Travelling by rail in London is easy with contactless payment, an Oyster card, or a Travelcard, and involves using the London Underground (the "tube"), DLR (Docklands Light Railway), Overground, and National Rail services.
To travel, simply tap your contactless card or Oyster card on the yellow reader when you enter and exit stations to pay the correct fare, which is cheaper than buying paper tickets, and is subject to daily and weekly caps to limit your spending.
Plan your journey using resources like the Transport for London Journey Planner or apps like Citymapper, and be sure to follow station etiquette, such as standing on the right on escalators and allowing passengers to exit the train before you board.
Contactless payment: Use a contactless credit or debit card, or a mobile device like an Apple Pay or Google Pay device, to "tap in" and "tap out" at the start and end of each journey.
Oyster card: Purchase an Oyster card and load it with credit. You will also tap in and out at the start and end of your journeys.
Travelcards: Purchase a Travelcard for unlimited travel within specific zones for a set period, but pay-as-you-go with daily capping is often better value for tourists.
Important: Always use the same card or device for every trip to ensure you are charged the correct fare and receive the benefit of daily and weekly caps.
Plan your route: Use the Transport for London Journey Planner or apps like Citymapper or Google Maps to find the best route, including which lines to take and where to transfer.
Understand the network: London is served by the Underground (tube), Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground, Elizabeth line, and National and international rail services. There are network maps in all the underground and overground stations. It is usually possible to pick up a paper copy of the map at a ticket office in a station.
Follow signs: Follow the color-coded signs to navigate between different lines and stations. Be aware of different branches on certain lines, such as the Northern Line.
Station and train etiquette
Escalators: Stand on the right and walk on the left on escalators.
Platform: Wait behind the yellow line and allow passengers to exit the train before you try to board.Seating: End carriages tend to be quieter. On the train, offer your seat to those who may need it, such as the elderly, pregnant women, or people with disabilities.
Announcements: Pay attention to station announcements for your destination.
Important tips
Summer travel: Bring water with you in the summer, as most tube lines lack air conditioning. Rush hour: Be aware that the tube can get extremely busy during rush hour. Exit strategy: Know where the exits are located in case of an emergency and have your payment card ready when leaving the station.