Daylight Robbery

London’s fares. Cheaper than a taxi. Barely.

Congratulations, London. World’s most expensive public transport. Official.

As of March 2025, London pipped Berlin to the top spot. Shenzhen manages a journey for 22p. Mexico City for 29p. Beijing for 32p. Seoul for 77p. London: £3.10 — and that’s before you get to Heathrow.

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Hover or tap a bar to compare · Airport codes used for brevity · Single adult PAYG fare, approx. GBP

Zone 1Oxford Circus → Green Park
£3.10Peak
£3.00Off-peak
Save a measly £0.10
Zones 1–2Oxford Circus → Brixton
£3.60Peak
£3.10Off-peak
Save a measly £0.50
HeathrowOxford Circus → T2 & 3 · Piccadilly
£5.90Peak
£5.90Off-peak
Save Fuck All
Zone 1£8.90
Zones 1–2£9.50
Zones 1–3£10.50
Zones 1–4£12.30
Zones 1–5£14.50
Zones 1–6£16.30
Bus & Tram£5.25

Source: TfL · effective March 2025 · caps reset at midnight

Off-peak: if you can manage it

After 9:30am Mon–Fri — which helpfully rules out anyone with a job. Free rein all day at weekends.

TfL's one act of mercy

Once you've haemorrhaged enough, the rest is free. Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR, Overground & National Rail within zones.

Tap in. Every time.

Cash fares are nearly double. TfL will charge you the absolute maximum if you forget. There is no excuse.

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