London’s Night Tube makes it easier to get home after a late dinner, a West End show or a night out. But the Underground does not run all night on every line, and some overnight services cover only part of a route.
This London Night Tube Guide explains which lines operate overnight, when services run, how to pay and what to do if your journey is not covered. The key rule is simple: Night Tube services normally operate on Friday and Saturday nights, continuing into Saturday and Sunday mornings. Always check Transport for London (TfL) before travelling because engineering works and other disruptions can affect individual routes.
Which London Tube Lines Run All Night?
Five London Underground lines have Night Tube services: the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. The London Overground’s Windrush line also operates overnight on a selected section.
According to TfL’s official Night Tube and London Overground map, the overnight network covers selected routes across central, north, south, east and west London.
| Line | Main overnight coverage | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | Walthamstow Central to Brixton | Useful for routes through central London and north–south journeys |
| Jubilee | Stanmore to Stratford | Connects central London with Wembley, Canary Wharf and Stratford |
| Central | Selected sections from Ealing Broadway towards east London | Not every branch or outer section runs overnight |
| Northern | Selected sections between the northern branches and Morden, via Charing Cross | Do not assume the Bank branch operates overnight |
| Piccadilly | Cockfosters to Heathrow Terminal 5 on the mapped overnight route | Heathrow Terminal 4 is not served by the overnight route |
| Windrush line (London Overground) | Highbury & Islington to New Cross Gate | A useful option for parts of north and east London and the inner south-east |
The exact coverage matters as much as the line name. For example, a station may be on the Central or Northern line but not have the overnight service you expect.
Before setting off, check the station and branch on TfL’s Night Tube map rather than relying on the standard Tube map alone.
What Time Does the Night Tube Run?
Night Tube services run through Friday and Saturday nights, into the early hours of Saturday and Sunday. They generally cover the period around midnight to approximately 5:30 am, although individual timetables and service patterns vary.
Trains commonly run at intervals of around 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the line, section and time. This is different from daytime travel, when some routes have much shorter waits.
There is no single departure time that applies to every Night Tube station. Your first available overnight train, journey duration and last connection depend on where you board and where you need to go.
Keep these points in mind:
- Friday night means early Saturday morning: If you are going out on Friday, Night Tube services can help with the journey home after midnight.
- Saturday night continues into Sunday morning: This is the other regular overnight operating period.
- Sunday to Thursday nights are different: The Night Tube does not normally operate on these nights.
- Engineering works can change the plan: A line may have a closure or a reduced overnight route on a particular weekend.
For exact departure times, use the TfL Journey Planner or the TfL Go app. Check again shortly before leaving your venue.
How Much Does the Night Tube Cost?
Night Tube journeys use the normal TfL fare system rather than a separate Night Tube ticket. Off-peak fares generally apply to overnight Tube journeys, and normal fare rules and daily caps apply where eligible.
You can usually pay using:
- A contactless debit or credit card
- A compatible mobile payment device
- An Oyster card with sufficient balance or a valid travel product
Use the same card or device when touching in and out. Switching between a physical bank card and the same card stored on a phone can cause the system to treat them as different payment methods.
A few practical points can help avoid problems:
- Check that your payment method is accepted before travelling.
- Touch in and out at the appropriate readers.
- Use TfL’s fare information if you need to check a particular journey or daily cap.
- Check whether any Travelcard or other ticket you hold covers the route and time of travel.
For current prices and payment rules, use TfL’s official fares information. Do not assume that an overnight train is free or that every ticket covers every type of transport.
Does the Night Tube Go to Heathrow Airport?
The Piccadilly line’s overnight service is useful for some late-night and early-morning airport journeys. However, the Night Tube does not serve every Heathrow terminal in the same way.
The TfL Night Tube map shows overnight service to Heathrow Terminal 5, while the Terminal 4 loop is not included in the normal overnight route. If you are flying from Terminal 4, check the available connection carefully instead of assuming a direct Night Tube train will take you there.
If you are travelling to Heathrow:
- Confirm which terminal your airline uses.
- Check the overnight route from your departure station.
- Allow extra time for walking, transfers and any service changes.
- Consider the Elizabeth line, night buses or another suitable option if the Piccadilly line does not fit your journey.
Airport travel is particularly sensitive to closures and timetable changes. Confirm the route on TfL shortly before you leave, especially if you have an early check-in or flight.
What If Your Tube Line Does Not Run at Night?
The Night Tube is only part of London’s late-night transport network. If your destination is not covered, you may still have several options.
Take a night bus
London’s night buses operate across the city, and many routes run throughout the night. They can be useful for areas beyond the Night Tube network or for reaching a street that is some distance from a station.
Use TfL’s journey planner to find a suitable route and check the next departure. Do not assume that a daytime bus route follows the same timetable overnight.
Check other rail services carefully
Some London Overground services run overnight on the Windrush line, but this does not mean the entire Overground network operates all night. The Elizabeth line, DLR and other rail services have their own operating hours and timetables.
Check the specific service you need rather than assuming it connects with the Night Tube.
Book a licensed taxi or minicab
A black cab can be hailed where permitted or booked, while a minicab must be booked through a licensed operator. TfL advises passengers not to use unbooked minicabs, even if a driver approaches them outside a venue.
If you book a minicab, check that the driver and vehicle match the booking confirmation before getting in. You can read TfL’s safer travel at night guidance for more advice.
Tips for Getting Home Safely After Midnight
A little planning makes late-night travel less stressful, especially if you are visiting London or travelling alone.
Plan the whole journey, not just the Tube ride. Check how you will get from the station to your final destination. A train that gets you close to home may still leave you with a long walk or an unavailable connection.
Save your route before leaving. Mobile reception, battery life and access to data can become inconvenient when you need them most. Keep your phone charged and know the name of your destination station.
Agree on a meeting point with friends. Busy stations and venues can make it difficult to find one another. Decide where to meet if your group becomes separated.
Check live service updates. Planned engineering works, delays and unexpected closures can affect overnight journeys. TfL’s status information is more useful than assuming the regular timetable will apply.
Stay aware of your surroundings. Use well-lit routes, keep valuables secure and seek help from transport staff if you feel uncomfortable. For emergencies in the UK, call 999.
TfL states that its night-time transport network includes night buses, staff at Tube and London Overground stations during operating hours, and travel support and enforcement officers who patrol the network. These measures can help, but you should still plan a route that feels suitable for your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the London Tube run 24 hours a day?
No. The Night Tube normally runs on Friday and Saturday nights on five Underground lines, with an overnight service on part of the Windrush line. Most other Underground services do not operate continuously overnight.
Which Night Tube line is best for central London?
The best line depends on your start and end points. The Victoria and Jubilee lines serve several central stations, while the Central, Northern and Piccadilly lines cover other parts of the city. Check the overnight map and your exact route before travelling.
How often do Night Tube trains run?
Services commonly run every 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the line and location. Check live departure information for the station you intend to use.
Can I use my Oyster card on the Night Tube?
Oyster is generally accepted for Night Tube journeys under the usual TfL fare rules. Make sure you have sufficient balance or a valid travel product, and touch in and out correctly.
Does the Night Tube run on Sunday night?
The regular Night Tube service operates on Friday and Saturday nights, continuing into Saturday and Sunday mornings. It does not normally operate on Sunday night into Monday morning, so check other transport options if you need to travel then.
Plan Your Journey Before You Go Out
The Night Tube is a useful way to travel around London after midnight, but it is not a replacement for the entire daytime Underground network. Five Tube lines and a section of the Windrush line normally run overnight on Fridays and Saturdays, with service coverage and frequency varying by route.
Check the official map, confirm your station and branch, and look at live service updates before leaving. If the Night Tube does not cover the full journey, compare night buses and licensed taxis, so you have a reliable alternative.