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Londoner’s period of tube strike peace has officially come to an end. In August a wave of industrial action was announced by the RMT union, and those strikes have finally come. The walk-outs started last Friday (September 5), and they’ll continue until this Thursday (September 11).
There are a few different reasons that the tube staff are striking and there are various different workers in different parts of the network who will be walking out. The main disputes are over hours and working conditions, as well as Transport for London (TfL) allegedly failing to deliver on previous promises.
Staff from the DLR are also striking during this period, which will make it even trickier to navigate London this week. Don’t fear though – you’ll still be able to get wherever you need to go. Here’s our guide to getting around during the upcoming strikes.
What dates are the tube strikes in September?
The strikes began at 6pm on Friday September 5 at an Underground depot, then different people are walking out on each day until September 11. Here’s what that will look like in practice:
- Sunday September 7: No service on Underground lines
- Monday September 8: No service on Underground lines
- Tuesday September 9: No service on Underground lines OR DLR all day
- Wednesday September 10: No service on Underground lines
- Thursday September 11: No service on Underground lines OR DLR all day
- Friday September 12: Service after 8am, and full service by late morning
How to travel around London during the tube strikes
The Overground, buses, and the Elizabeth line are still running throughout this period. They might be more busy than usual, but there shouldn’t be any changes to their timetables unless previously specified.
The DLR will be hit by strikes on September 9 and September 11.
TfL recommends walking or cycling where you can. If that doesn’t work, use the journey planner to figure out the fastest way to get to your destination.
Which lines are affected?
All Underground lines will be affected by this period of strike action. This includes the following lines:
- Bakerloo
- Central
- Circle
- District
- Hammersmith & City
- Jubilee
- Metropolitan
- Northern
- Piccadilly
- Victoria
- Waterloo & City
Will the Elizabeth line be running?
Yes, the Lizzie line will be running as normal. It’s technically separate from the other tube lines, so is usually not impacted during periods of strike action. Find out more here.
Will the Overground be running?
The Lioness, Windrush, Weaver, Liberty, Mildmay and Suffragette lines will be running as usual, but will likely be a bit busier. Find out more here.
How to reach key train stations during the strikes
Here’s how to reach important London rail hubs during the strikes.
King’s Cross-St Pancras
For Eurostar services and train routes across the UK from King’s Cross and St Pancras International, get a Thameslink service to St Pancras from Luton Airport Parkway, Gatwick airport, London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Waterloo East and more.
You can use the Elizabeth line to get to Farringdon, then get the Thameslink to King’s Cross
Paddington
Get to Paddington on the Elizabeth line.
Euston
Euston is walkable from several stations that will still have non-tube services running this week, such as King’s Cross, St Pancras and Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line).
Victoria
Victoria will be most easily reachable via bus. You can find all the buses that serve Victoria and its surrounding area on the TfL website here.
Is there any other travel disruption to be aware of?
Elizabeth line or Overground trains may not stop at certain stations if they are closed due to industrial action.
There are also some planned engineering works on certain Overground lines and at points on the Elizabeth line throughout the period – you can find out exactly when these are and if they’ll disrupt your trip on TfL’s website.
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