[title]
Here we go again. In April London was hit by tube strikes for the first time since September 2025, and now they’re back for another round. Next week RMT union members will walk out, impacting the entire London Underground network.
April’s walk-outs – which were on April 21-22 and 23-24 – amounted to the biggest bout of transport disruption in the city since last summer. The industrial action followed a ballot in February which saw a majority of RMT union members vote in favour of action. Strikes were called for the London Underground, with six dates spread across 12 days in April, May and June, with eight days more to come.
The industrial action is in response to what the RMT says is the introduction of a ‘compressed four-day working week’ for tube drivers. The next bouts of industrial action are set to start on Tuesday May 19.
Worried about strikes hitting the capital once again? Here’s everything you need to know.
RECOMMENDED:
🛤️ When are the next UK-wide train strikes? What you need to know about nationwide industrial action.
⛔️ London travel disruption this weekend: full list of tube and train closures for May 16-17 2026.
When are the next London tube strikes?
Tube drivers are walking out on the following four occasions, each a 24-hour period. The two upcoming May dates are in bold.
- 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 strikes’ impact to be less severe than September.
During the April strikes, TfL ran a reduced service will run across most lines. However, the following services will be more severely hit:
- The Circle line will be down
- The Piccadilly line will not be running
- The Metropolitan line will be down between Baker Street and Aldgate
- The Central line will be shut between White City and Liverpool Street
Find a full guide to which lines will be hit by the strikes, and how to get around the city, here.
London tube strikes day-by-day breakdown
Here’s the breakdown of how much the strikes will impact services, day-by-day.
- May 19 – normal service until midday, severe disruption after midday
- May 20 – severe disruption until midday, some disruption after midday as services return to normal
- May 21 – normal service until midday, severe disruption after midday
- May 22 – severe disruption until midday, some disruption after midday as services return to normal
- June 16 – normal service until midday, severe disruption after midday
- June 17 – severe disruption until midday, some disruption after midday as services return to normal
- June 18 – normal service until midday, severe disruption after midday
- June 19 – severe disruption until midday, 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, but those negotiations did not end the dispute. Tube strikes took place in April, with the two sides not managing to reach an agreement.
As for the planned strike dates in May? Well, apparently the RMT and TfL are set for last-minute ‘crisis talks’ this week. Commenting on the negotiations, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said: ‘My message to the RMT and TfL is to sort it out.
‘Get round the table, resolve these thing amicably. The only way you’re going to resolve this is by talking, not by going on strike.’
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 April strikes (and in the major walk-outs last September), e-bike hire schemes prove particularly popular during periods of industrial action.
During the tube strikes, the Elizabeth line, Overground and DLR are still running.
How long will the London train strikes last?
The strikes were 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. As it stands, the current period of industrial action is set to end on June 19 2026.
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.’
Claire Mann, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, said: ‘It is disappointing that the RMT is planning this strike action despite our best efforts to resolve this dispute. We have been clear that our proposals for a four-day week are designed to improve work-life balance and are entirely voluntary.
‘Any Tube driver who doesn’t wish to opt in to the new, four-day working pattern and associated changes to working arrangements can remain on a five-day working pattern. We have also said many times in discussions that we believe the majority of the issues that have been raised would be resolved with more detailed work.’
When are the next London Overground strikes?
There are no strikes currently planned for the London Overground network. You can find out more about the status of the Overground during the May tube 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 Lizzie line during the walk-outs 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.
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
- April 21-22 2026
- April 23-24 2026
Bus strikes
As well as the threat of tube strikes, a separate dispute in east London will see 300 bus drivers walk out one a date this week. Watch out for travel on the following day:
- 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.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.