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The London Underground map is one of the most famous pieces of design in the world, but it can baffle first-time visitors. The key things to understand are simple: each coloured line is a separate route, the map is a diagram rather than a true geographic map, and your fare depends on the travel zones you pass through. Master those three ideas and the network opens up.
Lines and colours
Each Tube line has its own name and colour, from the red Central line to the silver Jubilee. To plan a journey, find your start and end stations, trace the coloured lines that connect them, and note where you need to change. Stations where lines meet are interchanges, marked with a circle. The Elizabeth line and the Overground appear on the same map.
How the zones and fares work
London is divided into concentric travel zones, with Zone 1 in the centre. Almost all the main sights sit in Zones 1 and 2. Your fare is based on the zones you travel through and the time of day, with caps so you never pay more than the day's worth. The cheapest way to pay is with a contactless card or phone, as our Oyster vs contactless guide explains.
It's a diagram, not a map
Harry Beck's classic design prioritises clarity over geography, so distances are not to scale, and stations that look far apart on the map can be a short walk on the street. Central stations like Covent Garden and Leicester Square are famously closer on foot than by Tube. For getting around above ground too, see our full getting around London guide and how to use the Underground.
