Tube and rail fares across London will increase starting March 1, 2026, impacting millions of daily commuters on the London Underground, DLR, Elizabeth Line, and London Overground.
Fare Increase Details
No increases between Zones 1 and 6 exceed 20p, with daily caps remaining in place for regular travelers. Fares vary by zones traveled, so journeys like Zone 1 to Zone 3 cost more than those within Zone 1. Some ticket types rise by over 7%, while others increase by about 1.7%.
Examples include:
- Zone 1 peak: £2.90 to £3.10 (+20p)
- Zone 1 off-peak: £2.80 to £3.00 (+20p)
- Zones 1-2 peak: £3.50 to £3.60 (+10p)
- Zones 1-2 off-peak: £2.90 to £3.10 (+20p)
Bus and Tram Fares Stay Frozen
Bus and tram fares remain unchanged until July 5, 2026. Free travel on routes SL4, 108, and 129—introduced to support the Silvertown Tunnel opening—extends for seven more weeks.
Official Statements
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan emphasized affordability: “I remain committed to keeping TfL fares as affordable as possible because I know how the cost-of-living crisis is still hitting many Londoners hard. That’s why I’ve frozen bus and tram fares. This is the seventh time I’ve frozen bus and tram fares, which will particularly benefit those on the lowest incomes in our city.”
He added: “The record number of TfL fare freezes I’ve put in place since 2016 means that Londoners are continuing to save on travel, and I’ll continue to do all I can to support Londoners as we build a fairer, greener London for everyone.”
Alex Williams, TfL chief customer and strategy officer, stated: “We are committed to ensuring that London’s public transport remains affordable and accessible for all, with revenue raised via fares reinvested into improving services across London. As an emergency cost-of-living measure, the Mayor has decided to use City Hall budgets to help Londoners by freezing bus and tram fares until 5 July 2026, meaning that only fares on Tube and TfL rail services will increase from 1 March 2026.”
Funding Background
The government’s £2.2 billion multi-year funding deal for TfL requires fares to rise by inflation plus one percent (RPI+1%), as outlined in the July 2025 Spending Review.
