london overground plan a journey

TfL Go: Live Tube, Bus & Rail 4+

Plan journeys around london, designed for ipad.

• #4 in Navigation
• 4.7 • 39.5K Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

Travel confidently around London with maps and live travel updates on our official TfL app. Check live arrival times for Tube, London Overground, DLR, Elizabeth line and Thameslink trains as well as Trams and IFS Cloud Cable Car. Make step-free journeys and look up station facilities. See on the map when stations and lifts are closed. Walking or cycling? Our reliable journey planner will map a safe route. The app is built around our iconic Tube map. To get started: • Touch the map or search to plan your journey • See the status of all lines • Check how busy each London Underground station is right now • Re-route as you travel - we’ll suggest alternatives • Switch to the step-free map for accessible journeys • Find out when your next train, bus or tram is due • Look up which platform your train will arrive on • See when the stations you want to travel through are quieter • Check out station information and facilities such as toilets Most recently we’ve: • Added more information about station toilets – find out where they are by gender and which ones are accessible and/or with baby changing facilities • Built a new map showing nearby bus stops – making it simple to see where you can catch your bus from • Refreshed the navigation – it’s even easier to get to the features you want Our simple and clear layout is designed to make using the app easy for everyone. Planning your journey: We’ll suggest multiple ways to get to your destination – you pick the one that suits you best. Choose the quickest journey, bus-only or one that’s step-free. Check before you travel: See how the line is running and when to expect your next Tube, bus, train or tram Freedom to explore: Choose the right travel options if you or someone you’re travelling with needs to avoid steps, lifts onto a train or in a station. Bus stops near you: Find the bus stop nearest to where you are, and next bus live arrival information for every route. Available underground via Wi-Fi (or 4G in some places) for live updates on the go. What users have said: “I think that out of all of the transport apps I have owned on my phone, this is by far the best” “I love how clean the design of the app is & how easy it is to use. The best part of the app is it’s simplicity & how it helps you to navigate across London so effortlessly.” “The map is awesome! The ability to zoom in and out and see more/less information as you do so. The station information is really useful and seeing which lines/stations are closed or have delays at a glance is really helpful. It’s also beautifully designed! Very slick, clean, and responsive.” “The app is beautifully designed and free to use. Step free mode also works really well." “This is a must have app … very much worth the wait. Well done TFL.”

Version 1.61.0

Improvements to VoiceOver support, plus some other bug fixes.

Ratings and Reviews

39.5K Ratings

Interesting app

Most map apps such as citymapper and google maps bring similar functionality, but the tfl developers have indeed done a good job of providing a well designed and simplified experience with a focus on public transport in London and accessibility (both in the app and in finding accessible transport options). I am particularly impressed with the consistent design style that reflects the tfl brand really well. I would be curious to find out what technologies you used when building out the screens and interactive map 😁! Of course there are always tradeoffs when designing a whole navigation app around the london tube map seeing as those unfamiliar with the london tube may find it unintuitive, as geographical distances and locations in london aren’t conveyed like they are on an ordinary map. In addition, the amount of text on the map and text on the main option buttons at the bottom may make the main app screen slightly less accessible to certain people. However, given the constraints of working off the tfl map, the design is still impressive. To make the app better, it would be good to add some more disambiguation for places vs stations. Eg: High Barnet may refer to the tube station or the centre of the area.

Developer Response ,

Hi Nina. Thank you so much for your very detailed review and amazing rating! We are thrilled to learn you have such a positive opinion! We appreciate your point on those who may be unfamiliar with london and the underground map, however, the app is designed to plan a journey from the app users current location, which will negate the need to know where you'll be starting your journey from - although this is also something you can do in the app! Damien

I have had countless apps for TFL - none as good as this!

Third party apps have all gone down the drain imo mostly due to ads subscription fees and the info is just late and then I found out TFL have their very own app now so I thought that wouldn’t be good as they’re not devs but they have got good devs and built a brilliant app that has everything you want & more! It’s up to date information and will even let you know when lifts are down on certain platforms. The UI is nice and smooth and the map as you’d expect from the very people who run it. This is right up there in my favourite travel apps now. Finally deleted old apps like movit - citymapper and all the countless others. Download it - it’s the best! 😎👍

Platform numbers would be helpful when using the planner part

The end user still does not have the information given about what platform number the train is departing from. For example. I planned a journey from Paddington to heathrow at 04:42 it says walk to platform london Paddington. For me it's clear it's the national rail station for otherswho are foreign will not see any difference. I know first westbound services depart from the main line station and elizabeth line ststion at Paddington does not open till 0528hrs. It would be helpful if you could PLEASE put the platform numbers as when it is available. This will help a lot of people who are using the app know which platform to go to. Another example I can show is if someone was to go to Gatwick Airport from paddington it just says go to platform. I really needs to tell the user at Paddington use elizabeth line train from platform A to Farringdon from Farringdon go to platform 3. TFL really needs to acknowledge this because it's frtrsting for me to tell you guys the basics the app needs to have.

App Privacy

The developer, TfL , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Search History
• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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Tube Map London Underground

Hardy commuters at waterloo..

Available free on iOS and Android

Official TfL Tube Map.

Including Night and Rail maps.

early-risers on the District line.

Live line status..

The latest info from TfL, including live departure boards.

families at Charing Cross.

Offline route planner..

The easiest way to navigate the Tube.

London’s favourite app for using the Underground.

Tube Map prepares you for the journey ahead with line status updates, real-time routing to anywhere in London and of course the latest official Tube Map from Transport for London. The award winning transport app features the iconic Harry Beck Tube Map which is easily recognisable to both local commuters and tourists. With a range of great features and the latest maps available every time there is an update, the Tube Map app is the simplest way to navigate the Underground when on the go.

Official Tube Map

Tube Map includes the latest official Transport for London map, based on the iconic Harry Beck design. The Tube network is constantly changing, from closed stations to the addition of entire lines (hello TfL Rail!) Download once and know that you’ll always have the latest Tube Map ready to go.

Line status and departure boards

Tube Map’s live status about every line on the TfL network. Whether it’s a closure on the Bakerloo line or delays on TfL Rail, you’ll always be in the know. Tap on a line for further information about any delays and what stations are causing the problem. Head to the Status & Departure Boards tab on a selected station to see departure times.

– Travel Guide –

Need help planning something to do in London or have questions about using the London Underground? Read the Mapway Travel Guide to London .

Journey Planner

Planning a journey to anywhere in London? Tube Map makes it easy! Plan journeys to and from postcodes, points of interest/tourist attractions and Tube stations. Realtime routes will avoid known delays so you can travel in confidence knowing that you’re going the quickest way. Tube Map’s route planner also works without an internet connection so you don’t have to worry about using up data!

Available free iOS and Android

Accessibility information.

View how accessible each platform is with ratings for those travelling with heavy luggage, a pushchair or using a wheelchair.

 – Travel Tip –

Don’t forget to tap out with the same card you used to tap in, or you might be charged more for your Tube journey.

Tube Map London Underground review on iTunes

Robroy060 | 6th december 2021, amir haqani | 17th october 2019, rydley | 2nd september 2019, – did you know –.

You should stand on the right when using an escalator on the London Underground or risk being frowned at by the locals!

– Travel Tip –

For more travel tips tap any station in Tube Map and click Information & Facilities. You’ll find some fun facts, travel tips and things to look out for!*

*Available on Android. Feature in development for iOS.

Additional features, first & last trains.

This handy in-app purchase is an additional feature that gives you the first and last train times for each service. For more information visit “Unlocked Features Explained” .

Want to know the quickest way off the Tube and out of the exit? This helpful in app purchase tells you which carriage to use to get out first. For more information visit “Unlocked Features Explained” .

Walking Routes

The walking routes shortcut is a map overlay that shows which stations are quicker to walk to and how long it will take.

Need to catch a ride once you get off the Tube? We’ve partnered with Uber to offer you a quick way to catch a ride once you’ve finished your journey.

Live Twitter Feed

In the side menu Tube Map includes a live Twitter feed with information from all of the official TfL accounts. These helpful tweets are packed with travel information and can be shown on the map view of the app.

• Places to Visit
• Sightseeing
• Practical Tips
• Where to Stay

London Public Transport Journey Planners

These are the best apps and tools to plan a journey by public transport in London. We recommend using the options listed below instead of Google to plan a journey.

Citymapper is the most comprehensive public transport planning app for London.

It’s available online or as a free app for ios or android . The online version is now rather limited. The app is much better.

The route planner shows all transport options including cycling, walking and local trains.

The adult Pay as you go Oyster card/contactless fares for each journey are also shown. This make it easy to find the cheapest route.

Transport for London’s TfL Go app is a sleek design and easy to use . It’s the easiest app to find and live departures for underground trains and buses.

It also has a route planner showing options for

• fastest route
• an alternative route (usually bus)

Select ‘Status’ for delay information. You are then able to see if there are any problems on a particular train or underground line.

It defaults to an excellent live tube map, which finds your closest tube station. Click on the underground station, then the name of the station to get the times of the next tube trains.

Click on ‘bus stops’ to see times of the next buses from bus stops near you.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t give fare information. But it’s recommended if you don’t need to know the fare.

Transport for London’s online journey planner

Transport for London’s online Journey Planner shows the quickest way from A to B.

It’s possible to choose bus/tube/train only routes. It also gives you the Pay as you go Oyster peak/contactless and off-peak fares.

Do bear in mind that the default is the quickest route, which is not always the cheapest. For example, to Heathrow Airport:

• under ‘Edit preferences’ deselect ‘National Rail’ to exclude the expensive Heathrow Express train.
• Deselect ‘Elizabeth line’ if you want to exclude that as well.

Early morning or late-night journeys

To be somewhere at a specific time, especially if it’s in the morning or late at night, use the TfL Journey Planner

Mobility issues

If you have mobility issues, you can narrow down your search options to find the best route with:

• Escalators but not stairs
• Stairs but not escalators
• Step-free access to platforms
• Full step-free access

If you just need a tube map and don’t want to use an app, download a pdf tube map to your device.

Related pages

• How to get around by bus
• How to get around by underground
• Walking in London

Getting around London

• How to use the London underground
• How to use London buses
• London cycle hire scheme
• London trains
• London taxis & minicabs

Useful information

• Plan your journey
• London transport zones

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London Underground: How to pay fares & use tube trains

How much is a London train fare?

• Adult train fares 2024
• Senior train fares 2024
• Child train fares 2024

You can buy tickets using cash, your contactless card , or by getting hold of an Oyster card , Visitor Oyster card or travelcard .

Tube journey planner

Get information about a station:

Plan a route between two stations (remember to check for tube strikes and delays ):

Where can you get a tube map?

Free maps can be picked up inside tube stations in the most central, touristy parts of London. The best online map is at the TFL website: tfl.gov.uk/standard-tube-map.pdf .

Where can you get London underground timetables?

Paper timetables – You can get paper timetables from one of the Visitor Centres at Heathrow airport, Euston station , King’s Cross , Liverpool Street , Paddington , Piccadilly Circus and Victoria .

Online timetables – You can also look them up on the TFL website at tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/ – or this very website, by selecting a station from the dropdown menu above.

Download the TFL app – The official TFL app is worth downloading onto your phone because it comes with a tube map and route planner. Check out their website for details: tfl.gov.uk/maps_/ .

When is rush hour on the London underground?

Rush hour on the London Underground is slightly different to peak time , and runs roughly from 7.30 AM to 9.30 AM, and 5 PM to 7 PM – don’t expect to get a seat during rush hour!

Peak time is used to work out the fare, and applies from 6.30 AM to 9.30 AM, and 4.30 PM to 7 PM (Mon-Fri). Weekends and public holidays are always classed as off-peak . Note: Between the 8th March and 31st May 2024 TFL are running a trial called ‘Off-Peak Friday Fares’, where Fridays will be classed as off-peak all day.

How often do London underground trains run?

How often London underground trains run will depend on which line you’re using and the time of day you’re travelling, but a good rule-of-thumb is every 5-10 minutes in zone 1, going up to every 2-5 minutes during rush hour. Trains outside zone 1 can be anything from 10-30 minutes.

Services typically operate between 5 AM and 00.30 AM (Mon-Sat) and 7 AM to 11.30 PM (Sun), but some of the busier lines operate 24 hours a day on the night tube.

You can view of a map of the night tube routes on the TFL website .

When does the night tube operate?

Central line – Trains run roughly every 10 mins between White City and Leytonstone, every 20 mins between Ealing Broadway and White City, and every 20 mins between Leytonstone and Loughton/Hainault. There’s no night service between North Acton and West Ruislip, Loughton and Epping, or Woodford and Hainault

Jubilee line – Trains run roughly every 10 mins

Northern line – Trains run roughly every 8 mins between Morden and Camden Town, and every 15 mins between Camden Town and High Barnet/Edgware. There’s no night service on the Mill Hill East branch or Bank branch

Piccadilly line – Trains run roughly every 10 mins between Cockfosters and Heathrow T5. There’s no night service on the T4 loop, or between Acton Town and Uxbridge

Victoria line – Trains run roughly every 10 mins

How can you avoid lifts and escalators on the tube?

Avoiding tube stations with lifts and escalators is harder than you’d think because a lot of them are very old and don’t have lifts, or even escalators, so the odds are pretty high that you’ll find yourself facing a long flight of stairs at some point.

If you look on a tube map then the stations showing a blue wheelchair symbol have step-free access between the train and the street, so these ones should be accessible for practically everybody, but the ones with a white wheelchair symbol only have step-free access between the platform and the street, so you might need some help getting on and off the actual train.

The journey planner on the TFL website will let you search for a route with extra options like ‘Use escalators but not stairs’ – tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/ .

How can you avoid tunnels on the London underground?

If you’d rather avoid tube tunnels on the underground then you’re out of luck in central London because the journeys in zones 1 and 2 are practically all underground.

Once you get out to zone 3 and beyond then it’s the total opposite, because most of them are above ground.

Check out this handy map on the TFL website which shows you which parts are above ground: tfl.gov.uk/tube-map-with-tunnels .

Can you take a bike on the London underground?

Non-folding bikes are banned on large parts of the London underground because the tube trains are so busy. Check out this handy map on the TFL website showing you which stations allow them: tfl.gov.uk/cycles-on-public-transport-map .

How do you get through the ticket barriers?

The first thing that you need to know is that you can’t get through every single barrier at the station. You can only use the ones that are showing a green arrow or yellow arrow next to the gate. If it has a red cross or yellow cross then it won’t accept your ticket.

The yellow circles in front of the gates are called Oyster readers. If you have an Oyster card or contactless card then all you have to do is wave it near the reader and the gate will open automatically. If you have a paper ticket, or a paper travelcard , then you have to insert it face-up into the slot beneath the Oyster reader. The same ticket will then pop out of the slot on the top. The gate will open automatically when you remove your ticket from this slot.

Note: If you’re carrying some bulky bags or you’ve got a pushchair with you, then you might struggle to fit through the barrier. So just look for the extra-wide barrier which is usually positioned at the far end for wheelchair users. This one is also useful if your child is travelling for free because they won’t have their own ticket.

How can you find the right platform?

To find the right tube platform you need to know your direction of travel. If you want to travel from Piccadilly Circus to Oxford Circus on the Bakerloo line, for example, then you need to look for signs saying Bakerloo Northbound , because that’s the direction you travel on the ground. If you’re returning in the opposite direction then you’d need Bakerloo Southbound . Other journeys might say Eastbound or Westbound .

If an underground line branches in two different directions then you also need to look for the last stop on the line. So if you want to travel from Westminster to Kew Gardens on the District line, for example, then you need the District Westbound to Richmond – because Richmond is the last stop on the branch which goes to Kew Gardens. If you boarded the District Westbound to Wimbledon then that would be the wrong one, because that branch doesn’t go to Kew Gardens.

The Northern line is a bit more confusing because not only does it split in two, but each branch also has the same final stop. So what you have to do then is look for the words Bank loop and Charing Cross loop . If you look on a tube map then you’ll see that one branch goes past Bank station , whilst the other goes past Charing Cross .

And bear in mind that the Circle line doesn’t actually go around in a circle, like its name implies (welcome to London!). If you ride it round as far as Edgware Road then you’d actually have to get off and board another train to Baker Street .

What is a National Rail train?

A National Rail train is an overground train that goes outside London to other parts of the country.

There are lots of different companies that operate National Rail trains: Chiltern Railways, East Midlands, First Great Western, Great Northern, Merseyrail, South West Trains and Thameslink , to name just a few, but they all come under the umbrella of ‘National Rail’.

Each company will have their own individual website, but we recommend using the official National Rail website at nationalrail.co.uk , because it allows you to search all of the different companies together.

Where can you catch a National Rail train?

Here’s a list of the main National Rail stations in central London, with some of their most popular destinations.

Trains heading north – City Thameslink for Luton Airport, St. Albans – Euston for Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Watford – King’s Cross for Cambridge, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Nottingham, York – Marylebone for Birmingham – Moorgate for Hertford – St. Pancras for Luton Airport, Nottingham

Trains heading south – Blackfriars for Ashford International, Brighton – Cannon Street for Ashford International, Margate – Charing Cross for Canterbury, Dover, Hastings – Farringdon for Brighton – London Bridge for Brighton, Canterbury, Hastings – St. Pancras for Brighton, Eastbourne, Eurostar to Paris – Victoria for Brighton, Dover, Eastbourne, Gatwick Airport, Margate – Waterloo for Bournemouth, Canterbury, Dover, Hastings, Portsmouth, Southampton

Trains heading west – Paddington for Bath, Cornwall, Heathrow Airport, Oxford, Plymouth, Wales – Waterloo for Cornwall, Salisbury

Trains heading east – Fenchurch Street for Southend – Liverpool Street for Stansted Airport

Good manners and bad etiquette on the train

If you’re new to the London Underground then here’s a quick little guide to tube etiquette:

Getting through the barrier – Tube stations are very busy places and you should always try and have your ticket ready before you reach the barrier. If you stand there for a few minutes rifling through your pockets and bag then expect to get some withered looks.

Standing on the escalator – The biggest sin that a tourist can commit on the tube is blocking up the escalator by standing on the left. If you want to stand still then use the righthand side. The lefthand side is for people who want to save some time by hurrying up it.

Not quite as annoying (but pretty close!) is when people get to the end of the escalator and then just stand there, totally oblivious that a whole bunch of people are about to crash into the back of them.

Standing on the platform – Underground platforms are usually quite long but lots of people just stand by the entrance corridor, not bothering to move down. If the station is busy then you should always try and move along to make more space.

Getting on the train – It’s good manners (and good sense) to let passengers off the train before you try and board it. You should also try and move down inside the carriage once you’re onboard.

Your comments and questions

Jean I'm traveling with my 15 month old daughter how easy is it to access the underground as I have a buggy

Staff Hi. They always have extra wide gates for wheelchairs and buggies at the entrance, so you can get through there okay, but a lot of underground stations still have stairs. If you enter your route into the journey planner dropdowns above it will tell you about the lifts, escalators and stairs at each station

John Hardman Transport for London is so good, people in London don't realise how lucky they are to have such a great transport system and with reasonable fares. True I am talking about being retired and travelling off peak. Recently stayed 5 days in Crystal Palace. Travelled into London each day by train and fully utilised the tube system. I almost enjoyed that as much as looking around London

Margaret49 Good morning, We are using the tube for the first time for an overnight stay, as we are not local we will need to use the self service ticket machine for Zone 1-4, do the machines take cash or credit cards? So we know what is appropriate for our journey which will involve a peak time inward and off peak return

Staff Some machines accept cash and cards but other ones will be labelled 'cards only', so you have to look at the top to see what it accepts. All the peak and off-peak prices for zones 1-4 are listed on our train fares page - city-guide.london/​transport/​adult-train-fares.php

Sammy Hi, what are peak times as underground cheaper tickets are off peak, but what times are peak so we know when you avoid them?

Staff Hi Sammy. For Oyster and contactless peak time is 6.30 AM to 9.30 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM (Monday to Friday). For travelcards peak time is before 9.30 AM (Monday to Friday). Weekends are always off-peak.

Tom What are 'off-peak' times on the London Underground on a weekday please?

Staff Hi Tom. For Oyster and contactless cards off-peak is outside the hours of 6.30 AM to 9.30 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM (Mon-Fri). For travelcards off-peak is any time after 9.30 AM (Mon-Fri). Fares are based on what time your journey starts. So if your journey starts during off-peak hours, it will be charged as off-peak. It doesn’t matter what time your journey ends.

David MB Two retired people from US in London (no senior discounts for non-Londoners, boo!), travelling on probable multiple trips between Zones 1 and 2 back and forth from Aldgate East. We understand fares are one way and with the limit on Oyster Cards being less than double the one way fare, what is the cheapest way for us to use the underground? We will buy tickets to and from airports separately

Staff Hi David MB. Oyster will likely be the cheapest (a weekly travelcard can also work out cheaper depending on how many days you're staying and how many journeys you're making). The maximum you will pay each day is the daily cap for the zones you travel through, Any money left on your card which you don't spend you can get refunded at the end. If you're flying into Heathrow then you can even use it for that as well (but only for travelling on the tube, not the Heathrow Express)

Jagroy Is there any charge for a pushchair on the tube

Staff Hi Jagroy. There's no charge for pushchairs or luggage, but bear in mind that a lot of underground stations are quite old and you might have to descend a flight of stairs

Gary Tamplin Generally speaking, what is the cheapest way of getting around London for a day on the tube, if you are travelling between most of the zones, a day Oyster card or contactless?

Staff Hi Gary. Oyster and contactless are the cheapest (they're both the same price), but you have to pay an extra £5 deposit the first time you buy an Oyster card, so maybe contactless will be cheaper for you if you haven't already got one

Adriana How do I get from ealing broadway to hammersmith by train

Staff Hi Adriana. You can just get the district line - city-guide.london/​transport/​train-journey.php?from=ealing-broadway&to=hammersmith

Anthony Pike What platform do I use for the jubilee line from waterloo to baker street

Staff Hi Anthony. The jubilee westbound at Waterloo is platform 5 - city-guide.london/​transport/​trains.php?station=waterloo

John Barmby I am travelling from Tower Hill to Stratford on the District line and Central As these trains use the same platform at Mile End , do I need to tap out at Mile End before boarding the Central line to Stratford

Staff Hi John. No, you don't have to tap out when changing trains. You don't have to pass through any barriers when changing trains/platforms. If you did go through the barriers at Mile End then that would be the end of your journey

John miller I’m travelling from kings cross train station to white hart lane, what tube station do I get off at?

Staff Hi John. Get the Victoria line to seven sisters, then the London Overground to White Hart Lane. It’s about a five minute walk from there

Liz Is Euston station tube to Clapham Common direct

Staff Hi Liz. It is direct, yes - city-guide.london/​transport/​train-journey.php?from=euston&to=clapham-common

David Hi - How do get the easiest way with large suitcases from Liverpool Street station to Southwark tube station. Thanks in advance!

Staff Hi David. I would forget the tube and just get the 344 bus which goes between the two. Because you'd have to change trains twice if you want to go by tube. The bus only takes 16 mins

David Thanks - is it ok to take large suitcases on the bus number 344? - Can we pay with Oyster-cards? Thanks! ?

Staff It's fine to take big suitcases. You can just stand with them in the wheelchair space if it's not being used. Its okay to use Oyster cards as well

David Thanks very much for your help! This was important to know! ?

David Hi - One more question. We arrive by National Express coach to Liverpool Street station bus stop. - Where abouts in the area is the nearest bus stop for number 344 going to Southwark. Thanks once again! ?

Staff It goes from Stop B down the side of the station. I think the National Express drops you off at either Stop E or G on the other side.

David Thanks again for great service! ?

Bruce Hello - is there easy access when changing from Central line to Jubilee line at Bond Street. How far must one walk? Is a lift available? All relevant info is welcome. Thanks.

Staff Hi Bruce. It's step-free but you have to take two different lifts down to the jubilee platforms and walk about 110 metres

Bruce Thanks - that helps to know.

Mark Rookie question (I’ve never used Contactless on the Tube before, I’ve always used paper Travelcards as I’m from outside London). Anyway, in terms of using Contactless, if I want to go from Paddington to Mile End am I correct in thinking I tap in at Paddington Elizabeth Line, tap out at Whitechapel Elizabeth Line, tap in again at Whitechapel District Line, tap out Mile End District Line, and the system will calculate this as an Adult Single between Paddington and Mile End?

Staff Hi Mark. You only tap down at the beginning and end of your journey. You shouldn't have to go through any barriers when changing trains in the middle. If you do that then you'll end up paying for two separate journeys, because the computer will think that you have exited the station at Whitechapel

Sonia Hi, If I travel with 2 suitcases (a 20 inch and a 28 inch), from Victoria to Gatwick airport, which one will be cheaper - the National Express coach or the Gatwick express (as I read from the website that they will charge 8 GBP for 1 extra suitcase)?

Staff Hi Sonia. It looks like it's the Gatwick Express by about 6 quid, but that's without knowing when you're going, or how far in advance you're buying your ticket.

Anton John Hi, What would be the most cost effective way to get from Bromley by Bow station to Gatwick Airport ? Thanks

Staff Hi Anton. I would get the underground to Victoria and pay by contactless (or buy a single ticket from the machine if you haven't got a UK bank card), and then buy a Gatwick Express ticket online in advance

Faye McPherson I want to travel to London Heathrow Terminal 3 from Russell Street Station on 22nd February as I will be coming from Edinburgh on the sleeper to Euston where do I buy a ticket to get to Heathrow

Staff Hi Faye. The easiest thing would be to just use your contactless bank card, and tap it down on the gate - city-guide.london/​transport/​contactless-cards.php (assuming you've got a UK bank card) - but if it's just a one-off journey then you can also buy a ticket from the self-service ticket machine in the station. You just tap the screen and choose your destination

Faye McPherson Thank you and I take it the tube takes me to terminal 3 at Heathrow

Staff It does yes, there are three stations at Heathrow and one of them is for Terminals 2&3 - city-guide.london/​transport/​train-journey.php?from=russell-square&to=heathrow-terminals-1-2-3

Chris For our upcoming visit to London, we are staying in a flat near Shepherd's Bush. It looks like the easiest (fewest changes) route from Heathrow would be the Elizabeth Line to Ealing Broadway and then the central line to Shepherd's Bush. Would this be feasible with 4 people and their luggage?

Staff Hi Chris. You'll have a flight of 20 stairs and an escalator at Shepherd's Bush, but that's about it. If you don't mind the extra money then you could get the Heathrow Express to Paddington and a £25-£30 taxi to Shepherd's Bush (you can fit five in a taxi, so four plus luggage will probably be okay, but it depends how much luggage you've got)

Cp On the underground should my 15 year old just use a contacless card to pay or is there a better method?

Staff Hi CP. he can do, if he’s got his own card. You can’t share one card between two people

shirley How oftern to the trains go from Heron quays to waterloo

Staff Hi Shirley. They go every 2-5 minutes

Evelyn Barry Hi I have my Irish staff privilege card and 4 box coupon tickets . Can I use either of these on Heathrow express and London tubes. Thanks

Staff Hi Evelyn. We’d like to help but we’ve never heard of either of those things. If it’s a TFL staff card then I would try contacting them

Mike Copp As an electric wheelchair user (wheelchair not scooter) I will arrive at Waterloo Train station and have booked assistance off the train, will someone be available to assist me on to the underground to Euston station? where I have booked assistance onto a train to Birmingham? I am used to how assistance works with overground trains but not the underground. I believe my ticket is valid not only for overground but also between mainline stations using the underground.?? Any information, tel no appreciated

Staff Hi Mike. You can only prebook assistance on the London Overground and Elizabeth line. On all other tube lines they do something called ‘turn up and go’, which basically means you have to go up to a member of TFL staff at the station and they will arrange for someone to come and help you to the platform and help you board the train. There is a help desk at waterloo. after you come off the national rail train look for the big central clock hanging off the ceiling and its next to that. More information about ‘turn up and go’ here - tfl.gov.uk/​transport-accessibility/​help-from-staff . We cant tell if your ticket includes the underground as well without seeing what you've bought, but assuming it does then you’ll probably receive a separate ticket for it.

Jane What's the best line to use to travel from Paddington station to Greenwich?

Staff Hi Jane. Assuming you just want to go to Greenwich, the place, rather than the actual station, I would get the Elizabeth line to Canary Wharf and then the DLR to Cutty Sark

Vijay kumar I am travelling first time to London.Which u/g line i should follow from T4 to Queensway u/g stn.I do not have travel cards.

Staff Hi Vijay. i would probably get the Elizabeth line to Paddington and then walk 15 mins to Queensway. Otherwise you”ll have to get off at Bond Street instead and change onto the Central line for Queensway

Jane Hi my grandson and I are going to Wimbeldon tennis this year and haven’t a clue on the underground tubes.we are travelling from Northampton train station to Euston station.can you please let me know what tubes we use ,if we change tubes and what stops to get off and platforms .

Staff Hi Jane. It's quicker to go to Southfields station (15 min walk to the tennis) rather than Wimbledon itself (20 min walk). So from Euston you can get the Victoria line to Victoria (southbound platform), then change to the District line to Southfields. But make sure you get a District line train that says it's heading towards Wimbledon. If it says it's heading towards Richmond or Ealing Broadway then it will be the wrong one. It will say where it's heading on the LCD board on the platform

Elizabeth wills Which platform at farringdon station do I need to get to kings cross please?

Staff Hi Elizabeth. It's westbound, platform 2 - city-guide.london/​transport/​trains.php?station=farringdon

Paul G Going underground from Clapham Common to Westminster abbey and Buckingham palace using contactless card. Do we get off at st James park or is there a closer station and do we need to pay twice for changing from northern line to district line. Thank you

Staff Hi Paul. St James's is the closest to Buckingham Palace. Westminster is the closest to Westminster Abbey. Personally, if it was me, I would just stay on the Northern line and walk it from Charing Cross because it's not very far. You can walk past Trafalgar Square down Whitehall, have a look at Horse Guards and Downing Street, then do Westminster Abbey, and walk through St. James's Park alongside the lake to Buckingham Palace. You don't have to pay twice for changing trains. You'd only pay twice if you actually exited through a ticket barrier and left the station.

Joe Hi. Visiting London next week for first time and need to get from King’s Cross to Covent Garden Seven Dials. What tube line and can it by accessed directly from Kings Cross? Thanks

Staff Hi Joe. You can get the Piccadilly line straight to Covent Garden - city-guide.london/​transport/​train-journey.php?from=kings-cross-st-pancras&to=covent-garden

Mary I’m travelling from London City Airport to Westminster early December and as I’m a novice it feels a bit stressful. Can you please advise me of the best way to travel and is it straightforward? Thank you.

Staff Hi Mary. I would get the DLR to Canning Town (DLR = Docklands Light Railway, which is really no different to using the London Underground, it’s just above ground), and then change trains onto the Jubilee line for Westminster. You can use a lift plus escalator to change trains at Canning Town - city-guide.london/​transport/​train-journey.php?from=london-city-airport&to=westminster —- westminster is a fun stop to arrive into London at, because when you come out you will have Big Ben literally right in front of you

Mandy How to get from st pancas to king henrys rd

Staff Hi Mandy. Assuming you mean the one by Primrose Hill, you could get the northern line to Chalk Farm and then walk it from there. It's about a 10-15 min walk

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London · 31 May 2023

How to Use the London Underground : The Ultimate Guide From a Londoner

As a born and raised Londoner, I’m pretty well versed in how to use the London Underground. But, I understand that it can be very overwhelming to navigate it all at first if you’re a non-Londoner. There are lots of different Tube lines, everyone walks at a fast pace and you have to remember what direction you need to go to survive (I’m only joking…kind of). So, I’ve created the ultimate guide on how to use the London Underground, sharing my best tips and advice to help you navigate it easily in no time!

What’s the London Underground?

The London Underground is a rapid transit (metro) that connects tons of areas in almost every London borough. It serves 272 stations and operates at high capacity. It’s one of the world’s busiest metro systems with around 5 million people using it every single day!

Safe to say that you might feel a little intimidated when navigating the Tube if you’re new to London. There’s never a quiet day and everyone is always on the go. But I promise, it’s not difficult to grasp when you know the fundamentals! The busyness of the Tube just makes it seem difficult to grasp.

How to Use the London Underground: Know the Tube Lines

Knowing the Tube lines is a key aspect of knowing how to use the London Underground. You don’t have to memorise every single Tube line, but it makes it much easier for getting to your destination. Every Tube line is represented by a different colour, which also helps you with navigating which platform to get on. The London Underground Tube lines and colours are as follows:

• Bakerloo – Brown
• Central – Red
• Circle – Yellow
• District – Green
• Hammersmith and City – Pink
• Jubilee – Grey
• Metropolitan – Magenta
• Northern – Black
• Piccadilly – Dark Blue
• Victoria – Light Blue
• Waterloo and City – Teal

There are other lines that you may see on the Tube map that aren’t the ones mentioned above. They technically aren’t considered London Underground lines, but they still operate in London:

• Dockland Light Rail (DLR) – Turquoise (2 Parallel lines)
• Elizabeth Line – Purple
• Lioness – Yellow (2 parallel lines)
• Mildmay – Blue (2 parallel lines)
• Windrush – Red (2 parallel lines)
• Weaver – Maroon (2 parallel lines)
• Suffragette – Green (2 parallel lines)
• Liberty – Grey (2 parallel lines)

How to Use the London Underground: Understand the Zones

When travelling on the Tube, you may realise that it covers 9 zones , with most stations sitting on zones 1-6. The higher the zone, the farthest it is from central London. So zone 1 covers central London, zone 2 is the ring around zone 1, zone 3 is the ring around zone 2 and so on. Zones 7, 8 and 9 cover areas on the outskirts of London such as Watford (Hertfordshire), Chalfont and Latimer (Buckinghamshire) and Brentwood (Essex).

Knowing these zones is important for knowing how to use the London Underground because your travel card needs to be valid for travelling and crossing these zones. If you’re visiting London for sightseeing, the West End, art, or shopping, then it’s very likely you’ll only be in Zones 1 and 2 (maybe 3 at most).

Paying Your London Underground Fares

So we’ve covered Tube lines and zones and this all links to knowing what fare you will pay when travelling on the Tube. The general gist of it is that the more zones you cross, the higher your fare will be. For example, if you are travelling from Zone 4 to Zone 1, your fare will cost more than if you were travelling from Zone 2 to Zone 1.

The closer you are to central London, the higher your fare will be too. So if you’re travelling from Zone 4 to Zone 1, your fare will cost more than if you were travelling from Zone 4 to Zone 7.

Your fares will also be affected by peak and off-peak times, with higher fares being charged at rush hour (the busiest times of the day). You’ll be charged peak fares on Monday to Friday between 06:30-09:30 and between 16:00-19:00. You’ll be charged off-peak fares any time outside the peak hours and if you’re crossing to zone 1 from another zone between 16:00-19:00, Monday to Friday.

When it comes to actually paying these fares, there are 3 ways to do so: Travelcard, Oyster Card and contactless.

A Travelcard gives you unlimited travel on London’s public transport for 1, 2 or 3 days. So not only does this include Tube travel, but also the London Overground, DLR, Elizabeth Line, bus, tram (in South London) and National Rail services within zones 1-6.

You can buy your Travelcard directly from Travel For London (TFL) and they will send it to you in the post. As soon as you arrive in London, the Travelcard will be ready to use!

If you’re staying in London for a week or more, it’s worth getting a Visitor Oyster Card (or a regular Oyster card) instead of a travel card. Both kinds of Oyster Cards are plastic smartcards that you can top up for your journeys. This also includes bus, London Overground, DLR Elizabeth line, bus, tram (in South London) and National Rail as well as the Tube.

Visitor Oyster Card

The benefits of a Visitor Oyster Card are that you can top up as much money as you need for travel and if you visit London again, you can reuse it! You can use them at Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport or London City Airport to get to London too!

You can buy the Visitor Oyster card directly from TFL and they will send it to you in the post. Before buying, they also provide a rough guide for how much credit you will need to top up depending on where you’re travelling to and from and how long your stay is.

Regular Oyster Card

With a regular Oyster card, you can pay your London Underground fares as you go. If you need a weekly or monthly Travelcard, this can also be loaded onto your Oyster card too.

You can buy your Oyster card online with a contactless and Oyster account , at every tube and London Overground station, at Visitor Centres or at any Oyster Ticket Shops dotted around London. The price of an Oyster Card is £7. You can also top up your Oyster card at any of these places and by using the free TFL Oyster and contactless app !

TFL has a full list of pay-as-you-go and travelcard fare caps that can give you an idea of what you could be paying when using the London Underground in London.

Contactless

Contactless is another pay as you go method for travelling in London. Simply tap your debit or credit card on the barrier pads and TFL will automatically charge your fare. The price caps for pay as you go using an Oyster Card also apply to contactless travel.

How to Use the London Underground: A 5 Step Guide

So you know what the Tube is, how it works and how to pay your fares. Now it’s time to know exactly how to use the London Underground. All you need to remember are these 5 steps:

• Enter the London Underground Station Entrance and Tap in
• Follow the signs leading to the Tube line you are taking
• Ensure you’re on the right platform
• Take the ride
• Exit the London Underground Station by tapping out

Below is a further breakdown of all the steps!

1. Enter the London Underground Station Entrance and Tap In

The first step in knowing how to use the London Underground is to dive straight in! Head to a London Underground Station entrance to start your journey. Make sure you have your Travelcard, Oyster Card or contactless payment on hand.

When you enter, you’ll see ticket barriers with a yellow pad. This is where you tap in your Oyster Card or contactless card. If you have a paper Travelcard, there’s a ticket scanner right under the pad where you will have to insert it. Next to the Oyster card, your paper Travelcard will appear and you can retrieve it.

After tapping in your Oyster, contactless or Travelcard, the barriers will open and you can walk right through!

2. Follow the Signs Leading to the Tube Line You Are Taking

The next step in how to use the London Underground is to follow the correct signs. Many stations (like King’s Cross St Pancras) have more than one Tube line operating at a time so knowing exactly what line you are taking, will make following signs much easier. These signs will be on the walls, above escalators and on the platforms. I promise you won’t miss them!

3. Ensure You’re on the Right Platform

Once you’re at the correct Tube line there will be two platforms heading in opposite directions.

Signs on the walls will say which side of the Tube line is headed eastbound and westbound or northbound and southbound before you turn onto the platform. The signs might say that the Tube splits into different destinations too so make sure you hop on the correct train that arrives. For example, if you’re taking the Northern Line from Camden Town, it goes Northbound to Edgware or High Barnet and Southbound to Morden or Battersea. You might also see that the Tube line splits and/or rejoins while still going to the same destination. For example, the Northern Line goes Northbound to High Barnet via Bank or via Charing Cross.

4. Take the Ride

When you hop on the Tube you can finally breathe! Taking the ride is the easiest step in how to use the London Underground because, at that point, you’re actually using it! On your journey, the announcement speaker will inform you about the final destination of the Tube line, and it will also name each stop as you approach it.

You may have to change Tube lines to get to your destination. In that case, get off at the appropriate stop, and follow steps 2 and 3 again.

Remember that the Tube doors open and shut automatically.

5. Exit the London Underground Station By Tapping Out

Once you get off your stop, simply follow the signs saying “Way Out” to reach the exit. By the exit, you’ll need to use your Travelcard, Oyster Card or contactless at ticket barriers again to leave the station.

And there you have it! There’s the 5 step guide on how to use the London Underground!

How to Use the London Underground: Operating Times

Contrary to what people might think, London isn’t a 24-hour city, so the London Underground doesn’t operate 24/7 either. Generally, the Tube starts running at 5:30 am (except Sundays, which start running an hour later) and stops running between 12-12:30 pm.

The Night Tube was introduced in 2016, where some Tube lines operate for 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. These are the Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Picadilly lines. Additionally, the London Overground operates 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays between New Cross Gate station and Highbury & Islington station.

Tips on How to Use the London Underground

Now that you know how to use the London Underground, there are a few tips and rules (both written and unwritten) to know when you’re taking any journey on the Tube.

Plan Your Journey Ahead of Time

The easiest way to know how to use the London Underground is to plan your journey ahead of time. Every station has a free Tube map leaflet that you can take and really have a look at to know which line(s) you need to go on.

Of course, give yourself a bit of time when going on your journey too, especially during peak times. Trains can get very packed (I’m talking packed like sardines in a tin) so you may have to wait longer.

Download Apps to Make Your London Underground Journey Easier

Planning your journey ahead of time can also be done by downloading relevant apps like Citymapper , TFL Go and Oyster as I mentioned previously. Put in your location and destination and it will show you exactly how to use the London underground to get there. Some of these apps have other helpful features for navigating the tube such as displaying how long your journey will take, stations with step-free access and an updated tube timetable.

You may like: 18 Best London Apps for Travel, Food and Entertainment

Understand Tube Etiquette

This may sound like an over exaggeration but tube etiquette is very important i n knowing how to use the London Underground. As I mentioned before, everyone is always on the go so you’ll have to be very considerate and keep Tube etiquette in mind when navigating the Tube.

You may like: The Ultimate Guide to London Tube Etiquette (From a Londoner)

Mind the gap

“Mind the gap between the train and the platform” is inevitably something you will hear when you get on the London Underground. But they say this for a reason. Every station has a yellow line going across the edge of the platform, make sure to not cross the line so you don’t risk falling on the tracks!

Wear a mask

I know that the COVID pandemic is officially over, but I still think wearing a mask on the London Underground is good Tube etiquette. Not only does this protect other people around you but you’re also protecting yourself from the high levels of toxic dust pollution . Granted, the majority of people who use the Tube don’t wear masks anymore but the few people who do understand the reasons why.

Stand on the right side of the escalators

Being aware of your surroundings is an important aspect of knowing how to use the London Underground. Part of that is being considerate of other Tube goers, especially on the escalators. When you get on the escalator, stand on the right side. This ensures that you’re not blocking or bumping into anyone else. If you want to get to the end of the escalator quicker, that’s exactly what the left side of the escalator is for! Use the left side to walk.

Wait for passengers to get off the train before you enter it

Another way to be considerate of other Tube goers is to wait for them to get off the train before you enter it. This is a pretty big deal! If you try to get on before other Tube goers get off, you’ll be met with shouting, moaning and maybe people waving you to stay back and wait. I tried getting on the Tube before others got off once as a young, oblivious teen. Safe to say I learned my lesson that day.

Don’t eat food on the tube

It’s not the best idea to eat food on the Tube. I’d actually completely advise against it. It’s considered rude and the sound of someone chewing smelly food is enough to put a Londoner in a coma (get the Tiktok reference)?

It’s not illegal to eat on the Tube. But if you need to eat for whatever reason, you’ll be met with screwed faces at the very least and a telling off by a passenger at the very most. So it’s best to play it safe and not eat on the Tube at all.

If you need a second to stop and look where to go, find a place on the side to stop away from the walking traffic

My biggest pet peeve as a native Londoner is when people randomly stop when there’s ongoing traffic of people walking. It’s inconvenient, it messes up the flow and to be honest, it’s very annoying for Londoners.

Of course, if you’re lost, you don’t need to keep walking for the sake of keeping up. But you’ll be preventing a lot of annoyed Londoners on the Tube if you step to the side away from where people are walking to deal with whatever the situation was that required you to stop.

I always say that if you want to survive in London, it’s very important to walk with purpose.

Have your Travelcard/Oyster Card/contactless ready before approaching the ticket hall barriers

You’ll also be preventing a lot of annoyed Londoners on the Tube if you have your Travelcard, Oyster or contactless in your hands and ready to use before reaching the ticket hall barriers. I guarantee you, that if you wait until you’re at the ticket hall barriers to search for your Travelcard, Oyster or contactless, you’ll be met with a lot of huffing, puffing and people trying to push in front of you. So to avoid the trouble, have your Travelcard, Oyster or contactless in your hand when you get off the Tube at the earliest or by the time you’re 20 feet from the barriers at the very latest.

How to Use The London Underground: Summary

I hope this post helped you with understanding how to use the London Underground! I promise it won’t take long to get used to navigating it. Just remember to find the right fare payment method for you and plan ahead so you know which Tube line(s) to get on. Once you follow the steps and tips I’ve mentioned, you’ll be navigating the Tube like a regular Londoner!

Check out some more London travel guides to help you plan your trip to London: The Ultimate Guide to the Most Famous Places in London 60 Fun Facts About London (From a Londoner) The Ultimate Guide to the Most Famous Places in London

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London Tube Map 2024

On our website, you will find the following information about the London Underground : maps of daytime services, fares, timetables, maps of each tube line, maps of the night tube services, and the railway lines connecting each end of Greater London.

The Tube map is also available showing wheelchair-accessible stations and in 15 languages (in PDF format) .

London Tube Night Service Map

• Central Line (Ealing Broadway to Loughton).
• Jubilee Line (Stanmore to Stratford).
• Northern (Edgware/High Barnet to Morden)
• Piccadilly (Cockfosters to Heathrow)
• Victoria Line (Brixton to Walthamstow Central).
• London Overground (New Cross Gate to Highbury & Islington).

• Underground: Tube lines are identified with different solid colours and a single thick line. The London Tube has 11 lines: Bakerloo, Central, Circle, District, Hammersmith, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, and Waterloo.
• Trains: represented by two parallel lines (=). We will find three railway lines on the map: DLR (Docklands Light Railway), London Overground, and Elizabeth Line.
• Interchange stations: Stations where you can change from one tube line to the other. They are represented by a white circle and a black outline.
• Zones: London's transport network is divided into 9 zones. Zone 1 covers the city centre, and zone 6 starts in the outskirts. #Tip for tourists: In zones 1 & 2 you will find the most important London attractions.
• Fares: Standard single-journey ticket prices range from £6.70 to £9.80, varying by zone. Using a Prepaid or contactless cards offers significant savings. With an Oyster Card or Visitor Oyster Card, fares range from £2.70 to £3.60 during off-peak hours and £2.80 to £5.60 during peak hours.
• General Operating Hours: Typically, from Monday to Saturday, services run from 5:00 am to 12:00 am, and on Sunday from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm. Peak times are on weekdays, between 6:30 am to 9:30 am, and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, excluding public holidays. Please note that these times are approximate and can vary depending on the station and day. For precise station-specific timings, refer to our detailed schedule .

Maps of London Tube lines

If you need information about a particular line, you can click on any of the links below and access individual maps of the London Tube and Overground lines.

Where to buy tourist tickets online?

On the Tiqets website , you can buy cheaper tickets for all kinds of museums, shows, monuments, attractions, and tours. On some items, you can save up to 20%. In most places, with these tickets, you will not have to wait in line at the entrance.

Interesting Facts about the London Underground and its map

The London Underground, better known as the Tube, is one of the most extensive networks in the world. In London, the tube is connected and integrated with trains and trams.

There are ticket vending machines where you can buy tickets or top-up prepaid cards.

You must touch your card or ticket at the yellow reader at the beginning, and at the end of your journey.

There are different benefits available for children and elderly people.

London Underground: A Masterclass in Design

London's Tube is not just a transport system; it embodies the city's essence. Its three hallmark design elements have been trademarked, elevating London to iconic status on a global scale, truly incomparable.

• Harry Beck's visionary TUBE MAP.
• The distinctive Roundel emblem.
• The Johnston typeface, utilized across posters and maps.

The Tube map , a brainchild of Harry Beck in 1931, adopts a schematic approach, simplifying the intricate routes of the transport system (its schematic nature means it doesn't adhere to actual distances).

This map's design principle has been adopted globally across various underground and railway networks. Its influence extends beyond transport into sectors like aviation. Initially dismissed by the railway company, Beck's concept has since become a standard. Mr. Beck, working for the railway at the time, faced initial rejection of his map.

The Roundel , symbolizing the underground, features a circular motif with a bar bearing the red, white, and blue colours, conceived in 1900 and finding inspiration in Paris metro's promotional materials.

The design set is rounded off with the "Johnston" typeface , visible on maps and signage throughout the Underground, as well as on Overground and TfL-affiliated railways. This typeface was specifically crafted for the Tube.

Questions and answers

What are the London Underground zones?

• London Transport is organised into 9 concentric zones. 
• Zone 1 is the historic centre. Zone 6 is the beginning of the suburbs.
• #TipForTourists When buying tickets for the London Transport, ticket machines will prompt you to select the zones to visit to give you the lowest price, all attractions are within zones 1 and 2, therefore, you should buy tickets to move between those zones.

Why are there different types of lines on London Underground maps?

• The Underground is divided into 11 lines. Each line has a different colour and it is represented by a "full line".     
• Trains and Trams are represented by two parallel lines (=).

What's a railway?

• A train moves over a steel railway track. Locomotives pushed the wagons to travel over ground.
• The London Underground network is integrated with DLR trains, London Overground, and the Elizabeth Line.

What is DLR?

• It stands for Docklands Light Railway. It is a driverless train network. The DLR is similar to the Tube, but it runs above ground rather than on underground tunnels and it is divided into 6 routes.

Is Elizabeth Line a tube?

• It's a nuanced question because the Elizabeth Line, despite including the word "line" in its name, is technically a train service. The Elizabeth Line operates on traditional railway tracks, features larger carriages compared to typical Tube trains, and its doors do not open automatically like those on the Tube.
• The term "line" is often associated with underground services, but in the case of the Elizabeth Line, it refers to a railway service that operates both above and below ground.

How many lines does the London Underground have?

• The London Underground has 11 lines: Bakerloo, Central, Circle, District, Hammersmith, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and Waterloo.
• The rest of the lines, although transport lines, run above ground.

Why is the London Underground called the Tube?

• It's called like that due to the tubular shape of its tunnels.

Which was the first city in the world to have a tube?

• The first city in the world to inaugurate an Underground was London

When did the London Underground open?

• The London Underground, with its first section, the Metropolitan Railway, opened in 1863. This was the world's first underground railway.

How many stations does the London Underground have?

• Nowadays it has 272 stations.

How many passengers use the London Underground every day?

• The latest figures (year 2022), show that 5 million passengers, mainly "commuters", use the Underground every day.

London tube map | Timetable | Fares | All subway lines

When are the next train strikes? Latest on industrial action

Londoners continued to face widespread travel disruption on Tuesday (April 9) as a result of the previous day’s train strikes.

Aslef union members across eight operating companies took part in a 24-hour strike on Monday.

The strikes came two and a half months after London Mayor Sadiq Khan spent £30 million of public funds to prevent the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) from staging a week-long walkout.

A Tube strike that would have affected London on Monday was called off following talks between Aslef and the Tube drivers’ union.

However, rail strikes still went ahead across many major travel lines.

Here’s what you need to know.

When were the latest strikes

From April 5 to 8, train drivers from 16 companies staged “rolling one-day strikes”.

Members also took part in an overtime ban from April 4 to 6, and April 8 to 9.

Which lines were affected?

Friday, april 5.

• Avanti West Coast
• East Midlands Railway
• West Midlands Trains
• CrossCountry

Saturday, April 6

• TransPennine Trains

Monday, April 8

• Greater Anglia
• GTR Great Northern Thameslink
• Southeastern
• Southern/Gatwick Express
• South Western Railway main line and depot drivers
• SWR Island Line

London  business advocacy group BusinessLDN said it was “hugely frustrating for Londoners, visitors and businesses” that the capital would grind to a halt again due to industrial action.

Commuters were advised to plan and allow extra time for travel.

Passengers may receive a refund for their Advance, Anytime, or Off-Peak tickets if the train they have a ticket for was cancelled, delayed, or rescheduled.

Why is Aslef striking?

Aslef wants to resolve a long-running dispute over drivers’ working conditions and pay.

Aslef’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, added: “Our members voted overwhelmingly — yet again — for strike action. Those votes show — yet again — a clear rejection by train drivers of the ridiculous offer put to us in April last year by [train operators’ body] the Rail Delivery Group which knew that offer would be rejected because a land grab for all the terms and conditions we have negotiated over the years would never be accepted by our members.

“We have given the government every opportunity to come to the table but it is now clear they do not want to resolve this dispute. They are happy for it go on and on.”

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, representing train companies in the ongoing talks over pay and conditions, said: "Nobody wins when industrial action impacts people's lives and livelihoods, and we will work hard to minimise any disruption to our passengers.

"We want to resolve this dispute, but the Aslef leadership need to recognise that hard-pressed taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54 million a week just to keep services running post-Covid.

"We continue to seek an agreement with the Aslef leadership and remain open to talks to find a solution to this dispute."

A Department for Transport spokesperson told the Guardian : “Aslef is the only rail union continuing to strike, targeting passengers and preventing their own members from voting on the pay offer that remains on the table.

“Having resolved disputes with all other rail unions, the transport secretary and rail minister have ensured that a pay offer is on the table —‚ taking train drivers’ average salaries from £60,000 up to £65,000.”

Will there be more train strikes?

The latest round of industrial action ended on Monday April 8, and there are no more planned rail strike dates.

The strike action planned by London Underground train drivers scheduled for Monday 8 April and Saturday 4 May has now been called off.

Commuters are always advised to plan ahead of their journey and check for any disruptions.

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