tube travel zone 1

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How to Use the London Tube (Subway)

This post is a quick and easy tutorial on how to navigate the London Underground (a.k.a. the Tube), including hours of operation as well as info on Oyster Cards, transfers, and other helpful tips.

• What is the London Underground?
• Tickets, Fares, and Oyster Cards
• The Tube Map
• Operating Hours
• Tips from Locals
• to/from Heathrow Airport
• Tourist Buses vs. the Tube

WHAT IS THE LONDON UNDERGROUND?

Similar to the New York Subway or the Paris Metro, the London Underground is London's series of (largely) underground trains that run a regular service throughout the city.

Since the trains underground run through a series of tunnels, many people (Londoners and visitors alike!) refer to it as the "tube."

Despite this name, a lot of the London Underground network is above ground when you travel, particularly outside of central London.

The London Underground has 11 lines that serve Greater London, intersecting with each other in the centre of town.

The tube map is divided into nine zones, with Zone 1 being the centre of London, and Zone 9 being the suburbs.

The cost it takes to travel depends on which zone(s) you travel in, and how far your journey will take you.

It also connects to the London Overground (a suburban train line that doesn't run through the centre of town), the new Elizabeth Line (a high-frequency rail service that covers both central London, Heathrow Airport, and the suburbs), and National Rail Services (standard train lines that run throughout the country).

The Underground also connects to other rail services that serve the capital such as the Docklands Light Railway (an aboveground small train line that serves the docklands area).

WHEN DOES THE UNDERGROUND RUN?

In general, the Underground trains run from around 5:00 - 5:30 am until the last train leaves around Midnight, (exact times will vary and are listed on the Transport for London website ).

However, there are Night Tube services that run on some of the lines on Fridays and Saturdays for convenient travel on the weekends.

The Night Tube runs on parts of the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines only.

LONDON UNDERGROUND TICKETS AND OYSTER CARDS

Buying a ticket for the London Underground is pretty straightforward, but for most visitors, using a contactless payment card is the best payment method.

So, for a more in-depth explanation, including the cheapest ways to travel, check out our previous post about ticket prices and options here in London. Below is our summary.

There are 4 ways to pay for your rides on the Tube:

• Paper tickets 
• Oyster Cards
• Contactless Credit/Debit Cards

We normally recommend avoiding paper tickets and recommend that you buy yourself an Oyster card, unless you have a contactless credit or debit card.

Rides with an Oyster Card or contactless card are much cheaper than paper tickets.

You can add as much money to these as you wish and there is a daily limit that you will spend, (£8.10 for Zones 1-2) so the rides get cheaper the more you use them. The same daily cap applies to your contactless card, too.

Read our post on which London Oyster Card or Travelcard to buy . 

TIP: The Oyster Card is actually included with the London Turbo Pass at no extra cost. If you're planning to visit several notable attractions in the city, this could be a great way to save some money.

London Underground Fares

While there are 6 travel zones for the London Underground, most visitors to London will travel largely within Zones 1 + 2.

How much you pay depends on when you travel, whether during peak hours (06:30 - 09:30 and 16:00 - 19:00 Mon-Fri) vs. off-peak (all other times).

It also depends on where you travel to and from, and whether you are using a paper ticket vs. an Oyster, Travelcard, or contactless credit/debit card.

If you have one of the latter, then you will pay somewhere between £2.70 and £3.00 per ride within Zones 1 + 2.

The most expensive ride (Central London to Heathrow) will cost either £3.30 (off-peak) or £5.60 (peak).

Oyster and Travelcards can be used on all of London's public transportation options, including buses, DLR, the Overground, suburban trains (within London), a water taxi, and even a gondola. 

Daily Limits

If you use an Oyster Card or a Contactless Card, then there are daily limits to what you will spend. These caps are dependent on where you are traveling within.

So, for example, if you stay within Zones 1 and 2, the cap for an adult is just £8.10 for the Underground and £5.25 for buses.

So, the more you ride, the cheaper each ride is. You can see what the cap is for each zone or between zones here.

Child Discounts

Children under 11 travel for free and there is a 50% discount on Oyster Card fares for children 11-15 years of age.

To receive this discount, you need to grab a Tube staff member at any Underground station, including Heathrow.

We help you determine which type of card or ticket you need in our in-depth post on Oyster Cards .

Travelcards

Travelcards are prepaid cards that give you unlimited access to specific zones within London. 

You can choose to either order these in advance (in which case you will be given a paper Travelcard) or you can buy them upon arrival (in which case you will be using a plastic Oyster Card with the Travel Card loaded onto it).

Travelcards particularly have benefits for travellers here for an entire week. A 7-Day Travelcard can be worth your while, as a 7-Day Travelcard for Zones 1-2 is £40.70 which works out less per day than the £8.10 daily cap.

Find out more on our post comparing Oyster Cards, Visitor Oyster Cards and Travelcards .

UNDERSTANDING THE TUBE MAP

Picking up a Tube map is easy! They are available for free at most stations on the Underground network.

The maps on offer at the stations are small – perfect for carrying around in your pocket. 

Below is a map of the London Underground. You could also download a PDF version .

Don’t be embarrassed to consult your map as you travel through London, even Londoners themselves occasionally need to check where it is they are heading to!

Some people will actually have an app on their phone sporting the London Underground tube map – though we think Google Maps App is very good. 

If you look closely at the map, you will notice that the center part is shaded white (zone 1) with a ring of gray shade (zone 2) which is also surrounded by white again (zone 3).

Again, most visitors to London will spend much, if not all, of their time in Zones 1-2. 

Focus on Colours

Every line on the London Underground has a different name and colour.

The names and colours will appear on your Tube Map, and also all over the various stations on the network.

For some, memorising the names is easier, but in general, colours can be the simplest way to learn your way around, and also to use when asking for/receiving directions.

Generally speaking, any particular line will either head north-south or east-west.

FREE TOURS BY FOOT TIP:

Start your holiday in London with our All-in-One London Tour, which takes in most of London's legendary tourist sites and utilizes the London Underground. Get a tutorial directly from us.

OPERATING HOURS AND THE NIGHT TUBE

It’s important to remember that the London Underground system doesn’t run 24 hours a day every day and that timings may be different on weekdays vs. weekends.

General Hours

Although each station has different timings, in general, the first tube trains start running around 5:00 am - 5:15 am and finish around 12:00 am - 12:30 am from Mondays through Fridays.

On Sundays, the Tube begins a bit later, around 6:00 am - 6:15 am and the final trains depart around 11:30 pm - 12:30 am.

Sundays also carry a reduced service which means there are not as many trains running as on Mondays to Saturdays.

Weekdays: 7:00 am - 9:30 am and 16:00 (4 pm) - 19:00 (7 pm).

Like any major city, London has a very busy rush hour in the mornings and in the evenings when the majority of people are travelling to and from work.

If possible, try to avoid travelling on the tube during these times, particularly if you have any large baggage/luggage with you.

Space is an absolute premium, which means you may have to wait as multiple trains pass you until there’s one with enough space to fit you in.

If you need a place to store luggage, read our advice here.

The Night Tube

As of 2019, some London Underground lines are now operating as The Night Tube, a 24-hour Underground service that operates on Fridays and Saturdays.

Really, this service should be called the "Overnight Tube" as the regular operating hours reach midnight every day of the week.

Click here for a downloadable pdf .

There are 5 lines making up the Night Tube and there are fewer trains operating, which means wait times are more than the standard 2 - 5 minutes.

The lines and approximate timings are:

• Victoria Line - Trains every 10 minutes
• Jubilee Line - Trains every 10 minutes
• Piccadilly Line (Cockfosters to Heathrow Terminal 5 ONLY) - Trains every 10 minutes
• Northern Line (Camden Town to Morden) - Trains every 8 minutes
• Northern Line (Camden Town to High Barnet) - Trains every 15 minutes (No Night Tube on the Bank and Mill Hill East Branches)
• Central Line (White City to Leytonstone) - Trains every 10 minutes
• Central Line (Leytonstone to Loughton/Hainault) - Trains every 20 minutes
• Central Line (Ealing Broadway to White City) - Trains every 20 minutes (No Night Tube on other branches of the line)

NOTE: The Night Tube operates with standard off-peak fare prices. Your daily travel card will be valid until 4:29 am the morning after you have purchased it.

TIPS ON NAVIGATING THE UNDERGROUND

Now we will provide you with our top 7 tips for navigating your way through the system, from how to enter a system, how to board the correct train, how to change lines, and when to walk instead of taking the Tube.

Underground Tutorial Tours

Let us,  Free Tours by Foot , show you how to utilize the London Underground to get around the city - like our London in a Day or our   Harry Potter Tour .

While these are not specifically Underground tours, your tour guide will assist you in learning how to master the system and to offer you some tips and tricks for riding the Tube.

1. Entering and Exiting Stations

All Underground stations have ticket barriers – large grey machines where travellers either insert their paper travel cards or tap their Oyster cards on top of them.

At first glance, most barriers all seem the same but they are actually divided into three different purposes; Enter, Do Not Enter, Bags/Buggies.

Some of the barriers will have a green arrow displayed – this means this is a barrier that you can travel through.

Insert your paper ticket, or tap your Oystercard on the yellow pad right next to the sign displaying the green arrow.

The barriers in front of you (just left from the arrow) will open and allow you to walk through.

Other barriers will have a red X displayed – this means this barrier will not open for you and is either closed or being used for visitors traveling in the opposite direction.

Lastly, some barriers are quite large, with signs displaying buggies, luggage, and wheelchairs.

These barriers are much larger than the regular grey ones and are there for people travelling with added items/persons.

They will not close as quickly as the others, giving travellers time to get themselves and all possessions through to the other side. 

Read our post on taking the Tube from Heathrow Airport to Central London .

2. Find Your Correct Direction

In general, the Underground lines operate going north-south or east-west and vice versa.

Checking on your map will help you determine which direction you are travelling in, which will help you find the correct platform and train for your journey.

At every station, there will be maps like these showing the two directions that the trains will be travelling in, and under each direction will be a list of all the stations the train will stop at – in order!

This makes it easy not only to see which platform you need to be on but also how many stops it will take you to get to your destination. 

3. Don't Board the Wrong Train

Sometimes, multiple Underground lines share the same track at a station. If you aren't paying attention, you could board the wrong train.

As the trains pull into the platform, you can take a glance at the front of the train. Here will be displayed the final destination of that particular train.

Also, on every platform there will be an electronic sign displaying the time until the next train arrives, and which station will be its’ final stop.

4. Lines that Split

Another potential mixup is lines that split. Some lines can have 2 or 3 different ending tracks, so you need to be aware of this.

Take the image below as an example.

For example, suppose you plan on boarding a District Line (green) train at South Kensington Station (the black square) with a final destination Wimbledon (the bottom-most black arrow).

You would be taking a westbound train. 

However, you can see from the map that there are two additional tracks with different ending points (Richmond and Ealing Broadway), all a part of the District Line heading westbound.

As you probably can tell, you could end up missing the first tennis match.

5. Changing Lines

The Tube map can often be misleading in that many tube lines crisscross over each other on the map, but do not actually connect to one another in reality.

If you want to know where you can change from one Tube line to the other, you need to look for the white circle on the line on your map.

Any time you see one of these, it means you can change from one line to another or to British Rail.

Check out our tips on using the Underground with luggage and kids . 

6. Sometimes You Should Just Walk

The London Underground Map is definitely NOT geographically accurate. Oftentimes it is easier to walk instead of getting on the tube to travel just a stop or two.

There is a map that gives the walking times between stations ( pdf ).

A good example of this is Leicester Square and Covent Garden on the Piccadilly Line.

On the map, they appear a fair distance apart, but in reality, it would take you just 4 minutes to walk the journey yourself.

Another good example is Charing Cross and Embankment - it’s just a 2-minute walk from each station! 

7. Step-Free (Handicap) Access

For those with limited mobility, there are clues on the Underground map that will let you know if there is step-free access.

This is also useful if you are travelling with exceptionally heavy suitcases.

Simply look at the map, and on some stations, you will see a blue circle with a white figure in a wheelchair.

This means it is possible to get from the street into the train without any stairs or escalators. 

The white circle and a blue figure in a wheelchair denote stations with step-free access from the street to the platform.

At these stations, you will need assistance to get into and out of the train, either with a ramp or the help of fellow passengers. 

Note that in larger stations, such as Waterloo, the blue circle appears on one line only, which means the other two lines do not have step-free access. Transport for London has this helpful video .

A final note – Although London is generally a safe and welcoming city for visitors, pickpockets, and thieves operate throughout the entire London Underground network.

Please be aware of your surroundings, keep hold of all of your possessions, and avoid the habit of simply putting your ticket/credit cards/keys/mobile phones into your pockets – this will make you an incredibly easy target!

Also, never leave your belongings unattended on a train or in an Underground Station.

PICADILLY LINE TO AND FROM HEATHROW

By far the easiest and most affordable way to get to and from Heathrow Airport.

The Piccadilly Line runs through all 5 terminals of Heathrow Airport as well as straight through the centre of London, offering connections with every other tube line on the London Underground network.  

Use our Google Map and input the address of your final destination for directions and travel time from Heathrow .  

Travel time on the Tube is roughly 45 minutes to central London.

Piccadilly line trains run out of Heathrow from 5:00 to 23:00.

Ticket prices from Zone 1 to Heathrow are £6.70 for a cash-bought paper ticket, £5.60 on an Oyster card or contactless card at any time.

Read our full post on taking the Picadilly Line to and from Heathrow Airport .

TUBE ETIQUETTE

To avoid faux pas and keep from being marked out as a typical tourist, here are a few tips for Tube etiquette when travelling along the Tube.

1.  Have Your Ticket Ready

Do not approach the ticket barriers until you have your Oystercard – or paper ticket – ready.

If you walk to the barrier and then fumble through your pockets/bags for your ticket, it will delay other travellers and oftentimes can mess with the barrier censors, potentially causing the barriers to lock.

[Remember you need a ticket both to BEGIN/ENTER and also to FINISH/LEAVE your journey!]  Be sure to read our blog post on the Oystercard and Travel Card .

2.  Stand on the Right

When riding escalators up and down in Underground Stations, please remember to stand on the RIGHT.

Travellers who wish to move up/down whilst on the escalators will be doing so on the left-hand side.

If you stand on the left you may find yourself politely asked to move to the right, or simply shoved past by a multitude of commuters.

This also includes your belongings/suitcases – they must be on the right of the escalators as well.

It is poor form and bad manners to take up the left side of the escalator with your belongings.

3.  Stand Behind the Yellow Line

On every Tube platform, you will find a yellow line painted along the edge.

This line marks the boundary between where it is safe to stand, and where it is dangerous.

Stand BEHIND the line (not on top of!) in order to limit any risk of death or injury.

You may occasionally see passengers swiftly walking down the platform directly on top of the yellow line – but do not follow their lead!

4. Move Down the Platform

As soon as you get onto the platform, move either right or left.

You will find many people gathered at the entrance to the platform, meaning people cannot get past them and move onto the platform to get their train.

TIP : Besides just being courteous, the rear and front of the trains tend to be less crowded so moving down the platform means you’re more likely to get a seat!

5.  Let Other Passengers Off First

As soon as the Tube doors open, step to either side of the opening doors and let customers off the train before you attempt to board.

Failure to follow this rule may lead to verbal chastisement.

6.  Move Down Inside the Carriage

Once you are inside the Tube – move away from the door! Standing in place will impede others who are trying to board.

Also (especially during peak times) it is important to move as far down into the carriage as possible in order for the maximum amount of people to fit onto the train.

You will see Londoners standing in between the benches on busy Tube carriages, and you should follow their lead.

7.  Keep Feet and Bags Off the Seats

Particularly on crowded trains, it is unacceptable to take up an entire seat solely for your possessions – or your feet!

8. Do Not Lean on the Poles

The poles that are placed throughout the Underground train carriages are meant for people to hold on to.

Leaning against one of the poles means blocking the pole for those that may need it to hold balance whilst the train is moving.

9.  Mind Your Earphones and Your Meals

The music you are listening to should not be loud enough for anybody else on the Tube to hear.

Also, it is best to avoid eating hot/smelly food on the Underground.

10.  Get Out of the Way of Those Getting Off the Train

When you are on the Tube and at a stop that is not yours, make sure you are not in the way of those who are trying to exit the train.

Occasionally, you may need to step outside of the train to let passengers off if the carriage is very crowded.

This is expected behaviour, and you will be able to step right back on once the departing have left.

11.  Stand Up for the Elderly and Pregnant

This is one even some Underground regulars need reminding of!

It’s just good manners in the UK to offer up your seat to the elderly, pregnant, or those who are less able to stand.

Be aware of who comes on the Tube at each stop and do not be afraid to offer your seat.

Occasionally you may see women with a small ‘Baby on Board’ badge with the London Underground logo pinned onto their coats.

Some men even take it upon themselves to stand up for any woman who comes onto the train so chivalry is not completely dead in London!

12.  Take Your Rubbish Home With You

Rubbish left behind on the Tube is unsightly and can be quite disgusting.

There are no bins on Underground trains or at most Underground Stations which means it is expected that you will take any rubbish of yours off the train and home/back to your hotel with you when you leave.

On the London Underground, a little bit of courtesy and kindness can go a long way.

Commuting and travelling in the city can be quite stressful so try to remain courteous to others as you go about their business, and hopefully, they will do the same as you go about yours

HOP-ON-HOP-OFF BUS VS. LONDON UNDERGROUND

If you’re visiting London and aren’t sure about riding the London Underground, then we hope our tips above have made you more confident and willing to use the tube to get around town.

However, we understand that some people may still be a little anxious or unsure about the benefits of taking the tube, as opposed to riding one of London’s hop-on-hop-off tour buses.

To help you make up your mind, we’ve listed a few pros and cons of each below.

Hop-on-hop-off buses can be useful in getting an overview of the city or learning your way around town.

They are also quite useful for people who aren’t physically fit enough to walk through London day in and day out.

However, whenever possible, we strongly believe that the best - and the quickest - way to get around town is by taking the London Underground or to walk.

[Note that if you wish to take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, we have a handy page HERE to help you choose which one to ride]

Pros of a Bus Tour

• easy to understand routes
• convenient stops at the most popular tourist attractions
• climate controlled all year (on the inside)
• tickets often include night tours, boat cruises, or free attractions.
• commentary along the routes

Cons of a Bus Tour

• more expensive than riding the subway
• routes are only one-direction
• wait times can be very long due to seasonal or even daily traffic
• buses can be crowded
• bad weather is always a risk

Pros of Riding the Underground

• (relatively) inexpensive
• flexible routing
• very warm in the winter
• you get to travel like a real Londoner
• Almost always faster than a bus

Cons of Riding the Underground

• not all stations are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers
• can be really hot and sweaty in summer
• can be really crowded during rush hours
• no commentary

Related Content

• Which Oystercard to Buy
• How to Get from Heathrow to London Centre by Underground
• How to Get from London to Paris by Train
• Things to do in London
• Most Haunted Places in London

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London Travel Zones

London is divided into travel zones which determine the price of travel on public transport across the city. Therefore, it’s good to understand the London travel zones so you know which Travelcard you need to buy, and it’s a particularly important consideration when choosing where to stay in London. The further your accommodation is from the city centre, the more expensive it will be to travel into the city daily to visit tourist attractions and places of interest.

London is divided into nine radial zones. Looking at the London Underground tube map, you can see that zone 1 is the centre of London, with zones 2-9 extending out in a circle around it.    

What to bear in mind about London travel zones when planning a trip to London

Tourist attractions.

Most of London’s most famous tourist attractions are located in the city centre within London’s transport zone one. Here you will find some of the most iconic places of the British capital, including Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, Big Ben, most of London´s top museums and West-End Musicals .

Some of London´s most famous neighbourhoods are also located in zone 1, such as Notting Hill , Chelsea and Kensington.

The most visited tourist attraction outside of zone 1 in London is probably Camden Market which is located in zone 2.

To travel between zones 1 and 9 on public transport, including underground, overground, DLR, buses, trams and trains and even some riverboat services, you can use one of London´s transport cards, such as the Oyster Card or a London Travelcard , or you can even use a contactless debit or credit card.

Stansted and Luton airports are located outside of the London transport zones, so it’s necessary to buy a specific train or bus ticket to get to and from these airports. You can´t use your oyster card or travelcard for these journeys.

Gatwick Airport is also located outside of London, but you can use an Oyster card or contactless payment to travel from Gatwick Airport to London and vice versa.

Heathrow and London City airports are both located within the London travel zones. Therefore, to travel to and from these two airports, you can use Contactless, Oyster Card or Travelcard .

London Travel Zones Map

The best thing to do is look at London´s Tube Map before you travel to London, to familiarise yourself with it. You can find this here: London TFL Tube Map . You will be able to see the different travel zones outlined in this map easily.

What area to stay in when visiting London

If you’re planning a trip to London, the closer you stay to the centre of London, the cheaper your transport costs will be each day, and the less time you’ll spend travelling by underground or bus. Therefore, we highly recommend looking for hotels within London travel zones 1 or 2. You can find more detailed information on where to stay in London here , as well as some recommended hotels within zones 1 or 2.

What areas to look at when deciding to live in London

If you are looking for a place to live in London, it’s often a good idea to take into account the area that you work in. The less distance and zones that you have to commute through each day, the less time and money you’ll spend on travel.

That said, it’s pretty expensive to live in zone 1 of London, so it’s normal to live outside the city centre. We recommend looking at zones 2 and 3 where accommodation is more affordable, yet you can quickly travel into the centre of London on the tube.

Related Posts

London underground, travelling in london with kids, contactless payment on london transport, london oyster card.

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London Underground - 2024 fares and how to use them

Be informed and in control using london's underground / metro system.

For the visitor to London the Underground or Tube will probably be the transport of choice to get around town. The Underground is normally the fastest way to get around town, often much faster than any taxi.

There is invariably an underground station nearby where you want to go and also your hotel and finding your way around the system is very easy. 

There are currently 13 Underground lines, with the Elizabeth Line the latest, which opened in May 2022.

Journey planner   Map   DLR, overground & TfL   Oyster card, contactless & Travelcards   Night service   Fares   Concessions   Child fares   Group tickets   Purchasing tickets   Access

Key points about the London Underground

It is still encouraged to wear a facemask when using public transport in London, but it is no longer mandatory.

The authorities penalise you heavily for buying single journey tickets. In the centre you can pay more than double the price than if you used an Oyster Card for example.

A single journey on the London Underground can involve 1 or 2 changes of train. Your journey starts when you go through the ticket barrier of the station entrance you depart from and finishes when you pass through the ticket barrier at the exit of your destination. You cannot break a journey on a single fare, once you go though an exit barrier of a station that is journey completed.

The buses, Underground, DLR and London suburban trains are managed by a central government body called Transport for London (TfL) chaired by the Mayor of London. The transport passes that nearly everyone uses, Oyster and Travelcard, allow you to travel seamlessly across all modes of transport, bus, Underground, train and DLR using the same ticket/pass.

Children under 11 travel free on the London Underground and DLR (Docklands Light Railway) at all times. Child fares are available for those under 16 and it is possible to get discounted fares if you are under 18 or studying in London with an ID card.

There are no seniors fares for visitors. If you reside in London and are over 60 you can get a pass that makes free bus and Underground travel available. If you have an English National Concessionary bus pass you cannot use it on the London Underground (but you can use it on London's red buses).

The London Underground is closed from around midnight until around 5am, getting started a little later on Sundays. However on Friday and Saturday nights, much of the Underground runs through the night. In Central London there is a very good night bus network when the Underground is closed.

You will rarely have to wait more than 5 minutes for an Underground train at any time of the day.

London Journey Planner - for all types of transport across London

Use the TfL (Transport for London) journey planner to plan your travel. The journey planner covers all public transport.

TFL Journey planner

London Underground map

The London Underground map is a classic design that when first launched was immediately taken up worldwide for similar systems. The clarity, simplicity and ease of use compromises strict geographical accuracy.

The Circle line doesn't really go around in a squashed circle and it is not apparent for instance that Bayswater Underground is only 100 yards from Queensway.

In 2016 the Night Tube was introduced. On Friday and Saturday nights only Underground trains run through the night. For lines that operate a night service see the Night Tube map linked below or on the right-menu.

In May 2022 the long awaited Elizabeth Line opened its first section. The Elizabeth Line provides a route connecting East and West London. Find out more about the new Elizabeth Line .

Underground map   Tube & rail map   Night tube map

Docklands Light Railway (DLR), overground and TfL rail trains

To the east of London in the Docklands region you will see a region covered by something called the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). You can treat this network as just another Underground line.

Not in the centre of London, but in the suburbs you will find a train network called the Overground which can also be thought of as being part of the Underground for ticketing purposes.

Commuter trains into the suburbs are very confusing for the visitor. You can still use Oysters and Travelcards on these but those lines run by the national railways only give free travel to children under 5.

In the north and east of London most of these services are now run by TfL Rail or the Overground so free travel is available to children under 11, but to the south and west of London, services are still dominated by national railways companies.

The Tube and rail map usefully shows which railway stations are in which travel zones. Travel zones are the basis for fare charges on London's railways and Underground system.

London Underground Night Service - the Night Tube

In 2016 the London Underground began to introduce a full 24/7 service on Friday and Saturday nights only. Introduction has been on a phased basis.

Night Tube services are now running on the Central, Victoria, Jubilee line, Northern line (Charing Cross branch) and Piccadilly line (but not Acton to Uxbridge branch). The Night Tube will offer a 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays. Standard off-peak fares are levied for travelling on the Night Tube using Oyster and Contactless cards.

Travelcards are valid from the first day of issue (using the date printed on the card), and for journeys starting before 4.30am the following day. For example, if you buy a 1-day Travelcard at 11am on Friday, you can use it until 4.29 on the following Saturday.

Night Tube map - current lines operated

London Underground fares

The London public transport system is divided up into zones that radiate from the centre. Nearly all the hotels and the main sights are in Zone 1. Heathrow Airport is in Zone 6 and the furthest zone out is Zone 9.

The majority of visitors will only travel in the two most central zones 1 and 2. The Underground Map (link above) has the stations and their zones marked.

Some stations, such as Turnham Green, are in two zones. You use whichever zone for these stations is most beneficial in working out your fare.

Underground fares

You can see from the table below there is big financial incentive not to purchase individual tickets and use an Oyster card or Contactless payment card .

The other main way of paying is purchasing a Travelcard , which is a pass giving you unlimited travel for a set time period. The cost goes up with the coverage of zones required. The more zones you require the more expensive the Travelcard.

London Underground Fares from 3 March 2024 - March 2025

Oyster cards, contactless payment cards & travelcards.

As you can see from the above fare structure the authorities do not want you to buy single tickets, they want you to purchase one of the three payment options, Oyster cards, Contactless payment cards or Travelcards.

The Oyster card is a permanent reusable electronic ticket which is topped up from time to time by its owner. Londoners also have their season tickets loaded onto Oyster cards as well and there are passes for one weekly and monthly durations. All can be loaded onto the one electronic Oyster card.

Contactless cards are standard credit or debit cards that support the contactless payment technology, the total cost of all the journeys that you make in one day is calculated at the end of the day and a single charge is made to your Contactless payment card account.

Unlike the Oyster card the contactless facility has a 7-day cap as well as the Oyster daily cap used by Oyster.

You can use Oyster cards on all of London's public transport, not just the Underground, but buses, overground, DLR, suburban rail services and some river services.

Travelcards are another alternatives. Travelcards are valid on the same modes of transport but are unlimited travel passes for a fixed flat fee. Travelcards are available for 1 and 7 days, 1 month and 1 year durations.

You can purchase and subsequently top up Oyster cards and Travelcards from Underground stations and a wide variety of other outlets throughout London including neighbourhood stores, but not Contactless payment cards.

Oyster cards - more details

Contactless payment cards - more details

Travelcards - more details

Seniors concessions

There are no seniors fares for visitors. If you reside in London and are of pensionable age you can get a Freedom pass giving free travel. If you are 60+ and live in London the Seniors Oyster ID Card that makes free bus travel available. You can apply online or get a form from your local Post Office.

Anybody with an English National Concessionary bus pass can use that on London's red buses too and travel free of charge.

If you have a Senior Railcard you can get your 1/3 discount on off-peak Oyster fares. You have to ask a member of staff to load the concession on to a standard Oyster card (note, not a Visitor Oyster card) at an Underground station after showing your Seniors Card.

If you have a Senior Railcard you can also buy a 1 day off-peak zone 1-6 Travelcard at the discount applied.

Child concessions

This is a very complex subject and is covered in detail in the table below. Generally, a child is defined as under 16 years old, but in the last couple of years it has been possible to get child fares after jumping through a few hoops up to the age of 17.

Children under 11 can travel free on the London Underground, DLR and buses without a ticket. If a child is between 11 and 15 years old, you require an Oyster 11-15 Photocard (which has a fee, see below). This allows 11 to 15 year olds to travel at child fares on the Underground, DLR, Overground and some trains, free on the buses.

If you are a short-term visitor (in London for up to 14 days) with kids between 11-15 you can take advantage of the Young Visitor Discount. This means you can get half price fares on an Oyster card on a temporary basis for your child without going through the hoops and expense of getting an Oyster ID card. You do need to read carefully the rules of this scheme though.

Children's Fare Concessions

Group tickets - 1-day group travelcard for groups of 10 or more.

This ticket is for groups of 10 or more travelling together.

This in scope is the same as a 1-day off-peak Travelcard for zones 1-6 and 1-9 providing unlimited travel on all services after 9.30am Monday to Friday and all day Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.

The pricing is particularly attractive if you have kids in the group and those staying in one of the outer zones, however if you are staying in the centre of London zones 1 to 3 it will be cheaper to purchase individual Oyster cards.

If you are a group of 10 or more then do check out this product.

Purchasing tickets & fares levied

There are no longer manned ticket offices at Underground and DLR stations. All tickets are dispensed by ticket machines in the ticket hall and there will be a member of staff hanging around these.

The same machines will allow you to top up your Oyster cards or see what the balance is on your Oyster card and they will also allow you to cancel your Oyster card and get your deposit and any cash left on the Oyster refunded.

If you prefer talking to people selling the tickets there are Oyster ticket stops. These are many of these and typically are convenience stores or news-stands that sell public transport tickets as a sideline. These outlets will have a sign in their front window.

The fare you pay is set by which zone your departure and destination stations are in. Your journey starts when you go through the ticket barrier of the station entrance you depart from and finishes when you pass through the ticket barrier at the exit of your destination. You cannot break a journey on a single fare, once you go though an exit barrier of a station that is your journey completed.

Access to platform & luggage

To gain access to the platforms, and again to exit a station you have to pass through automatic barriers (pictured). There is always one wide ticket barrier for wheelchairs, pushchairs and people with large suitcases.

If you have a single ticket, the barrier at your destination will not return your ticket. There is a manned side gate by the barriers. If you have a Travelcard you insert the Travelcard into the same slot as for the single tickets, the barrier will check that your Travelcard is valid for both date and zones travelled.

If you have an Oyster card or Contactless payment card you swipe the card over a bright yellow pad, the barrier will check validity and will record the station you have started your journey before opening the barrier. The barrier may display the balance on your Oyster too.

At your destination station, exiting through the barrier in effect tells the system you have ended your journey and it works out the fare to be deducted from your card.

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How to Use the Tube in London

Stand on the right, mind the gap, and other helpful tips for the London Underground.

Forget taking expensive taxis or the horror of renting a car (you’ll spend longer stuck in traffic than doing much else). The Underground (or the Tube, as it’s known across the pond) is London’s not-so-secret weapon and hands-down the most efficient way to travel around the British capital. With 11 lines serving 272 stations, you’re bound to be a 5 to 15-minute walk away from a stop anywhere in the city.

The only problem? The city’s public transport system—the world’s very first underground railway—is so advanced as to be a bit of a logistic nightmare to get your head around for the first time. But don’t fret, the Tube carries around 1.35 billion passengers  to their destinations every year, so with a little prep and a handy map, you’ll be ready to make your way around like a local in no time.

Related: The Best Things to Do in London

The London Tube Map, Explained

The English region of Greater London is divided into nine concentric zones. These comprise the City of London and the 32 boroughs surrounding it, with Zone 1 being the city center and Zone 9 taking you all the way to the city’s outskirts. You’ll find most tourist attractions and city landmarks in zone one, but if you’re staying longer than a day or two , you’ll definitely want to venture further out: some of London’s best parks , restaurants , and activities that don’t cost a dime are located in zones two and higher.

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Transport for London (TfL) oversees the city’s extensive public transport network, which includes the Underground, the Overground, buses, trams, the Docklands Light Railway, and even a cable car system that will have you gliding above the Thames and the city skyline!

You’re bound to ride at least one of London’s eleven Tube lines throughout your stay: the purple Metropolitan line, the oldest underground railway in the world; the brown Bakerloo line, which serves some of Central London’s top tourist areas; the yellow Circle line, which runs in a spiral; the red Central, green District, and pink Hammersmith & City lines, which cross the city from West to East; the gray Jubilee line, one of the most recent Tube lines; the black Northern line, which runs north to south; the turquoise Waterloo & City line, the shortest one on the network; and the blue Piccadilly and Victoria lines, which cover most of the city’s center. Plus, the newly-added Elizabeth Line , part of the Cross rail network.

INSIDER TIP While you can pick up a paper copy of the complete TfL map at any station, you can also save this one to check out on your phone/tablet for maximum ease.

Related: The Complete Guide to London’s Neighborhoods

Is the Tube Safe?

London is a big metropolis, and you should never forget to behave accordingly (keep your belongings safe, don’t stand too close to the platform edge, beware of pickpockets, and plan your route well), but overall, the Tube is incredibly safe.  

TfL funds 2,000 officers across three separate police divisions who are tasked with patrolling the network. CCTV cameras cover every inch of space, and you can promptly report any unattended items or suspicious behavior you should witness to the British Transport Police in accordance with the popular “ See it. Say it. Sorted ” campaign you’ll hear announced on every ride.

Save With Contactless or Oyster Cards

The Tube will take you anywhere you need to go within the nine zones, but ticket prices differ significantly depending on which zones you travel through.

If you’re in town for a few days, touching in and out of each station with a pay-as-you-go Oyster card , mobile device , or contactless bank card is the easiest and by far the cheapest way to travel around London, as daily and weekly price caps automatically apply (£8.10 per day for zones 1-2, £40.70 per week from Monday to Sunday for zones 1-2).

Remember to pick one method and stick to it, however, as this won’t work if you touch in with an iPhone and touch out with an Apple Watch. You could also get a One Day Travelcard for £15.20 for zones 1-6, a Seven Day Travelcard (£40.70 for zones 1-2, £74.40  for zones 1-6), or a Monthly Travelcard (£156.30 for zones 1-2, £285.70 for zones 1-6) if you’re staying for a while.

INSIDER TIP Whatever you do, just don’t buy single journey tickets for the exorbitant starting price of £6.70 each.

Plan Your Trip

Always plan ahead to avoid unnecessary panic and headaches—you don’t want to show up at the station and figure out where to go while busy commuters and screaming kids try to squeeze past you!

You also don’t want to accidentally board the wrong train, which is shockingly easy (Circle line, I’m looking at you ) if you don’t check the front of the train before boarding to ensure it’s the right one. Try to factor in some extra time in case there’s any delays, and rest assured that TfL staff is present at every station should you get lost.

The Citymapper free mobile app and web platform will be your new best friend: with live information including strikes, delays, and planned closures notifications, multiple route options complete with respective prices, offline maps, and the option to compare your train journey to taking a cab or walking, it’s every Londoner’s secret weapon. And yes, sometimes you are better off walking: Leicester Square and Covent Garden stations, for example, are only 260 meters (800 feet) apart.

INSIDER TIP You can also use Google Maps or the TfL Go app, but Citymapper’s going-the-extra-mile attitude truly makes it the only app you’ll ever need.

Related: The Best Restaurants in London

The Night Tube

A 24-hour service currently runs on selected lines (Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria, plus the stretch of Overground between New Cross Gate and Dalston Junction) on Friday and Saturday nights only.

Night Tube trains run every 8 to 10 minutes, and all stations are staffed as long as trains are running. Day Travelcards are valid until 4:30 am on the day after they are issued, and the same is true of daily capping for Oyster and contactless payments.

INSIDER TIP Save this Night Tube map and this map of which stations have taxi ranks to your phone or tablet, and you won’t have to wonder where to go at 2 a.m. ever again.

Tube Etiquette and Other Tips

Brits are known for their manners, so you should do your best to blend in with the extra-polite crowd. That is except on a Friday and Saturday night, when you’re more likely to see drunk groups than Benedict-Cumberbatch-type gentlemen on their way to cricket.

Here are our best etiquette tips and other helpful things to remember: while waiting for your train, always stand behind the yellow line; let passengers off the train before boarding; always let the elderly and pregnant women have your seat, but also keep an eye out for the “ Please offer me a seat” badge that someone with invisible disabilities may wear; move down inside the carriage to make space for other passengers trying to board, and remember to stand on the right of the escalators to let people walk on the left.

If you can, avoid traveling during rush hour, which happens between 7 am and 8:45 am and then again from 4: 30pm to 6:45 pm. When it’s particularly busy, you may find yourself squeezed between other passengers—just remember not to make eye contact with anyone around you, especially the person whose armpit is hovering right next to your nose. Just keep your voice and your eyes down, and for goodness’ sake, don’t play music without your headphones, ever.

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London Tube Map

Use your mouse to move the map or type a Tube station name in the search box.

Please note that Statford, Stratford High Street, Stratford International DLR, West Ham, Canning Town, Star Lane and Abbey Road are now in zone 2/3. The map below does not show this.

Viewing on a mobile phone? Download a PDF version of the tube map instead.

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London Underground Fare Zones Explained

London Underground and parts of the Overground network are divided into fare zones. They are also commonly referred to as zones or travel zones. They range from Zone 1 through to Zone 9. Zone 1 is right in the middle, all the way out to Zone 9 which runs around the edge. The zones are like tree rings, concentric rings around the centre.

Historically, the tube network was divided into six zones… 1 to 6. This has increased with the addition of TfL Rail, London Overground and parts of the Metropolitan line.

London Underground Zones 7,8&9

Zones 7,8 & 9 essentially cover the areas just outside North East London (into Essex ) and North West London. Watford, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Amersham or Chalfont & Latimer on the Metropolitan Line are in zones 7,8 & 9. Carpenders Park, Bushey, Watford High Street on the London Overground are in zones 7 & 8. Brentwood on TfL Rail is in zone 8.

Have a look here at the most current and up to date tube map for the latest zones and lines, because sometimes (rarely) the zones change.

London Underground Zones 1 – 6

Zone 1 is essentially the city centre and Zone 6 is the outskirts of the city. The tube lines run in through and out the other side of London. Only the Circle Line runs round and round, like the M25 motorway.

Most people come into the centre of London from the outside, rather than circling around the city. They travel from the outer zones inwards to the inner central zones and vice versa. Most passengers live in the outer zones and commute to London for work or travel to London for recreation purposes.

Because of this, Transport for London created the zone system to simplify fare pricing by calculating a passenger’s journey. The more fare zones you travel through, the more your fare will cost.

London Underground Stations in Multiple Zones

There have always been a few stations that span two zones. By this, we mean that they sit on the edge of two zones and are classed as being in both zones. The reason for this is so that people who may travel in either direction from their start location are not penalised for travelling into another zone, which may cost more.

If the station is sitting on the boundary of zones 1 & 2, you would stay within your starting zone travelling in either direction. See the image below, Notting Hill Gate is in both Zone 1 and Zone 2. Because fares are zone-based, you would pay the fare for a single zone journey.

For example, a single ticket from Notting Hill Gate to Queensway, Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Bond Street, Oxford Circus or any other station in Zone 1 would be charged a single-zone fare. And, a single ticket from Notting Hill Gate to Holland Park, Sheperd’s Bush, White City, East Acton, North Acton or any other station in Zone 2 would be charged a single-zone fare.

Stations that are in two zones are shown on the Underground map with a grey box around the station name.

A Station Sitting on the Edge of a Zone

Some stations sit on the edge of 2 zones but are wholly in one zone. For example, if your station is on the is the most inner station in zone 2, you can start your journey at that station and be charged differently depending on where you go. If you travel outwards, away from zone 1 to another station in zone 2 you will be charged a single-zone fare. But when travelling inwards to a station in zone 1 you will be charged a double-zone fare because you have used two zones.

So, if your start station was on the edge of a zone, travelling one single stop in one direction would cause you to cross a zone boundary and your fare would be higher than if you had stayed within your starting zone.

For Example, a single ticket from Queensway inwards to ANY Zone 1 station would be charged a single-zone fare. But a single ticket from Queensway outwards to ANY Zone 2 (even 2 stops to Holland Park) be charged a double-zone fare.

A double zone fare is higher than a single zone fare regardless of the number of stops used.

New Combined Zone 2&3 in East London

A new combined zone 2&3 area has been recently created. It covers a small area to the east of central London around Stratford. The rise in popularity of East London after regeneration due to the 2012 Olympics has meant an increase in passenger numbers. The Westfield Shopping Centre , West Ham United’s London Stadium , The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the ArcelorMittal Orbit are all new reasons for tourists to travel east.

As you can see from the image below, travel from Zone 3 to any station in the new 2/3 zone will be charged a single-zone fare. And travel from Zone 2 station  to any station in the new 2/3 zone will be charged a single-zone fare

Tourists in London

Most visitors to London will probably only travel inside Zone 1 because most of the main tourist attractions are in Zone 1. However, for those tourists who are staying in a hotel located outside of Zone 1, you will need to purchase the correct ticket to cover your journey through all of the zones you travel. To avoid getting caught out, simply buy an oyster card and load it with enough money for your stay. You will be charged the best ( cheapest capped ) fare based on your journeys.

Use a Visitor Oyster card?

A Visitor Oyster card is a small credit-card sized smartcard. You can buy a visitor oyster card before you leave home and have it delivered to you. It’s active as soon as you arrive in London, so no queuing at stations. It’s a quick and easy way to pay for journeys on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail, River Bus and most National Rail services in London. You can buy a Visitor Oyster Card direct from Tfl Here . Simply choose an amount you would like to add to the card, buy it online and get it sent to your home address before you travel. Any unused credit left on your card can be refunded to you in a number of ways. The Tfl website has all you need to know here . All Visitor Oyster Cards include a non-refundable £5 card fee, which is to cover the cost of the physical card.

Save money on London attractions

The London Pass® is a digital sightseeing credits package that gives you access to 80+ attractions in the city. Choose a duration for your credits package, download it to the official London Pass® app, and scan at the attraction gate to enter. Click here to find out more information.

Save money on London attractions and get a Visitor Oyster Card too

The London Pass® can also be purchased with an additional Visitor Oyster Card. Click here to find out more information.

Historically, the bus network covered 4 zones, from 1 to 4. These did not match the tube zones. Zone 4 on the bus roughly corresponded to zone 6 on the tube. Therefore, you could use a 4 zone Travelcard if you were using the outer network on the bus and the middle 4 zones on the tube. This could save you money.

Today the are no zones for buses in London. You can use any bus, anywhere in any zone, with any Travelcard or Oystercard. A valid Travelcard for zones 1 and 2 can be used on buses in any zone.

Remember, Oystercard prices can vary considerably according to how many zones you travel through. But the maximum you can be charged per day is capped .

When to Travel

The time of the day that you travel will also affect travel costs. Peak hours are generally the busiest hours of the day. The hours when commuters will be using the network. TfL charges higher fares at these times. These hours (excluding public holidays) are from 06:30-09:30 and 16:00-19:00, Monday-Friday.

It’s very easy to try and save yourself some money by travelling into London after 9:30 am when the fares are lower. But you will invariably forget on your way home.

You will have had a lovely day, seeing the sights, buying souvenirs . You will be worn out and ladened with bags, only to find out when you get to the platform that it’s the ‘ rush hour ‘. There are 100s of people on the platform, the next train is already full. And if you do manage to get on, you will be squashed in like sardines .

Then, when you get home and check your oyster balance, you will also see that you were charged a higher fare for the privilege. My advice, stay in London, get a beer or some food and come home when things calm down.

Time on the Network

TfL set maximum times for all pay as you go journeys on the Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail and National Rail services. This means that you can’t travel on the network and just sit on the train going up and down all day or spend excessive time loitering at a station.

Every journey has a maximum journey time, whatever route you take. This depends on the number of zones you cross and the day of the week and the time you’re travelling.

If you spend longer than the maximum journey time, you might be charged two maximum fares. Remember to touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end on yellow card readers. Find out more about touching in and out .

For more info, have a look at Wikipedia .

London Christmas photo by Jamie Davies on Unsplash

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Transportation

London underground.

The London Underground (Tube) has a network of 11 lines and is the world’s first underground railway. With 250 miles of lines, you should find the tube convenient, except if you stay beyond zone 3.

In the UK, the subway or metro is called " Tube " or " Underground ". 

London is divided into 9 zones that start in its historic centre. Most top attractions are found in zone 1 and 2. Travellers will find  Heathrow Airport  in zone 6.

When you buy a single journey ticket for the Tube, you have to know what zone your stop is in and what zone you’re going to. Unless you’re staying in another zone, the most common zones for tourists to visit are 1 and 2.  

Zone 1-3 includes all stations between zone 1 and zone 3, zone 1-5 includes all stations between 1 and 5 and so on.

• Zones 1-3 : £ 7.70 ( US$ 9.70)
• Zones 1-5 : £ 13.10 ( US$ 16.50)
• Zones 1-6 : £ 14.10 ( US$ 17.80)

As you can see the fares for single-journey tickets are very expensive, so we recommend getting a Travelcard or Oyster Card .

Times and frequency

There is no set timetable for the tube in London, but it opens approximately at 5 am and closes at 12 am. Trains leave the first station at 12 am. Consequently, by the time it gets to the centre it's normally after 12 am, so you’ll be able to take the last train at approximately 1 am.

Frequency depends on the different lines and the time of day it is, but in the centre of London, you normally won’t have to wait more than 2 – 3 minutes to catch a train.

As of 2016, select lines remain open 24 hours a day on Friday and Saturday. These are the Victoria and Jubilee lines, which remain open in their entirety, as well as the majority of the Central, Northern, and Piccadilly lines.

DLR and London Overground

The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) and the London Overground are two additional services  that despite having different names, are completely integrated into the London Tube network .

These two lines are useful for visitors as they both run to Greenwich.

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Watch CBS News

Delta is changing how it boards passengers starting May 1

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Aimee Picchi

Updated on: April 12, 2024 / 12:35 PM EDT / CBS News

Delta Air Lines is changing its boarding process beginning May 1 in an effort to speed up loading passengers onto planes. 

If you're flying on the airline, you'll have to know what zone number you're in to board in the correct sequence. The move is hardly innovative, experts say, and instead reflects a return to the traditional way of boarding passengers followed by most airlines. 

That's because Delta is introducing numbered boarding zones for all flights, meaning that customers will have a zone number assigned to them instead of boarding groups labelled by airline status or fare class, such as "Sky Priority." The airline stressed that boarding orders will not change, but the group names will.

When Delta introduced its branded fare boarding process in 2018, it called zone boarding "a thing of the past." But the airline is now reverting to the traditional way of boarding people, in what some experts call an unusual move for an innovative airline.

Customers who need more assistance will still pre-board as usual before passengers in Zone 1, which will comprise Delta One and First Class customers. Zone 2 will include Diamond Medallion Members and Delta Premium Select ticket holders. 

Delta Comfort+ customers will board in Zone 3, followed by Sky Priority in Zone 4, according to a  chart  on the airline's website. Zone numbers will go up to 8, when basic economy passengers will board. 

Delta said the change is small, but could make the process easier for infrequent fliers and non-English speakers who only have to listen for a number to know when it's their turn to board. The change will also make the process less stressful for gate agents, Delta added. 

Still, some travel experts questioned whether the change would meaningfully speed up the boarding process. 

"They're not changing who boards when or the sequence," Clarkson University professor John Milne, an expert on airline boarding, told CBS MoneyWatch. "All they are changing is the names of what passenger group boards next." 

In a statement to CBS MoneyWatch, Delta said the "simple change" will "provide customers more clarity into the boarding sequence and make the boarding process more intuitive—especially for infrequent travelers and/or customers who might face a language barrier at the gate."

Delta added, "Numbered zones will also align more closely with our joint venture and international partners, providing international customers a more simplified, consistent experience when traveling on mixed-metal itineraries. "  

CEO Ed Bastian addressed the change on the company's first quarter earnings call Wednesday. "When you have a number and you're standing in line, we are all trained to know when it's our turn," Bastian said.

Superficial changes?

The change is fairly superficial, Milne said, noting there are other changes Delta and its competitors could make to boarding processes that would make them more efficient. 

The airline still prioritizes passengers with airline status or who paid for a higher class fare on a particular flight. Instead, it would be more efficient to board passengers based on where on the aircraft they are seated, Milne said. 

For example, boarding window seat customers in the back half of the plane first would speed up the process. "That way you would minimize some of the congestion," he said. 

Delta instead assigns passengers to boarding groups based on their loyalty to the airline and ticket prices. 

Travel expert Scott Keyes also emphasized that the change does little to meaningfully improve or expedite the boarding process. All Delta is doing is reverting to the traditional way of boarding passengers and scrapping its branded boarding process that began in 2018, he noted.

"The fact that they've reverted to numbered zones, like those employed by virtually all other airlines, speaks volumes," Keyes said. "Traditionally, Delta has been seen as the innovative airline and others have followed suit. In this case, Delta's innovation didn't pan out, and they've been forced to once again mimic American and United's boarding processes."

To be sure, any move that would actually speed up passenger boarding could give an airline a leg up on competitors.

"Speeding up the boarding process by even 10 minutes can prevent delays, and if sustained, allow airlines to add an additional daily flight to the schedule," Keyes said.

The airline posted a $37 million first-quarter profit on Wednesday and said demand for air travel is strong heading into the busy summer travel season. Travelers are flocking to book trips despite a string of recent air safety incidents, including a panel blowing off a Boeing 737 Max aircraft during an Alaska Airlines flight.

• Delta Air Lines

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.

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• International

Iran launches barrage of strikes toward Israel

By Tori B. Powell , Sophie Tanno, Emma Tucker , Kaanita Iyer , Paul LeBlanc and Adrienne Vogt , Jerome Taylor and James Legge, CNN

Our live coverage of Iran's attack on Israel has moved here .

Iran warns its response will be "stronger and more resolute" if Israel retaliates following latest strikes

From CNN’s Alireza Hajihosseini and Eyad Kourdi

Iran has warned that it will respond with more force if Israel retaliates over this weekend's strikes, which Tehran said were themselves a reply to an Israeli attack earlier this month on its embassy complex in Syria's capital Damascus.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right of self-defense when required," Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, said in a statement.

Citing self-defense against repeated Israeli military aggressions, Iravani said the strikes were specifically in retaliation to an Israeli attack on April 1 against what Iran says were diplomatic facilities in Damascus.

Iran claims the attack violated international law and led to the death of seven Iranian military advisors, including key commanders from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The statement also criticizes the United Nations Security Council for “failing to uphold international peace,” allowing Israel to “breach” established international norms and “escalate” regional tensions.

Additional context: Israel has carried out numerous strikes on Iran-backed targets in Syria, often targeting weapons shipments allegedly intended for Hezbollah, a powerful Iranian proxy in Lebanon. 

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the April 1 attack which destroyed an Iranian consulate building in the capital Damascus, including Mohammed Reza Zahedi, a top Revolutionary Guards commander.

However an Israel Defense Forces spokesman told CNN that their intelligence showed the building was not a consulate and was instead “a military building of Quds forces disguised as a civilian building.”

China expresses 'deep concern', calls for ceasefire

From CNN's Philip Wang and Irene Nasser

China has expressed "deep concern" over the "current escalation" following Iran's attack on Israel, according to a spokesperson for its Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, adding that it is a "spillover of the Gaza conflict" and a ceasefire should be implemented without delay.

In a statement, China called "on relevant parties to exercise calm and restraint to prevent further escalations."

"The ongoing situation is the latest spillover of the Gaza conflict," the spokesperson said, adding that a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas should be implemented without any more delay.

Beijing did not  name or condemn Hamas  in the wake of the initial October 7 attacks. Since then, it has condemned the war and been a vocal  proponent of an immediate ceasefire  and the implementation of a “two-state” solution.

Last month, Chinese diplomat Wang Kejian met Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar, the first meeting between a Chinese and Hamas official publicly acknowledged by Beijing since the outbreak of the  war in Gaza .

Wang’s visit follows efforts by Beijing to step up its profile as a  peace broker in the Middle East conflict.

US forces intercepted 70+ drones and at least three ballistic missiles, US officials say

From CNN's Oren Liebermann and Haley Britzky

US forces intercepted more than 70 one-way attack drones and at least three ballistic missiles during Iran's attack on Israel, according to two US officials familiar with the situation.

The ballistic missiles were intercepted by warships in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, one of the officials said. Iran launched more than 100 ballistic missiles in total at Israel, according to a senior administration official.

The US Navy currently has two destroyers in that area, both are guided missile destroyers capable of intercepting missile and drone launches.

US fighter jets were also part of the response to Iran’s attack on Saturday and shot down drones launched towards Israel, another US official told CNN.

Biden to meet with G7 leaders Sunday as he condemns Iran's "brazen attack"

From CNN’s Lauren Koenig

US President Joe Biden will meet with G7 leaders Sunday “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” according to a statement released by the White House. 

“My team will engage with their counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close touch with Israel’s leaders,” the statement from Biden reads. “And while we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people.”

US defensive assets moved to the region earlier this week and “helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” according to the statement.

Biden also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu following Saturday’s attack “to reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.” 

United Airlines cancels three Middle East flights

From CNN’s Sara Smart

At least three United Airlines flights headed to or departing from the Middle East have been canceled amid the ongoing conflict unfolding between Iran and Israel.

On Saturday a flight from Newark, New Jersey to Tel Aviv, a flight from Washington D.C. to Amman, Jordan, and one from Dubai to Newark were canceled, the airline told CNN in a statement.

There have been no changes to any Sunday flights for United as of Saturday night, according to the airline. 

CNN has reached out to other airlines regarding cancellations.

Biden told Netanyahu US will not participate in offensive operations against Iran, US official says

From CNN's MJ Lee

The US will not participate in any offensive operations against Iran, US President Joe Biden has made clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a senior administration official told CNN.

The comments were relayed during the phone call that the two leaders shared in the aftermath of Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel.

Biden tells Netanyahu tonight was a win, nothing of "value" hit in Israel, US official says 

Israel should consider tonight a win because the current US assessment is that Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israel’s superior military capability, President Joe Biden told Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their phone call, a senior administration official told CNN.

The US’s assessment tonight was that almost all of the drones and missiles – including more than 100 ballistic missiles -- launched by Iran had been knocked out of the sky. No cruise missile made impact, the official said, and nothing of “value” was hit. 

Bolton: 'Passivity at this point for Israel would be a big mistake'

From CNN's Heather Chen

John Bolton, the former US national security adviser and ambassador to the UN, said “passivity at this point for Israel would be a big mistake,” warning of more attacks. 

“This is not time to play academic games and message and signal. This is a question of power,” Bolton told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. "If they came from a different location containing nuclear warheads, Israel might not be so lucky.”

A known Iran policy hawk, Bolton served in senior national security positions during the Trump and Bush administrations. A neoconservative, Bolton has in the past advocated war with Iran and a pre-emptive strike on North Korea.

In 2022, he was the target of an alleged assassination attempt orchestrated by a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. 

He has warned against underestimating Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran has said is for peaceful purposes only.

“I think we have enough experience with faulty intelligence by now, not to be so sure, not to know how much of Iran’s uranium enrichment program is really being conducted under a mountain in North Korea,” Bolton said.

If Tehran sent “a wire transfer to Pyongyang,” it would give the North Koreans “enough time to put a couple of warheads on an airplane and fly them to Tehran. (But) if you take away their nuclear capability, that would be a dramatic hit to the regime, maybe enough to topple it.”

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