London Underground Maps
Each map for each line of the London Underground will help you on your late-night journey home.
Bakerloo Line – Brown and Busy
The Bakerloo line opened in 1906 and connects Harrow & Wealdstone in north-west London to Elephant & Castle in the south. It runs for 14.4 miles (23.2 km) with 25 stations. The name “Bakerloo” comes from Baker Street and Waterloo, two key stations on its route. Known for its deep-level tunnels, it serves important transport hubs including Paddington and Waterloo. The line carries millions of passengers each year and remains one of the busier commuter lines. Although proposals exist for extension, particularly south towards Lewisham, the current network continues to play a vital role in linking north and south London.
Central Line – Red and Fast
The Central line is the longest London Underground line, stretching 46 miles (74 km) from West Ruislip and Ealing Broadway in the west to Epping and Woodford in the east. It has 49 stations, many of them deep-level “tube” stations in central London. First opened in 1900, the line was extended several times, reaching Essex in the mid-20th century. It is one of the busiest lines, serving the West End, the City of London, and Stratford. Trains run fast through central sections, helping it carry hundreds of millions of journeys annually. The line is crucial for cross-London travel.
Circle Line – Yellow and Looping
The Circle line runs in a circular route around central London, linking many of the city’s busiest mainline and Underground stations. It opened in 1884 as part of the Metropolitan Railway’s inner circle and today stretches 17 miles (27 km) with 36 stations. In 2009, the route was extended to Hammersmith, creating a spiral-shaped service rather than a continuous loop. The Circle line serves important destinations including Paddington, King’s Cross St Pancras, Liverpool Street, and Victoria. Its connections to nearly all other Underground lines make it a key part of the network. It is distinctive for its bright yellow colour.
District Line – Green and Sprawling
The District line, marked green on the map, is one of the oldest Underground lines, dating back to 1868. Covering 40 miles (64 km), it serves 60 stations, more than any other line. Its route stretches from Upminster in the east to Ealing Broadway, Richmond, and Wimbledon in the west. The line is a mixture of deep-level and surface sections, with many stations shared with the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines. It plays a vital role in linking suburban areas with central London. Key landmarks along the line include Westminster, Tower Hill, and South Kensington. Its reach is extensive.
Elizabeth Line – Purple and Transformative
The Elizabeth line opened in May 2022 and is the newest addition to London’s rail network. Stretching over 73 miles (118 km) with 41 stations, it runs from Reading and Heathrow in the west through central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. Marked in purple, it integrates new tunnels under central London with existing suburban rail routes. Major stations include Paddington, Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street, and Canary Wharf. With modern trains, step-free access at all stations, and high capacity, it has transformed east–west travel across London and the South East.
Hammersmith & City Line – Pink and Practical
The Hammersmith & City line runs from Hammersmith in west London to Barking in the east, covering 15.8 miles (25.5 km) with 29 stations. Opened in 1864 as part of the Metropolitan Railway, it became a separate line in 1990 when it was given its own identity on the map. It runs mainly at surface level, sharing much of its route with the Circle and District lines. Major destinations include Paddington, King’s Cross St Pancras, Liverpool Street, and Whitechapel. The line serves commuters across a wide stretch of London and provides essential links between west, central, and east London.
Jubilee Line – Silver and Modern
The Jubilee line opened in 1979 and is the newest deep-level Underground line. It originally ran from Stanmore to Charing Cross, but was extended in 1999 to Stratford via Canary Wharf, making it one of the most significant expansions in Tube history. Covering 22 miles (36 km) with 27 stations, it is marked in silver on the map. The line serves major business districts including Canary Wharf and London Bridge, as well as entertainment destinations such as Wembley Park. Many stations on the extension feature modern architecture and platform screen doors. It remains one of the busiest commuter routes.
Metropolitan Line – Purple and Historic
The Metropolitan line is the oldest Underground line, first opening in 1863 as the world’s first underground railway. It now stretches from Aldgate in the City of London to Amersham, Chesham, Uxbridge, and Watford in the north-west. Covering 41.4 miles (66.7 km) with 34 stations, it reaches far into suburban Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Known for its fast semi-express services, it remains popular with commuters travelling into central London. The line’s history helped shape the growth of “Metroland,” the suburban areas developed along its route. Its purple colour and long-distance trains distinguish it from other Underground lines.
Northern Line – Black and Complex
The Northern line is one of the busiest Underground lines, carrying hundreds of millions of passengers each year. It opened in stages from 1890 and today stretches for 36 miles (58 km) with 52 stations. Its distinctive feature is its two central London branches — one via Bank and the other via Charing Cross — which rejoin at Kennington. The line runs from High Barnet and Mill Hill East in the north to Morden in the south. It serves key areas including Camden Town, King’s Cross, London Bridge, and Leicester Square. Its complex layout makes it unique among Tube lines.
Piccadilly Line – Dark Blue and Far-Reaching
The Piccadilly line, marked dark blue, runs from Heathrow Airport and Uxbridge in the west to Cockfosters in north London. Covering 44 miles (71 km) with 53 stations, it is one of the longest Underground lines. It first opened in 1906 and is known for serving Heathrow, making it vital for international travellers. The line also passes through central London hubs such as Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and King’s Cross St Pancras. Much of the route is deep-level tunnel, though suburban branches run on the surface. The Piccadilly line is heavily used by commuters and visitors alike.
Victoria Line – Light Blue and High-Speed
The Victoria line opened fully in 1971, making it one of the newer Underground lines. It runs for 13.3 miles (21.4 km) from Brixton in the south to Walthamstow Central in the north-east, serving 16 stations. All stations are underground, and the line was designed for speed and efficiency, with automatic train operation introduced from the start. It connects many key interchange points including Victoria, King’s Cross St Pancras, Oxford Circus, and Euston. Known for its frequent service, it is often one of the fastest ways to cross central London. Its light blue colour makes it instantly recognisable.
Waterloo & City Line – Teal and Tiny
The Waterloo & City line is the shortest Underground line, just 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long with two stations: Waterloo and Bank. It opened in 1898 and has been nicknamed “The Drain” due to its role in funnelling commuters between Waterloo station and the City of London’s financial district. The line operates entirely underground and is not open on Sundays, reflecting its primary purpose as a commuter link. Despite its size, it carries tens of thousands of passengers each weekday. Its teal colour on the map highlights its distinctiveness within the Underground network.
Who designed the London Underground Map?
Harry Beck designed the London Undeground map in 1933. It was originally thought to be too radical compared to other maps of the time. But with his background in electrical design, he could see the advantages of a clean and simple design that does away with accurate line locations and station distances. When you are underground, all you need to know is where the next stop is. Genuis. The new design was an immediate hit with the public, and has been copied all over the world. It is now the standard format for all Metro and Underground maps.
Night Tube Map
The London Underground Night Tube
Night Tube fares are off-peak. Day Travelcards are valid on the day of issue (using the date printed on the card), and for journeys starting before a certain time, so check before you travel. As of writing, the cut-off point is 04:30 am the next day, but don’t take my word for it!
