The London Underground, the Tube, is the fastest way around the capital, but its zones, fares and unwritten rules can baffle first-time visitors. This guide covers everything you need to ride it like a local.
Tickets: just tap in and out
You do not need a paper ticket. Simply tap a contactless bank card, phone or watch on the yellow reader at the start and end of every journey. The system caps your daily and weekly spending automatically, so you never pay more than the equivalent Travelcard. Oyster cards work the same way if you prefer one.
Understanding zones
Central London is Zone 1. Most tourist sights sit in Zones 1 and 2. Heathrow is in Zone 6, which is why airport journeys cost more. The fare system charges based on the zones you travel through, not the distance.
Key lines for visitors
- Central line: Oxford Street, Notting Hill, Liverpool Street
- Piccadilly line: Heathrow, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, King’s Cross
- Northern line: Camden, King’s Cross, London Bridge, Clapham
- Jubilee line: Westminster, London Bridge, Canary Wharf, Stratford
- District and Circle lines: Tower of London, Westminster, Victoria, Paddington
- Elizabeth line: Heathrow, Paddington, Bond Street, Canary Wharf (technically not the Tube, but just as useful)
Tube etiquette
- Stand on the right on escalators
- Let passengers off before boarding
- Move down inside the carriage
- Avoid eating hot food
- Keep conversations and phone calls quiet
Rush hour and closures
Avoid travelling between 7.30 and 9.30am and 5 and 7pm on weekdays if you can: carriages are packed and fares are higher. Check for weekend engineering works before you travel, as line closures are common.
Night Tube
Selected lines run through the night on Fridays and Saturdays, including the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. A lifesaver after a late night out.
