Night Tube London: Lines, Hours & Late-Night Travel

London does not stop when the evening ends. Weekend theatre trips, late dinners, concerts, airport arrivals and night shifts often mean travelling after regular Underground services have finished. The Night Tube makes many of these journeys easier by running through the night on selected routes.

Night Tube is not available on every London Underground line or at every station. Its services, route sections and timing can change because of engineering works or disruption, so planning before travel is essential.

This guide explains which lines operate overnight, how late-night fares work, and how to make a smoother journey across London after dark.

What Is the Night Tube?

The Night Tube is Transport for London’s overnight weekend rail service. It runs on selected routes on Friday and Saturday nights, allowing passengers to travel through the night rather than waiting for the first morning trains.

It is especially useful for journeys through central London and for travelling between late-night venues, railway terminals, residential areas and some airport connections.

The Night Tube should not be confused with the entire Tube network operating all night. Most lines do not run overnight, and even on Night Tube lines, service may only operate on particular sections.

Always check the latest route and status information before travelling.

Which Lines Run on the Night Tube?

Night Tube services currently operate on these routes on Friday and Saturday nights:

Central line
Jubilee line
Northern line
Piccadilly line
Victoria line
Windrush line

The Windrush line is part of London Overground rather than the London Underground, but it is included in the wider Night Tube network.

Each line serves different parts of London, so the best route depends on where you are starting and where you need to go.

Central Line Night Service

The Central line is one of the most useful Night Tube routes because it crosses London from west to east through central areas.

It serves stations close to major destinations such as Notting Hill Gate, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Bank and Liverpool Street. It can be helpful for late-night journeys between west London, the West End, the City and east London.

Like the daytime Central line, the Night Tube service may not run on every branch. Check the destination display and service information before entering the platform.

Jubilee Line Night Service

The Jubilee line connects north-west London, central London and east London. Its Night Tube service is useful for travelling through stations such as Baker Street, Bond Street, Green Park, Westminster, Waterloo, London Bridge and Canary Wharf.

This makes it a practical option after an evening in the West End, South Bank, Borough, London Bridge or Canary Wharf.

The Jubilee line also connects with several other late-night transport options, including night buses and taxi ranks near major stations.

Northern Line Night Service

The Northern line is important for late-night travel because it serves several major central London stations, including Camden Town, Euston, Leicester Square, Charing Cross, Waterloo, London Bridge and Bank.

It can be useful for travel from nightlife areas around Camden, Soho, Leicester Square and the South Bank. However, the Northern line has branches, so always check the destination and route before boarding.

A train may be on the Northern line but not serve the station you need. Confirm the final destination on the platform display and check the route before getting on.

Piccadilly Line Night Service

The Piccadilly line serves important central London locations and Heathrow Airport. It passes through stations including King’s Cross St Pancras, Holborn, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Green Park and South Kensington.

It is a useful late-night route for travellers leaving the West End, arriving at Heathrow, or heading toward parts of north and west London.

Airport travellers should check which terminal they need and confirm that the train is going to the correct Heathrow destination. Service patterns can vary, and planned works may affect late-night airport routes.

Victoria Line Night Service

The Victoria line provides a fast north-south connection through central London. It serves Walthamstow Central, King’s Cross St Pancras, Euston, Oxford Circus, Green Park, Victoria and Brixton.

It is one of the simplest lines to use because it does not have multiple branches. This can make it especially convenient late at night when passengers want a straightforward route.

The line is useful for journeys between north London, central London and Brixton, as well as connections at King’s Cross St Pancras, Oxford Circus, Green Park and Victoria.

Windrush Line Night Service

The Windrush line provides London Overground night services between Highbury & Islington and New Cross Gate. It offers an important connection for parts of north, east and south-east London.

Because it is a London Overground service, it may look different on a standard Underground map. Check the Night Tube map and the live route information rather than assuming every Overground route operates overnight.

The Windrush line can be helpful for passengers travelling to or from Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Canada Water and New Cross Gate.

When Does the Night Tube Run?

Night Tube services run on Friday and Saturday nights. This means they usually operate after regular daytime services end on Friday and continue into Saturday morning, then again from Saturday night into Sunday morning.

It does not normally run throughout the week. On Sunday to Thursday nights, overnight maintenance and engineering work generally take place instead.

The exact first and last train times vary by line, station, direction and any planned work. Avoid relying on an old timetable or assuming that every Friday and Saturday service will operate as normal.

Before you leave, check:

Whether the Night Tube is running on your line
Whether your station is served
Which section of the line is operating
The next train time
Planned closures or engineering work
Alternative night bus routes if needed

How Often Do Night Tube Trains Run?

Night Tube trains do not necessarily run as frequently as daytime services. The gap between trains varies by line, section and time of night.

A short wait is common, but passengers should still check the live departure information at the station or through the official journey planner. It is better to know the next train time before leaving a venue, particularly in cold weather or when travelling alone.

If a service is disrupted, a night bus, taxi or a different Night Tube line may be more practical than waiting for an uncertain connection.

Night Tube Fares and Payment

Night Tube fares are charged at off-peak rates. Contactless payment and Oyster cards can be used in the usual way, and eligible daily capping applies.

Touch in at the beginning of the journey and touch out at the end using the same card, phone, wearable device or Oyster card. Using a different payment method at the end of the journey can lead to an incomplete or incorrect fare.

Day Travelcards can also be valid for journeys that begin before 04:30 on the following day, subject to the conditions of the ticket.

For a clearer explanation of zones, Oyster, contactless payments and capping, read the guide to London Tube zones and fares.

Plan Your Interchange Before Travelling

A Night Tube route can involve changing trains, but late-night interchanges are not always as simple as they appear on the map. Some lines may not be running, and a missed connection can mean a longer wait.

Plan the complete journey before leaving:

Find your nearest Night Tube station.
Check whether your destination station is served overnight.
Identify any interchange.
Confirm that both lines are running at the time you need.
Check a night bus option as a backup.
Look up the latest service status shortly before travel.

Understanding line colours, branches and key interchanges can make this much easier. The LondonTubeMap guide to Underground lines explains how the network connects.

Late-Night Accessibility

Step-free access at Night Tube stations is generally the same as during the day. However, a late-night journey should still be checked in advance because lift availability, planned work and station access can change.

If you need step-free travel, confirm:

That the departure station is step-free
That the destination station is step-free
That any interchange is accessible
Whether a lift is operating
Whether a boarding ramp may be needed

For station access, lifts and accessible route-planning advice, see the step-free London Tube map guide.

If a lift is unavailable, speak to station staff. They can help identify a suitable alternative route and explain the assistance available.

Stay Aware at Stations and on Platforms

Night Tube travel is usually straightforward, but late-night conditions call for simple precautions.

Check the platform display before boarding.
Stand behind the yellow line while waiting.
Keep your phone, wallet and belongings secure.
Use well-lit station exits where possible.
Let someone know your route if travelling alone.
Avoid rushing for a train if it means taking unnecessary risks.
Use a licensed taxi or a trusted booked service if public transport is no longer suitable.
Ask station staff for help if you are unsure about the route.

Stations remain staffed while Night Tube services are running, and help points are available if assistance is needed. In an emergency, call 999. If you witness a non-emergency incident on the rail network, contact British Transport Police.

Use Night Buses as a Backup

London has an extensive night bus network. Night buses are particularly useful when the Night Tube does not serve a station, when a line is closed, or when the final part of a journey is outside the overnight rail network.

A bus route may take longer than the Tube, but it can provide a direct connection when train changes are no longer available. Check the route number, destination and expected travel time before boarding.

For some late-night journeys, the best plan is a combination of Night Tube and night bus. For example, the Tube may take you quickly through central London, while a bus completes the final section closer to home or accommodation.

Make Late-Night Travel Simpler

The Night Tube gives London a practical overnight transport option on Friday and Saturday nights, but it only works well when you know which routes are operating.

Check the line, station, train destination and live service information before setting off. Use contactless or Oyster consistently, allow time for interchanges, and keep a night bus or taxi option in mind.

With a clear plan, late-night travel in London can be safer, easier and far less stressful.

Kevin