london transport journey costs

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London Underground - 2024 fares and how to use them

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

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

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

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

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

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Key points about the London Underground

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

London Journey Planner - for all types of transport across London

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

TFL Journey planner

London Underground map

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

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

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

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

Underground map Tube & rail map Night tube map

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

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

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

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

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

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

London Underground Night Service - the Night Tube

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

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

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

Night Tube map - current lines operated

London Underground fares

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

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

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

Underground fares

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

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

London Underground Fares from 3 March 2024 - March 2025

Oyster cards, contactless payment cards & travelcards.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oyster cards - more details

Contactless payment cards - more details

Travelcards - more details

Understand the differences between Travelcard, Oyster Card and contactlessd card. Ask bob if still confused.

Seniors concessions

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

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

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

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

Child concessions

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

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

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

Children's Fare Concessions

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

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

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

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

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

Purchasing tickets & fares levied

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

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

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

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

Access to platform & luggage

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

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

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

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

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How to Get Around London: A Guide to Public Transport in London

Last updated: May 28, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 25 Comments

So you’ve decided to visit London! Fantastic idea, it’s an excellent city, with enough activities to keep you busy for however long you choose to stay. Today though, I’m not going to give you advice on what to see in London. Instead, I’m going to share with you my advice for how to get around London.

London is a city with an absolutely fantastic public transport network, but the plethora of choice can be a bit overwhelming for the first-time visitor.

This information on getting around London comes from my experience living in London for 2 years, our subsequent visits as a tourist, and some online research (there are so many options!).

In this guide, I’m going to share with you the various options you have for getting around London, from the tube, to taxis, to the bicycle! Let’s get started.

Table of Contents:

How To Get Around London

London is divided into nine fare zones, with zones 1 & 2 being central London, and then increasing in number the further outside the city you get. Heathrow Airport for example is in Zone 6. The below transport options will cover all the zones.

Transport in London is operated is by TfL , which stands for “Transport for London”. TfL are the government body responsible for all aspects of the transport system in London, from roads to rails and ticketing to maintenance.

There are a number of ways to pay for transport inside London, including buying an individual ticket, using a contactless card, using an Oyster card , using a visitor Oyster Card or purchasing a travelcard.

I have written a whole post on the best way to pay for transport in London , which you can read, as a summary though, currently in most cases if you have a contactless card that works in the UK then this is the best way to go, followed by the Oyster card.

1. Underground – “The Tube”

The London Underground, or “Tube” as its nicknamed, is the oldest underground metro network in the world, with parts operating since 1863. Today, the London Underground carries over a billion passengers a year, across 270 stations and 250 miles of track. Interestingly, less than 50% of the track is actually underground, despite the name.

In the majority of London, you will usually find that there is an underground stop within easy walking distance, and a train arriving within 10 minutes or less. Because the underground doesn’t have to worry about traffic and streets, it is one of the most efficient ways to get around, and usually the best choice.

For the most part, services operate from 5am through to midnight, and as of August 2016, there will be a 24 hour service offered on some lines as well. You can check times and plan your journey here .

Tube stations are easily recognizable with the distinctive London Underground logo, a red circle with the text “Underground” featured in a blue box.

The Underground operates in fare zones 1 – 6, which cover London in expanding concentric circles, with zone 1 in the centre and zone 6 at the outside. Generally, the more zones you cross on your journey, the more expensive it will be.

Most tube stations have a barrier for entry and exit, and you can purchase tickets from machines or ticket offices at the station.

As a tip, if you’re a visitor to London, try to avoid the Underground during rush hour on weekdays as it gets very crowded with commuters. Generally, this is between around 7:30am and 8:30am in the morning, and from 4:30pm to around 7:00pm in the evening from Monday through Friday.

Also, the tube is the most cost-effective way to get from Heathrow Airport to central London, with a direct link from all the Heathrow terminals to the centre of London. See more on getting to central London from London’s airports here .

2. Overground

The Overground is similar to the Underground, except its above ground. I know – a lot of the Underground is also above ground. That’s just how it is. The Overground is a lot newer than the Underground though, created in 2007, and helps to fill in a number of coverage gaps that the Underground has.

In terms of pricing, the Overground has the same fare pricing as Underground, and follows the same zone-based rules.

In most cases, you also don’t need to touch in and out if you’re using Oyster or contactless payment when switching from Overground to Underground services as they fall inside the same fare zone, although there are some stations where this is required.

The Overground logo is very similar to the Underground logo, except the circle is orange, and of course the title is different.

3. DLR (Docklands Light Railway)

Oh, London. So many transport options, and we’re only on number three! The Docklands Light Railway , or DLR as most people call it, is an automated rail system that specifically covers the docklands area of London, which is the area directly east and south east of central London. The main difference between this train system and the those above is that the DLR is fully automated, which means no drivers.

The DLR links London City Airport to the rest of the tube network, and you will likely find yourself using it if you are taking trips around east and south east London. For instance it is the best way to get to the ExCeL , which hosts a number of large trade shows and events.

In terms of fares, the DLR is the same as the Overground and Underground, part of the overall London fare zone, and in fact some tube stations also contain DLR stations.

If you’re using an Oyster or contactless payment you don’t need to touch in and out when switching from tube to DLR, but you should be aware that many DLR stations do not have barriers, so you mustn’t forget to touch in and out (or have a valid ticket) at the start and end of your journey in order to ensure you pay the correct fare.

4. Rail Services

Yes, I’ve already discussed three rail-like services, but, just in case that wasn’t enough, London also has actual railways too, both suburban rail that links central London to its suburbs, and fast trains that link London to the rest of the country (and the world).

There are also direct rail links to London’s three major airports, namely Heathrow, Gatwick and Stanstead. See more on getting to and from London’s airports here .

In the majority of cases, trains in and out of London are separate from the Transport for London system, so for example you can’t use your Oyster card on most national rail services, and would have to buy a separate fare.

There are some exceptions, with all suburban trains in zones 1-9 for example, and to select destinations, covered. Trains to Gatwick, including the Gatwick Express, as well as trains to Heathrow, including the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express, are also covered by the Oyster system – you can see more about what’s covered here .

If you asked someone what the most used form of public transport in London was, they might guess Underground. And, with over a billion users a year, that’s not a bad guess. It would be wrong though, because the number of journeys taken on London buses is over two billion a year.

This is likely because there are just so many bus routes in London, serving a huge area – you can basically get anywhere in London by bus. Bus fares are also cheaper, at a fixed price of £1.75 (as of March 2024) for a single journey for Oyster users, regardless of distance.

You can also take advantage of the “ hopper ” fare with Oyster and contactless cards, whereby every bus journey that you take within the first hour of touching in is included in the price. So you can change buses and not have to pay any more – although you must still touch in to the new bus in order to have a valid ticket.

To use the public buses in London, all you have to do is touch your Oyster or contactless card on the big yellow card reader when you board the bus – there’s no need to do it when you get off the bus as fares are fixed. There are also many bus services that operate round the clock, meaning you can still get home after a night out on public transport in many instances.

Buses are generally a little slower than rail services because they have to contend with traffic, which in London is pretty terrible most of the time. However, an advantage is that normally there are no steps involved and no lengthy walks around the Underground system.

As well as public buses, there is also the option to take a Hop on Hop off buses . Whilst these aren’t a form of public transport, for a visitor to London they can be a good way to travel as they visit the main visitor attractions and also include commentary. However, they are priced separately, and are of course more expensive than a standard bus.

You can buy Hop on Hop off bus tickets here . They are also included with city-sightseeing passes like the London Pass .

In south London, and specifically from Wimbledon, through to Croydon and Beckenham, there’s a tram service, known as London Tramlink . The tram has four lines and 17 miles of track, so this definitely isn’t a huge network, but it’s a well used one in the region.

The tram works the same as the bus in terms of payment – it’s a fixed fee per journey, and you just have to touch-in with your Oyster card or contactless card when you board to validate your ticket. You do not need to touch out when you disembark. Trams are also a part of the Hopper fare system.

7. IFS Cloud Cable Car

Now, for something a little bit different. Did you know that London has a cable car service ? It’s the only urban cable car in the UK, and it’s there to get you across the River Thames, from Greenwich to the Royal Victoria Dock.

As well as being a handy way to get to the ExCeL exhibition centre and the O2 Arena from the south side of the river, it also offers panoramic views of this part of the city as you cross.

The Cable Car is part of the TfL system, so you can pay with your Oyster card or contactless card. There are only two stations, one at each end, so it’s also one of the easiest modes of public transport to navigate in London!

8. River Boat

London has a big old river running through it, so it makes sense that this waterway is also used as a public transport system. And so it is, with Thames Clippers operating a service under license from TfL.

There are four “routes”, starting all the way to the west of the city in Putney, and going as far as Woolwich in the east. Essentially this gets you from one end of London to the other.

City wonders london walking tour boat ride

On board the Thames Clipper in London.

It’s a fun, scenic way to travel and tends to be a little less busy that many of the other routes. It is used by commuters though, so rush hours can be a little busier. As with other TfL services, the easiest way to pay is by Contactless card or by Oyster card, touching in and out as you board and disembark.

Alternatively you can buy tickets online and print them out, or you can buy tickets in person at the pier. The last option is the most expensive – contactless, Oyster and online ticket purchases are the most cost-effective.

Note that Thames Clipper is a little more expensive than services like the tube or buses, but the point to point service and relatively fast speed, plus the views of London from the river, can make it worth it.

A 24 hour pass is also included on the London Pass (you can buy that here ), if you invest in that money saving attraction pass for your time in London.

London definitely has some iconic modes of transport, from the famous red bus through to the tube. But perhaps most famous of all is the black cab.

With a history dating back to 1662, London’s Hackney Carriages have been carrying people around the city for over 350 years, with drivers having to learn the infamous “Knowledge” – basically a detailed map of London meaning they can navigate the city efficiently, without relying on maps or technology.

Taking a black cab in London is definitely an experience. All you have to do is flag one down by waving at them (the taxi light will be illuminated if it is available), and the driver will stop to pick you up.

Black taxis are certainly more expensive than any of the other forms of transport regulated by TfL, but for the convenience of getting from one part of the city to another, they sometimes can’t be beaten, and if you’re travelling in a group they can work out to be fairly cost effective.

Note that taxis don’t accept Oyster cards, so fares need to be paid by cash or credit card. Fares are paid on completion of the journey, and are set based on distance and time using the meter in the cab.

10. Bicycles

In 2010 London rolled out a new public transport option – the bicycle! There are public cycle points all around the city, and with the increase in cycle lanes, these are becoming a popular way to take short trips.

Hiring a bicycle is relatively easy – it costs £1.65 for 24 hours access to the system, which includes 30 minutes of actual ride time. After your first 30 minutes, each additional 30-minute segment costs you £1.65.

If you think you will use the cycles a lot, then a £20 membership will give you a month of access with unlimited rides of up to 60 minutes each, after which each additional 60 minutes costs £1.65.

To use the cycle hire system you just need a credit or debit card. Because of the need to guard against theft, the system doesn’t accept Oyster cards. You pay your activation fee by card, and then you can access bicycles at points all across the city – there are literally hundreds of them to choose from.

Note that the above pricing is for standard bicycles only. E-Bikes are also available, but for a higher price and for registered users only.

Find out more about the London cycle system here .

11. Walking

Not exactly a public transport option, but don’t discount walking as a way to get around London! Many visitors don’t realise that many parts of London are very pedestrian friendly, and in fact in central London you can get to most of the attractions just by walking.

As a rule of thumb, if somewhere is less than two tube stops away, it’s likely going to be quicker to walk (although worth checking on a map to be sure there’s not an inconvenient river in the way!). Walking is by far the cheapest way to travel around London, and a personal favourite of ours.

Accessibility on Public Transport in London

Given the range of public transport options in London, the accessibility situation is definitely varied. Buses for example are pretty good, with every route serviced by low-floor vehicles and offering a wheelchair space.

The tube on the other hand isn’t so great for step-free access, with only around a quarter of stations offering step free access. An aging network, built well before accessibility was something to consider, has not helped efforts to improve the situation, although certainly efforts are being made. Some stations do have platform to street step free access, but you will need to plan your tube journey carefully.

For a full map and information to help you plan your trip around your needs, take a look at the official accessibility section of the TfL website.

Which is the best way to get around London?

There’s no really easy way to answer this question. If you’re getting around the majority of central London, the Underground will likely be the most convenient. It’s fast, regular, and doesn’t have to contend with traffic.

Before riding the tube though, it’s worth checking the actual walking distance because the tube map isn’t geographically accurate. So sometimes walking can actually be quicker. This map shows the walking time between stations as a reference point.

For parts of London that aren’t served by the Underground, DLR or Overground services, then the bus is the next most convenient option. There are services all over the city, often running through the night.

London eye blue hour long exposure landscape

If you don’t mind a bit of exercising, then either cycling or walking are both great ways to get around.

If you want to try something a bit different, then the Emirates Air Line or the Thames Clippers will provide that.

The former is certainly excellent for one specific route, and the latter can be a good way to get across London, with water views to boot – although in my mind it’s more of a one-off experience than something to regularly use as a visitor.

There are 25 comments on this post

Please scroll to the end to leave a comment

Mr. Christopher Twining says

17th February 2023 at 7:13 pm

This is the first, and most likely last and only article I will need to read. Thank you so much for the thorough information. I was last in London in 1972 and I am looking forward to seeing it all again.

Laurence Norah says

18th February 2023 at 7:50 am

My pleasure Christopher, have a lovely time in London. I imagine it will have changed a bit but many sights will surely be familiar 🙂 Safe travels!

6th June 2022 at 5:46 pm

Hi, Thanks for this extremely useful information for a newbie like myself! We are arriving late Saturday evening and plan to take a sightseeing bus on Sunday to get the lay of the land. I see that most attractions are closed on Sundays. Is there anything you can recommend? I’m thinking the market might be a good option? I’ve also heard of Covent Gardens? We will be closest to Paddington Station and will research what areas we should visit first. We are also off to Paris for only 1.5 days. I’ll read your guide on Paris as well! Any feedback is appreciated. Warmly, Pam

6th June 2022 at 5:55 pm

It’s my pleasure, thanks for stopping by! So I would say that a lot of attractions in London are definitely open on a Sunday, such as the Tower of London, however it will depend somewhat on what you are interested in seeing and doing. If you give me some direction in terms of your interests, I’d be happy to advise!

samanta says

17th May 2022 at 4:28 pm

Hi there! Very interessting, thanks for sharing Did I correct understand you have to buy a new ticket if you change the tube line? Even when you are going in one direction (I mean from A to B with no intermadiate stops) and have no other option but to change the line? Many thanks

17th May 2022 at 4:37 pm

Hi Samanta,

My pleasure! No, you don’t have to buy a new ticket when you change tube lines, as long as you stay in the same station. So for example, Oxford Circus tube station has the Central Line, Victoria Line and Bakerloo line. If you get off a Central Line tube and get on a Victoria Line tube, there’s no charge. Tube lines are well signposted inside the stations.

The only time a fee would apply is if you left the station, or went through the ticket gates. You have to scan in and out of the gates when entering or exiting a tube station, so this would not be something you would do by mistake.

Hopefully this answers your question, if you have any more questions do let me know!

Ginge Robinson says

31st March 2022 at 8:19 pm

I have been reading a lot of blogs like this in anticipation of my July 2022 trip to London. Your articles are well written for the unfamiliar traveler and your sight is easy to navigate. Thank you for the time you put in.

1st April 2022 at 10:19 am

Hey Ginge, thank you so much for taking the time to leave this comment. It means a lot to get such nice feedback! Have a wonderful time in London and do let us know if you have any questions!

11th September 2019 at 5:02 pm

Thank you so much for the articles! Exact, relevant, full, helps really!

11th September 2019 at 5:47 pm

Thanks Irina, my pleasure!

23rd May 2019 at 9:28 am

Really good and comprehensive article. I have been living in London for almost a year now but still used to find myself confused with different types of train services. But not anymore! 🙂

23rd May 2019 at 10:52 am

Thanks very much Sonia 🙂

Pedro Zamuner says

2nd April 2019 at 9:17 am

Thanks for the article. Funny, well written and complete! Just got in London last night and now I feel ready to discover the city.

Cheers guys!! 🙂

2nd April 2019 at 10:06 am

Our pleasure Pedro – have a great time in London!

11th November 2018 at 8:12 pm

A minor edit is needed, you list that bicycles cost “30 minutes” for each “30 minutes” past the first 30 minutes.

11th November 2018 at 8:15 pm

Thank you for the feedback – I’ve fixed that now 😀

19th October 2018 at 8:27 am

This is cool. Super helpful and detail! Thank you 🙂

19th October 2018 at 2:44 pm

Our pleasure Mike 🙂

Vikram Badshah says

25th September 2018 at 1:05 pm

Wonderful insight on how to get around in London.

26th September 2018 at 4:17 am

Thanks Vikram!

Anil Palan says

19th September 2018 at 5:26 pm

Thanks for sharing such a nice article on London transport system. It will be very useful to me as I am visiting London for the first time very shortly.

19th September 2018 at 9:11 pm

My pleasure Anil! We have lots more content on the site about London – hopefully you found it. Have a great trip to London!

3rd September 2018 at 1:18 am

This whole post is incredibly useful!! Thank you

3rd September 2018 at 1:20 am

Our pleasure Joana 😀

wassah saw says

23rd June 2018 at 6:52 am

London: Public Transportation Guide

London’s transport system is very sophisticated. As a tourist, understanding how to get around London will shorten your travel time and help you have a better experience. You can choose from buses, trams, the Docklands Light Railway, London River Services, the Elizabeth Line and the largest railway in London, the London Underground. The London Underground, also known as the Tube, is one of the busiest metros in the world with 11 lines, around 5 million passengers a day and 272 stations!

Our guide focuses on transport within central London. It will highlight the different options available, interchange stations, the fastest routes and costs.

By Heathrow Express

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The Heathrow Express is a fast direct service from Heathrow Airport to Paddington Station in central London. There are 3 stops at the airport: Terminals 2&3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.

Trains leave both Heathrow and Paddington every 15 minutes, with a journey time of 15 minutes.

Trains run approximately between 05:00 and 23:30. We recommend you check the timetable on the Heathrow Express website before you travel.

Tickets & Prices: The cost will depend on how early you’ll purchase your train ticket. Tickets purchased on the day will be more costly, starting at £22 for a single, and £37 for a return ticket, while if you purchase a ticket well in advance you can pay as low as £5.50

Tickets & prices can be found at the Heathrow Express website.

At Paddington station, you’ll find taxis, or tubes: the Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City lines.

A cheaper but a longer option would be to take the Piccadilly or Elizabeth line (tube) which can take 40 minutes to an hour to central London . Always check if there are any changes to the service: Elizabeth line Piccadilly line * Heathrow is located in Zone 6

The black taxis are much more expensive, but will be available to you outside the airport, then and there.

Pre-book a taxi or call a taxi company on arrival can save you money! There are many Heathrow taxi companies out there. Golden Tours website would be good for a private taxi to & from London’ airports. Uber is a known company you can also use in and around London. To book a minicab, we recommend to compare prices using the website – minicabit !

A single direct coach ticket to London’s Heathrow Airport can start at £5.20. Services running day and night from specific pick-up points, across the UK. Information about Buses From/To Heathrow airport can be found on the National express website.

Gatwick Airport to Central London

A direct service runs from Gatwick airport to Victoria station in central London.

Gatwick express and Victoria line, both, departs every 30 minutes, with a journey time of roughly 30 minutes. Trains runs approximately between 5:30am-23:00pm.

Tickets & Prices: Tickets will be cheaper when purchasing online, specially in advance. Timetables and more option you can find in Omio or Getyourguide .

The Tube is not available to & from Gatwick airport. However the Southern Eastbourne is, all the way to Victoria station! This journey will take you roughly 45 minutes.

Gatwick airport is in the outskirts of London, so a taxi will be expensive. The black taxis are much more expensive, but will be available to you outside the airport, then and there.

A single direct coach ticket to London’s Heathrow Airport can start at £7.50. Services running day and night from specific pick-up points, across the UK. Information about Buses From/To Heathrow airport can be found on the National express website.

The London underground, also known as Tube, is one of the world’s busiest metro, with 11 lines, approximately 3.7 million passenger a day and 272 stations! The Underground is linked to two further trains: The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) and the Overground . The DLR is a driverless railway network that serves parts of east and south east London and is the only line which connects with London City Airport, while the Overground serves a large part of Greater London.

The National Rail covers major cities and many minor cities throughout the UK.

If you are interested in traveling outside of London (to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, etc.), the National Rail is a good place to start, although it can be on the expensive side, so make sure to buy in advance and online if possible to reduce costs. Don’t forget, there are some great packages out there to further reduce costs by combining a train ticket with a hotel stay.

If your journey is to take you to mainland Europe, you also have the option of the Eurostar, the train that directly connects London (via St. Pancras International Station) with mainland Europe in the website omio .

The red double-decker London bus is surely one of the city’s iconic images and can be spotted on all major roads in London, although some routes run single-decker red busses.

The London bus network is one of the wider bus networks carrying around 6.5 million passengers a day, which is roughly double the number of passengers on the London underground per day.

It is important to note that you can not pay for your bus journey with cash, and you must either have an Oyster card with available balance or a contactless debit or credit card to ride a bus. A single bus journey is the same price no matter which bus you are on or your final destination. The current price is £1.75 per person per journey (£24.70 for a 7 day Bus & Tram Pass), while under 10’s can travel for free.

We recommend you download and use the Citymapper smartphone application to plan your journey in London. The app will help you find the right bus and tell you where the nearest bus stop is.

The National Rail includes several different operators, A good and convenient site for searching and booking long-distance travel (including flights, buses and of course trains) within Europe is omio .

omio has special travel pages for the main destinations: – From London to Manchester – From London to Liverpool – From London to Edinburgh – From London to Glasgow – From London to Cambridge – From London to Brighton – From London to Bath – From London to Bristol – From London to Birmingham and to destinations outside the UK such as London to Paris by Eurostar and London to Amsterdam .

London has two types of taxis: the iconic Black Cabs you see in movies and all over London, which you can stop these anywhere on the street if they have their yellow light on; and minicabs, which are private hire cars that cannot be picked up in the street but must be pre-booked. All minicabs will be registered and you should look for a yellow sticker on the front and back windscreens to verify a registered vehicle.

Taxis in London range from expensive to very expensive, you have been warned! Black cabs are particularly expensive, especially if picked up from an airport; as such we would recommend booking a minicab. There are many companies in London, so we recommend minicabit to find a selection, with real-time quotes, and Uber , if you have the app installed and are registered with a credit card.

If you still want a Black Cab, you can either hail one from the street when they have their yellow light on at the front, or you can find one using the GETT or FreeNow apps.

If you are staying in central London or anywhere near an underground station, we would not recommend hiring a car in London, as there is a daily (Monday – Friday) congestion charge to enter central London by car and car parking can be on the very expensive side. You will find it cheaper and easier to travel by public transport, taxi or minicab.

However, if you are planning a journey outside of London to see the rest of England, a hire car maybe your best option; for this we recommend RentalCars.com (from the same people who bought you Booking.com ) and will compare several car rental companies for you almost anywhere in the world, including London.

In the past couple of years, London is encouraging people to use their legs and ride a bike to get around London while enjoying the view, with the demand and usage further increasing since the coronavirus.

London has introduced many cycle paths, these cover large parts of London and are usually marked with a bicycle symbol on the ground, and recently London has created Cycle Superhighways , these are segregated lanes on main roads solely for the use of bicycles and are generally painted blue.

You can rent bicycles in many parts of London from automated machines; these are easy to spot and used to be called “Boris Bikes” (named after Boris Johnson who introduced them when he was the mayor of London between 2008-2016) but are now officially called Santander Cycles as they are sponsored by Santander Bank. Full details of the easy 3 step process to rent a bike can found on the TfL website .

Bike tour can be found in Golden Tours website:

Secret London Bike

Grand London Bike Tour

You read that correctly, London now has its very own cable car, called Emirates Air Line , which crosses the River Thames between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks. Cabins arrive every 10 seconds and take around 10 minutes each way. This is a great way to see an alternative view of London while crossing the river and only a 5-minute walk from The 02 venue.

London has an active River Bus service that can be used for commuting as well as seeing London from a different perspective. All River Bus Services are wheelchair accessible (maximum of four wheelchairs and three folding chairs on the larger boats) and you can use your Oyster card or contactless debit/credit card to pay for the journey, although make sure your Oyster card has enough money before beginning your journey as you will not be able to top up at the pier. You will be able to buy a single or return ticket at the ticket offices but this will be more expensive than if you paid in advance online.

The River Bus is run by MBNA Thames Clippers and not by TfL with services starting at around 06:30 through to 23:00 weekdays and 08:30 to 23:00 weekends, but please check the timetable for exact departure and arrival times.

Prices are per zone, similar in structure to underground pricing, with zones broken up as Central, East, West, Central and East, Central and West, or All Zones.

A map of all the River Bus stops can be found in tfl website .

The good old technique of looking at maps at bus stops, underground stations and at TfL’s (Transport for London) website works wonders, although these days there are many up to date tools and apps available to make this easier, showing real-time information, mapping, direct you from A to B and the ability to geolocate yourself.

The easiest way to plan your journey, if you have access to the internet is using the TfL journey planner here , or by using an app like Citymapper , while Google Maps and Apple Maps also offer real-time public transport journey planners via their respective apps (Android or iOS). We recommend you lift your head from your smartphone every so often as London has a lot to offer, and if you look up once in a while you will see some great architecture and you may be surprised, such as Shakespeare’s head peeking out of a window in Carnaby Street.

We have talked about the Oyster card, and you have probably seen people touching the little blue plastic credit card like thing on the yellow readers on busses and trains in London, but what is it?

It is a smart card, the same size as a credit card, and used to pay for public transport in London. It is accepted on busses, tube, overground, DLR, some national rail stations, some Thames River crossings, and the Emirates Air Line.

You can purchase up an Oyster card at all underground and train stations, as well as in some shops (where you see the Oyster card symbol). There is currently a £7 deposit on all-new cards that can be refundable after one year.

To use the Oyster card, simply press it against the yellow readers at the point of departure and arrival when using trains, or when you get on the bus; no need to touch when getting off a bus. To top up your oyster or see your balance, you can go to any ticket machine at any stop, press the card against the yellow reader and the balance will be displayed. You can also top up your oyster at any ticket machine, or shops where you see the Oyster symbol.

The Oyster card can be used as a PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go) or as a Travelcard (fixed price for a fixed period of time, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year).

PAYG – Here you pay for what you use, your Oyster has to be topped up before it can be used, and you will see how much each journey costs you when you tap at the end of your journey on the trains, and the beginning of your journey on Buses. Oyster journeys are currently capped, on a daily basis, and the full-fare guide can be found in TFL website .

Travelcard – Here you pre-pay for a set period of time, this is done in the same way as PAYG via one of the ticket machines or shops displaying the logo. more information about travelcards can be found in TFL website. Price comparison between PAYG, daily cap, and Travelcard base on the zones in your journey can be found in TFL website .

On the Underground, the price depends on the start and endpoint of your journey and which zone you are traveling to and from as well as the time of travel.

London is segregated into travel zones, most visitors will find themselves in Zone 1 and Zone 2 as this is central London, click here or here to see a map of all the zones.

Rush Hour or Peak travel times are Monday to Friday between 07:30 and 09:30 in the morning and again between 16:00 and 19:00 in the evenings. Travel during these times is more expensive and you should expect it to be far more crowded at these times.

London buses have a flat rate for any journey, any time of day or night, currently at £1.75 per person (adult) per journey regardless of where in London you are traveling to or from and there is a daily cap of £5.25 if only using the bus that day.

If using the tube to travel between Zone 1 and Zone 2, there is a single fare of the price of £3.40 during rush hour and £2.80 at all other times. Travel within Zone 1 is £2.80 during rush hour and £2.70 at all other times.

When using an Oyster card, your daily journeys will be capped at £8.10 regardless of the time of travel and if using the tube and bus together between Zones 1 & 2, and £9.60 between Zones 1 & 3.

The weekly travel card for Zones 1 and 2 costs £40.70, a monthly travel card is £156.30 Please pay attention and do the maths to see if these are relevant for you or if a PAYG Oyster with daily capping would work out cheaper for you depending on the number of journeys you plan to make during your time in London.

Full details of all fares can found in TFL website .

Most addresses in London and the rest of the UK follow the same pattern;

House/Flat Number, Building Name, Building Number on the Street, Street Name, City Name, Post Code, e.g.:

1 Palm Court, 128 Oxford Street, London, W1D 1LT

This will bring you to flat 1 in a building named Palm Court, located at number 128 on Oxford Street, in London, with a postcode of W1D 1LT. Some shops, restaurants, and other places of interest may only include the street number, name, and postcode.

Why is the post code important?

The postcode in London is an easy way to identify which part of the city the address is in, and can be a great way to identify the perfect location for your hotel in London .

The postcode is built of 2 parts. The first part identifies which part of the city you are in and constitutes 1 or 2 letters followed by 1 or 2 numbers followed by an optional letter;

The first 1 or 2 letters denote the area North (N), East (E), South (S), West (W), North West (NW), North East (NE) South East (SE), South West (SW), or East City (EC), West City (WC), these last two relate to the city of London area.

Following these are numbers, which relate to a sub area within that direction.

The second part of the post code usually made up of 1 letter and 2 numbers provides a more exact location, as used by sat nav and delivery of post. This last part can also identify which side of the street the address is on, but it is not easy to decipher without the aid of specialist software, like a sat nav.

Using Post Codes

It is best to give any taxi drivers, or when searching on online maps, the full postcode as this will be the most accurate way of finding your intended destination.

If you are looking for a one-stop card to offer both public transport and discounts or free entrance at London’s top tourist attractions, and you are planning on staying in London for at least a few days, you should consider the London Pass . You can combine the London pass and your oyster in one convenient card.

SPECIAL OFFER: “Ask a Local” users have a special offer of a 5% reduction in the price of London pass. To benefit from this offer simply enter the code LP5ASKA at the checkout of the London Pass page.

Further offers in London can be found on the London Deals Page .

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Planning Your Visit To London

The best ways to get from Heathrow Airport into London

Editor's Note

After a long flight, you just want to get from the airport to your hotel in the easiest (and, ideally, the most cost-effective) way possible.

With an airport as vast as London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) — the biggest and busiest flight hub in the United Kingdom — achieving that goal can seem daunting even though it's only 16 miles from central London.

There are several options for getting from Heathrow to the city center, depending on your flexibility, the amount of luggage you're carrying, your budget or your time constraints. You can choose between taxis, the Tube, Uber, dedicated train services and even the bus.

Here are the best options for traveling from Heathrow to London — along with how long they take and other pros and cons — so that you can start your trip off on the right foot.

London Underground (aka the Tube)

Heathrow is on the London Underground's Piccadilly line. To spot it, simply look out for the dark blue line on any Tube map.

The popular service — run by the Transport for London (or the TfL for short) — connects the airport to plenty of central city locations. Often, you won't even need to transfer once you've made it to the city center.

If you're looking for the cheapest option to get you from Heathrow into the city, this is likely it. However, it may not be the most comfortable if you are carrying lots of luggage or traveling during peak commuter hours — especially during summer.

Depart from : Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5; the latter two have Underground stations in Zone 6.

Possible destinations : The Piccadilly line directly serves Hammersmith, Gloucester Road, South Kensington, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Holborn and King's Cross St. Pancras, among other stops. The first and last stops on the line are Uxbridge (Zone 6) and Wood Green (Zone 3).

When does it run? Typically, you can expect Tubes to run from all terminals from around 5 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.; nighttime services from stations in Terminals 2, 3 and 5 run on Fridays and Saturdays. You can check the timetable from all stations here .

Transit time : This will obviously vary depending on your final destination. As a guide, it takes approximately 50 minutes to reach Piccadilly Circus from Heathrow's Terminal 5 or an hour to reach King's Cross St. Pancras.

Estimated cost : Single journeys from Heathrow to destinations in Zone 1 (such as Piccadilly and King's Cross) cost 5.60 British pounds ($7.09) if you pay contactless or with an Oyster card. Buying a ticket to central London at a machine will cost around 6.70 pounds (about $8.29) per person. Children under 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

If you're going outside of Zone 1 (such as to Hammersmith, in Zone 2), then you're looking at a smaller fare of 2.10 pounds (around $2.60) during peak times and 3.40 pounds (around $4.21) at off-peak times.

Paying for your trip : You can pay as you pass through the gates or by buying a ticket. The most convenient method is to use your contactless payment card by touching it on the yellow card readers found at Tube entrances and some platforms.

Note: The card readers aren't always connected to gates and are sometimes free-standing. Keep an eye out for them. If you don't tap in and out at the start and end of your journey, you'll get charged for traveling through Zones 1 to 9.

You can also tap in using a prepaid Oyster card, which is available to buy at all Tube and Overground stations, plus most Elizabeth Line stations, for 7 pounds (about $8.69); they're also available at some newsstands and visitor centers throughout London.

After purchasing an Oyster card, you can add money to the card using the ticket machines found inside Underground stations. You can then purchase daily or weekly travel cards covering various zones.

Alternatively, you can buy paper tickets from the ticket machines at each Tube, Overground and Docklands Light Railway station. One-way, return, daily and weekly travel cards are available.

Some stations also have staffed kiosks instead of ticket machines; you can ask for advice here on the best tickets to buy or routes to take.

Related: The best lounges at London Heathrow — and how to get inside

Elizabeth Line

A relatively recent addition to the TfL network, the Elizabeth Line opened in 2022. It is one of the fastest and cheapest options for traveling into central London from Heathrow Airport.

While not as cheap as the Tube, the Elizabeth Line trains are newer, roomier, air-conditioned and equipped with Wi-Fi. It's not quite as fast as the Heathrow Express (more details below), but it is more affordable.

Depart from : Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 railway stations.

Possible destinations : The Elizabeth Line travels direct from Heathrow to Abbey Wood, serving Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf. You can see the full map on TfL's website .

There are no direct services between Canary Wharf and Terminal 5 except for some early morning and late evening services; instead, you must go via Paddington or transfer at Terminal 4. Trains arriving at Heathrow from Canary end at Terminal 4.

When does it run? Times vary by terminal and whether you're traveling during a weekday or weekend. Typically, the first trains leave between 5:15 and 6:05 a.m., and the last trains leave the airport between 11:46 p.m. and 12:13 a.m. Depending on your destination or starting point, you may find trains start slightly earlier or run marginally later. Find specific timing here .

Transit time : It depends on where you're headed. As a guide, Terminal 5 station to Paddington takes around 35 minutes, while traveling from stations in Terminal 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street takes about 45 minutes.

Estimated cost : Heathrow claims journeys to or from the airport that start or end in Zone 1 cost up to 12.80 pounds ($15.83) per person. However, if you use contactless payment or Oyster, TfL's single fare finder shows a single journey from Terminal 5 to Paddington on the Elizabeth Line costs 12.20 pounds ($15.44).

A journey from stations in Terminals 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street costs 13.30 pounds ($16.45). These prices only apply to contactless payments or Oyster payments. Buying a paper ticket via station ticket machines costs a small amount more — as discovered by TPG recently when we paid 14.30 pounds for an off-peak ticket from Liverpool Street to Heathrow via the Elizabeth Line.

Generally speaking, while savings are only minor, it's better to pay by contactless or Oyster card. Children under the age of 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

Heathrow Express

The direct train, Heathrow Express, is the fastest option to get from Heathrow to Paddington. The trains are relatively modern and, despite the short distance between its sole stop, they also have luggage racks and plugs for charging phones — handy if you're boarding after a long journey.

For onward journeys, Paddington is well connected to multiple Tube lines. Do note, however, that the Heathrow Express is more expensive than all other rail options.

Depart from : Terminals 2 and 3 station and Terminal 5 railway station; you'll need to take a free connecting shuttle to the station if you land in Terminal 4.

Possible destinations : Paddington station; for an extra cost, you can add connecting Tube travel.

When does it run? It typically operates from around 5 a.m. until midnight. Trains run every 15 minutes. See the full Heathrow Express timetable here .

Transit time : It takes 15 minutes to get to Paddington from Terminals 2 and 3 or 20 minutes from Terminal 5.

Estimated cost : A single Heathrow Express journey from Paddington to Heathrow usually costs 25 pounds ($31.65) per person, but you can sometimes pay less if you book in advance. If you're from Great Britain and have a National Railcard, you could pay as little as 16.50 pounds ($20.89).

Alternatively, you can sometimes find discounts online by searching for Heathrow Express vouchers or coupon codes.

The trains also have Business First Class carriages that start around 32 pounds ($40.51) for a single journey. This may not seem worth it given the short distance and travel time. However, Heathrow Express Business First Class ticket holders are also eligible to use Heathrow Airport's fast-track security service — it may be worth it if you're in a rush.

While the Heathrow Express is more expensive than other options, it can sometimes be a good deal for families; children under 15 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

If you are returning to the airport within one month of your ticket, an anytime ticket is cheaper overall than booking two single journeys, which start at 32 pounds ($40.51).

Frequent travelers can also save by buying carnets — starting at six tickets for 109.80 pounds ($138.99) for standard class or 160 pounds ($202.54) for Business First class.

If public transport isn't your thing or you need to travel between Heathrow and central London when other transport isn't running, you can easily book Uber rides. Naturally, this will cost more than a Tube or train ride.

Depart from : Short-stay parking lot in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5; the app will tell you where to go once you've requested a ride and your driver is confirmed, depending on the terminal you're in.

You can typically find Uber pickup spots in the following locations:

Terminal 2: Level 4, Row H (Short Stay Car Park 2)
Terminal 3: Level 3, Row A (Short Stay Car Park 3)
Terminal 4: Level 1, Private Hire Pickup
Terminal 5: Level 1, Row R (Short Stay Car Park 5)

Possible destinations : You can use Uber to go wherever you like.

When does it run? In theory, you can get an Uber at any hour, but be wary of long waits during peak times.

Transit time : It varies depending on traffic, destination and other factors. (Pay attention to rush hour and commuting times.) As a rough guide, it typically takes approximately 50 minutes to reach Paddington by car or one hour to reach Piccadilly Circus from Terminal 5 (on a good day).

Note that despite its convenience, Uber isn't necessarily the quickest way to reach Heathrow from most locations.

Estimated cost : The cost of an Uber depends on traffic, your destination and other factors. As an example, it can cost 59 British pounds ($74.69) from Terminal 5 to Paddington or 63 British pounds ($79.75) to Piccadilly Circus for UberX rides, excluding tips.

Do note that groups of four or more with more than small suitcases will need to order either a larger car or multiple cars. Expect to pay more for an Uber Lux or Comfort journey.

Related: Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you

Taxis (including black cabs, WeKnow and Addison Lee)

Beyond Uber, there are plenty of other taxi services in London. Options include hailing an iconic London black cab, prebooking an electric car from Heathrow's private hire transfer service WeKnow or arranging a pickup from a company such as Addison Lee.

The latter two options provide a meet-and-greet service to help get you and your luggage straight into the car.

If booking with Addison Lee, you'll be required to share your flight number at booking so the driver can adjust your ride in case of a delay.

Again, this mode of transport will be more expensive than using public transport.

Depart from : The relevant taxi rank outside Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 for a black cab; other services will specify the pickup location when you book, or the driver will meet you at the terminal.

Possible destinations : You can use this option to go wherever you'd like.

When does it run? In theory, you should be able to arrange a taxi or car transfer anytime.

Transit time : As with Uber, it varies depending on traffic, destination and other factors. Terminal 5 to Paddington will typically take around 50 minutes while heading to Picadilly Circus will usually take roughly one hour.

Estimated cost : Prices vary depending on the taxi service you opt for and traffic. Some estimates are below.

Black cab : The meter starts when your ride begins. TfL — which manages London's black cabs — says trips from Heathrow to central London cost between 52 pounds ($65.83) and 97 pounds ($122.79). More information about black cabs is available here .
WeKnow : Prices are fixed, so you'll know what you're paying when you book. Terminal 5 to Paddington or Piccadilly Circus typically costs 70 pounds ($88.61) to 94 pounds (around $118.99), depending on the car booked. A meet-and-greet service costs 9.99 pounds (about $12.65) extra. Book here .
Addison Lee : Like WeKnow, prices for Addison Lee rides are fixed. A sample Terminal 5 to Paddington journey (leaving ASAP) was quoted online as 94.32 pounds ($119.40) or up to 122 pounds ($154.44), depending on the car size needed. The meet-and-greet is included in both prices. For an exact quote, visit Addison Lee's website and input your flight number and journey details.

Coach (including National Express and Megabus)

From Heathrow, National Express and Megabus coaches can drop you off at Victoria Coach station. They're usually inexpensive and often have Wi-Fi and power outlets. They can also carry your luggage in the hold. Here's where you can find Megabus luggage allowances and National Express luggage allowances .

While cheap, buses are not the quickest way to reach central London, as times fluctuate considerably depending on traffic, time of day and other factors.

Depart from : Heathrow's Central Bus Station between Terminals 2 and 3 is the quickest departure point for both National Express and Megabus coaches. From Terminal 4, you'll need to take the free shuttle to the bus station. You can also board a coach from Terminal 5 (look for arrivals level stops 13, 14 and 15 for the Megabus).

Possible destinations : You can use these modes of transportation to reach Victoria Coach station, which is a short five-minute walk from the Victoria Line at Victoria station. This line stops at Green Park, Oxford Circus, Warren Street and King's Cross.

When does it run? National Express coaches run throughout the day, with a service gap between 1 and 3:45 a.m. You can check times and prices here . For Megabus times, head here .

Transit time : From Terminals 2 and 3, National Express coaches take between 55 minutes and one hour and 20 minutes to reach Victoria Coach station. Megabus takes between 45 and 55 minutes for the same journey.

From Terminal 5, National Express coaches can take anywhere from one hour and 20 minutes to one hour and 35 minutes.

Estimated cost : National Express coach rides start from 6 pounds ($7.60) per person. For Megabus coaches, a single journey starts from 8 pounds ($10.13).

Other travel options

The 285 bus from Heathrow's Central Bus Station (serving Terminals 2 and 3) will take you to Feltham train station — it's 16 stops away. From there, you can take a 30- or 45-minute train to Waterloo via Clapham Junction.

London bus hopper fares cost 1.75 British pounds ($2.22), and train tickets start from 8.60 pounds ($10.89) per person. The hopper fares allow you to take unlimited journeys from one hour of tapping in.

This is probably the cheapest option from Heathrow to central London, but it is a long-winded option.

There are several local bus routes from the airport for those traveling somewhere in Greater London rather than central London. View them here .

Bottom line

The best route from Heathrow to central London depends on your budget, the amount of luggage you're traveling with and the amount of time and hassle you are willing to put up with.

The Elizabeth Line and Tube are our top picks to avoid street traffic and save money. If speed is your primary concern, then consider the Heathrow Express.

Need to get away from dragging luggage around or just want the absolutely simplest path from point A to point B? Consider an Uber or taxi.

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Child Fares on London Transport

Last checked: 3 June 2024 Discounts for children on London transport are straightforward for children aged 10 and under. For children aged 11-15 it’s slightly more complicated.

Children under 5

Children under-5 travel free on all types of transport in London when travelling with an adult.

up to 4 children are allowed per adult on London buses, the underground (tube), DLR and London Overground.
up to 2 children under-5 travel free per adult on National Rail (trains)

Children aged 5-10

All children aged 5-10 travel for free on:

the underground (tube), DLR, London Overground and some National Rail services within London as long as an adult accompanies them. Up to 4 children can travel per adult
London’s buses with or without an adult

Children aged 11-15

Children aged 11-15 travel for free on London’s buses and at child-rate Pay as you go Oyster fares on the underground (tube), DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services if they have an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard.

The child-rate single fare with an 11-15 Zip Oyster is 95p (peak) or 85p (off-peak) for zones 1-6.

Like the ordinary adult Oyster card, there’s a daily cap – the maximum amount deducted from the card in one day. It’s £4.25 peak and £1.80 off-peak for zones 1-2.

This is the cheapest deal for 11-15 year olds. The card is not available from underground stations, although you can apply online . It is available to non-UK residents but you’ll need to apply at least 3-4 weeks in advance. There’s also a non-refundable £15 administrative charge.

Travel in London without an 11-15 Zip Oyster

Applying for a 11-15 Zip Oyster is not worth the trouble unless you’re a resident or frequent visitor.

There are a few other options for young visitors that will save money:

Young Visitor Discount on an Oyster card
Child-rate One Day Travelcard (from an underground or train station)
Pay the child full-fare (underground only, not bus)

Bus-only travel for 11-15 year olds

If an 11-15 year old does not have an 11-15 Zip Oyster, Visitor Oyster Discount or child-rate Travelcard the best option is to let them use your contactless debit/credit card and pay the adult-rate bus fare of £1.75. (NB only one card can be charged per passenger) or buy a £5.90 adult-rate one day bus pass . See London bus tickets & passes for details.

Young visitor Oyster discount

If you don’t want to apply for an 11-15 Zip Oyster, the cheapest way for 11-15 year old visitors to travel is the Young Visitor Oyster Discount. This is a special discount added to an ordinary Oyster card. It’s valid for 14 days. After 14 days, the discount automatically expires and the card can be used as a ordinary adult Oyster card.

There’s a £7 fee for the Oyster card (non-refundable). Single fares and the daily cap for the underground and buses-only are 50% cheaper than adult fares.

For example:

Unlimited travel by underground in zone 1-2 is £4.25 per day
Unlimited travel by bus is £2.65 per day, for the whole of London

It’s available from:

Underground station ticket machines: you need to buy an Oyster card (£7) or use a Visitor Oyster Card. Ask a member of staff to apply the discount to the card via the ticket machine.
Transport for London Visitor Centres
Victoria train station ticket office

Children aged 16-17

Children aged 16-17 can apply for the 16+ Zip Oyster Photocard . With this they:

pay Oyster Pay as you go fares at half the adult rate on the bus, tube and most National Rail services in London. (Children resident in London with a 16+ Zip travel free on the buses)
can buy a child-rate weekly or monthly Travelcard.

You must apply online. There’s a non-refundable £20 administrative charge for the 16+ Zip Oyster. If you live outside the UK, you must apply for your card at least 4 weeks before arrival in London.

Without a 16+ Zip Oyster, a 16 or 17 year old is classed as an adult and must either:

pay the adult fare
buy an adult-priced Travelcard, bus pass
use an ordinary Pay as you go Oyster card with an Oyster or Contactless payment.

18+ Students

Students aged 18+ resident in London during term-time can apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard. It might also be possible to apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster .

There are no other discounts for students not studying and living in London.

Child ticket prices (11-15 years)

11-15 zip oyster pay as you go single fares (payg) 2024, 11-15 zip oyster daily cap prices 2024, child one day travelcard 2024.

These are the prices for the Child One Day Travelcard.

Off Peak : Valid for travel after 09:30 Monday–Friday and all day Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays. Anytime : Valid for travel before 09:30 Monday–Friday.

See London’s Transport Zones if you’re not familiar with the zones and the areas they cover.

Transport tickets & passes

Guide to London's transport tickets
One day & weekly Travelcards
Zone 2–6 weekly Travelcards
Bus tickets & passes
Oyster card
Oyster single tickets
Oyster card refunds
Contactless cards
Child tickets & passes
Local train tickets

Useful information

Plan your journey
London transport zones

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TfL staff told to work from home after another cyber attack

Tfl was attacked by russia last year, article bookmarked.

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TFL employees have been told to work from home if that makes it easier to do their role due to mitigations implemented in offices

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Transport for London (TfL) staff have been asked to consider working from home on Tuesday as the transport body faces an ongoing cyber attack.

It is mainly the organisation’s corporate headquarters at Palestra House, Southwark , thought to be affected.

Employees have been told to work from home if that makes it easier to do their role due to mitigations implemented in offices.

There has been no impact on the transport network and no evidence that customer data has been accessed.

In a statement on Monday night, Shashi Verma, TfL’s chief technology officer, said: “We have introduced a number of measures to our internal systems to deal with an ongoing cyber security incident.

“The security of our systems and customer data is very important to us and we will continue to assess the situation throughout and after the incident.

“Although we’ll need to complete our full assessment, at present, there is currently no evidence that any customer data has been compromised.

“There is currently no impact on TfL services, and we are working closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to respond to the incident.”

Transport for London staff have been asked to consider working from home rather than from its Southwark HQ, the PA news agency understands (Alamy/PA)

A spokesperson for the NCA said: “We are aware of a cyber security incident involving Transport for London, and are working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre and with TfL itself to respond to it.

“The investigation is ongoing, and we are unable to comment further.”

William Wright, chief executive of cybersecurity company Closed Door Security, said: “The big question people will also want to know is who carried out the attack and if it can be attributed to another country, like Russia .

“TfL was also attacked by Russia last year, so it definitely isn’t out of the realms of possibility.

“Furthermore, given Russia’s recent uptick in attacks on the West, it wouldn’t be surprising, but it is far too early to speculate.”

TfL was targeted by Russian hackers in June last year as part of a wider raid that saw personal information stolen.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Flights cancelled, delayed or diverted amid winds beyond ‘the limits of aircraft’

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andrew McCaren/LNP/REX/Shutterstock (14480127f) A Easyjet aircraft has a bumpy landing in the strong winds this morning at Leeds Bradford airport in Yorkshire. Leeds Weather, Leeds, Yorkshire, UK - 14 May 2024

Several flights bound for Leeds are being diverted as strong winds and heavy downpours continue to batter the UK .

Passengers heading from Belfast International Airport to Leeds Bradford Airport at 3pm today via easyJet were dragged to Manchester instead.

The severe winds lashing Leeds were well ‘outside the limits of the aircraft’, a spokesperson for the budget airline said.

Leeds Bradford Airport’s departure board shows several flights have been diverted to Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. Others, meanwhile, remain grounded.

The roads aren’t exactly fairing any better. Congestion is already building on the M4 near Bristol and Heathrow Airport and on the M6 near Crewe.

Avanti West Coast trains between Edinburgh and London Euston, CrossCountry services from Manchester to Bristol and London Northwestern Railway were among those hit by delays and cancellations after a mystery object was caught in the overhead wires in the Midlands.

It comes after the Met Office said that the upcoming yellow weather warnings could bring travel disruption on rails and roads as the UK could see up to 100ml of rainfall over the next couple of days.

6h ago How railways are coping ahead of rush hour
11h ago Disruption on trains at London Bridge
13h ago Flights cancelled and delayed at Heathrow

Flights being grounded, delayed or diverted left, right and centre in Leeds

Strong winds are lashing Leeds right now, which is spelling bad news for passengers.

According to the flights page on the Leeds Bradford airport website , several incoming flights have been diverted to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and the East Midlands.

Among the impacted flights an easyJet spokesperson said: ‘Flight EZY047 from Belfast International to Leeds Bradford has diverted to Manchester due to strong winds at Leeds outside the limits of the aircraft.

‘The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is our highest priority and we are working to assist customers with options for onward travel from Manchester this afternoon.’

Departs have been impacted too. with several cancelled or delayed.

Traffic builds on M6 and M4 after collisions

Congestion is building on the motorways as rush hour gets underway.

The M6 and M4 have been hit with collisions on both motorways.

One out of three lanes was closed northbound between junctions J15 and J16 between Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe.

National Highways alert warned of 40-minute delays against expected traffic in the area.

M6 traffic camera showing cars queuing on the motroway.

Traffic is heavy heading towards the Prince of Wales and Severn Bridges on the outskirts of Bristol.

Congestion is the worst westbound between junctions J19 and J21, with drivers facing delays of 30 minutes.

How railways are coping ahead of rush hour

Today’s rush hour could get sticky across the rail network after incidents affecting services.

Here are all the disruptions currently wreaking havoc on train travel, although not all are weather-related.

Object caught in overhead wires

This is affecting the line between Stafford and Wolverhampton, meaning the line towards Wolverhampton is blocked.

Passengers face cancellations, delays of up to 40-minutes and revisions, with disruption expected until 4.30pm.

These lines are affected.

Avanti West Coast between Edinburgh / Glasgow Central and London Euston
CrossCountry between Manchester Piccadilly and Bristol Temple Meads / Bournemouth / Paignton
London Northwestern Railway between Liverpool Lime Street and Birmingham New Street

Tree blocks the railway

While lines have now reopened after a fallen tree at Portchester, services between Fareham and Cosham could still be axed, delayed by up to an hour or changed.

The issue is expected to last until 5.30pm, National Rail said.

Here are the affected routes and services.

Great Western Railway between Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour
Southern between Southampton Central and Brighton
South Western Railway between Southampton Central and Portsmouth & Southsea / London Waterloo, and also between Fareham / Portsmouth Harbour and London Waterloo

Crash on M4 causes long delays on motorway

Traffic camera showing cars queueing on the M4 after a crash.

Drivers have been warned of long delays on the M4 near Swindon after a crash.

It happened westbound between junctions J14 and J15 shortly before 2pm.

Congestion is stretching for 3.5 miles on approach, causing 45-minute delays.

It comes as heavy rain is sweeping across the south of England and Wales today and tomorrow. The Met Office has warned of possible delays and disruption on roads and rail.

The #M4 westbound between J14 ( #Hungerford ) and J15 ( #Swindon ), lanes 1 and 2 (of 3) are closed due to a collision. There is currently approx. 3.5 miles of congestion on approach, causing delays of 45 minutes above usual journey times. pic.twitter.com/4X6JXI21o6 — National Highways: South-West (@HighwaysSWEST) September 5, 2024

Severe delays on Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines

The three Tube lines are severely delayed because there’s an obstruction on the track at Farringdon.

TfL are trying to remove the obstruction.

They say there’s good service on the rest of the line, and that London Buses are accepting tickets.

Disruption on trains at London Bridge

London Bridge station with commuters exiting gates.

An issue at London Bridge is hampering train service to and from the busy station.

A train departing at the station ran into trouble, forcing other trains to run at a slower speed while an investigation was carried out.

Southern and Thameslink services are affected until 12 noon as service recovers after all lines reopened.

Trains could be delayed by up to 15 minutes, National Rail warned.

Delays on M4 near Heathrow after congestion

Traffic camera on the M4 showing queueing vehicles after congestion.

Drivers have been warned of half an hour delays on the M4 in Hounslow caused by heavy traffic.

The latest National Highways alert shows slow or stationary traffic eastbound between junctions J3 and J2 towards central London.

Normal traffic conditions are expected by 10.15am.

Flights cancelled and delayed at Heathrow

Several flights have been cancelled and delayed at Heathrow Airport today.

British Airways is among the carriers which has axed flights.

These flights have been cancelled this morning according to the airport departure board.

British Airways BA726 at 8am to Geneva

British Airways BA1476 at 10.15am to Glasgow

KLM KL1006 at 11.45am to Amsterdam

British Airways BA197 at 2.50pm to Houston

British Airways BA316 at 3pm to Paris

British Airways BA566 at 3.03pm to Milan

The following flights are displayed as delayed on the departure board.

British Airways BA484 at 8.55am to Barcelona

Lufthansa LH901 at 9.30am to Frankfurt

Virgin Atlantic VS047 at 9.55am to New York City

American Airlines AA087 at 10.05am to Chicago

British Airways BA1436 at 10.40am to Edinburgh

British Airways BA394 at 11.55am to Brussels

British Airways BA454 at 12.05pm to Malaga

British Airways BA714 at 12.20pm to Zurich

British Airways BA518 at 12.50pm to Lisbon

British Airways BA816 at 12.55pm to Copenhagen

British Airways BA632 at 1.15pm to Athens

Looking ahead: London Tube closures planned for this weekend

Here’s a full list of the TfL Tube closures planned for September 6-8.

This is in addition to the Waterloo & City line, which only runs on Monday to Friday.

Friday, September 6

London Overground: Changes to Stratford to Richmond / Clapham Junction services on Friday 6 September: The 2159 train from Stratford to Richmond will terminate at Camden Road at 2219. The 2317 train from Richmond to Willesden Junction will not run.
Changes to Barking Riverside to Gospel Oak services on Friday 6 September: The 2303 train from Barking Riverside to Gospel Oak will terminate at Upper Holloway at 2338.

Saturday, September 7:

District: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, no service between Turnham Green and Richmond.
DLR: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, no service between Bank / Tower Gateway and Canning Town / Lewisham, also between Stratford and Canary Wharf.
London Overground: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, no service between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction.
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, no service between Richmond / Shepherds Bush and Gospel Oak.
Northern line: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, no service between Golders Green and Edgware (including Friday and Saturday Night Tube).
Tram: Saturday 7, from 0000, and Sunday 8 September, no service between Mitcham Junction and Wimbledon.

Sunday, September 8

DLR: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, no service between Bank / Tower Gateway and Canning Town / Lewisham, also between Stratford and Canary Wharf.
Elizabeth line: Sunday 8 September, until 1400, a reduced service operates between Paddington and Heathrow / Maidenhead.
Sunday 8 September, from 0040 until 0700, no service between Paddington and Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3.
Sunday 8 September, no service between Hackney Downs and Chingford.
Northern line: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, no service between Golders Green and Edgware (including Friday and Saturday Night Tube).
Tram: Saturday 7, from 0000, and Sunday 8 September, no service between Mitcham Junction and Wimbledon.

Maps show yellow weather warnings for rain in place today and tomorrow

Bear these in mind if you’re concerned about travel disruption caused by the upcoming heavy rain.

National Rail issues warning over heavy rain affecting trains until Friday

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for southern England and south Wales until Friday, 6 September.

The forecasted weather may cause trains to be disrupted:

Heavy rainfall can cause flooding that results in tracks being underwater and embankments being damaged, causing potential landslips
Flooding can affect points and signalling equipment, which allow trains to move from one line to another

For South Western Railway customers specifically, services between Axminster and Honiton will run at a reduced speed from 2-7pm today.

This measure is necessary for safety reasons following a landslip at Honiton Tunnel earlier this year.

Services between Axminster and Exeter St Davids will be subject to significant delay, and some services will be subject to alteration.

MORE : Man shot dead in north west London named locally as Tikquaan Walters

MORE : Bosses blamed for Grenfell have made millions since the disaster

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On Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and National Rail services in London: Peak fares - Monday to Friday (not on public holidays) between 06:30 and 09:30, and between 16:00 and 19:00. Off-peak fares - at all other times and if you travel from a station outside Zone 1 to a station in Zone 1 between 16:00 and 19:00, Monday to Friday.
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London transport ticket prices. The cost of your journey will vary depending on the type of transport you use, the zones you travel through, the day you travel and the time you travel. More expensive peak travel fares are in effect between 6.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 7pm Monday to Friday. For example, a single off-peak journey on the Tube from ...
London Budget Guide: How to Save Money on Transport
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The popular service — run by the Transport for London (or the TfL for short) — connects the airport to plenty of central city locations. ... TfL's single fare finder shows a single journey from Terminal 5 to Paddington on the Elizabeth Line costs 12.20 pounds ($15.44). A journey from stations in Terminals 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street costs ...
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TfL staff told to work from home after another cyber attack
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