London Transport Guide 2026
London has one of the world best transport systems. Here is everything you need to know.
Payment Methods
Oyster Card vs Contactless
| Feature | Oyster Card | Contactless |
|---------|-------------|-------------|
| Deposit | £7 | None |
| Daily Cap | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Longer stays | Short visits |
2026 Fare Prices (Zone 1-2)
| Journey Type | Peak | Off-Peak |
|--------------|------|----------|
| Single Tube | £2.80 | £2.40 |
| Daily Cap | £8.10 | £8.10 |
| Bus | £1.75 | £1.75 |
The Tube
Key Lines
- Central (Red): West-East across London
- Victoria (Blue): Fast north-south
- Piccadilly (Dark Blue): Heathrow to central
- Elizabeth Line: Heathrow to Canary Wharf
Tourist Tips
- Stand on the right on escalators
- Let people off first
- Avoid rush hour (7:30-9:30 AM)
Key Stations
| Attraction | Station |
|------------|---------|
| Big Ben | Westminster |
| Tower of London | Tower Hill |
| British Museum | Holborn |
| Harrods | Knightsbridge |
From Airports
Heathrow
| Transport | Time | Price |
|-----------|------|-------|
| Elizabeth Line | 30 min | £12.80 |
| Piccadilly Line | 50 min | £5.50 |
| Heathrow Express | 15 min | £25 |
Our Pick: Elizabeth LineMoney-Saving Tips
- Use daily caps - never pay more than £8.10/day
- Travel off-peak after 9:30 AM
- Walk when possible - many attractions are close
- Use contactless for automatic best fare
