London's transport fares are based on zones: rings spreading out from the centre. Knowing which zone a place is in helps you understand both the cost of a journey and how far out it is. Prices change regularly, so check the official fare finder for current amounts.
The rings
Zone 1 covers central London, including most famous sights, from Westminster and the West End to the City. Zone 2 is the inner ring, with areas like Camden, Notting Hill, Shoreditch and Brixton. The zones continue outwards to Zone 6, which includes Heathrow Airport, and beyond to Zones 7 to 9 at the edge of the network. Some stations sit on a boundary and count as being in two zones.
How fares work
- Your fare depends on which zones you travel through and the time of day.
- Journeys that pass through Zone 1 cost more than those that avoid it.
- Peak fares apply on weekday mornings and evenings. Other times are off-peak and cheaper.
- Daily and weekly caps mean you never pay more than a set amount if you use the same contactless card or Oyster.
- Buses cost a single flat fare however far you go, and you can change buses within an hour for free.
Tips for visitors
- If you're staying in Zone 1 or 2, most sightseeing stays within those zones.
- Choosing a hotel outside Zone 1 can save money, as long as it's near a station.
- Avoiding Zone 1 when crossing between outer areas, for example by Overground, can be cheaper and quicker.
Zones in Mind-the-tap
In the game, stations in Zone 1 tend to come up in the early rounds and outer-zone stations in the later, multiplied ones. Your profile even splits your results into central and outer stations, so you can see where your knowledge is strongest.