London Streetcars — Tramlink Today & the Historic Tramways
"Streetcar" is American English for a tram. London has no system marketed as "streetcar", but the modern equivalent is London Tramlink — 4 step-free routes around Croydon. Below: every modern route, plus the story of the 1861–1952 London Tramways.
Looking for a London streetcar? You want London Tramlink.
4 routes · 39 stops · 100% step-free · £1.75 flat fare with Oyster or contactless. Routes radiate from central Croydon out to Wimbledon, Beckenham Junction, New Addington and Elmers End.
All modern London tram (streetcar) routes
- 1Tramlink Route 1 — Elmers End ↔ Wimbledon28 stops · Every 7–10 minutes (06:00–00:00)
- 2Tramlink Route 2 — Beckenham Junction ↔ West Croydon13 stops · Every 10–15 minutes (06:00–00:00)
- 3Tramlink Route 3 — New Addington ↔ Wimbledon26 stops · Every 7–10 minutes (06:00–00:00)
- 4Tramlink Route 4 — Therapia Lane ↔ Elmers End16 stops · Every 10–15 minutes (peak hours)
"Streetcar" vs "tram" — the terminology
Streetcar is American English (used in cities like Toronto, San Francisco, New Orleans and Portland). Tram is British English. Both words describe the same vehicle: an electric rail vehicle that runs on street-level track, usually low-floor and powered by overhead wires.
So when North American visitors ask about "London streetcars", they are looking for London's tram network — which today means London Tramlink, branded simply as "London Trams" on TfL maps.
History — the original London Tramways (1861–1952)
Horse-drawn trams first appeared in London in 1861, with electric services arriving in 1901. At its 1920s peak, the London Tramways network covered more than 327 miles (526 km) of track across 21 boroughs — one of the largest urban tram systems in the world.
Operation Tramaway, a phased programme begun in 1950, replaced trams with diesel buses across central London. The final London tram ran on the night of 5–6 July 1952 from Woolwich to the New Cross depot, ending 91 years of street rail in the capital.
Trams returned to London only in May 2000, when Tramlink opened in Croydon as a Public–Private Partnership project later brought fully under TfL control. The IFS Cloud Cable Car (opened 2012) and the DLR (opened 1987) round out London's modern light rail family.
FAQs about London streetcars
Are there streetcars in London?
Not under the name streetcar. 'Streetcar' is the American English word for a tram. London's modern equivalent is London Tramlink — 4 step-free tram routes around the Borough of Croydon in south London, operated by Transport for London since May 2000.
What is the London equivalent of a streetcar?
London Tramlink (officially 'London Trams') is the modern equivalent. It runs 4 routes — Elmers End ↔ Wimbledon, Beckenham Junction ↔ West Croydon, New Addington ↔ Wimbledon and Therapia Lane ↔ Elmers End — across 28 km of step-free track in south London.
Did London used to have streetcars?
Yes. The historic London Tramways operated horse-drawn trams from 1861 and electric trams from 1901, peaking at 327 miles of track in the 1920s. The last historic tram ran on 5 July 1952 as Operation Tramaway replaced trams with buses across central London. Service did not return until London Tramlink opened in Croydon in 2000.
Are there streetcars in central London?
No. There are no trams or streetcars in central London today. Central London uses the London Underground, London Overground, Elizabeth line, buses and the IFS Cloud Cable Car. The only modern tram network serves the Borough of Croydon in south London.
How much does a London tram (streetcar) cost?
A single tram fare on London Tramlink is £1.75 with Oyster or contactless (2026), regardless of distance. Daily and weekly caps combine with Tube, bus and Overground travel.