London Underground trains, routes and tickets
London Underground, the Tube, connects central London with suburbs and several major railway terminals. Its 11 lines serve different corridors, with branches and interchange stations that make the full route important. It is particularly useful for continuing a National Rail journey across London or reaching destinations away from a mainline station.
Reviewed 6 November 2026.
About the operator
The Metropolitan Railway opened in January 1863, creating the world’s first underground railway. Later lines developed different routes and tunnel designs, which helps explain the variety of station layouts travellers encounter today.
The modern Underground forms part of TfL. It appears on the same map as the Elizabeth line, DLR and London Overground, although these are separate networks with their own services and operating arrangements.
Routes and principal stations
Mainline terminals and central London
Several Tube lines connect the main railway gateways. Check which line serves your particular terminal and allow time to move through larger station complexes, including those serving London Kings Cross, London St Pancras International and London Euston.
South Bank, the City and east London
The Jubilee line is useful for journeys through London Waterloo and London Bridge towards Canary Wharf (Underground) and Stratford. Interchange points offer further rail, DLR and local connections, depending on the destination.
Outer London and Heathrow
Outer branches extend the Tube beyond the centre. The Piccadilly line serves Heathrow Airport; District line branches reach Richmond (London) and Wimbledon. Check the destination displayed on the train, especially where one line has several branches.
Planning your journey
Plan the full journey before boarding and check the line’s live status. Engineering work can change a familiar route, and transfer passages may take longer with luggage or limited mobility.
Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights on the Jubilee and Victoria lines and most of the Central, Northern and Piccadilly lines. Check the specific branch and date; overnight service does not cover the entire Underground network.
Tickets and journey choices
Tube journeys use TfL fares, including appropriate Oyster, contactless and Travelcard options. Touch in and out with the same payment method. Choose a local fare separately unless the National Rail ticket specifically includes the required London transfer.
RailSaver’s train-ticket search is useful for the National Rail part of a trip. Confirm any included cross-London transfer in the selected itinerary and ticket conditions.
Accessibility and assistance
Use the step-free Tube guide to check street, platform and train access separately. Some step-free interchanges do not provide a step-free exit to the street.
TfL provides boarding or mini ramps at selected stations. Speak to staff or use a Help Point when assistance is needed, and check lift status before setting off.
Sources and further information
Use the current operator's information to check the latest timetable, disruption and assistance arrangements for your travel date.
- TfL: What we do ↗
- TfL: London Underground travel information ↗
- London Transport Museum: Opening of the first underground railway ↗
- TfL: Standard Tube map, September 2026 ↗
- TfL: Night Tube ↗
- TfL: Pay as you go ↗
- TfL: Step-free Tube guide ↗
- National Rail: Advance ticket terms, including cross-London transfers ↗