
For alternative public transport options, London's extensive bus network is an ideal mode of transport for shorter trips. A bus fare in London costs just £1.75, and it allows you to admire the capital's landmarks from ground level.
Find out more about getting around London, or explore the top tips for travelling to London.
