Z1–9
Fares & zones

London Tube Zones Explained

London's Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR are split into 9 concentric fare zones. Your fare is calculated from the zones you travel through, with daily and weekly caps using contactless or Oyster.

  • Zone 1 — Central London (everything inside the Circle line area).
  • Zone 2 — Inner London (Camden, Hackney, Stratford, Brixton).
  • Zone 3 — Inner suburbs (Wimbledon, Walthamstow).
  • Zones 4–6 — Outer London including Heathrow (Zone 6).
  • Zones 7–9 — Beyond Greater London (Watford Junction, Epping, Amersham, Shenfield).

Single contactless fare from Zone 1 to Zone 2 is £2.80 peak / £2.70 off-peak. The daily cap for Zones 1–2 is £8.90. Heathrow (Zone 6) to central London is £5.60 off-peak, capped at £14.90 daily.

FAQs

What zone is Heathrow?

Heathrow Airport (all terminals) sits in Zone 6. Single fare from central London is around £5.60 off-peak with contactless; daily cap Zones 1–6 is £14.90.

What is the cheapest way to pay London Tube fares?

Contactless or Oyster pay-as-you-go. They use the same fares and caps. A Travelcard is only cheaper if you make many journeys outside the cap window.

Do off-peak fares apply on weekends?

Yes. All journeys at weekends and bank holidays are charged at the off-peak rate. Peak fares only apply Monday–Friday 06:30–09:30 and 16:00–19:00.