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The journey to the airport is stressful enough on a good day. The obligatory panic questions – What if I left the stove on? Did I remember to double lock the back door? Have I got my passport? – go through your head as you heave your luggage to one of London’s six major airports.
If you’re heading off on a break from London this week, the prospect of tube strikes organised by the RMT union is likely causing you even more of a headache. Strikes began on Tuesday April 21 and will continue until midday today, Friday April 24.
Luckily, the strikes’ impact has been less severe than previous walk outs in September. While the whole tube network will be affected, reduced services will be running on most lines until industrial action ends or is called off by the union. However, just to be safe we’d suggest finding alternative routes so you don’t run the risk of missing your flight.
Here’s everything you need to know about how this week’s industrial action will impact your trip to the airport.
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⛔️ London tube strikes Spring 2026: full list of dates and train services impacted by RMT train strikes in April, May and June 2026.
🚇 London travel disruption to watch out for this weekend: tube and train closures on April 25-26.
When are the tube strikes in April 2026?
Tube drivers are seeing out one more 24-hour strike this week, which has impacted travel across two days: April 23 and 24.
Strike action lasts from on April 23 at 12pm ’til April 24 at 11.59am.
Even when the 24-hour strike has ended today (April 24), you’ll need to plan your journey. TfL is expecting disruption to continue after the strikes end at midday while services return to normal.
While the strike is on, there is no service on the Piccadilly and Circle lines, on the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate and on the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.
The Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and tram services will be running normally on strike days.
You can find a line-by-line breakdown of the impact of the strikes here.
How to get to Heathrow during the tube strike
Heathrow is the easiest of any London airport to access by public transport. The Piccadilly line is usually a popular option, but during hours when the tube has been called off you’ll still be able to get there on the Elizabeth line, or via the Heathrow Express which runs from Paddington.
National Express also operates coaches to Heathrow.
Importantly, while a reduced service will run on most London tube lines on April 23-24, no service is expected on the Piccadilly line.
How to get to Gatwick during tube strikes
The easiest way to get to Gatwick is on the Gatwick Express from Victoria station, or on one of the direct Thameslink services that go through to the airport and leave from Blackfriars, Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Bridge and St Pancras. These are running as normal.
Avoiding the Underground may make it more difficult to get to departure stations, but there are buses and other services you can hop on instead. Taxis are also an option, albeit a pricier one, while you can also get a National Express coach to Gatwick from various London bus stations.
Be warned that the Circle line is not expected to run during the April strikes. However, Victoria is also on the District and Victoria lines, which are running a reduced service.
How to get to Stansted airport during tube strikes
The Stansted Express, running from Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale stations, should be working on its normal timetable with no delays or disruptions. However, you may have to opt for a bus or taxi to get you to the station without the tube. Tottenham Hale does not have an Overground stop, but Seven Sisters, which is somewhat nearby, does.
The Victoria line, which serves Tottenham Hale, will be running. So will the Hammersmith and City line for Liverpool Street.
However, Liverpool Street will not be served by the Circle line on April 23-24. The Central line will also not run through central London between Liverpool Street and White City.
Find out more about the status of the Overground – which serves Liverpool Street – during the strikes here.
How to get to London City airport
London City is easiest accessed via the DLR, which should be running normally throughout the strike action. Trains are likely to be busier than usual, though, so you might consider hopping on one of the London buses that also serve the station (the 129, 473 and 474), unless you’re up for treating yourself to a taxi.
If you do opt for a cab, book ahead as there is likely to be a higher demand than usual.
How to get to Luton airport
The Luton Airport Express and Luton Dart won’t be impacted by strikes, although, as before, you will have to get either a bus or a taxi to St Pancras rather than relying on the tube lines. St Pancras is also walkable from King’s Cross, Euston and Tottenham Court Road stations.
How to get to Southend airport
You’ll also still be able to get trains to Southend from Stratford and Liverpool Street, but once again you will need to use buses, the Overground, and taxis in order to get to the train station.
Did you see that two of the best budget airport terminals in the world are in London?
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