Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Daniel Globe
London Tube fares depend on the zones you cross, the time you touch in, the route you take, and how you pay. The figures below use the adult pay-as-you-go fares that took effect on 1 March 2026, plus the Travelcard and cap prices still in force on 24 July 2026. Always check your exact stations because some routes use different fare rules.
Quick Answer
As of 24 July 2026, an adult pay-as-you-go Tube trip from Zone 1 to Zone 2 costs £3.60 at peak times and £3.10 off-peak. Fares rise with the zones crossed, while daily caps limit total eligible travel to £8.90 for Zones 1–2 and £16.30 for Zones 1–6.
Key Takeaways
- Zone 1 to Zone 2 costs £3.60 peak or £3.10 off-peak with adult Oyster or contactless pay as you go.
- Peak pricing normally applies from 06:30 to 09:29 and 16:00 to 18:59, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
- The all-day cap is £8.90 for Zones 1–2 and rises to £16.30 for Zones 1–6.
- Use the same card or device for every touch so your journeys count toward the correct cap.
- Check the TfL Single Fare Finder because the station, route, direction, and train service can change the fare.
Tube Fares From Zone 1 in 2026
For standard adult pay-as-you-go journeys where the Tube fare scale applies, the price rises with the number of zones crossed. A trip from a Zone 1 station to a Zone 2 station counts as travel through two zones. The following fares took effect on 1 March 2026.
| Journey from Zone 1 | Peak PAYG | Off-peak PAYG |
|---|---|---|
| Within Zone 1 | £3.10 | £3.00 |
| Zone 1 to Zone 2 | £3.60 | £3.10 |
| Zone 1 to Zone 3 | £3.90 | £3.30 |
| Zone 1 to Zone 4 | £4.80 | £3.60 |
| Zone 1 to Zone 5 | £5.30 | £3.80 |
| Zone 1 to Zone 6 | £5.90 | £4.00 |
These are standard zonal examples from the official 2026 fare decision. TfL warns that a fare can vary by the two stations used, the line and route, the direction of travel, the time, and the day. Use the TfL Single Fare Finder for an exact journey price.
Note: A paper single ticket within Zones 1–6 costs £7.00 for an adult, so Oyster or contactless pay as you go is normally much cheaper for a single Tube journey.
Peak and Off-Peak Tube Times
Peak fares normally apply when you touch in from 06:30 to 09:29 and from 16:00 to 18:59, Monday to Friday. Off-peak fares apply at other times, all day on weekends, and all day on public holidays.
| Fare period | Usual times |
|---|---|
| Morning peak | 06:30–09:29, Monday to Friday |
| Evening peak | 16:00–18:59, Monday to Friday |
| Off-peak | All other times, weekends, and public holidays |
There is an important direction-based exception. If you travel from a station outside Zone 1 into Zone 1 during the weekday evening peak, TfL may charge the off-peak fare. This does not normally help a journey starting in Zone 1 and travelling outward.
Pro Tip: A few minutes can change the fare. When your schedule is flexible, check the touch-in time rather than the train’s arrival time and use TfL’s fare finder before travelling.
Peak Tube Prices by Zone
During peak hours, a standard adult pay-as-you-go journey starting in Zone 1 costs £3.60 to Zone 2, £3.90 to Zone 3, £4.80 to Zone 4, £5.30 to Zone 5, and £5.90 to Zone 6. The increase is not a fixed amount for every extra zone, so use the official fare finder instead of estimating.
| Peak journey | Adult PAYG fare |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 to Zone 2 | £3.60 |
| Zone 1 to Zone 3 | £3.90 |
| Zone 1 to Zone 4 | £4.80 |
| Zone 1 to Zone 5 | £5.30 |
| Zone 1 to Zone 6 | £5.90 |
Daily London Travel Caps
Daily capping limits how much adult pay-as-you-go travel can cost within the zones you use. Once eligible journeys reach the cap, further eligible travel during the same fare day does not increase the total. The 2026 caps were frozen at the 2025 rates.
| Zones used | All-day PAYG cap |
|---|---|
| Zones 1–2 | £8.90 |
| Zones 1–3 | £10.50 |
| Zones 1–4 | £12.80 |
| Zones 1–5 | £15.30 |
| Zones 1–6 | £16.30 |
Three Zone 1–2 peak trips would total £10.80 without capping, but the daily cap limits eligible travel to £8.90.
How the Daily Cap Works
Your fare day runs from 04:30 to 04:29 the next morning, not from midnight to midnight. To receive the correct cap, use the same Oyster card, contactless card, phone, or watch for every journey. A phone and its linked physical bank card count as different payment devices.
Warning: Touch in and out with the same card or device. Card clash, a missed touch, or switching between a phone and physical card can create incomplete journeys, maximum fares, or separate totals that do not combine toward one cap.
What the Cap Covers
The multi-modal cap can include eligible journeys on the Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, buses, and trams. Some premium or separate services do not count in the same way, including the London Cable Car, River Bus, Southeastern high-speed services, Heathrow Express, and Gatwick Express. Check the conditions for your route before assuming every journey is covered.
Does Off-Peak Travel Lower the Cap?
The Zone 1–6 all-day caps listed above do not become lower simply because you travel off-peak. Off-peak travel can still save money because each individual journey costs less, and you may never reach the cap. For example, two Zone 1–2 off-peak singles cost £6.20, which is below the £8.90 daily cap.
Weekly Travelcard Prices and Weekly Caps
Seven-day Travelcard prices were frozen for 2026. The equivalent weekly pay-as-you-go caps use the same zone-based prices.
| Zones | 7-Day Travelcard or weekly cap |
|---|---|
| Zones 1–2 | £44.70 |
| Zones 1–3 | £52.50 |
| Zones 1–4 | £64.20 |
| Zones 1–5 | £76.40 |
| Zones 1–6 | £81.60 |
Weekly Cap Versus 7-Day Travelcard
A pay-as-you-go weekly cap runs from Monday to Sunday. A 7-Day Travelcard can start on any day and covers seven consecutive days. That difference matters if your visit or work week starts in the middle of the week.
Best Weekly Ticket Choice
Do not assume a weekly ticket is automatically cheaper. Five Zones 1–2 daily caps would total £44.50, which is slightly below the £44.70 weekly price. A simple return commute may cost even less because two peak Zone 1–2 trips total £7.20 per day. A weekly cap or Travelcard becomes more useful when you travel on more days, take several journeys each day, or want predictable spending.
Oyster, Contactless, or Travelcard?
Oyster and contactless usually charge the same adult pay-as-you-go Tube fare, but they are not identical products. The best choice depends on discounts, bank fees, trip length, and how many days you travel.
| Option | Best for | Important limits |
|---|---|---|
| Contactless | Most adults who want simple pay as you go and automatic capping | Foreign transaction fees may apply, and Railcard discounts cannot be loaded onto a bank card |
| Standard Oyster | Visitors without suitable contactless payment and eligible Railcard holders | Requires a separate card, credit, and any applicable card fee |
| Visitor Oyster | Travellers who want a card before arriving in London | Travelcards and Railcard discounts cannot be added to a Visitor Oyster card |
| 7-Day Travelcard | Seven consecutive days of frequent travel within fixed zones | You may overpay if your actual journeys stay below the weekly price |
TfL describes Oyster and contactless pay as you go as the easiest flexible choices for most visitors. Review the official visitor payment guide before choosing.
How to Save on Zone 1–6 Travel
- Travel off-peak when practical. A Zone 1–6 standard fare falls from £5.90 peak to £4.00 off-peak.
- Use one card or device all day. This allows TfL to combine eligible journeys for capping.
- Check the exact route. A different line or interchange can change the fare even when the start and destination seem similar.
- Touch pink readers when required. They can show that you avoided Zone 1 on eligible orbital journeys and help TfL charge the correct fare.
- Compare actual journeys with caps. A Travelcard is not always cheaper than pay as you go.
- Use eligible discounts. Children, young visitors, students, apprentices, Railcard holders, and some older or disabled travellers may qualify, but the correct photocard or linked discount is required.
- Avoid paper singles unless necessary. The adult paper single fare within Zones 1–6 is £7.00.
What Affects Tube Fares?
Your final Tube charge can change because of several factors:
- Zones crossed: Travelling farther from Zone 1 usually costs more.
- Touch-in time: Weekday peak periods normally cost more than off-peak periods.
- Direction: Some journeys into Zone 1 during the evening peak receive off-peak pricing.
- Route and operator: TfL rail, National Rail, airport, and premium services may use different fares.
- Payment method: Pay as you go is usually cheaper than a paper single.
- Complete touches: Missing a touch in or out can cause a maximum fare.
- Discounts: A valid Zip Oyster photocard, concession, or linked Railcard can reduce eligible fares.
Plan Your Tube Route and Fare
- Find the zone for your starting station and destination.
- Enter both stations in the TfL Single Fare Finder.
- Check whether your touch-in time is peak or off-peak.
- Compare your expected daily total with the relevant cap.
- Use the same payment card or device for every touch and review TfL’s pay-the-right-fare guidance.
Zone 1 to Zone 6 and Heathrow
Heathrow is in Zone 6, but the fare depends on the service and route. The standard Zone 1–6 Tube example is £5.90 peak or £4.00 off-peak, which can apply when using the Piccadilly line. Elizabeth line and premium airport services can use different fares or capping rules, so check the exact station pair before travelling.
Children, Railcards, and Other Discounts
Up to four children under 11 can travel free with a fare-paying adult on the Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, and some National Rail services. Children aged 11 to 15 normally need the right ticket, a Zip Oyster photocard, or an eligible Young Visitor discount to receive child fares.
Senior discounts are not automatic for every visitor. They depend on eligibility for products such as a Freedom Pass, a 60+ London Oyster photocard, or a qualifying National Railcard. Eligible Railcard discounts can be added to a standard Oyster card, but not to a contactless bank card or Visitor Oyster card. Check TfL’s guidance for travelling with children and the current concession rules before your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Tube from Zone 1 to Zone 2 in 2026?
The standard adult pay-as-you-go fare is £3.60 peak or £3.10 off-peak. Check the exact stations because the route and service can change the price.
How much is a Zone 1 Travelcard off-peak?
There is no adult Zone 1-only off-peak Day Travelcard in the current standard price table. The adult Off-Peak Day Travelcard covering Zones 1–6 costs £16.60. The Zones 1–4 Anytime Day Travelcard also costs £16.60.
Is it cheaper to tap or buy a Travelcard?
Tapping with Oyster or contactless is often cheaper for light or moderate travel because you pay only for the journeys made and receive automatic capping. A Travelcard can be better for frequent travel over seven consecutive days or when you need a qualifying discount.
What is the cheapest way to use the London Underground?
For most adults, use Oyster or contactless pay as you go, travel off-peak when possible, use the same card or device, and check the route in TfL’s Single Fare Finder. Eligible concession or Railcard discounts may reduce the cost further.
Is 1pm off-peak for the London Underground?
Yes. A 1pm touch-in is normally off-peak because it falls outside the weekday peak periods of 06:30–09:29 and 16:00–18:59.
When does the London daily fare cap reset?
The fare day runs from 04:30 to 04:29 the next morning. It does not reset at midnight.
Can two people share one Oyster or contactless card?
No. Each fare-paying passenger needs a separate Oyster card, contactless card, or payment device. Up to four children under 11 may travel free with one fare-paying adult on eligible services.
Sources
- London City Hall: March 2026 TfL fare changes — adult PAYG fares, daily caps, Travelcard prices, and paper fares effective from 1 March 2026.
- London City Hall: July 2026 fare changes — current July 2026 fare status and later bus and tram changes.
- TfL Single Fare Finder — exact station-to-station fare checks.
- TfL: Best ways for visitors to pay — Oyster, contactless, Travelcards, and capping.
- TfL: How to pay the right fare — touching in and out, card use, and incomplete journeys.
- TfL: Travelling with children — free and discounted child travel rules.
Conclusion
For an adult travelling from Zone 1, the main 2026 figure to remember is £3.60 peak or £3.10 off-peak for Zone 1 to Zone 2. Longer trips cost more, but daily and weekly caps can control the total. Use Oyster or contactless, keep the same card or device for every touch, and check the TfL Single Fare Finder for the exact route before you travel.