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In case you weren’t already aware, the London Underground is going to be hit by 48 hours of strikes this week. So, you’re going to need to rethink your commute to and/or from work over the next few days.
The good news is that strikes aren’t expected to cause quite as much disruption as the ones back in September. The only staff involved are drivers belonging to the RMT union. Drivers who are members of ASLEF and non-driving staff are still set to be working. TfL says it will run a reduced service will run across most lines.
Still, it’s best to have a plan B in place. One of your options is to use the Overground instead. Here’s everything you need to know.
RECOMMENDED:
🚇 How to get around London during April’s RMT industrial action.
⛔️ The full list of dates and train services impacted by RMT train strikes in April, May and June 2026
✈️ How to get to London airports during next week’s RMT industrial action
When are the April 2026 tube strikes?
This month, RMT drivers will walk out from 12pm on Tuesday April 21 until 11.59am on Wednesday April 22 and from 12pm on Thursday April 23 until 11.59am on Friday April 24.
Will the Underground strikes affect the Overground?
The Overground network is running as usual throughout the tube strikes – that’s the Lioness, Windrush, Weaver, Liberty, Mildmay and Suffragette lines.
There may be some further disruption on the Windrush line on Thursday due to industrial action by signallers and telecom staff. However, on previous RMT Windrush line strikes in February and March, TfL ran a normal service.
Overground lines
As a reminder, these are the recently(ish) renamed Overground lines:
- Liberty line
- Lioness line
- Mildmay line
- Suffragette line
- Weaver line
- Windrush line
How long will the industrial action last?
This week won’t be the last of the walkouts. More 24 hours strikes are planned across eight dates in May and June.
- May 19-20 (12pm Tues to 11.59am Weds)
- May 21-22 (12pm Thurs to 11.59am Fri)
- June 16-17 (12pm Tues to 11.59am Weds)
- June 18-19 (12pm Thurs to 11.59am Fri)
Will trains and buses be disrupted?
Other trains that aren’t part of the London Underground – the Elizabeth line, DLR and National Rail – will be operating as usual, though are likely to be much busier while the tube is out of action.
The same goes for most buses across the city, however there will be a bus strike on Friday affecting services in east London. You can see the full list of routes impacted by that industrial action here.
Some better news: Three London bus routes (and two DLR lines) are now free to ride for two months.
Plus: You can ride a vintage 1930s tube train in London next month.
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