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TFL is the government body responsible for London’s transport. This includes the London Underground (Tube), buses, roads, cycle ways and various rail networks.
Understanding the TFL map is essential for navigating the city's public transportation system, but can be confusing to new Londoners. There are separate maps which display the various modes of transportation, along with their corresponding stations and connections. By familiarising yourself with the colour-coded lines and station symbols, as well as referencing the key landmarks and interchanges, you'll be able to easily navigate London's extensive transport network.
Each mode of transport has a different map.
Each Tube line has a name and colour associated (for example, the Central line is red). Once you're on the Tube, you will have clear signposting about which line you are on and in which direction the train is headed.
There are 9 zones that cover London's public transport network, an important aspect of the city's fare system. London is divided into zones ranging from 1 to 9, with Zone 1 being the most central and Zone 9 being the farthest out. The fare you pay for your journey is determined by the number of zones you travel through, with each zone representing an increment in fare.
When paying for public transport on the TFL network (the Tube, buses, the Overground and some National Rail services), you can use a contactless payment card or buy a prepaid Oyster travel card.
London’s transport system is not 100% accessible. TFL Journey Planner has options to filter for step-free and other access and we recommend these dedicated sites for people with other accessibility needs:
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