How to Take the Tube in London

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The London Underground (also known as the Tube) is one of the most efficient forms of public transportation in the city. With 11 different lines and over 270 stations, you can use the Tube to go practically anywhere you want in London!
However, taking the Tube can be a bit tricky, especially if you consider all the different zones, lines, and ticketing options. But fear not, as we’re here to explain exactly how to take the Tube in London so you can easily navigate the city during your trip.
Get everything else you need for your trip to London here:
– Find out how much a trip to London costs so you can plan accordingly.
– Head over to our London Travel Guide for everything you need to know before your trip.
– Check our packing list so you bring everything you need and leave behind what you don’t.
– Download our grab-and-go 1-Day London Itinerary to get some of the planning off your hands!
How to Take the Tube in London
If you’ve never been on the Tube in London, you might find that it can be pretty overwhelming. This is especially true if you’re traveling during rush hour (London rush hour can be extremely chaotic!). But once you get the hang of it, it’s actually quite easy to get around. Here is a step-by-step guide to taking the Tube:
- First, determine where you need to go using Citymapper. It’s available on desktop and mobile (we recommend downloading the app). Enter your starting point and ending point, and it’ll give you the exact route as well as the ticket cost.
- Head to the Tube station nearest you.
- If you haven’t bought your single-journey ticket or Oyster card yet, you can do so at the machines. If you are using a contactless payment card, you can head directly to the turnstiles.
- On the turnstile, you will need to tap your card on the circle to pass the barrier.
- Follow the signs to your tube line and destination. Some stations may also be used for other forms of transportation (National Rail, Overground, DLR, etc.), so make sure you know the Tube symbol! Each line also corresponds to a certain color, so you can use that to help you get around.
- If taking the escalator, it’s etiquette to stand on the right. Leave the left side for commuters who are walking up the escalator.
- Once you’re on the platform, check the sign to confirm you’re waiting for the right train. Make sure it’s going in the right direction as well.
- Take the ride, exit the train, and tap out with the same card you tapped in with when leaving the station. There are daily limits to how much you’ll be charged for taking the Tube, but those limits are attached to the specific card you use. If you switch up payment methods, you’ll end up paying twice.

We also wanted to give you a heads-up that very few stations are step-free (wheelchair or stroller accessible). Only a third of Tube stations have ramps, lifts, or level surfaces. If step-free access is important, then you can check the Tube map to see which stations you can use. All buses and trams are step-free (as well as half the Overground stations), so this can also be another option to get around the city.
In case you’re wondering whether you should take public transportation or rent a car, we say stick to public transit. If you need more convincing, we have an article detailing why you don’t want to rent a car in London!
Don’t make the mistake of staying too far away from the sights and spending all your time on the tube! Find a great place to stay near what you want to see.
How Do You Pay to Ride the Tube in London
The cost to ride the Tube depends on several different factors:
- The number of zones traveled
- The time you travel (peak or off-peak)
- The type of ticket you have
Let’s first talk about zones. The London Underground is divided into 9 zones, with Zone 1 being in the center of the city (Zones 6 to 9 are on the outskirts of London). Generally speaking, most tourists will only visit Zone 1 and 2, as these areas are where most of the attractions and hotels are located. London Heathrow is located in Zone 6, although we’ll talk a little more about how to use the Tube to get there later in this article.
Tickets also change in price depending on when you travel. Peak time is from Monday to Friday between 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Weekends, public holidays, and all other times not during those peak hours are considered off-peak. Note, that prices listed here are subject to change.
Finally, the cost of your trip will depend on whether you’re buying a single-journey ticket or an Oyster card, contactless payment card, or travel card. Single-journey tickets are much more expensive, so it’s worth using one of the other alternatives if you plan on taking the tube multiple times during your trip.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences between the different cards:
- Oyster card: A permanent reusable electronic ticket that is topped up with credits. The card itself costs £7 in addition to the amount you load on it.
- Contactless payment card: If you have a credit or debit card that supports the contactless payment technology, then you can use it on the Tube in place of the other two methods.
- Travelcards: A paper ticket that includes unlimited travel for a flat fee. Offered at 1 and 7 days, 1 month, and 1 year durations.

Peak and off-peak prices can be variable, so above is a chart with the current daily caps so you can see the difference in price for Travelcards vs Oyster/contactless cards. Once you’ve made 3 journeys on the Tube with a contactless card, you will reach the daily cap and will not have to pay for any more rides that day. So, don’t switch your contactless card during the day. This applies 7 days a week. Just remember this cap follows the card you’re using so stick to the same card the whole time.
For Travelcards you pay one fee and get unlimited rides for the selected period (week, month, year), we’ve included the daily card price in the chart. The week pass price is equivalent to 5 days, giving you 2 days free. Using the above fares, you’ll pay a flat £79.50 for a week of travel in almost any zone with a Travelcard while you’ll pay between £59.50 and £109.20 with a contactless card if you reach the cap every day of the week, depending on the zones you travel in.
All this to say, a contactless card will almost always be cheaper, as long as you don’t travel through all the zones every day. Learn more about Tube fares on the TFL website.

Keep exploring:
25 of London’s Hidden Gems You Won’t Want to Miss (+ a map!)
London Pub Guide: The Best Pubs, History, and What to Drink
12 Best London Museums Actually Worth Visiting
Oyster Card vs Contactless
Not sure whether to purchase an Oyster card or use contactless payment on your credit card? As you can see, the fare for riding the Tube is the same regardless of which one you’re using. However, there are pros and cons to each, which may help you decide which method is best for your stay in London.
Why we love the Oyster Card
- It’s easier to keep in your pocket compared to your card (which is usually in your wallet)
- You won’t have to deal with a bunch of small payments on your bank statement
- It’s not the end of the world if you lose it from taking it out of your pocket so many times (unlike your credit card)
- You don’t have to keep track of which card you’re using for the day
Why we love contactless cards
- It’s cheaper overall since you don’t have to pay the £7 upfront for the card
- You don’t need to top it off at the machines, so it’s more convenient if you’re in a hurry or unsure of how much you’ll need
- You’ll only pay for what you use. You can only get a refund for unused Oyster credits from a machine if you have £10 in credits or less. Otherwise, you’ll have to ask for a refund by phone or post, which is inconvenient
Explore the best sights in London in just one day!
How to get an Oyster Card
If you are planning on using an Oyster card during your trip, then you can purchase them at any of the ticket machines in the Tube stations. When you purchase the card, you can also decide how much you want to load onto it. Remember, you can always top it up at any of the ticket machines later!
Oyster cards are also available at most London Overground and most Elizabeth line stations, newsstands (with Oyster Ticket Stops), the London City Airport DLR station, and most visitor centers. You can top up your card at any of these destinations as well.

Do Kids Need to Pay to Ride the Tube?
If you are traveling with kids under the age of 10, then you will not need to buy them a separate ticket. As long as they are accompanied by a fare-paying adult, they can ride for free on the Tube, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), buses, trams, and London Overground.
Children aged 11 to 15 will need a ticket. If getting an Oyster card, you can get the Young Visitor discount, which gives them 50% off the adult fare for 14 days. Kids 16 and older will need to purchase an adult ticket to use the Tube.
When buying tickets at the machine, you might see that there are other types of youth tickets, like the Zip or Student Oyster Cards. These are reserved for residents of London or the UK and cannot be purchased by travelers.
Related reads:
Is Hyde Park Worth Visiting? 5 Reasons to Go & Why to Skip
Is a Day Trip from London to Paris Worth It? (+ the best way to go)
Worst Time to Visit London: Decide With These Pros and Cons
How to take the Tube from Heathrow
Using the Tube to get to Central London from the London Heathrow Airport is a cheap, fast, and efficient option. You will need to take the Picadilly Line from terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5. It makes lots of stops throughout the city, although you might need to transfer depending on where your hotel is.
Trains run roughly every 5 to 10 minutes between 5 AM and 11:30 PM, and the entire ride takes between 45 and 60 minutes. If your flight arrives outside of these times, you’ll have to take the Night Tube, which operates on Friday and Saturday nights from terminals 2, 3, and 5.
Keep in mind that Heathrow is in Zone 6, so you will need to make sure you have enough on your Oyster card (if you’re using that payment method). Otherwise, you can purchase a single-journey ticket or use your contactless payment card or Travelcard.
We cover more options in at the 5:30 mark in this video but be sure to watch in full so you don’t make these London planning mistakes!
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We’re sure you have a lot you want to do and see on your trip to London, so start out with this 1-Day Itinerary that will take you around to some of the best spots.

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