London Tube — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

London Underground Information

Popularly known as ‘the Tube’, this rapid transit system includes the world’s first underground railway, which dates back to 1863. It serves not only London, but also Essex, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. That’s probably one of the reasons, apart from its convenience, that it has more than 1 billion passengers a year (2011). It operates on 11 different lines, serving a total of 270 stations. It is certainly not an easy task to manage this 420 km network. This Herculean task is currently undertaken by London Underground Limited.

London Underground Map

Map of London Underground showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it.

London Underground Hours

The Metro’s timetable is the same every day except Sundays. Services start at 05:00 in the morning and run until almost 01:30 the next day. On Sundays, services start a little later, from around 07:00 in the morning until a little after 01:00 the next day.

London Underground Fares, Tickets and Cards

There are nine zones and the fare system is zone-based. The most widely used is the Oyster card, which can also be used on buses, trams, DLR and most national rail services. It is a plastic smart card that stores credit. There are 7-day, monthly and longer travel cards that can be added to the Oyster card. An Oyster card also entitles you to peak and off-peak fares. For students, there is an Oyster card for students over 18, which offers a 30% discount on 7-day, monthly and longer travelcards. The same offer is available for apprentices, for those with an Apprenticeship Oyster Photocard. Children aged 5-10 travel free on the Underground. Children aged 11-15 and 16+ pay the children’s rate.

There is a 60+London Oyster photo card which allows permanent residents aged 60 and over to travel free on public transport until they are eligible for the Freedom Pass. The Freedom Pass allows free travel on London’s public transport system, including most National Rail services, if you meet certain age criteria. It is also issued to people with a qualifying disability.

In addition to the Oyster card, single and return paper tickets are also available. These can be bought at ticket offices or from ticket machines. You can also buy a Day Travelcard, which is also a paper ticket and allows unlimited travel in one day. These can be bought for different zones. Depending on the time of day passengers want to travel, Anytime Day Travelcards and Off-peak Day Travelcards can be purchased.Group Day Tickets can also be purchased for a group of 10 or more people.

London Underground Parking

Park and Ride facilities are available at all London Underground stations where you can park your car free of charge.

London Underground Rules and Tips

Try to be as alert as possible when travelling on the Underground after drinking. The London Underground has both escalators and lifts. If you are travelling with large, bulky luggage, you are encouraged to use the lifts instead of the escalators. It’s also more convenient. It is not considered wise to board a train when you are unwell. Rest instead.

London Underground Services

Guide dogs for the visually impaired are allowed on board. There are a number of other features to make travel easier for people with different disabilities. Escalators and lifts are available at all stations. Induction loops for hearing aids have been installed in various places such as ticket offices, platforms, help points, etc. Various audio and visual signals are also provided. Over 130 London Underground stations also have access to WiFi. The service is free if users have one of the providers listed with the system, otherwise users can purchase a daily, weekly or monthly WiFi pass. There are also facilities for pregnant women.

London Underground Lines

The London Underground has 11 lines serving 270 stations. All 11 lines are identified by their name and colour.

Bakerloo Line – The line was opened to the public in 1906 and is 23.2 km long and serves 25 stations. The line runs from inner south-east London via the West End to Harrow and Wealdstone in the north-west outer suburbs.
Central Line – The line was opened in 1900 and the length of the line is 74km serving 49 stations. The line provides services from Ealing and Ruislip to the west of Stratford and north-east to Epping in Essex.
Circle Line – The line was opened in 1871 and the length of the line is 27.2km serving 36 stations. The Circle Line has a spiral shape and runs from Hammersmith to Edgware Road.
District Line – Opened in 1868, the line is 64km long and serves 60 stations. The line runs from east to west. The line runs from Upminster through central London to Earl’s Court. The line also runs north from Earl’s Court to Edgware Road.
Hammersmith and City Line – The line was opened in 1864 and is 25.5km long with 29 stations. The line runs between Hammersmith and Barking.
Jubilee Line – Opened in 1979, the line is 36.2km long and serves 27 stations. It is the newest line on the network and runs between Finchley Road and Wembley Road. It shares tracks with the Metropolitan line, which runs parallel to the Chiltern main line.
Metropolitan Line – Opened in 1863, the line is 66.7km long and serves 34 stations. The line connects Aldgate with Amersham and Chesham in Buckinghamshire.
Northern Line – Opened in 1890, the line is 58km long and serves 50 stations. It is the second busiest line on the Underground and operates two different routes through central London – the Charing Cross branch and the Bank branch.
Piccadilly Line – Opened in 1906, the line is 71km long and serves 53 stations. It runs from the north to the west of London through Zone 1.
Victoria Line – Opened in 1968, the line is 21 km long and serves 16 stations. The line runs from the south to the north-east of London.
Waterloo & City Line – Opened in 1898, the line is 2.5km long and serves 2 stations. It is the shortest line in London with two stations, Waterloo and Bank.