The London Underground is the quickest way around London for most visitors. It has 11 lines and 272 stations, and together with the Elizabeth line, the DLR and the London Overground it reaches almost every part of the city. This guide covers what first-time visitors need: how to pay, what it costs in 2026, how to get in from Heathrow, and how to avoid the common mistakes.
How to pay: contactless first
You do not need to buy a ticket. Tap a contactless bank card, phone or watch on the yellow reader at the gate when you enter, and again when you leave. Oyster cards work the same way and cost £7, but for most visitors their own contactless card is simpler.
Two rules matter:
- Use the same card or phone every time. Your fares are capped each day and each Monday to Sunday week, but only if all your journeys are on the same card or device.
- Always tap out. If you forget, you can be charged a maximum fare for that journey.
What it costs in 2026
Fares depend on the zones you travel through and the time of day. Most sights (Westminster, the South Bank, the West End, the City) are in Zone 1.
| Journey | Off-peak | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 only | £3.00 | £3.10 |
| Zones 1–2 | £3.10 | £3.60 |
| Zones 1–6 (e.g. Heathrow by Piccadilly line) | £4.00 | £5.90 |
Peak fares apply Monday to Friday from 06:30 to 09:30 and from 16:00 to 19:00. Weekends and public holidays are off-peak all day.
The daily cap for Zones 1–2 is £8.90. After three journeys in a day you have usually reached it, and further journeys in Zones 1–2 that day are free. The weekly cap for Zones 1–2 is £44.70. See our London Tube fares guide for all zones.
Getting from Heathrow
Two lines link Heathrow with central London:
- The Elizabeth line (purple) is the fastest: about 30 minutes to Paddington, with direct trains on to Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and the City. It costs more than the Piccadilly line.
- The Piccadilly line (dark blue) is the cheapest: about £5.90 with contactless, and around 50 minutes to Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden and King's Cross. It is the better choice if your hotel is near one of its stations.
Avoid buying a paper ticket at the airport: pay-as-you-go with contactless is always cheaper. Our Heathrow guide compares both lines in detail.
Night Tube
On Friday and Saturday nights, the Central, Jubilee, Victoria and Piccadilly lines, and part of the Northern line, run through the night. Other lines stop between about midnight and 1:00, and night buses cover the rest of the city.
Tips for a smoother trip
- Stand on the right on escalators, so people in a hurry can walk up on the left.
- Check your route before you go. The TfL Go app shows live times, step-free routes and planned closures.
- Walk short hops. Some stations in central London are only a few minutes apart on foot; Covent Garden to Leicester Square is a famous example.
- Use the bus. Buses are cheaper than the Tube, count towards the daily cap, and let you see the city on the way.
- Travel off-peak. Starting after 09:30 is cheaper and far less crowded.
- Children under 11 travel free on the Tube with a paying adult.
Which lines will you use most?
- Piccadilly line: Heathrow, Knightsbridge (Harrods), Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, King's Cross St Pancras.
- Central line: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, St Paul's, Bank, Stratford.
- Jubilee line: Westminster, London Bridge, Canary Wharf, Wembley Park.
- District and Circle lines: South Kensington (museums), Westminster, Tower Hill (Tower of London).
- Elizabeth line: Heathrow, Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf.
For the full network, see our London Underground guide and the Tube map guide.
Always verify schedules and fares with the official operator before travelling.