Tube/ train

Alicja

At first, I didn’t know how to use my paper ticket at the gate - I learned by copying others! Nowadays, it’s much easier to touch in and out using Oyster or Contactless cards - they’re accepted on underground and overground trains.

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Scroll down the page to view the next sections: 'Step-by-step guide' and 'Helpful phrases'.

1. Decide how you will pay before you travel - London trains are cashfree

You can’t buy a train ticket once you have boarded. Your payment options are:

‘Pay as you go’ - using an Oyster or Contactless bank card
Travel pass or season ticket - a daily, weekly, monthly or longer-term Travelcard

2. Touch your payment card to the yellow pad reader at the start and end of your journey

If you are paying with an Oyster or Contactless card, touch it against the yellow pad reader correctly to avoid paying more than you should:

At the start and end of every journey
When you change trains at certain stations - some stations in central London have pink pad readers!

3. It can be quicker (and cheaper!) to walk for short journeys

Some tube stops are located close to each other. If you are travelling a couple of stops, check your navigation app to see how long it will take on foot. You’ll also get some exercise along the way!

4. Save money using ‘Pay as you go’ with the daily or weekly cap

If you make multiple journeys in a day or week, you don’t get charged more than the price of a Travelcard over the same time period, travel distance and start time. For example, you can enjoy limitless bus and train travel each day from £7 in central London (‘Zone 1’)

Use the same card each time you touch the reader to avoid paying more than you should

5. It’s more expensive to travel further and during busy times

You will pay more for train travel if:

You travel further - train services across London are divided into nine ‘zones’. It costs more to travel in ‘Zone’ 1 or cross more than one ‘zone’
You start your first journey during ‘peak’ busy times - it’s more expensive to travel during ‘peak’ hours (Monday to Friday, 06.30 - 09.30 and 16.00 - 19.00)

6. Double-check your direction of travel

It’s easy to sit waiting on the wrong platform or to board a train that doesn’t stop where you want it to. Check the details against your free navigation app:

Before you board - check the name at the front of the train
On the train - check the names of stops on the electronic board or map

7. Press the button to open and close the train doors

Some train doors do not open automatically. You may need to press a button near the door to enter and exit the train

You should wait for people to get off the train before you get on.

8. There are several train options that criss-cross London

London train services are divided into nine areas called ‘zones’. Each train line has a colour and a name and is shown on the Tube map, which you can access here. It looks confusing, but you’ll soon get used to it! You can usually pay for all types of trains using the same payment method. Your train options are:

Underground (Tube)
Overground
National rail

Step 1A - Decide how you will pay for your journey before you travel
London trains are cash-free! Your options are:

Travelcard (Oyster card or paper ticket)
- You can save money if you travel frequently each week
OR...
Step 1B - Decide how you will pay for your journey before you travel
...‘Pay as you go’ (Oyster or Contactless bank card)
- A single adult journey during ‘off-peak’ hours in ‘Zones 1-3’, costs £2-3
- If you travel frequently, you won’t pay more than the price of a daily Travelcard
Step 2 - Plan your journey using a free navigation app

Apps like CityMapper, Google Maps and Transport for London save us time. Your app will tell you:

The recommended train route - you may have to take more than one train or combine different transport modes

The estimated journey time, including when the next train is due to arrive, and names of train stops along your journey
Step 3 - Find the correct Tube or train station
Check the details in your navigation app for the train stop where you will start your journey. Keep in mind that some stations have more than one type of train running through it. Here are the signs to look out for:
- Underground (Tube)
- Overground train
- National rail train
Step 4A - Present your ticket or payment card

Oyster / Contactless bank cards

Touch your card to the yellow pad reader to enter the gates. Stations without gates have yellow pad readers located within their entrance
Step 4B - Present your ticket or payment card

Paper tickets

Insert your ticket in the slot under the yellow pad reader, and collect it from above to enter the gates. You may be asked to show your ticket to staff in stations with no gates
Step 5 - Find the correct train or Tube platform

Remember that train routes run in both directions. Look out for:

Underground Tubes or Overground trains - boards and electronic signs for the line name / colour, final destination and stop names

National rail trains - electronic boards and screens for the final destination, platform number and stop names
Step 6 - Wait for your train to arrive and board
Check the destination sign on the front and side of the train as it arrives. Keep in mind that trains can take different routes along the same platform!
- You may need to press a button to open the train doors - Tube (underground) doors tend to open automatically
Step 7 - Look out for your train stop
Trains usually stop at every station on the line but there are some exceptions. Check your navigation app for the number of stops along your journey and the name of your final destination.
- Listen out for the voice recording & look at the electronic board for the name of the next and final train stop.
- Ask for help from a fellow passenger
Step 8 - Get off the train / Tube

You may need to press a button to open the train doors - Tube (underground) doors open and close automatically. National rail and overground train doors open and close at the press of a button near the door

Mind the gap between the train and the platform for your own safety
Step 9 - Present your ticket or payment card & leave the station
If you are changing train / Tube, follow your navigation app and repeat Steps 5 to 8. To avoid paying more than you should:
- Look out for yellow / pink card readers when changing trains - some stations require you to touch your Oyster / Contactless bank card to the reader
- Present your payment card or ticket before you leave the station (as per Step 4)

Train / Tube

Alicja

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Key information

1. Decide how you will pay before you travel - London trains are cashfree

2. Touch your payment card to the yellow pad reader at the start and end of your journey

3. It can be quicker (and cheaper!) to walk for short journeys

4. Save money using ‘Pay as you go’ with the daily or weekly cap

5. It’s more expensive to travel further and during busy times

6. Double-check your direction of travel

7. Press the button to open and close the train doors

8. There are several train options that criss-cross London

Step-by-step guide

Travelling by tube / train

Step 1A - Decide how you will pay for your journey before you travel

Step 1B - Decide how you will pay for your journey before you travel

Step 2 - Plan your journey using a free navigation app

Step 3 - Find the correct Tube or train station

Step 4A - Present your ticket or payment card

Step 4B - Present your ticket or payment card

Step 5 - Find the correct train or Tube platform

Step 6 - Wait for your train to arrive and board

Step 7 - Look out for your train stop

Step 8 - Get off the train / Tube

Step 9 - Present your ticket or payment card & leave the station

Helpful phrases

Buying an Oyster card, Travelcard or Bus & Tram pass

Topping-up your Oyster card credit

Asking for directions

Checking your train and platform

Checking your train stop