zone 1 travel

London Travelcard

The London Travelcard is a transport pass which entitles you to unlimited travel on London’s public transport. You can use a travelcard to travel on the London Underground, overground, public buses, DLR (docklands light rail), TFL rail and other trains, as long as you travel within London’s travel zones.

It is designed for people who are planning on using London’s public transport a lot when visiting London or for people who commute into London on a daily basis. Still, a London Travelcard may sometimes not be the cheapest option even if does entitle you to unlimited travel.

London Travelcard: What do I need to know before I buy one?

When buying a London Travelcard there are three things that you need to know:

1. The duration of the card:

You can buy a travelcard for one day, 7 days, one month or annual.

2. The travel zones of London that will be using:

When you buy a travelcard you need to choose what travel zones you want use. If you are going to travel between zones 1 and 2, you will need a travelcard that is valid for these two zones, but if you are going to travel between zones 1 and 5 every day, you will need a travelcard that covers zones 1 to 5. This does not apply to travelling by bus, as any travelcard will allow you to travel on buses to and from any zone within London’s travel zones. So for example, if you have a travelcar for zones 1 and 2, you can still use a bus to get to zone 3 or zone 5 with that travelcard at no extra cost.

Most of London’s tourist attractions are located in zone 1, and only a few of the most popular attractions can be found outside zone 1, such as Camden Town Market which is in zone 2. Make sure you know what zone your hotel is in before you buy a travelcard.

3. Off-peak or Anytime

If you are buying a 1 day travelcard  (which we don’t normally recommend as an oyster card has a daily cap that is cheaper than a one day travelcard – see below) you will have to choose if you want it to travel anytime of the day, or just during off-peak times (Monday – Friday from 9.30 am; all day Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays).

This does not affect 1 day travelcards for zones 1 to 4, so if you are visiting London you probably don’t need to worry about this at all as you are unlikely to be travelling to zone 5, 6 or beyond.

Which Travelcard to buy if you are planning a trip to London

1 day travelcard.

The price of the 1 day London travelcard for zones 1, 1-2, 1-3 and 1-4 costs £15.20. We don’t normally recommend using the 1 day travelcard, as it is actually cheaper to use an oyster card, a visitor oyster card, or a contactless card as these payment methods have a daily cap. The daily cap applied to these zones are: £8.10 for travel within zones 1-2; £9.60 for zones 1-3 and £11.70 for zones 1-4. Once you have reached this daily cap you will be able to travel within the same travel zones for free. It is still necessary to tap in and tap out on the yellow reader with your oyster card, visitor oyster card or contactless card when using public transport.

Find out more about choosing between an oyster card, a travelcard or using contactless on London Transport here: Oyster card, Travelcard or Contactless .

7 day Travelcard

The 7 day travelcard for London travel zones 1-2 costs £40.70. When comparing oyster card/visitor oyster card/contactless fares to a 7 day travelcard, I would probably say that it is convenient to get a 7 day travelcard if you are going to be travelling around London for more than 6 days. If you are going to be in London less than 6 days then I would recommend using an oyster card (vistor oyster card or contactless if you are a UK resident).

Where to buy a London travelcard

Buying a London Travelcard at an underground station

It is possible to buy a London travelcard at any underground station in London, by either using a ticket machine at the ticket office or a manned desk in a the ticket office (if available). When you buy a 7 day, monthly or annual London travelcard at an underground station you will normally get an oyster card with the travelcard incorporated in it. So your oyster card will be pre-loaded with the travelcard you have chosen. This way you can also use this oyster card with pay as you go for any trips that are not included in the travelcard.

So, as an example, if you have a 7 day travelcard for zones 1 – 4 in your oyster card, you will be entitles to unlimited journeys within these  travel zones for 7 days, and you can use your oyster as you normally would, by touching in and touching out. But, if one day you need to go to zone 6, you will be able to use the same oyster with pay as you go balance. One example when this might happen, is if you arrive at Heathrow airport (zone 6) but you want to buy a 7 day travelcard for zones 1 – 4. It will be much cheaper to use they oyster card with pay as you go for the journey from Heathrow to central London and the journey from central London to Heathrow Airport on your last day and adding a 7 travelcard for zones 1 – 4, than using a 7 day travelcard for zones 1 – 6.

Buying a London Travelcard at a train station

It is possible to buy a London travelcard at any train station located inside London’s Travel Zones . When you buy a travelcard at a train station, you will normally get a paper travelcard and not an oyster card.

Stansted, Luton or Gatwick airports are all outside London’s Travel Zones so these stations won’t normally sell London travelcards.

Buy a London Travelcard online

One of the easiest ways to buy a London travelcard is by buying it online. The price is exactly the same as what it would cost you to buy it in London but you will pay a little extra for delivery.

Buy a London travelcard at Heathrow airport

London travelcard fares from 5th march 2023, travelcard for children.

Children under the age of 11 travel free within London travel zones. Children over 11 can also benefit from reduced fares; you can learn more about this in our article: Travelling in London with kids .

Find out more

For more information, visit London’s official transport website: Transport For London

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London Travelcard prices for public transport pass in 2024

Transport pass for 1 day, 7 days, 1 month or much longer for buses, trains & underground.

The London Travelcard is the original pass for public transport in London. It is very simple to understand. You pay up front for a ticket which gives you unlimited rides for a stated number of calendar days. These days are consecutive, the pass ends 7 days after the first journey.

You can currently buy Travelcards for periods of 1 day, 7 days, 1 month or 1 year.

Unless you are going to make just one single journey on public transport in London then you should really be looking to either purchase an Oyster card , contactless payment card or a London Travelcard transport pass, and not pay for single tickets.

For example, paying cash for a single Underground journey in central London is more than double the price of the same journey with an Oyster Card.

Where can you use Travelcards   Fare zones   Peak & off-peak   Where to buy   Prices 2024   Benefits   Concessions   Child fares   Groups

Where you can use a Travelcard

The Travelcard pass covers:

- The London Underground network

- The London red local bus network

- The railway network in Greater London

- Docklands Light Railway, TFL Railway and Overground Railway

- 33% discount on many scheduled river services .

You cannot use your Travelcard on the Heathrow Express train as the group are not part of the Transport for London network.

You can use your Travelcard on the London Underground, TFL Rail Heathrow and London red bus services from Heathrow.

Other airports

Gatwick, Southend, Stansted and Luton airports are outside London beyond the scope of London public transport so the buses and trains from these airports are not covered by Travelcard (though you can use Oyster cards from Gatwick & on Heathrow Express. City Airport is serviced by the Docklands Light railway (DLR) and is covered.

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.

For the vast majority of visitors you will only travel in the two most central zones 1 and 2. The Underground map (link below) has the stations and their zones marked.

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

Although with a Travelcard you have unlimited journeys for a flat fee, the price you pay for your Travelcard is determined by the fare zones you want to travel in. The more fare zones you want covered, the more expensive the Travelcard.

London's red buses do not have zones. In fact with a Travelcard if you have a Travelcard for zones 1 and 2 you can travel in all the other zones as well using London's red buses.

London Underground Map & Rail Network Map with price zones (PDF)

Use our links below to see the London price zone maps for both the Underground and Rail network. You will be able to clearly see the zones marked across the map and then look where your station of interest sits within which zone. This is an easy way to work out the potential price of travel in London, by looking at the places you want to visit and seeing which London zone they sit within.

Most major attractions sit within zone 1-2 but there are other attractions further out from central London you may want to visit, as an example Hampton Court (zone 6) or Wimbledon (zone 3).

Peak & off peak travel for 1-day Travelcards

A 1 day Travelcard comes in a choice of peak and off peak variants, the price differential is substantial.

The peak travel period is if you travel between 4.30am and 9.29am Monday to Friday.

For a 1 day Travelcard only, if you want to travel during this time you need to purchase the 'Peak' period 1 day Travelcard product, otherwise the much cheaper off peak Travelcard will do.

Note: For 1 day, an Oyster card is often much cheaper than a 1 day Travelcard, never more expensive.

Travelcards for 7 days or longer are valid at all times.

Travelcards are valid for calendar days, not 24 hours from when you first use. However you can use your Travelcard the day after the last day if your journey departs before 4.30am.

Where you buy, photo ID & varying formats of Travelcards

If you buy Travelcards from a railway ticket office (not Underground) they come on card and will have a rail logo on (just like the image at the top of the page). If you buy a 7 Day Travelcard (child or adult) or a longer duration Travelcard you will need a rail photocard. This is made up on the spot and is free of charge, but you have to bring your own passport size photo. You cannot use the rail photocard as ID at non-rail ticket outlets.

If you buy Travelcards in advance online from TfL (see banner link below) the Travelcards also come as card tickets but you do not need photo ID both for children and adults.

If you buy Travelcards from anywhere else, including Underground and DLR stations, 1 day Travelcards come on a card, but all other Travelcards come loaded on an Oyster card. Children between 11 and 17 years require an Oyster ID Photocard to buy Travelcards at concession fare rates for 7 day durations or longer. Adults do not need photo ID.

Best place to buy Travelcards

The most convenient place to buy Travelcards for visitors are Underground stations, including Heathrow Airport. You can pay cash or credit card.

However there are no longer manned ticket offices at Underground and DLR stations. You have to buy from a ticket machine.

If you prefer a person to serve you there are also many Oyster Ticket Stops all over London in neighbourhood stores, newsagents etc that display a sign in their window or stations run by the railways (not the London Overground, Underground or TFL Rail Stations).

If you feel nervous purchasing a public transport pass from a ticket machine after entering a strange country, you can buy Travelcards online from TfL (see link below) and have them delivered to your home address internationally.

BUY VISITOR OYSTER CARD & TRAVELCARD FOR LONDON

Visiting London? Save time and money on London public transport

• Visitor Oyster Card • Travelcard for 1 day anytime / off-peak or 7 days anytime • Group day travelcards available

London Travelcard Prices from 3 March 2024 - March 2025

London travelcard vs oystercard - what is the difference.

Travelcards are a flat rate travel pass where you have unlimited rides in the selected zones for the time period purchased. You can use your travelcard across the London Network (with a few exceptions), so the travelcard covers your complete travel for a set time period and for a set fee paid up front.

Oyster / Contactless payment cards are charged on a per journey basis but there is a daily maximum you can be charged. This is called the price cap. Once you hit this 'price cap' through all the individual fares adding up, you are no longer charged for any subsequent journeys made that day.

A good example is the daily Oyster/Contactless payment cards price cap is less than the cost of a 1 day Travelcard, so travel over one day is cheaper. Over longer periods Travelcards can work out cheaper depending on your travel. For instance a 7 Day Travelcard is less expensive than an Oyster or Contactless payment card if you travel 3 or more times each day for 6 days or more in a 7 day calendar period.

This is a detailed area and can be confusing, so we created a dedicated page Comparing Travelcards and Oystercards , this page looks in detail at the difference between a travelcard, Oystercard and contactless payment cards to help you find the best fit for your visit.

Benefits of using Travelcards with Oyster card

Most visitors will just travel in the central zones 1 and 2. If you are staying more than 5 days in Central London then a 7 day Travelcard zone 1-2 is probably going to be cheaper than just an Oyster card. However a Travelcard on its own with fixed travel zones is not very flexible for the occasional trip outside these zones.

7 day Travelcards can be loaded onto your Oyster card and be used in combination with Oyster on a Pay As You Go basis for a single journey.

Note this flexibility is not available on Visitors Oyster cards or contactless payment cards and is not available for Travelcards purchased from railway stations and online.

A typical example is someone arriving and departing at Heathrow Airport in zone 6 and spending say 6 days in the centre of London (zones 1-2) before flying out.

By purchasing an Oyster card at Heathrow Airport Underground Station and buying a 7 day Travelcard zone 1-2 (electronically loaded onto the Oyster by the ticket machine) plus a minimal amount of Oyster cash both Oyster card and Travelcard will will work seamlessly together.

The 7 day Travelcard zone 1-2 will cover all travel in the central zones 1 and 2. Then on the Underground airport transfer journeys the Travelcard still covers the section of the journey in zones 1 and 2 but the Oyster will kick in automatically to cover the section of the journey in zones 3 to 6 at the lowest cost using the cash on the Oyster. You do not physically have to do anything it is all automatic.

Similarly, if you are staying in London for 9 days you might buy an Oyster card and use it on a PAYG basis for 2 days and have a 7 day Travelcard loaded and use that for the remaining 7 days.

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 railways Seniors 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 onto a standard Oyster card (note, not a Visitors Oysters card) at an Underground station after showing your Seniors Card.

If you have a railways Seniors Railcard you can also buy 1 day off-peak zone 1-6 Travelcards at with the discount applied.

Child concessions

This is a very complex subject and is covered in detail in the table below.

In crude terms 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.

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.

You can only buy child Travelcards on-demand universally for 1 day Travelcards. You cannot load child Travelcards onto an Oyster without an Oyster ID card. You can buy 7 day child Travelcards at the Visit Britain online shop, TFL's online shop , and at railway stations (who require a passport photo).

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 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. Click through on the blog link right for more details.

Qualifying for the Railways 2 for 1 promotion by using Travelcards

The railways sponsor a hugely popular and long running promotion that allows those people using the train to visit leading attractions to get two people admitted for the price of one.

When visiting London you can you can get 2 for 1 admission to many of London's major sights including the Tower of London. The full list is very long and covers all of Great Britain. If you have train tickets to London and you are doing some sightseeing its a very worthwhile promotion to look into.

If, like many visitors, you are not using the national train services to get to London but are using a Travelcard to ride the London Underground to get around then there is a loophole in the scheme whereby if you buy your Travelcard from a railway station ticket office you qualify for the 2 for 1 promotion. There are a few further hoops to jump through, but the rewards can be significant, so its worth checking out.

Railways 2 for 1 promotion more details

Using your travelcard to gain access to trains

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

If you have a card Travelcard you insert the Travelcard into the ticket slot, the barrier will check that your Travelcard is valid for both date and zones travelled and then return it to you and open the barrier.

If you have a Travelcard loaded onto an Oyster card you swipe the Oyster card over a bright yellow pad, the barrier will check validity and then open the barrier. This process is repeated at the destination station.

On buses there are no ticket barriers. Inspectors may check the validity of your Travelcard at any time.

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London Oyster Card

The Oyster card is a reusable electronic card which is used to pay for travel on all types of public transport in London: buses, underground, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), trams and local trains. There are two main ways to use the Oyster card:

As a Pay as you go (PAYG) Oyster card You add money to the Oyster card and use it to pay for single journeys or for travel for the whole day (the ‘daily cap’). It’s a bit like a Pay as you go SIM card for mobile phones. When you use your card (by tapping in and out at the ticket barriers), the cost of travel is deducted from your Oyster card balance. To store season tickets Weekly or monthly Travelcards or Bus Passes are ‘loaded’ onto an Oyster card.

See Travelcards or Bus tickets & passes

You can also add some extra money to your Oyster card if you have a Weekly or Monthly Travelcard. This is useful if you need to travel outside your weekly Travelcard zone.

Are you visiting London for the first time? Read our guide to London’s transport tickets and passes .

Pay as you go (PAYG) Oyster card: an overview

The PAYG Oyster card is the cheapest and most flexible way to pay for travel, especially if your visit to London is between 1–5 days. Even if it’s only for a few journeys, it’s much cheaper than paying the full cash fare.

How much does an Oyster card cost?

The Oyster card costs £7 . You then add money to the card to pay for your travel. The £7 fee is not a deposit. You do not get this money back.

How does it work?

Once you have an Oyster, you add money to it (‘ top up ‘) and the fare for your journey is taken from your Oyster card balance when you use it.

It works out the cost of the journey and how many journeys you take when you tap your card on the Oyster card reader (‘ tap in and out’ ) at a tube or train station ticket barrier, or by tapping the reader when you get on a bus.

Oyster single fares: 2024 prices

The Pay as you go Oyster card is the cheapest way to pay for single tickets on the underground. For journeys in central London (zone 1), ticket prices are more than 50% cheaper with an Oyster card.

Here’s a comparison between Pay as you go Oyster card single fares and the standard tube ticket fare from a ticket machine (‘Cash single’).

Oyster single fares 2024

See single ticket prices for travel in zones 2,3,4,5 & 6

Oyster single fares: peak and off-peak times

If you use your Pay as you go Oyster card only few times a day, the price you pay for each single journey depends on the time of day you travel.

Off-peak fares apply on Fridays from 8 March until 31 May 2024

Peak Monday–Friday 6.30am–9.30am and from 4pm–7pm. If you travel into central London (zone 1) from an outer zone, there is no afternoon peak fare . The off-peak fare is charged. Off-Peak Off-peak fares are charged at all other times, including Public Holidays.

Oyster one-day fares: 2024 ‘daily cap’ prices

If you plan to travel by tube at least 3 times in one day, you benefit from the Oyster card ‘daily cap’. This is the maximum amount deducted from your card for travel in one day.

Oyster Daily Cap from 3 March 2024

There’s a cheaper ‘daily cap’ if you only use the buses

How does the Oyster daily cap work?

For example, if you load £10 onto your Oyster card and travel by underground in central London (zone 1- off peak):

• If you make 1 journey £2.70 is deducted from your card
• If you make 2 journeys, £5.40 is deducted
• If you make 3 journeys, £8.50 is deducted. You have now reached the ‘daily cap’ and all other journeys until 4.30am the following morning are free. £1.50 of Pay as you go credit will remain on your Oyster card

Oyster Weekly Travelcard Cap

Your Oyster card will automatically cap at the weekly Travelcard fare (this is also available on a contactless card ). The cap starts on Monday and ends Sunday, so it mainly benefits Londoners or those working in London.

How much money do I need to add to an Oyster card?

It’s up to you how much money you add to the card. The beauty of the Oyster card is that it’s flexible.

Some people add enough for a single journey, especially if they’re not a frequent traveller. Some add the price of the daily ‘cap’ for the zones they’re visiting for that day. Others just add £15 or £25 and keep an eye on the balance.

Best option for visitors

For visitors, the best option is to add the cost of the daily cap to your card x the number of full days in London. Add a little extra to cover any single journeys at the start or end of your trip if necessary. For example, to and from Heathrow airport.

If you do this then you won’t need to worry about topping up your card again. If there is money on your Oyster card at the end of your trip, you can get it back or keep it on your card for your next visit (it never expires).

Aim to have £10 or less of Pay as you go money on your card at the end of your trip and you can easily get a refund at an underground station ticket machine . Refunds are more complicated if you have more than £10 left on your card.

Where to buy an Oyster card

Oyster cards are available from the following outlets. You can usually top up your card as well.

Underground ticket machines

There are no longer any underground ticket offices. Oyster cards are available from ticket machines. The machines take notes (not £50 notes), coins and credit/debit cards.

Local shops and newsagents

Many newsagents and corner shops are licensed to sell London Transport tickets including Oyster cards. They normally have signs in the window saying ‘Oyster Ticket Stop’.

Find an Oyster Ticket Stop .

London train stations ticket machines

Oyster cards and oyster top-ups are available from ticket machines in London train stations

TfL Visitor Centres

Transport for London has several Visitor Centres at Heathrow, Victoria, Kings Cross/St Pancras International, Liverpool St & Piccadilly Circus.

How to use an Oyster card

Underground.

It’s important to touch in and out when using a PAYG Oyster card. Even if there’s no physical barrier or if the barriers are open, you still need to touch the yellow card reader when you enter and exit the station. If you don’t, the full cash fare (£4–£7) is deducted for your journey.

If you have a lot of luggage or are pushing a pushchair, station attendants will quite often push open the barrier for you. Do make sure you touch the yellow reader for the reason mentioned above. The attendants don’t always remind you to do it.

Place your card flat on the yellow card reader near the driver when you get on the bus. You do not need to touch out when you get off the bus.

How to check your Oyster card balance

If you want to check how much money you have on your Oyster card, there are several ways to find out:

From an underground station ticket machine

Place your card on the yellow card reader on a ticket machine and your remaining balance will flash up on the screen. This is the easiest way to check your balance.

Via an Oyster account online

If you register your card online with TfL , you can check how much money you have on your card.

Via the Oyster app

Check your balance on the official Oyster app. You will need to register your Oyster card. ( ios or android ).

On an underground station ticket barrier

When you place your card on the yellow card reader on a ticket barrier, the balance on your card flashes on the screen. When you arrive at your destination and touch out at a barrier, your remaining balance flashes on the screen along with the fare charged for that particular journey. This doesn’t work on all barriers.

How to get back unused money on your Oyster card

Anyone can get any unused money on your Pay as you go balance. See how to claim back unused money on a PAYG Oyster card .

The Visitor Oyster card

The Visitor Oyster Card is aimed at tourists — you might be offered one by a tour company or airline before you arrive.

The card comes pre-loaded with money and there’s a £5 fee (plus postage).

You can’t load a weekly Travelcard or Bus Pass to a Visitor Oyster, which makes it less flexible than the ‘ordinary’ Oyster. It can only be used as a Pay as you go card, and the ‘daily cap’ is still applied.

The Visitor Oyster Card is only worth buying if:

• You’re happy to pay for postage to your country and you can order it in advance
• You want to pay for your travel before you arrive
• You’re arriving after the tube stations have closed and can’t use a contactless card payment and want to use the night buses

Otherwise, just wait until you arrive in London and get an ordinary Oyster card from one of the places listed above.

Related pages

• Guide to London’s transport tickets & passes
• Oyster single tickets
• Oyster refunds
• Contactless cards
• London Transport zones

Last updated: 22 February 2024

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• Zone 2–6 weekly Travelcards
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Your Ultimate Guide To London Zones 1-9

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Get in the zone!

London is a vast city that spans 607 square miles (or 1,572 km). Irrespective of its size, the city maintains a reliable public transportation network that connects each of the 32 London boroughs. There are several ways to get about, including the tube overground, river buses, a tram system, and even a cable car. It is expected that first-time visitors to the city could feel a little overwhelmed, but don't worry; reading the blog till the end will help you. Going forward, we're going to explore the different London zones 1 to 9, which will give you an idea of how to navigate your way through! 

What are London Zones?

At resent, the London zones 1 to 9 are the most well-known. London travel zones are separated for transportation, with Zone 1 being the city centre and Zone 9 being the city's outskirts. Transport for London (TfL) uses the technology to determine a customer's journey distance and charge appropriately. Since most of London's major attractions and the city centre are located in Zone 1, most visitors won't need to venture outside. For those travelling far, it's crucial to consider how many London zones you'll pass through because this will influence the ticket you need. If you plan to travel around London as a student and are wondering what to do, our blog on student life in london can help you with a lot of insights!

What are the 9 London Zones?

Rail transportation in London is divided into London zones 1 to 9, which are being managed by London Transport. Six fare London zones are given to each station on the London Underground zones, London Overground, National Rail, TfL Rail, and Docklands Light Railway. The central core region is covered by Zone 1 , while fare zones 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are basically concentric circles around Zone 1. Zone 7,8 , and 9 , which extend into Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire to include all stations served by TfL services and some Southeastern and Greater Anglia services that are outside Greater London. However, these zones do not form complete rings around London. To purchase tickets faster, zones were created to lower pricing. In addition to navigating within the city, it's important to consider transportation options for journeys beyond the city limits, such as London airport transfers . There are various platforms providing reliable and convenient transfer services, ensuring a smooth transition to or from major airports like London’s Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and City Airport. Here’s a breakdown of the London zones 1 to 9 and their locations for better understanding:

Zone 1: London City Centre

The heartbeat of the city, Zone 1 encompasses iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the Tower of London, offering a blend of historical richness and modern vibrancy.

Zone 2: Notting Hill, Camden Town, London Zoo

Zone 2 is a cultural hub with the trendy streets of Notting Hill, the alternative charm of Camden Town, and the zoological wonders of London Zoo, along with two prominent football stadiums for sports enthusiasts.

Zone 3: Kew Gardens, Wimbledon and London City Airport

Embracing natural beauty, Zone 3 features the lush landscapes of Kew Gardens, the renowned Wimbledon tennis championships, and the convenience of London City Airport for quick getaways.

Zone 4: Wembley, RAF museum, Richmond Park

Zone 4 boasts the iconic Wembley Stadium, the fascinating RAF museum, and the tranquil expanses of Richmond Park, making it a diverse blend of sports, history, and nature.

Zone 5: Twickenham, England Rugby Union

A haven for rugby enthusiasts, Zone 5 is home to Twickenham Stadium, the world's largest dedicated rugby union venue, and serves as the heart of England Rugby.

Zone 6: End of the line for Central, District, Thameslink, Heathrow Express, Elizabeth, Metropolitan, Overground and Piccadilly

As the gateway to various transport networks, Zone 6 marks the termination point for multiple train lines, providing essential connectivity and convenience.

Zone 7: Zones A - Croxley, Rickmansworth and Watford and B - Chorleywood

Zone 7 encompasses charming towns like Croxley, Rickmansworth, and Watford in Zone A, and the picturesque surroundings of Chorleywood in Zone B, offering a mix of suburban tranquillity and urban accessibility.

Zone 8: Zone C - Chalfont & Latimer

Zone 8 features the serene locales of Chalfont & Latimer, providing a peaceful escape from the bustling city life.

Zone 9: Zone D - Amersham and Chesham

The outermost reaches of London, Zone 9's Amersham and Chesham offer a more rural atmosphere, showcasing historic charm and scenic beauty.

What are the types of London transport in London zones?

London is a massive city with various modes of transport, wherein everyone can travel on a budget and in comfort. The city provides London transport through buses, underground tubes, DLR, also known as Dockland Light Railways, Cable cars provided by Emirates, river buses, overground trains and the most efficient bicycles. With these many options, you can comfortably and conveniently travel within the zones in London, and also explore the city and visit the top restaurants in London . 

1. The Underground

First ride : 5 am Last ride : 12 am

The London Underground Zones 1 to 9 is the oldest underground rail network and one of the best London travel zones in the world. Locals call it the "Tube" because parts of the network's tunnels resemble round tubes running through the ground. Underground stations are marked with a red and blue roundel around the city. To know more, we have a detailed blog about how to use the London underground . The Underground transport is a hallmark of public transit in London. Take a look at our webstory on public transportation in London if you're a visual learner!

2. The Overground

First ride : 5:30 am Last ride : 12:30 am

The overground, which should not be confused with the "Tube," runs above street level and connects the city centre to the larger metropolitan area using zones in London. To improve connectivity between the zones in London, it was introduced in 2007. North and West London railways had experienced serious degradation over the years. To build a complete orbital network to serve the Capital, London Overground sought to merge these older networks into new lines in east and south London, and now is one of the best London travel zones.

3. Docklands Light Railway

Unlike the rest of London's transport system, the DLR is one of the completely driverless London zones. The DLR connects with London's cable car, the Emirates Air Line, and serves the docklands neighbourhood of London zones, located directly east and southeast of Central London. Use the Light Rail to scout out the best living areas. For more information, read our blog on the 10 best neighbourhoods in London .

4. London Buses

In addition to being a great way to view the city, buses in London travel zones have one key advantage over all other forms of London transport: they are not constrained by the "zone" system. Why does this matter? There is a set rate of £1.65 for each trip, regardless of how far or where you are going. Additionally, they benefit from the hopper fare, which allows unlimited bus rides within an hour for a fixed fee of £1.65.

5. Emirates Air Line (Cable Car)

First ride : 8 am Last ride : 8 pm

Don't be deceived by its misleading name; the UK's only urban cable car system will only take you 90 metres above London (295 feet). Enjoy stunning panoramic vistas of London zones 1-6 as it moves from Greenwich to Royal Victoria Dock—more magnificent than helpful. You can also use an Oyster travel card contactless card to make payments through the TfL system, just like you would if you were travelling by bus or train.

6. Boris Bikes

First ride : all-day Last ride : all-day

London 1-6 zones Santander Cycles, often known as 'Boris Bikes' locally, operates a public bicycle rental programme in zones in London 1-6 with more than 12,000 bicycles and 800 docking stations. Cycling around the city is a terrific (and environmentally responsible) way to explore. In the last ten years, the number of cyclists on London's roads has more than doubled.

7. River Bus

First ride : 5:30 am Last ride : 11:30 pm

The imprecisely called 'River Bus' runs 6 routes along the River Thames between Putney in the west and Woolwich in the east, departing from 22 piers. Since departures only occur every 20 minutes, we advise scheduling your trip in advance to prevent delays in travelling in London zones 1-8. The river bus is an excellent way to go around the city and enjoy fantastic views of London's riverfront and witness the scenic beauty.

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What are the London zone fares?

While travelling in London, the fare you will pay depends on the zone you are travelling in. The fare is calculated according to the London zones you pass by while reaching your destination, considers your mode of transport, and covers underground buses and trains. There are also several ways to pay for your travel between London Zones 1 to 9, keep reading to know all about the different ways you can pay!

How to pay for London transport in London zones

Even though London's transport system is among the best in the world, a newcomer to the city could find it a little challenging to navigate. Oyster card , debit or credit card, and Apple or Contactless Pay. It is extremely important to keep in mind that every person requires their means of payment; otherwise, you can be charged more than you are in general.

1. Apple Pay

Apple Pay is one of the most preferred options to pay for public London transport in London zones 1 to 9 and London zones 1 to 9. Except for using your phone, this payment option is much the same as the contactless. You can tap the yellow card reader with your phone just like you would for a physical card if you have your credit or debit card set up in your Apple Pay or Google Pay wallet.

2. Oyster Cards

These convenient tiny cards make navigating the city easy when it comes to figuring out how to pay for public transport in London zones 1 to 6 or London zones 1 to 9. You can purchase them at the airport, several train stations, and many convenience stores in the city. You can top up your oyster card as many times as necessary, and they cost five pounds each. The London oyster card price is around £7 , which is the price of purchasing the card. If you use a Pay as You Go Oyster card, top it up with enough cash to either pay for a single ride across the zones you travel through or add enough cash to cover the cost of the "daily cap" if you want unrestricted travel for the day. The cost of a Zone 1–5 weekly Travelcard is £65.70 if you stay in Zone 5. A weekly Travelcard for Zones 2–5 costs £38.20 , saving you £27.50 each week. To find out more information about oyster cards, head to our blog on the ultimate guide to oyster cards .

3. Contactless Payment

Contactless payment is available for those with a credit or debit card that accepts contactless payments. Check for the "contactless" icon on the card's front (shown above) or inquire with your bank or card provider if you're unclear if your card has it.If you do have it, this is undoubtedly the simplest and most practical method for paying for London transport zones. The fare is automatically generated based on the distance you have travelled if you tap your debit/credit card on the yellow card reader at the ticket booth. To make sure that you are paying the correct fare and you are not overcharged, you should always tap it at the beginning and end of your tube ride. You simply need to tap in once on buses to begin your trip, making travelling in London zones easy for you.

4. Foreign contactless card

You may pay for transport in London with a contactless debit or credit card if you have one. If you don't have or don't want an Oyster card, it's perfect. Or if the pay-as-you-go credit on your Oyster card runs out. You tap in and out at the ticket barriers at the tube or railway station or press the yellow card reader when you board a bus to use your card like an Oyster card. The primary distinction is that the fare is deducted from your debit card or credit card the next day; you no longer need to load money onto your Oyster card.

How to save money on travel to central London zones 2-6

The London Travel card has the primary advantage of being accepted on buses across all of London, regardless of which London zones you want it for. Purchasing a weekly or monthly Travelcard that excludes London Zone 1 but includes Zone 2 is a smart money-saving move if you live in Zones 2–6 and need to travel to Zone 1 (the centre of London). Take the bus to and around Zone 1 after taking the train or tube to the Zone 2 station closest to Zone 1. You will only save some money if you use a weekly or monthly Travelcard . Have a look at these prices for better understanding:

Zone 1-5 weekly Travelcard is £69.60

Zone 2-5 weekly Travelcard is £40.50

Zone 1-5 monthly Travelcard is £267.30

Zone 2-5 monthly Travelcard is £155.60

Zone 6-9 weekly Travelcard is £64.40

Zone 6-9 monthly Travelcard is £247.30

Fares for stations in two zones

Zones 1 through 9 are the nine fare zones that make up the London public transport system. Zone 1 covers the city's centre, and the remaining zones are distributed outside. A station is said to straddle the boundary between two adjacent zones when it is located on their border. This is especially true for public transportation systems like the London Underground Zones 1 to 9 (Tube) and others where the fare you pay varies according to the zones you go through.

Stations on the border of two zones are frequently marked on the tube map with a unique graphic clue to help passengers understand their location. To be more precise, the names of certain stations on the map might have a white box around them. Because these stations are situated on the border between two fare zones, they have a particular status that makes them easy to identify for travellers. It is advised that passengers may have particular ticketing concerns when travelling to or from these border stations. This can entail different rates, ticket options, or fee computations when compared to trips that take place wholly inside one zone. 

Popular places to visit outside London Zone 1

Zone 1 is a London zone which covers most of central London. However, the areas outside of Zone 1, too, are filled with tons of tourist attractions, culture, and eateries for you to explore during your stay in the capital of England. Here are some of our favourites:

1. Horniman Museum : near Forest Hill station 2. Greenwich : near Cutty Sark station 3. Highgate Cemetery : near Archway station 4. Battersea Park : near Battersea Park station 5. Oxleas Wood & Sever nDroog Castle: near Eltham station 6. Brockwell Lido : near Herne Hill station 7. Broadway Market : near London Fields station 8. London Wetland Centre : near Barnes station 9. Bruce Castle Museum : near Bruce Grove station 10. Crystal Palace Park : near Crystal Palace station

You are all set to venture around London through the London zones 1-9! We hope our London zones guide will help you navigate the city easily and comfortably as a new traveller in the country. Remember to follow all the laws of the country, and don't forget to tap in and tap out to avoid any penalties on your travel cards. If you're a student planning to study in the UK, finding suitable accommodation might be a concern. Explore the amazing student accommodation options in the UK and start your journey today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many london zones are there in the city, is an oyster card cheaper than a travelcard to travel through the zones in london, in which of the london zones 1 to 9 does the london city centre lie, how much does it approximately cost to travel in london zones 1 to 6 or london zones 1 to 9, 5. what are some popular tourist attractions in london travel zones outside of 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

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What are the different zones in London and how do you know which one you're in?

The London transport system can sometimes feel like a maze to newcomers. But once you get familiar with it, you realise it's really a piece of cake. 

London’s zones are a system of geographical zones used by Transport for London (TfL) to determine the distance of a customer’s journey and charge a fee accordingly.

London is divided into 9 zones, but most of it fits into zones 1–6. Central London is Zone 1, Zone 2 is the ring around Zone 1, Zone 3 is the ring around 2 and so on. 

Understanding the zone system is crucial for getting around the capital and knowing how much you’ll pay.

How do I know what zone I am in London?

London's tube map will help you to find out what zone you're in.

What are zones 1 to 6 in London?

Here is a rundown of what to expect in each zone. 

London Zone 1 covers central London.

In Zone 1, you'll find major attractions such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, the British Museum, the Science Museum, and more.

London Zone 2 is the inner city that wraps around Zone 1. It is not in the city centre but closer to the centre than zone 3. 

You can expect Notting Hill, Camden Town, and London Zoo. 

London Zone 3 is the inner zone of Transport for London’s zonal fare system. 

Zone 3 features the beautiful landscapes of Kew Gardens, the famous Wimbledon tennis championships, and the convenience of London City Airport for quick getaways.

London Zone 4 is the outer zone of Transport for London’s zonal fare system. Zone 4 rings around zone 3. London Zone 4 is only 33 minutes from Central London (Zone 1).

In Zone 4, you'll find Wembley Stadium, the fascinating RAF museum, the tranquillity of Richmond Park and more.

London zone 5 is an outer zone and rings around zone 4. 

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Zone 5 offers great value as it only takes on average 15 minutes longer to get into central London than in Zone 2.

A haven for rugby enthusiasts, you'll find Twickenham Stadium here.

London Zone 6 is the outer zone of Transport for London’s zonal fare system. It is the end of the line for Central, District, Thameslink, Heathrow Express, the Elizabeth , Metropolitan, and Piccadilly lines, and the Overground.

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Zone 1 or Group E? Making Sense of the New Boarding Rules

Airlines have been toying with boarding plans and line-jumping shortcuts since they began charging for checked bags 10 years ago. Here, the latest changes and how to make them work for you.

By Elaine Glusac

For airlines, time on the ground is money. Financially speaking, planes only earn revenue for their companies when they are in the air, ferrying paying passengers. Which is one strong incentive to speed up boarding, deplaning and turnaround time.

That is why airlines continue to tinker with boarding procedures. United Airlines remodeled its boarding processes last fall to discourage passengers from lining up and clogging the boarding area. In January, Delta Air Lines expanded from having six numbered groups determine the order of boarding to eight color groups. Southwest Airlines is testing front- and rear-door boarding and deplaning at airports where the weather allows.

Boarding hierarchy didn’t matter much until about 10 years ago, when airlines began charging for checked bags . As the propensity to carry on luggage grew, so did the overhead bin wars. Early boarding, now aligned with frequent flier status and more expensive tickets, largely means avoiding them.

“Southwest maintains one reason it doesn’t assign seats is that it leads to faster boarding,” says Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and the founder of Atmosphere Research Group . “The problem is, at other airlines, you now have customers with frequent flier status who expect early boarding and have been educated for more than a decade that they’re special.”

That doesn’t stop airlines from toying with boarding plans and dangling line-jumping shortcuts, as the following chart on domestic boarding procedures suggests.

Alaska Airlines

Boarding by: Groups A through E. A and B have frequent flier status or premium class seats, C is in the back half of the main cabin, D is in the front and E is for “ Saver ” seats, which are the cheapest, largely nonrefundable and do not allow advance seat assignments.

What’s new: Alphabetical group boarding was adopted in 2018; Group E was added in early 2019 with the low-price fares.

Preboarding: Families with children under the age of 2, active duty military, first class.

How to line-jump: n/a, other than preboarding groups.

Carry-on policy: One personal item and one carry-on, measuring 22-by-14-by-9 inches maximum, are free . When overhead bin space runs out, bags checked at the gate are free.

American Airlines

Boarding Groups: Groups 1 through 9 . Group 1 is first and/or business class and active-duty military; 2 through 4 reflect frequent flier status; 5 is for tickets purchased with extra legroom; 9 is for the lowest price “ Basic Economy ” where seats cannot be selected more than 48 hours in advance.

What’s new: Boarding was last updated in March 2017.

Preboarding: Members of the airline’s invitation-only ConciergeKey program. Families with children under the age of 2 may ask to preboard.

How to line-jump: Holders of most of the airline’s AAdvantage credit cards board with groups 4 and 5 (annual fee $99). Travelers may also buy priority boarding for $9 to $74 each way.

Carry-on policy: One personal item and one carry-on up to 22-by-14-by-9 inches free . When overhead bin space runs out, bags checked at the gate are free.

Delta Air Lines

Boarding Groups: Groups one through eight are classified by color on a spectrum running from purple, for the highest-status frequent flier members, to navy blue for Basic Economy , the lowest fare, which offers seat assignments only after check-in.

What’s new: The color system was adopted in January, expanding to eight boarding groups from six.

Preboarding: Customers needing extra time and active military members.

How to line-jump: Delta SkyMiles American Express credit card holders get priority boarding in the first Main Cabin group, or fifth group (annual fee $95).

Frontier Airlines

Boarding Groups: Zones 1 through 4. Zone 1 fliers have paid for a carry-on bag. Zones 2 through 4 go from the rear of the plane to the front.

What’s new: n/a

Preboarding: Anyone needing a wheelchair or other boarding assistance; unaccompanied minors.

How to line-jump: Flyers purchasing amenity bundles known as the Works or the Perks get priority boarding and free checked and carry-on bags. A passenger purchasing a carry-on bag gets Zone 1 boarding. Families with children under the age of 3 board after Zone 1 but before Zone 2. Holders of the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard get Zone 2 boarding (annual fee $79).

Carry-on policy: One personal item is free. Carry-on bags must be no larger than 24-by-16-by-10 inches and cost $35 at booking and run up to $60 at the gate.

JetBlue Airways

Boarding Groups: Groups A through E. A is for travelers purchasing an “Even More Space” seat; B through E groups stagger passengers seated throughout the plane to minimize congestion.

What’s new: In November, JetBlue introduced biometric self-boarding gate s using facial recognition technology on international flights at New York’s Kennedy and Washington, D.C.’s Reagan airport.

Preboarding: Customers with disabilities; Mint (premium class); and Mosaic (high frequent flier status) fliers.

How to line-jump: To join Group A, purchase an “Even More Space” seat, which has extra legroom and varied prices but recently cost about $100 one way on a $300 round trip between New York and San Francisco. Passengers traveling with children in car seats and strollers and active military personnel board between Groups A and B.

Carry-on policy: One personal item and one carry-on up to 22-by-14-by-9 inches free .

Southwest Airlines

Boarding Groups: Open seating for Groups A through C, each with a boarding position numbered 1 through 60. Passengers line up by number (assigned, with some premium exceptions, by order of check-in) in their alphabetical group.

What’s new: At four airports in California — Burbank, Long Beach, Sacramento and San Jose — Southwest is experimenting with speeding up boarding and deplaning by simultaneously using front jet-bridge entries and rear doors that require the use of stairs.

Preboarding: Customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability, or need assistance in boarding or stowing an assistive device.

How to line-jump: Business Select fares, which vary but can be double the lowest, nonrefundable fares, guarantee a boarding position between A1 and A15. Others can pay an extra $30 to $50 one way for a position from A1 to A15. Paying $15 to $25 one way for upgraded boarding 36 hours before the flight doesn’t guarantee A-list status, but will improve your boarding position. Children ages six or younger and a guardian may board before Group B.

Carry-on policy: One personal item and one carry-on up to 22-by-16-by-10 inches free .

Spirit Airlines

Boarding Groups: Zones 1 to 4. Zone 1 passengers have purchased carry-on bags; Zone 3 fliers are toward the back of the plane; Zone 4 fliers are toward the front of the plane.

Preboarding: Passengers with disabilities and those traveling with children under the age of 2.

How to line-jump: Active military members board with Zone 2. Fliers can also purchase Shortcut Boarding for about $10 one way to get into Zone 2. Holders of the Spirit Airlines World Mastercard get Zone 2 boarding (annual fee $59).

Carry-on policy: Passengers are allowed only one personal item. Fees for full-size carry-on bags depend on the route, but recently ran $27 at the time of booking, and $65 at the gate for a flight from Chicago to Las Vegas.

United Airlines

Boarding Groups: Groups 1 through 5, that queue up through two boarding lanes. Group 1 through blue and all others through green.

What’s new: The airline changed its boarding in September 2018 to two boarding lanes from five to ease congestion at the gates and shifted group definitions to make them more balanced.

Preboarding: MileagePlus Premiere 1K customers, the highest frequent flier status; families traveling with children ages 2 and under; customers with disabilities; and active military members.

How to line-jump: United Explorer MileagePlus credit card holders board in Group 2 (annual fee $95).

Carry-on policy: One personal item and one carry-on up to 22-by-14-by-9 inches free for most fliers. When overhead bin space runs out, bags checked at the gate are free. Basic Economy fares are allowed a personal item but must pay to check a full-size carry-on.

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30 must see London attractions by tube

Last updated on October 11th, 2023.

It’s not easy for me writing about the must-see London attractions.

As my second home city, I’ve a slightly different opinion as to what I think other first-time travelers should see.

Most new visitors often want to see Buckingham Palace or Big Ben, while others prefer to discover a local’s London .

This is why I’m doing something a little different in this post.

Alongside the already well-known sights, I’m listing 30 top London sights based on zone 1 tube stations.

What is zone 1 on the London Underground?

Zone 1 is the central area of London according to the tube map. The stations here consist of the most popular attractions such as Piccadilly Circus and Westminster. You won’t be surprised to find that zone 1 is also the most expensive zone in terms of ticket prices.

There are 9 zones in total on the London underground map. The further the zone, the lower the price. However, outside zone 3, most of the stations are not considered as London zip codes.

30 must see London attractions by zone 1 tube stations

London is a big and busy city, and it can be overwhelming for new visitors. Seeing the capital by zone 1 is one way to explore, while also making the most of your Oyster Card.

The list is in alphabetical order, and I’ve also included which tube lines you can take to get here.

Baker Street

Bakerloo, Hammersmith and City, Jubilee and Metropolitan lines

When you think of Baker Street, there’s probably one character that springs to mind. It’s the home of fictional English detective, Sherlock Holmes, who lived here at 221b Baker Street.

Today, the address is home to the Sherlock Holmes Museum , where you can find all the memorabilia under one roof. It’s a unique museum to see in London, and one that existing — and new — fans of the books will enjoy.

The museum’s open every day from 9.30am to 6pm. There’s an entrance cost of £15 (€17; $19) for adults and £10 (€11; $13)* for children (under 16).

Local tip : Search for 237 Baker Street when looking for the museum. It’s actually between 237 and 241, so you may just walk past it.

Map: 30 must see London attractions

Central, Northern, Waterloo and City lines 

As its name suggests, Bank is the heart of the financial capital of London. It’s something that becomes more obvious once you exit the station. One of the first buildings you’ll see is the grand Bank of England.

It’s the central bank of the United Kingdom, set in an impressive Roman temple-style building. The Bank of England was designed by English architect, Sir John Sloane, who specialized in neo-classical style.

Inside the Bank of England is a museum that’s open to the public, and it’s also free to enter. What’s more, the events cost nothing, and you can learn more about what they do.

The museum opens every day from 10am to 5pm, except bank holidays (UK public holidays). Last entry to the museum is at 4.30pm. Check the website for more up-to-date information and to better plan your visit. 

Circle, Hammersmith and City and Metropolitan lines

At the heart of the city of London is Barbican. Given its central location, you’re likely to find city workers, and also plenty of university students, especially during the week.

However, aside from work and school purposes, there are several attractions in the area you may want to visit. The Barbican Centre hosts different types of cultural events such as concerts, film screenings and art exhibitions.

More impressively, inside is a library, 3 restaurants and a conservatory. These features make The Barbican Centre the largest of its kind in Europe. Check to see what’s on during your visit.

More to see — must see London attractions 

Other attractions worth visiting while here include The Museum of London and St. Giles-without-Cripplegate. The Museum of London showcases the history of London from prehistoric to modern times. It’s a short walk away from The Barbican Centre and is located on the London Wall.

Visit one of the few remaining medieval churches in London at St. Giles-without-Cripplegate. The church has survived 3 fires, the last one happening during the blitz from the Second World War.

St. Giles-without-Cripplegate is also where military commander and Lord Protector of England, Oliver Cromwell, got married in 1620. You can find the church on Fore Street, just behind the London Wall.

Bond Street

Central and Jubilee lines

Who’s ready to shop? There’s usually only one reason to head to Bond Street, and that’s to spend big. Both exits from the train station lead onto Oxford Street, another major high street mecca. The difference between the 2, is that Bond Street has more high-end stores and boutiques.

Personally, I like getting away from the crowds and exploring behind the main shopping street area. St Christopher’s Place is a square you enter through a narrow passing off Oxford Street. It may not be so secret anymore, but this plaza, full of activity, is still a favorite meeting point.

Explore everywhere

South Molton Street is pretty to walk through, with plenty of quaint — and expensive — attention-grabbing shops. It leads to Brook Street, where you’ll find the iconic 5-star Claridge’s Hotel. While this luxury hotel may be out of your price range, a drink at Claridge’s Bar won’t break the bank.

Alternatively, you may want to have afternoon tea at its restaurant, The Foyer and the Reading Room. It’s gained a name as being one of the best afternoon teas in London, and in a historic Georgian setting. Want to know how much it’ll cost to stay at Claridge’s? Check for dates and availability .

Northern line 

Away from the posh, and back to the urban at Borough Market. Markets and eating are 2 of my favorite pastimes, and I never say no to an invitation here.

However, and this is a big however, Borough Market’s insanely busy on the weekends, and also during weekday lunchtimes. If you’re planning on visiting during these periods, be prepared for crowds of people, long lines and nowhere to sit.

Saying that, I highly recommend taking a tour , and if possible, during a weekday morning. It gives you a chance to visit and really enjoy the market, without masses of people hovering around.

Charing Cross

Northern and Bakerloo lines

The number one attraction visitors come to see in Charing Cross is Trafalgar Square. It’s probably one of the top 10 things to see in London, plus it’s free too.

The square’s where you’ll find the towering Nelson’s Column, guarded by 4 lion statues — usually with people sitting on top.

Depending on the time of year you visit, Trafalgar Square also hosts free events and shows. From musical performances to feast/international days, it all happens here.

One of my favorite art galleries is also in Charing Cross, The National Gallery . From its grand building to the impressive range of art inside, it’s a must see. Better yet, it’s free, and open daily from 10am to 6pm every day (Fridays till 9pm).

Covent Garden

Piccadilly line

From shopping to entertainment, there’s no-one I know who doesn’t like visiting Covent Garden. It’s the home of London’s theatreland, with hit musicals like Mamma Mia and The Lion King.

After taking in a show, explore the piazza of Covent Garden. There’s an endless variety of shops, eateries and bars, as well as live performances and theatrics always taking place.

Other noteworthy attractions in Covent Garden include the Royal Opera House, the London Transport Museum and the London Film Museum.

Bakerloo, District, Circle and Northern lines

There aren’t many places in zone 1 where you can escape the maddening crowds of London. Thankfully, there’s the River Thames to bring your levels back down to calm.

Upon exiting Embankment station, cross the road, and it’ll bring you straight to Victoria Embankment. It’s one of my favorite walks to do in London, and a great place to get away from the masses.

Keep walking north, and you’ll come across Cleopatra’s Needle. This historical landmark is one of 3 ancient Egyptian obelisks that were re-erected in London, Paris and New York. While all are genuine obelisks, they’ve no connection with the famous Egyptian queen herself.

Goodge Street

Northern line

Goodge Street is the cool, big brother of the neighborhoods in London. Rather than being known for one main attraction, Goodge Street is simply somewhere different to explore in London.

It’s located in the plush Fitzrovia area of the city, with an overwhelming choice of bars and restaurants to match.

My top recommendation for drinks in Goodge Street is Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals. The bar pays homage to author Jules Verne’s fictional world traveler, Phileas Fogg. It’s colorful, with great cocktails, wine and service, plus it’s travel-themed too. What more could you ask for?

Stay here in Goodge Street: The fabulously chic Charlotte Street Hotel is my luxury boutique hotel of choice. Romantic, and a little discreet, it’s the ideal place to stay in Fitzrovia. It also belongs to the same hotel group as the fabulous Crosby Street Hotel in New York City.

Green Park 

Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines

Exiting at Green Park tube station brings you to several top London sights. As soon as you exit the station, you’ll find yourself moments from Green Park. It’s one of the Royal Parks in London, and spans across 40 acres.

From here, you can also visit Buckingham Palace and buy tickets to tour the royal palace and the Queen’s Gallery too. However, it’s only open to the public from July to October. That said, book your tickets in advance and beat the crowds.

Take in some art

The excellent Royal Academy of Arts is also a few minutes’ walk from Green Park station. Like the majority of art galleries and museums in London, it’s also free admission. However, there’s a charge for specific exhibitions, so can check the website before you visit.

I can’t write about Green Park without mentioning the luxury boutique hotel, Flemings Mayfair . This wonderful hotel is located in the Mayfair quarter of London, complete with first-class rooms, suites and service.

Local tip: visit Fortnum & Mason. Stock up on quality English tea, biscuits, jams and more at this upmarket department store. They make great gifts for family and friends, or a treat just for you.

High Street Kensington

Circle and District lines

Generally speaking, Kensington is the area where the rich and famous live. The fact that it’s situated in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea says it all.

The main reason to come to High Street Kensington is to visit Kensington Palace. The home of the young royals is open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm, with last entry at 5pm.

You can beat the crowds with a smug smile by getting your tickets in advance . Kensington Palace is popular for obvious reasons, and lines get busy very quickly.

The area surrounding High Street Kensington is also worth exploring. There are plenty of great shops, small cafes and restaurants, plus entry to the wonderful Hyde Park. Speaking of Hyde Park….

Hyde Park Corner

Piccadilly line 

Hyde Park Corner’s most famous attraction is Hyde Park. It’s the largest green space in central London, and another of the 8 royal parks.

Come winter, a section of the park transforms into Winter Wonderland; an annual event with a fairground and Christmas market stalls. When summer arrives, so too do the outdoor concerts.

Hyde Park’s also near to the swanky area of Park Lane. Expect top 5-star hotels like the Intercontinental , and The Dorchester, as well as flashy sports cars parked outside.

King’s Cross St Pancras

Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines

Die-hard Harry Potter fans come to King’s Cross St Pancras for just one thing. Walk in the footsteps of the young wizard and visit platform 9 ¾ on a themed bus or walking tour .

From King’s Cross, there’s also the option to take a tour of the Warner Bros Studio . Your ticket price includes round-trip transportation, as well as the chance to see all your favorite sets from the franchise.

The other main reason to visit King’s Cross is to travel nationwide, or out of the country. Along with trains to other UK destinations, London St Pancras International is also the terminal for the Eurostar. Travel from London to Paris , or to Disneyland Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam, and all within a few hours.

Knightsbridge

There’s one landmark so popular in Knightsbridge that it’s become its own must-see attraction when visiting London. Harrods is a one-of-a-kind luxury department store, and just seconds away from exiting Knightsbridge station.

With more than a million sqr ft of space, 7 floors and 330 departments, it’s easy to spend a day here. However, Harrods isn’t just all about luxury goods. I personally like browsing the food section, or stopping for something to eat at one of the eateries.

Knightsbridge is also where you’ll find some of the best luxury hotels in London. The Mandarin Oriental is a 2-minute walk from Harrods, and the excellent Berkeley is about 5 minutes’ walk.

They also serve a wonderful designer-themed afternoon tea here called Pret-a-Portea . Enjoy cups of bottomless tea while nibbling on Jimmy Choos, just in cookie form.

Leicester Square

Northern and Piccadilly lines

Exiting from Leicester (pronounced Les-ter) Square brings you to the one of the busiest, and most touristic, places in London.

The main square is where film premieres take place, and where people also come for the nightlife. Though touristy, I’d still say to visit and see it for yourself.

Leicester Square also gives you easy access to London’s Chinatown, as well as Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus.

Liverpool Street

Central, Circle, Hammersmith and City and Metropolitan lines

Liverpool Street station is always busy. The area’s another major financial district of London, so is heaving with city workers during the week.

Personally, I like coming to Liverpool Street for several reasons, the first being the markets. Old Spitalfields Market opens every day, with plenty of stalls selling clothing, jewellery and other goods.

There are also plenty of restaurants, bakeries and coffee places in Spitalfields to just take a moment. Next door is Spitalfields Arts Market, where you can browse or buy the art as you wish.

Curry houses and beer

As you explore further, you’ll reach Brick Lane. It’s generally known for the Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants, but you’ll also find bars and coffee places too. The Brick Lane Sunday Market is a weekly outdoor market that sells books and clothing every Sunday.

Another noteworthy building here is The Truman Brewery. It’s a former brewery located between Spitalfields and Brick Lane. Inside are independent boutique shops, a food hall and it’s also often used as a music venue.

London Bridge

Jubilee and Northern lines

I’ve not met anyone (yet) who hasn’t heard of London Bridge. Even though most people mistake it for Tower Bridge, the area’s one of London’s most popular attractions.

In recent years, there’s another attraction that’s become a must-see sight in London Bridge, and that’s The Shard. Standing at 306m high, this glass and steel structure’s the 5th tallest building in Europe.

Tickets are available to access the viewing platforms on floors 68, 69 and 72. It’s the highest viewing point in London, and on a clear day, it’s possible to see up to 40 miles.

The exquisite Shangri-La Hotel is also located at The Shard. Check in to one of their fabulous rooms , or simply take a drink at the bar and enjoy the views.

Marble Arch

Central line

You may not spot the famous arch in Marble Arch right away, but once you do, it’s quite a sight. English architect John Nash designed the white-marble structure in 1827 as the state entrance to Buckingham Palace.

It was later relocated to its current location near Marble Arch tube station in 1851.

Leaving Marble Arch station also brings you to the start of Oxford Street as well as Park Lane. Hyde Park is across the road, and Baker Street’s about 15 minutes on foot.

From Marble Arch, you can also easily walk to Bond Street, or towards Edgware Road. This is the street to come and satisfy your Middle Eastern food cravings, and at a reasonable price too.

Bakerloo line

To visit a location in the center of London with a village feel, come to Marylebone (pronounced Mar-lee-bone). It’s a short walk from Baker Street and is also one of the most elegant addresses in the city.

The 5-star hotel, and celebrity favorite restaurant, Chiltern Firehouse, is here, as is The Wallace Collection. Inside is an impressive gallery of French paintings, furniture and body armor from the 15th and 19th century.

It’s free entry and The Wallace Collection is open every day from 10am to 5pm. In case you want to do something super touristy, the globally recognized Madam Tussauds wax museum is also here.

Local tip : Take a detour to Marylebone High Street. I love the independent shops and quaint cafes and pubs along this road.

Notting Hill Gate

District, Central and Circle lines

You’ve seen the film at least 10 times and now want to see the inspiration behind it. Notting Hill’s in west London, and is as pretty and residential as the film portrays.

Houses are grand, expensive, and many with the colorful doors you’ve probably seen on Instagram.

Market mania

As well as exploring the tree-lined streets, many people come to Notting Hill for its markets. It’s located on Portobello Road, just a few minutes’ walk once you exit the tube station. Browse the row of stalls that sell everything from vintage clothes to fruits and vegetables. The opening times are:

• Monday to Wednesday: 9am to 6pm, Thursday: 9am to 7pm. These times are changeable depending on the weather. Check the website for the most up-to-date information.

Friday and Saturdays are the busiest days of the week. Every Friday is the antiques market, where over 1,000 dealers sell different types of antiques and collectibles.

Oxford Circus

Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines

If you don’t like shopping, Oxford Circus may not be the tube stop for you. It’s the epicenter for a wide range of stores and top department stores. This street’s also very busy on the weekend and during the holidays — visit at your peril.

However, there’s another side to Oxford Circus, and it has nothing to do with shopping. Go behind the main shopping street, and you’ll find some quieter back roads. Here is where you’ll find some nice bars and restaurants, as well as some familiar chain names too.

Local tip : Walk along Great Portland Street until you reach the end. There are some sweet coffee shops here, as well as opportunities to window shop too. Plus, at the end of the road is another royal park, Regent’s Park, just over the crossing.

Piccadilly Circus

Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines

It’s right into the belly of the beast for this next zone 1 tube stop. Even if you’ve never traveled to London, you’ll surely recognize Piccadilly Circus by photo.

Home to the famous billboard with flashing bright advertisements, Piccadilly Circus is also where you’ll see the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. Many people mistakenly call it the Eros fountain because of the winged statue of Anteros. It’s not hard to miss the fountain: there’s always usually in front taking a photo.

The heart of the city

From Piccadilly Circus, you can also easily access Chinatown and the trendy area of SoHo. It’s the ideal spot for dinner or a night out, with many bars and nightclubs to keep you entertained.

Boutique accommodation, Dean Street Townhouse , sits at the heart of the neighborhood. This boutique favorite may be in one of the noisiest areas in London, but it’s very surprisingly quiet inside.

Shoreditch High Street

London Overground 

For most first-time visitors to London, Shoreditch High Street may not feature anywhere on the itinerary. However, in recent years, more people are coming to check out the ‘hipster’ part of London for themselves.

You get a sense of the trendy vibe almost instantly as you exit the station. Expect to see some eclectic dress styles and plenty of vibrant street art too. It’s grittier in feel, but that’s how the locals like it.

Aside from the many independent bars and coffee shops, there’s also a small area full of Vietnamese restaurants.

Shoreditch is where the cool kids hang out, but everyone’s welcome. Head up to Hoxton Square and navigate your way across the bars around the plaza. The boutique hotel, The Hoxton , is also a short walk away, with a lobby/lounge area for guests and the public.

Sloane Square

Come and see how the other half live in Sloane Square. It’s one of the most expensive areas in London and incredibly classy too.

Though the houses may be pricey, the area’s free to explore. Expect to see pretty wide-angled streets and large houses with French windows and no curtains.

Sloane Street has plenty of independent boutique shops as well as chain brands, like Zara. The fascinating, and free, Saatchi Gallery, is also minutes from the tube station.

As you keep walking further, you’ll eventually reach the equally posh quarter of Chelsea. There’s nothing out of place here, including the people, and everything’s postcard perfect.

South Kensington

Circle, District and Piccadilly lines

One fantastic feature that London has over other big capitals, is that admission to museums and galleries are free. Though you do have to pay for exhibitions, general entry costs you nothing.

South Kensington is the museum capital of London, with 3 large buildings just minutes from the station’s exit. Here is where you’ll find the Science Museum, Natural History Museum and the V&A (Victoria and Albert) Museum .

Visiting the capital’s museums is also one of the best, and free, things to do with kids in London. While there, swing by the ‘most Instagrammable’ Elan Café , just a short walk from the museum district.

St Paul’s Cathedral

There’s good reason why visitors are drawn to St Paul’s Cathedral. This iconic church sits at the highest point in the city of London on Ludgate Hill. The current building dates back to the 17th century, but was first founded in AD 604.

Acclaimed English architect, Sir Christopher Wren, designed the current cathedral after it was destroyed during the Great Fire of London.

A shining example of English baroque style, St Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s top, and most recognizable, attractions. You can enter the church if you want to attend mass or simply explore on your own. Check the website for opening times and to also see the calendar of events.

However, you may be keen instead to join one of their sightseeing tours. Your ticket price includes a guided tour of the church, and the chance to climb the dome of the cathedral. From here, you can admire London from above from the Whispering, Golden or Stone galleries. What’s more, your ticket also includes a multilingual multimedia guide, and a further year’s free entry.

Tower Hill tube station is one of my favorite stops in zone 1. The moment you exit the station building, you’re welcomed by the glorious Tower of London.

Tower of London

A palace, fortress and prison, the Tower of London is one of the best attractions to visit in the city. The palace’s exterior is already impressive from a distance, but it gets even better once you enter.

As well as the chance to see the Crown Jewels, you’ll also see the mythical ravens around the grounds. Legend has it, that if the ravens leave the tower, the kingdom will fall.

Being one’s of London’s must-see sights, the Tower of London is not only busy, but also expensive. You can save on your ticket price, and jump the line at the same time by buying in advance .

Tower Bridge

It’s impossible to visit Tower Hill without coming to see its iconic bridge. Tower Bridge isn’t just a masterpiece of engineering, but it’s also one of the top sights to see in London.

Given its symbolic status in the capital, it’s not surprising that many people mistake it for being London Bridge.

You can freely walk along the bridge deck — apart from when the bridge is being drawn — from morning to night. However, there’s an entrance fee to visit the towers , high level walkways and the Victorian engine rooms.

Local tip: Visit nearby St Katherine’s Dock. This tranquil marina’s a short walk from the Tower of London, home to offices as well as residences too. I also recommend walking up Wapping High Street, along the river.

There are some lovely pubs here with river views, like the Town of Ramsgate and Captain Kidd.

Circle, District and Victoria lines

The number one reason most people come to Victoria is to travel. As well as being one of the busiest train stations in the capital, there’s also the Victoria Coach Station nearby.

It’s also here where you take the Gatwick Express to get to Gatwick Airport. If you’re avoiding public transport, a private transfer to Gatwick may be a better option.

Royal connections — must see London attractions

The most popular London attraction in Victoria is Buckingham Palace (see section on Green Park). However, the area’s also home to the Victoria Palace Theatre, The Apollo Victoria Theatre, and the excellent Goring hotel .

Local tip: Walk down Elizabeth Street. This area, next to Victoria Coach Station, is a pretty, and rather discreet part of the neighborhood. Treat yourself to a Cronut™️ at Dominique Ansel Bakery , before checking out the small boutiques and beautiful houses.

Westminster

Circle, District and Jubilee lines

Unless you work in the area, most visitors come to Westminster to see the Palace of Westminster. Spanning over 900 years of history, it’s probably the number 1 attraction in London.

The historic building comprises of the world’s most famous clock, Big Ben, and the 2 houses of Parliament. Even if you’ve no interest in politics, I highly encourage you to book a tour of the parliament buildings . Not only is it really enjoyable and educational, but you also get a chance to see behind the scenes.

You can choose from a 90-minute guided tour, a family guided tour or even a tour with afternoon tea. It’s highly advisable to book your tickets in advance. They’re slightly cheaper, plus you also get to skip the lines and head straight through to security.

Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo and City lines

Just south of the River Thames is the buzzing area of Waterloo. For first-time travelers, it ranks high as a top destination in London given its many must-see attractions.

The area known as the Southbank is where you’ll find The London Eye as well as the Royal Festival Hall. It’s a stretch of path that runs along the river, with plenty of bars and restaurants on the way.

Ride the eye — must see London attractions

Be sure to check the calendar of events, as there’s usually something going on. The Southbank also happens to be one of my favorite spots for people watching, especially come summertime.

There are 2 things I advise if you plan on riding the London Eye. First, you’d be crazy not to buy your tickets in advance . Lines are long here, even during the less busy seasons.

Second, if you also enjoy seeing London at sunset, book a ticket for the last ‘flight’ during summer. The pods are less busy, and the colors at that time, and from that height, are mesmerizing.

How to get around the London Underground

The train system is also commonly known as the ‘tube’. You’ll hear this a lot in London, so don’t be afraid to ask for ‘the nearest tube station.’ The underground seem daunting at first, but get yourself a tube map, and don’t hesitate to ask staff for help.

I also advise getting lost on the tube — if you’ve the time to spare. It can be a fun way of familiarizing yourself with the system. If you come from another big city like New York or Paris, navigating the London Underground should be easy.

Which type of London travelcard should I buy?

Public transportation in central London is frequent, runs on time (most days) but it isn’t cheap. That’s why I always recommend taking an Oyster Card when you arrive in London. It costs £5 (€5.98; $6.85)* (a deposit you get back once you return it), and you can add any amount.

It works by tapping the yellow sign on the barrier (in the tube), or by the driver (on the bus). The Oyster Card prices* are cheaper than buying a ticket outright.

The Oyster Card pay-as-you-go fare in zone 1 for a single journey costs £2.40 (€2.87; $3.28).* Fares are capped on a daily basis and differ according to the zones. For Zones 1 to 2, the cap is £7.40. To give you an example of how it works:

• You add £10 to your Oyster Card
• After one journey, £2.40 is deducted from your Oyster Card
• Once you’ve made 3 journeys, you’ve almost reached the daily cap of £7.40. This means that the fourth journey within zone 1 to 2 will cost just £0.20p
• After this, all other journeys within this zone will be free until 4:30am the following morning.

It’s important you remember to tap your Oyster Card at every barrier, even if they’re open. If you don’t, the FULL cash fare (£4-7) will be deducted.

Children under 11 travel free on the London Underground, but they must be accompanied by an adult/s with a valid ticket.

Which of these London attractions would you like to see? Are there any other zone 1 tube station sights I missed out? Let me know in the comments below.

*Prices correct at time of publishing.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.

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100 thoughts on “ 30 must see London attractions by tube ”

Fantastic list of must-see London attractions by tube! 🚇 Your detailed insights make planning a breeze. Personally, I found exploring these landmarks convenient and budget-friendly. Thanks for the valuable tips!

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

is there a travel card that covers all 9 zones for the underground and includes entrance to some attractions ?

Hi Chris, thank you for your message. A good option for visitors to London is the Visitor Oyster Card. You have to add credit, but can take unlimited journeys on all Transport for London modes of travel. The visitor card also gives you discounts and special offers at selected restaurants and attractions around London. Alternatively, there is also the Day Travelcard (paper ticket). You can get unlimited travel in one day with:

Anytime Day Travelcards: use for the date on the ticket and for journeys starting before 04:30 the next day. Zones 1-6 (£18.10) Off-peak Day Travelcards: use from 09:30 (Monday to Friday), anytime on weekends or bank holidays for the date on the ticket and for journeys starting before 04:30 the next day. Zones 1-6: (£12.60)

To travel to zone 9, I believe you have to pay for an extension ticket. You can get this from any tube ticket office.

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Moscow Metro – Part 2

Have you been to Moscow ? In all seriousness, they have the prettiest metro stations I have ever seen and I still can’t believe how immaculate and lovely every station was. There are several different stations pictured below and this is the second of several posts where I will show you the beauty of the Moscow Metro. Did you see part 1 ?  There really isn’t much to say because I think the pictures speak for themselves. I have so many more pictures to share with you!

Have you ever been to Moscow? Is it someplace you have thought about visiting?

She speaks fluent English, French and Spanish, and works for a major airline. And guess what? She’s also a licensed elementary teacher and has an MBA.

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This is the train STATION?? Oh my god… So gorgeous. Moscow has never even crossed my mind as a possible travel destination but this is gorgeous…Hmmm… LOL

I know, right? We spent several hours in the metro, just marveling at the beauty of each one. Thanks for stopping by!

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The trains and stations of the Moscow Metro

2 Comments · Posted by Alex Smirnov in Cities , Travel , Video

The Moscow Metro is the third most intensive subway system in the world after Tokyo and Seoul subways. The first line was opened on May 15, 1935. Since 1955, the metro has the name of V.I. Lenin.

The system consists of 12 lines with a total length of 305.7 km. Forty four stations are recognized cultural heritage. The largest passenger traffic is in rush hours from 8:00 to 9:00 and from 18:00 to 19:00.

Cellular communication is available on most of the stations of the Moscow Metro. In March 2012, a free Wi-Fi appeared in the Circle Line train. The Moscow Metro is open to passengers from 5:20 to 01:00. The average interval between trains is 2.5 minutes.

The fare is paid by using contactless tickets and contactless smart cards, the passes to the stations are controlled by automatic turnstiles. Ticket offices and ticket vending machines can be found in station vestibules.

Tags:  Moscow city

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Tomás · August 27, 2012 at 11:34 pm

The Moscow metro stations are the best That I know, cars do not.

Alberto Calvo · September 25, 2016 at 8:57 pm

Great videos! Moscow Metro is just spectacular. I actually visited Moscow myself quite recently and wrote a post about my top 7 stations, please check it out and let me know what you think! :)

http://www.arwtravels.com/blog/moscow-metro-top-7-stations-you-cant-miss

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Adiós, Jet Lag: Sleep Better While Traveling With These 7 Tips

Taking a trip this spring? Here are simple ways to protect your sleep from time zone changes.

• Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach

Traveling across multiple time zones can affect your sleep patterns.

It's no secret that going on a trip can  disrupt your sleep patterns . Problems can multiply if you travel long distances across multiple time zones, often resulting in jet lag.

Jet lag isn't just a made-up term frequent flyers use to describe being tired. It's a real thing. The circadian rhythm is our internal clock, and it helps regulate when we should go to sleep and wake up. Changing your time zone affects the time you go to bed, and your body can become out of sync. According to the Mayo Clinic , common jet lag symptoms include: 

• Fatigue 
• Trouble falling asleep
• Headaches 
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lack of appetite 
• Stomach problems
• Mood changes

Don't let jet lag ruin your travel plans. I've pulled together a list of tips to help you adjust to the new time zone quicker and save your sleep quality. 

7 tips for combating jet lag

1. start prepping before your trip.

Making slight adjustments before entering the new time zone can lessen jet lag symptoms. To do this, you can gradually change your circadian rhythm to the new time zone by shifting the time you go to sleep and wake up. Typically, you want the changes to be minor,  around 30 minutes at a time . Doing this the week leading up to your trip can help you bounce back quicker. 

2. Live like the locals

When you change time zones, you want to adapt your activities as quickly as possible. Forget your old time zone; it means nothing to you now. That means eating and sleeping when you would normally, according to the new time zone, even if you wouldn't usually sleep for another three hours. If possible, it's also good practice to time your meals with local mealtimes.

Before taking off, act like you are already there. Set your watch to the correct time and sleep when you can. If you're flying when you would be sleeping at your destination, try sleeping on the plane to avoid jet lag. Small changes in advance will make the later ones less drastic.

Read more: Best Headphones for Sleeping

3. Hang out in the sunshine

Light is one of the most important ways your circadian rhythm determines when you fall asleep and wake up. As it gets dark, our bodies release melatonin to prepare for sleep. Spending time in the sun will help your body adjust to the new time zone by halting the natural release of melatonin. If you arrive at your destination during the day, don't immediately duck into your hotel room -- hang outside for a few hours and soak up the sun. 

Additionally, you can use sleep tech to help. Sleep masks like Lumos can help you gradually adjust your internal clock during travel times. It's a little pricey at $298, but when CNET tested the Lumos sleep mask, we found it did help significantly. 

4. Make sure the room is ready for sleep

Sleeping in a new space can be challenging. To combat this, make sure the room you're sleeping in -- whether a hotel room or the spare bedroom of your grandmother's house -- is conducive to sleep .

Ways to make sleeping when traveling easy:

• Set the thermostat to a cool temperature to keep things comfortable all night. The best temperature for sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit .
• Pack items from home to make it more familiar -- a blanket, a white noise machine or your favorite pajamas. 
• Try using a sleep mask to block out any light in the room.
• Make sure you're sleeping on a comfortable mattress that suits your sleeping position and body type. 

5. Avoid drinking caffeine (and alcohol)

The instinct is to reach for a cup of coffee to keep you going through the fog of jet lag, but it can actually make the situation worse. It's not that you can't drink it; you just need to be strategic about timing. If you arrive at your destination in the evening, drinking coffee or soda will make sleeping harder if it's too close to bedtime. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol a few hours before bed. Substitute those beverages with water to ensure you're hydrated as dehydration can exacerbate the symptoms of jet lag. 

6. Try melatonin 

Our bodies naturally produce melatonin to help regulate our circadian rhythm. As the sun goes down, our body is flooded with melatonin, which makes us sleepy. Melatonin supplements can help you fall asleep more easily by jump-starting that process. Regarding dosage,  0.5mg is typically considered  a lower dose, while 5mg is on the higher side. 

7. Take a warm shower or bath

After taking melatonin, jump in the shower or soak in the tub to relax. Research suggests that taking a shower or bath can  help you fall asleep faster.  As you cycle through the stages of sleep, your body temperature naturally fluctuates a couple of degrees. Bathing helps that process along by cooling your body temperature. But not just any shower will do; you should aim for warm water about an hour and a half before bed. 

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