Quick Facts
- Opened
- 10 January 1863
- Operator
- Transport for London (TfL)
- Stations
- 272
- Lines
- 11
- Daily riders
- ~3.6 million
- Network
- 402 km
- Zones
- 1–9
- Payment
- Oyster, Contactless, Travelcard
The London Underground, known to Londoners as "the Tube", is the world's oldest underground railway, opened on 10 January 1863. Today it operates 272 stations across 11 colour-coded lines and 402 km of track, carrying over 1.35 billion passenger journeys every year.
The network spreads across nine concentric fare zones. Zone 1 covers the heart of central London, Westminster, the City, Covent Garden, and the South Bank. Most tourist attractions sit within Zones 1 and 2. The further you travel from Zone 1, the higher the fare.
Paying for the Tube is straightforward: tap in and out with a contactless Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card, or use an Oyster card. Both automatically apply daily and weekly fare caps, so you never overpay no matter how many journeys you take. Paper single tickets cost up to double the Oyster price and should be avoided.
Each of the 11 lines is colour-coded on the iconic Harry Beck-designed Tube map. The red Central line is the longest at 74 km, running west to east through the heart of London. The dark blue Piccadilly line connects Heathrow Airport to central London in around 50 minutes. The purple Elizabeth line, opened in 2022, cut cross-London journey times dramatically, Heathrow to Paddington now takes just 30 minutes.
Night Tube services run on Friday and Saturday nights on the Central, Jubilee, Victoria, Northern, and Piccadilly lines, making late-night travel easy. All other lines typically finish between midnight and 1 am.
How to Pay
Payment methods: Oyster card · Contactless (Visa/Mastercard/Amex) · Travelcard · Cash (station machines only).
💡 Tap the same contactless card, phone or Oyster card every time. Fares are capped each day and each Monday to Sunday week, so you never pay more than the cap however many journeys you make.
Peak hours: Mon–Fri 06:30–09:30 and 16:00–19:00.
London Underground Lines
Key Stations on the London Underground
Ticket Prices
Payment methods: Oyster card, Contactless (Visa/Mastercard/Amex), Travelcard, Cash (station machines only).
💡 Tap the same contactless card, phone or Oyster card every time. Fares are capped each day and each Monday to Sunday week, so you never pay more than the cap however many journeys you make.
| Journey | Off-Peak (GBP) | Peak (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 only | £3.00 | £3.10 |
| Zones 1–2 | £3.10 | £3.60 |
| Zones 1–3 | £3.30 | £3.90 |
| Zones 1–4 | £3.60 | £4.80 |
| Zones 1–5 | £3.80 | £5.30 |
| Zones 1–6 | £4.00 | £5.90 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay for the London Underground?
Tap in and out with a contactless card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) or Oyster card. Both apply daily and weekly caps. Paper tickets from machines cost up to double, always use Oyster or contactless.
What are peak hours on the Tube?
Peak hours are Mon–Fri 06:30–09:30 and 16:00–19:00. Fares are higher during peak times. Travel off-peak for cheaper fares, the savings can be significant on longer journeys.
Does the Tube run 24 hours?
Night Tube runs Friday and Saturday nights on the Central, Jubilee, Victoria, Northern, and Piccadilly lines. Other lines end between 00:00 and 01:00.
How do I get from Heathrow Airport to London by Tube?
Take the Elizabeth line for the fastest journey (about 30 minutes to Paddington), or the Piccadilly line for the cheapest (about 50 minutes, running straight to central stations such as Covent Garden and King's Cross). The Elizabeth line costs more than the Piccadilly line from Heathrow.
What is the Tube daily fare cap?
In 2026 the daily cap is £8.90 for Zones 1–2 and £16.30 for Zones 1–6. The Monday to Sunday weekly cap is £44.70 for Zones 1–2. Once you reach the cap, further journeys in those zones are free. Oyster and contactless both apply it automatically.
Do I need an Oyster card or can I use contactless?
Contactless bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) now offer exactly the same capped fares as Oyster. For most visitors, contactless is more convenient, no deposit, no queuing at machines. Oyster is still useful if you don't have contactless or want to track spending separately.
How many stations does the London Underground have?
The Tube has 272 stations across 11 lines, spanning nine fare zones and 402 km of track. The busiest station is King's Cross St. Pancras, a major interchange for six Tube lines plus national rail and international Eurostar services.
Which Tube line is best for tourists?
The Central line (red) connects key sights including Notting Hill Gate, Bond Street, Oxford Circus, St. Paul's, and Stratford. The Jubilee line (silver) links Westminster, London Bridge, and Canary Wharf. The Northern line reaches Borough Market and Camden.
Source: Transport for London (TfL) and Wikipedia. Always verify fares with the official operator.