The London Underground — the Tube — is the oldest metro system in the world, and despite its age, it remains the fastest way to move around London. Eleven lines, 272 stations, and a ticketing system that rewards smart visitors who tap in with contactless rather than buying paper tickets. Here is how to use it well.
The network
The Underground operates 11 lines across a zone-based map. Lines are colour-coded and identifiable on the famous Harry Beck-designed map, which prioritises clarity over geographical accuracy. In addition to the Underground proper, the Elizabeth line (Crossrail), the DLR (Docklands Light Railway), the London Overground and most National Rail services within London accept the same payment methods and are integrated into the fare zone system.
Key lines for visitors
- Central line (red): runs east–west through the city from Ealing in the west to Shenfield in the east, passing Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street.
- Jubilee line (silver): serves Westminster, London Bridge, Canary Wharf and Stratford. Modern and reliable.
- Northern line (black): two branches through central London, serving Camden, King's Cross, Bank and London Bridge. Notorious for being one of the oldest and deepest; gets hot in summer.
- Piccadilly line (dark blue): the main link to Heathrow Airport, also serving King's Cross, Covent Garden and Green Park.
- Victoria line (light blue): runs from Brixton through Victoria, Oxford Circus and King's Cross to Walthamstow. Fast and frequent.
- Elizabeth line (purple): opened in 2023, the newest and most modern line. Runs from Reading and Heathrow in the west through central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. Air-conditioned, step-free access at central stations, and significantly faster than older lines for east–west journeys.
Oyster card
The Oyster card is Transport for London's rechargeable smartcard, introduced in 2003 and still widely used. Purchase one at any Tube station (there is a refundable deposit), load it with credit (pay as you go) or a weekly/monthly Travelcard, and tap it on the yellow readers at gates when you enter and exit. The fare is automatically deducted based on your journey. Pay as you go on Oyster is capped daily and weekly, so you will never pay more than the price of the equivalent Travelcard — a useful safety net if you make more journeys than you anticipated.
Contactless bank cards and phones
Since 2012, London has accepted contactless bank cards (and Apple Pay / Google Pay) directly on the Tube gates, the Elizabeth line, DLR, Overground and most bus and tram services. The fares are identical to Oyster, and the same daily and weekly caps apply. This is the simplest option for most international visitors — no need to buy an Oyster card, just tap your card. The system tracks journeys across a calendar day (midnight to midnight) and a week (Monday to Sunday) to apply the cap.
One consideration: daily and weekly caps apply per card. If you tap in with your Visa one day and your Mastercard the next, the system treats them as separate cards and caps do not stack. Choose one card or phone payment method and stick to it throughout your visit.
Simple rule: tap your contactless card or phone. You will pay the correct fare, get the daily and weekly cap, and never need to queue at a ticket machine. Paper tickets from machines cost more and are not capped.
Fare zones
London's Underground uses nine concentric fare zones (1–9), though most tourist destinations sit in Zones 1 and 2. Zone 1 is the central area — all the major West End attractions, the City, Southwark and most of inner London. Zone 2 covers areas like Brixton, Shepherd's Bush and Hackney. Heathrow is in Zone 6 (served by the Piccadilly line) or covered by the Elizabeth line fare structure.
Fares are higher at peak times (broadly 06:30–09:30 and 16:00–19:00 on weekdays). Travelling off-peak — including all day at weekends and on public holidays — costs less. The daily cap also differs between peak and off-peak: once you have made one peak-time journey in a day, the higher daily cap applies.
All buses and trams in London charge a flat fare regardless of distance or zone, much lower than a tube fare. If your journey fits a bus route, it is often the cheapest option (and you can see the city above ground).
Travelcards
Paper Travelcards give unlimited travel within specified zones for one day or a week (weekly Travelcards require an Oyster card). Day Travelcards are available for Zones 1–2, 1–4, 1–6, or all zones. They can make sense if you are making many journeys in a day, particularly if some are on National Rail services where Oyster contactless is not accepted. Weekly Travelcards on Oyster are available in various zone combinations and are roughly equivalent to five daily caps.
Practical tips
- Always touch out when you exit a station. Failing to tap out results in a maximum fare being charged for that journey, with no discount.
- Some stations have multiple exit gates — tap out at any gate before leaving the paid zone.
- The Tube is hot, particularly the older deep-level lines (Northern, Central, Bakerloo). Carry water in summer.
- Step-free access is not universal. If you have mobility requirements or heavy luggage, check the TfL website for step-free station maps before planning your route.
- Standing on the right of escalators is a firm London custom. Walkers pass on the left.
- During disruptions, look for alternative routes — the bus network covers the city and runs all day.
Night Tube and 24-hour services
The Night Tube operates on Friday and Saturday nights on five lines (Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria), running through the night rather than stopping at around midnight as on other nights. This makes late-night travel much easier on weekends. Other lines do not have night services — check the last train times on your specific line for weekday journeys.
Getting into London from the airports
The Underground connects to Heathrow (Piccadilly line and Elizabeth line) and London City (Elizabeth line and DLR). For Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, separate rail and coach connections are needed — see the full London airports guide.
If you are continuing onward from London by rail — on the Eurostar to Paris or Brussels, or on domestic trains — the Eurostar guide covers departures from St Pancras International, which is served by multiple Tube lines.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to buy an Oyster card or use contactless?
The fares are identical, and both get the same daily and weekly caps. Contactless is simpler for most visitors as there is nothing to buy or return. Oyster is better if you want a weekly Travelcard loaded on a card, or if your bank card charges foreign transaction fees for small contactless payments.
What is the difference between the Tube and the Elizabeth line?
The Elizabeth line is a newer, separate railway that runs through the city centre, air-conditioned and step-free at central stations. It uses the same Oyster/contactless fares as the Underground and appears on the same TfL map, but it is operated differently and has larger, more modern trains.
Can I travel on buses with my Oyster card?
Yes. Oyster and contactless are accepted on all London buses at a flat fare per journey. Buses do not give change for cash; some routes are now cashless entirely.
What time does the last Tube run?
On most lines and on most nights, the last trains run between midnight and 00:30. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Night Tube operates on five lines through the night. Check the TfL website for last-train times on your specific line and day.
Sources and further reading:
- Network maps, fares, zone information and real-time travel: Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk).
- Oyster card and contactless: tfl.gov.uk/fares.
- Airport connections: see the London airports guide on Viamo.