A week of disruption is about to hit London. The capital faces rolling industrial action on the Underground from Friday evening, with different groups walking out on different days, and the Docklands Light Railway also shut on two days. Trains that do run will be crowded and finish early. If you can work from home, do. If you need to travel, plan now.
Transport for London (TfL) is warning of little to no Underground service on most days from Monday to Thursday. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) says nine months of talks over pay and conditions have gone nowhere, so members voted to strike. TfL says cutting the contractual 35-hour week further isn’t practical or affordable. Both sides say they’re open to more talks, but the timetable below is what’s currently planned.
When the strikes start and who is walking out
The action begins this weekend and runs in waves through to Thursday. The pattern is designed to hit different parts of the network on different days, which is why the impact grows from Sunday and stays heavy all week.
- Friday 5 September — Depot operational control managers at Ruislip walk out from 18:00. This continues to 17:59 on Sunday 7 September. TfL expects minimal disruption at first, but last trains may be busier.
- Sunday 7 September — From 00:01 to 23:59, track access controllers, London Underground control centre, power/control and Emergency Response Unit (ERU) staff strike. This is the point where severe disruption spreads across the whole network.
- Monday 8 September — From 00:01 to 23:59, all fleet workers (except engineering vehicles operations and maintenance and the ERU), plus engineering, stations and trains staff strike. Expect very limited or no service on most lines.
- Tuesday 9 September — From 00:01 to 23:59, signallers, service control and ERU staff strike. DLR also shuts all day. Underground services are expected to be extremely limited where they run at all.
- Wednesday 10 September — A repeat of Monday: all fleet (with the same exceptions), engineering, stations and trains staff strike for the full day.
- Thursday 11 September — Signallers and service control strike again all day. DLR shuts again.
Every Underground line is affected across the week: Bakerloo, Central, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and Waterloo & City. The DLR will not run on Tuesday and Thursday.
What’s running? The Elizabeth line, London Overground, most National Rail services, and buses. These networks are staffed by different unions. However, some National Rail services that use Underground-run stations could be disrupted if parts of those stations are closed. Allow extra time to enter and exit major interchanges.
Key travel timings to note:
- Finish journeys by 18:00 on Sunday 7 September. Any Tube service still operating will finish early.
- From Monday to Thursday, plan for little to no Underground service across the day.
- Friday 12 September: no London Underground service before 08:00. Lines are expected to return to normal by late morning.
RMT says members backed action after months of talks stalled. Under UK law, strike ballots need to pass turnout and majority thresholds; the union says those conditions were met. TfL maintains it cannot meet demands around working hours without cutting services or raising costs. Neither side is moving publicly, so passengers should plan as if the action goes ahead in full.
How to get around: lines, airports, events and practical tips
Buses, the Elizabeth line, the Overground and most National Rail trains will carry the load. They’ll be busier than usual, especially at peaks, so travel earlier or later if you can. Contactless and Oyster work across all TfL modes and most rail operators in London. The Hopper fare still applies on buses and trams, meaning unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour of first touching in.
Interchanges will be the pinch points. Some entrances to big stations may be shut if they are managed by the Underground, even if National Rail is open inside. Follow signage to alternative entrances, listen for station announcements, and be ready to walk around the block at places like Victoria, Euston, Waterloo, King’s Cross St Pancras, and Liverpool Street.
Accessibility: if you rely on step-free access via Tube lifts, check before you travel. Step-free routes through multi-operator stations can change when one part is closed. Staff from rail and bus operators will help where possible, but plan extra time.
Driving won’t be painless. Central London will be busier, and the Congestion Charge and ULEZ still apply. Taxis and private hire cars will be in demand, especially around stations and airports. If you can, cycle short trips. Santander Cycles will be stocked up, but docks near big hubs can empty. Try quieter back-street Cycleways and protected lanes along the Embankment and through the City.
Here’s how the main alternative networks are expected to run and how to use them smartly:
- Elizabeth line — Running as normal. It’s your best cross-London option, especially for Heathrow and connections to Paddington, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Stratford and Abbey Wood. Expect crowd control at central stations.
- London Overground — Running as normal, but very busy. Handy for North, East and West London orbital trips and for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium via White Hart Lane. Allow time for queues.
- Buses — Operating normally with extra demand. Use the Hopper fare for short hops. Journey times will be longer than usual. Board at the back doors where instructed and be patient at busy stops.
- National Rail — Most services operate, but entrances that rely on Underground staff could close. Check operator updates if your route uses Victoria, Euston, Waterloo, King’s Cross St Pancras or Liverpool Street.
- DLR — No service on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 September. On other days, it’s a good option for Canary Wharf and east London if the Underground is closed.
Airports will be the toughest trips. Build in serious buffer time and have a Plan B.
- Heathrow — The Piccadilly line will be heavily disrupted, so use the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express to Paddington. From Paddington you can switch to buses or walk/taxi if you can’t use the Tube. Allow at least an extra 30–60 minutes on top of your normal plan.
- Gatwick — Take Southern to Victoria or Thameslink to London Bridge/Blackfriars/St Pancras. Those stations will be busy and some entrances may be closed; follow signage. If you usually change to the Underground at Victoria or London Bridge, be ready to use buses or walk.
- Stansted — Use the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street. Tottenham Hale is also on the route, but Victoria line disruption will limit onward options there. At Liverpool Street, plan a bus or Elizabeth line connection.
- Luton — Luton Airport Express/Thameslink to St Pancras. From there, avoid Underground changes; use buses, taxis or walk if your destination is central.
- London City — No DLR on Tuesday and Thursday. Use buses 473 or 474 toward Stratford/Canning Town for onward rail links on those days. On other days, the DLR should run, but Underground interchanges may be restricted.
Big events are still on. Stadiums and venues are adjusting transport plans, but you should arrive early.
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Post Malone) — Use London Overground to White Hart Lane from Liverpool Street, or National Rail to Northumberland Park from Stratford. Tottenham Hale will be busy and Victoria line options limited, so don’t rely on a quick Underground hop. Expect queues after the show; grab water and be patient.
- Royal Albert Hall (BBC Proms) — The District and Circle lines will be hit across the week. Buses 9, 52 and 452 stop near the hall. South Kensington can be a slow interchange even on a good day; consider walking from High Street Kensington or Paddington if you arrive on rail or the Elizabeth line.
If you have a through rail ticket that normally includes the Underground, don’t assume it will be valid on buses. Check with your train operator. Contactless pay-as-you-go remains the easiest way to switch between modes during disruption.
Working patterns will shift. Expect quieter morning peaks and heavier late-morning and evening flows as people stagger start times. If you manage a team, consider flexible hours or remote work. For parents and carers, build in spare time for school runs—bus routes near schools will be crowded.
Safety holds up best when people space out journeys. If a station is closed or a platform looks packed, wait for the next service or walk to a less busy stop. Staff will manage one-way systems and queue lines. Follow instructions; it speeds things up for everyone.
Why this strike, and why now? RMT argues that inflation and roster pressures have eroded take-home pay and work-life balance. TfL says any deal must be affordable and protect the network’s long-term finances. The union’s ballot cleared legal thresholds and the schedule is now locked in unless talks break through. Strikes can be suspended at short notice, but plan as if they won’t be.
Five quick need-to-knows before you head out:
- From Sunday, assume severe disruption on all Tube lines. On Tuesday and Thursday, add a full DLR shutdown to that picture.
- Finish Sunday journeys by 18:00. From Monday to Thursday, expect very little to run.
- Use the Elizabeth line, Overground, buses and National Rail as your main alternatives. They’ll be crowded—travel off-peak if you can.
- Airport trips need extra time and a backup route. Check-in closes at the same time even when trains don’t play ball.
- Friday morning (12 September) starts without the Underground until 08:00. Services should stabilise by late morning.
Check live updates before you go, keep plans flexible, and be ready to walk a bit more than usual. The goal this week is simple: get where you’re going with the least stress possible in the middle of the Tube strikes.
