{"id":1253,"date":"2017-09-22T16:04:17","date_gmt":"2017-09-22T15:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/?p=1253"},"modified":"2025-10-03T16:20:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T15:20:23","slug":"the-london-tube-map-explained-finally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/the-london-tube-map-explained-finally\/","title":{"rendered":"The London Tube Map Explained (Finally!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Did you know? <\/strong>The underground is so quintessentially British that the Russian word for &#8216;underground train station&#8217; is &#8216;vokzal&#8217; &#8211; apparently coined after a Russian delegate visited London&#8217;s Vauxhall station. It&#8217;s an enduring presence in the lives of all Londoners and we rely on it every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But did you also know that the map of the tube isn&#8217;t at all representative of the actual geography of the city? The map itself is a clever design intended to simplify the extent of the network and make it easier for people to read. See below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"876\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1198 \/ 876;\" width=\"1198\" autoplay controls loop src=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/l15eaf35fup21.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deciphering the map<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For newcomers to London, the tube system can be a little complicated at first glance. If you&#8217;re not careful, you could easily end up on the right line going the wrong direction, or heading off to Edgware Road on the District line when you wanted Upminster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/tours\/london-tours\/walking-tours\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=london-tube-map-explained\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Walking in London<\/a> is great, but to get the most out of the city you&#8217;ll need to master tube travel. Here&#8217;s our guide to the ins and outs of the tube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/tube-medium-zoned-1.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/tube-medium-zoned-1-1024x683.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/tube-medium-zoned-1-1024x683.gif 1024w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/tube-medium-zoned-1-300x200.gif 300w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/tube-medium-zoned-1-270x180.gif 270w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/tube-medium-zoned-1-770x515.gif 770w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you even leave your hotel, first you&#8217;re going to want to take a close look at the tube map. You can find a <a href=\"https:\/\/content.tfl.gov.uk\/standard-tube-map.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">map online<\/a>, download the <a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.mxdata.tube.Market&amp;hl=en_GB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tube Map app<\/a>, or grab a paper copy from your nearest tube station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Line colours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing to understand is that each of the different colours on the map represents a different transport line<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The solid colours are <em>underground<\/em> lines,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mixed orange and white lines represent <em>overground<\/em> train lines. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The blue and white line represents the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which is like a monorail. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure you know whether you&#8217;re searching for an underground station, an overground station, or a DLR station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a line has more than one colour, it&#8217;s because multiple train lines use the same track and stations (e.g. the District and Circle lines). When travelling on these lines, take extra special care to get on the right train for the line you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every station is named, and stations with a big white and black circle are stations where you can change lines. Determine which station is your closest, where you want to go, and the optimal number of transfers to get there. If you need help, you can always do a Google directions search. Typing in your current location, your goal station, and the word &#8220;tube&#8221; will do the trick and give you a useful travel time estimation, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A word of warning &#8211; the tube map is only a facsimile of London&#8217;s real layout above ground. Don&#8217;t try to use the tube map as a walking map &#8211; you&#8217;re going to get lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Buying your ticket<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/oyster-01-01-1024x768.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/oyster-01-01-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/oyster-01-01-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/oyster-01-01-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/oyster-01-01-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/oyster-01-01-945x709.png 945w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/oyster-01-01-600x450.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Nobody in London really uses paper tickets anymore. Most people get around using either an Oyster Card or a contactless payment card. Read our guide on London travelcards to work out which one is best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Taking the ride<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_605419871-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"train on the tube network in london\" class=\"wp-image-1945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_605419871-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_605419871-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_605419871-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_605419871-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_605419871-270x180.jpg 270w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_605419871-770x515.jpg 770w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_605419871-945x631.jpg 945w, https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_605419871-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>By now, you should have found your nearest tube station and bought your Oyster Card. As you approach the gate, tap your card on the yellow reader, and the gate will beep. You can now enter the tube line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lines accessible from your station should be clearly signposted. Ensure that you carefully follow the line you&#8217;re looking for and identify the correct eastbound or westbound service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once on the correct station platform, you shouldn&#8217;t have to wait for more than a couple of minutes for the train to arrive. As it approaches, check the front of the train to see its final destination. This will tell you if it&#8217;s the right train for you. If not, check the electronic signboard to see when your train is expected to arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When your train arrives at the station, wait patiently for the doors to open and the passengers to disembark. In London, we always wait for passengers to leave the train before we board. When the way is clear, it&#8217;s time to hop on to your first tube ride. Mind the gap!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8216;Tapping out&#8217;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fsmedia.imgix.net\/ec\/b7\/b7\/ff\/b0f9\/40fe\/a96f\/bd2da6800085\/gettyimages-141007691jpg.jpeg?rect=0%2C659%2C5000%2C2502&amp;auto=format%2Ccompress&amp;w=650\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When you reach your destination, remember to &#8216;tap out&#8217; on the yellow reader as you leave the station, even if the gate is open. This will ensure you pay the correct fare price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s everything you need to know about getting the tube in the capital. If you have any further travel-related questions, please don&#8217;t hesitate to contact our help team at Evan Evans. For guided tours around the capital, check out our great range of <a href=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/tours\/london-tours\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=london-tube-map-explained\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">London tours<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here&#8217;s our guide to the ins and outs of the tube. Make sure you read it before going station hopping!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4079,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[587,1108,1188,1840],"tags":[929,928,1647,930],"class_list":{"0":"post-1253","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-london","8":"category-travel","9":"category-travel-tech","10":"category-travel-tips","11":"tag-london-transport","12":"tag-london-tube","13":"tag-london-tube-map","14":"tag-tfl"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>London tube map explained<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here&#039;s our guide to the ins and outs of the London tube map. Make sure you read it before your next trip to London!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/evanevanstours.com\/blog\/the-london-tube-map-explained-finally\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"London tube map explained\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here&#039;s our guide to the ins and outs of the London tube map. 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