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In what promises to be the biggest bout of transport disruption since last September’s hugely impactful tube strikes, London’s rail network is set to be hit by tube strikes this week. A period of relative strike-free calm has come to an end – the first of six strike dates kicked off on Tuesday April 21.
A majority of RMT union members voted in favour of action in February, with strikes called for the London Underground. While the first walk-outs (which were supposed to take place on March 24-27) were suspended, six strikes will take place across 12 days in April, May and June. The March strikes were called off following progress in talks between the union and London Underground management, though further strike dates were added to June. The April strikes are now definitely going ahead.
The industrial action is in response to what the RMT says is the introduction of a ‘compressed four-day working week’ for tube drivers.
Worried about strikes hitting the capital once again? Here’s everything you need to know.
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When are the next London tube strikes?
Tube drivers are walking out on the following six occasions, each a 24-hour period (across 12 dates). The first two of those strikes are this week (in bold).
- April 21-22 (12pm to 11.59am)
- April 23-24 (12pm to 11.59am)
- May 19-20 (12pm to 11.59am)
- May 21-22 (12pm to 11.59am)
- June 16-17 (12pm to 11.59am)
- June 18-19 (12pm to 11.59am)
Which services will be affected by the strikes?
Drivers belonging to ASLEF are not striking, and neither are non-driver RMT union members – meaning that TfL expects the strike impact to be less severe than September.
During April 21-22 and April 23-24, TfL says it expects to run a reduced service will run across most lines. However, significant disruption is still expected.
When it comes to specific lines:
- No service expected on the Piccadilly and Circle lines.
- No service expected on the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate.
- No service expected on the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.
Find a full guide to how to get around London during the April tube strikes here.
London tube strikes day-by-day breakdown
Here’s the breakdown of how much the strikes will impact services, day-by-day. Again, this week’s strike dates are in bold.
- April 21 – normal service until 11.59am, severe disruption after midday
- April 22 – severe disruption until 11.59am, some disruption after midday as services return to normal
- April 23 – normal service until 11.59am, severe disruption after midday
- April 24 – severe disruption until 11.59am, some disruption after midday as services return to normal
- May 19 – normal service until 11.59am, severe disruption after midday
- May 20 – severe disruption until 11.59am, some disruption after midday as services return to normal
- May 21 – normal service until 11.59am, severe disruption after midday
- May 22 – severe disruption until 11.59am, some disruption after midday as services return to normal
- June 16 – normal service until 11.59am, severe disruption after midday
- June 17 – severe disruption until 11.59am, some disruption after midday as services return to normal
- June 18 – normal service until 11.59am, severe disruption after midday
- June 19 – severe disruption until 11.59am, some disruption after midday as services return to normal
What are the chances of London Underground strikes being called off?
Well, that’s the big question. In March the strikes were called off due to ongoing negotiations between the RMT and TfL London Underground management.
When it comes to April, the first round of strikes (on April 21-22) are going ahead. As for the later dates? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see whether TfL and the RMT can come to an agreement.
How to get around London during a strike
When the tube is down, bus and National Rail services will offer alternative routes across the city. As we found in the September strikes, e-bike hire schemes prove particularly popular during periods of industrial action.
During the tube strikes, the Elizabeth line, Overground and DLR will still be running.
How long will the London train strikes last?
The strikes have been called for six dates over three months, spread across 12 days.
The strikes could come to an end sooner if an agreement is reached between the RMT and TfL. Equally, more strikes could be called for after June if no agreement is reached.
Why are there new train strikes?
The RMT says that the strikes are down to introduction of a compressed four-day working week for tube drivers. The union says that bosses are planning to compress a normal working week into four days, raising concerns about shift lengths, working time arrangements and the ‘potential impact on fatigue and safety’.
What have union and rail bosses said about the strikes?
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: ‘London Underground is trying to force through major changes to working patterns that have already been rejected by our members.
‘We are clear that these proposals raise serious concerns around fatigue, safety and work-life balance.
‘Despite our best efforts over many months, no satisfactory outcome has been reached so we have no choice but to call strike dates.
Dempsey added about negotiations: “We have approached negotiations with TfL in good faith throughout this entire process.
‘But despite our best efforts, TfL seem unwilling to make any concessions in a bid to avert strike action.’
Transport commissioner Andy Lord said: ‘We shared our proposal for a four-day working week with our trade unions last year’
‘Since then, we have been engaging with them on how to implement a voluntary new working pattern, potentially trialling this on the Bakerloo line only.
‘There is no need for this industrial action. This is a fair proposal, informed by union engagement, which is voluntary, and no-one will be required to change their working pattern if they choose not to.’
When are the next London Overground strikes?
Overground staff are also walking out on the the Windrush line, which runs from Highbury and Islington to Clapham Junction, West Croydon and Crystal Palace. There is one more strike date to watch out for:
- Thursday April 23
On previous RMT Windrush line strikes in February and March, TfL ran a normal service.
Otherwise, the Overground is expected to run normally on tube strike days, though it will likely be much busier than usual.
Find out more about the status of the Overground during the strikes here.
Will strikes affect the Eurostar?
Eurostar is not expected to be affected by any strike action.
Will the Elizabeth line be on strike?
No Elizabeth line strikes are currently planned. The purple line is expected to run normally on tube strike days, though it will likely be much busier than usual.
Find out more about the status of the Elizabeth line during the strikes here.
How to get to London airports during strikes
Tubes and trains are rarely on strike at the same time, so travellers can usually get the other, non-striking one to the airport. For example, if you plan on using the on-strike Piccadilly line to get to Heathrow, you can always use the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express.
Coaches frequently run from central and outer London areas by the likes of National Express. All airports are also, obvs, all accessible by road – whether you’d like to drive or get a taxi. Expect potentially higher levels of traffic during strike days.
Find Time Out’s full guide to getting to London’s major airports during the April 2026 strikes here.
Timeline of previous London tube strikes
Here’s a lowdown of all the tube strikes that have taken place in the last few years.
- June 6-7 2022
- June 21-22 2022
- August 19-20 2022
- November 10-11 2022
- November 25 2022
- March 15-18 2023
- September 5-12 2025
Bus strikes
As well as the threat of tube strikes, a separate dispute in east London will see 300 bus drivers walk out across dates in April and May. Watch out for travel on the following dates
- Friday April 24
- Friday May 15
The following routes will be impacted:
- 8
- 25
- 205
- 425
- N8
- N25
- N205
TfL reckons that the 25 and 425 buses will run a ‘near-normal’ service despite the strikes. Find Time Out’s full guide to the bus strikes here.
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