London is the United Kingdom’s capital city, covering an area of 1,572 square kilometres. The city contains 32 boroughs, which are connected by an extensive transportation network. London’s public transit system divides the city into 9 zones, with major locations falling within London zones 1 to 6. This blog post is here to share some key insights about these primary zones in London, the types of transportation options available in these zones and the payment options available. So keep reading further to know more and navigate your way through London.
Understanding London Zones 1 To 6
London is an expansive city in the United Kingdom with a vast public transportation network. Navigating through different travel zones is daunting. However, the city is divided into fare zones to make it simpler for the residents and tourists. Most London falls within Zones 1-6, as seen on the London 1-6 Zone map. Let’s learn about these individual zones to help you gain a clear picture:
Image Source: London Pass
What is London Zone 1?
London Zone 1 encompasses central London and serves as the core of the city’s transportation system, with zones 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 forming concentric circles around it. It is the primary hub for London’s fare system.
Areas Covered in Inner London:
Central London: City of London, Camden, Hackney, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, and Westminster.
Major Attractions in London Zone 1:
Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, the British Museum, and the Science Museum.
What is London Zone 2?
London Zone 2 encircles Zone 1 and consists of neighborhoods closer to the city center than Zone 3. It includes areas near central London but not in the city center itself.
Areas Covered in Inner London:
Camden, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, and Westminster.
Areas Covered in Outer London:
Brent, Ealing, Greenwich, Hounslow, and others.
Main Attractions in London Zone 2:
Regent’s Park, London Zoo, Shoreditch, Arsenal FC Stadium, Chelsea FC Stadium, and Clapham Common.
What is London Zone 3?
London Zone 3, part of the Transport for London’s zonal fare system, surrounds Zone 2. It is approximately 29 minutes away from Central London.
Areas Covered in Inner London:
Camden, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Wandsworth, and more.
Areas Covered in Outer London:
Barnet, Brent, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Greenwich, Hounslow, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Waltham Forest, etc.
Main Attractions in London Zone 3:
Wimbledon, Kew Gardens, London City Airport, Elephant and Castle, London Bridge.
What is London Zone 4?
London Zone 4, the outer zone in Transport for London’s fare system, encircles Zone 3. It is about 33 minutes from Central London and is becoming a desirable living area.
Areas Covered in Inner London:
Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Waltham Forest, and others.
Areas Covered in Outer London:
Epping Forest (Essex).
Main Attractions in London Zone 4:
Petersham Nurseries, Eltham Palace, Modern Hall Park, Bang Bang Oriental, Kingston Upon Thames, RAF Museum.
What is London Zone 5?
London Zone 5, another outer zone, surrounds Zone 4 and is about 30 minutes from Central London.
Areas Covered in Outer London:
Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Waltham Forest, etc.
Areas Covered Outside London:
Epping Forest (Essex), Epsom and Ewell (Surrey).
Main Attractions in London Zone 5:
Eel Pie Island, Ruislip Lido, Alexandra Palace, Kew Gardens.
What is London Zone 6?
London Zone 6, the outermost zone in the Transport for London system, rings around Zone 5 and includes outer London and areas beyond.
Areas Covered in Outer London:
Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Enfield, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, etc.
Areas Covered Outside London:
Elmbridge (Surrey), Epping Forest (Essex), Epsom and Ewell (Surrey), Hertsmere (Hertfordshire), Reigate and Banstead (Surrey), Tandridge (Surrey), Three Rivers (Hertfordshire), and more.
Detailed Insights Into London Zones 7 to 9
Rail transportation in London is divided further into zones 7 to 9 and is managed by London Transport. Each station on the London Underground zones, London Overground, National Rail, TfL Rail, and Docklands Light Railway is assigned one of the six fare London zones. The central core region falls under Zone 1, while fare zones 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 form concentric circles around Zone 1. Zone 7, 8, and 9 extend into Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire, covering all stations served by TfL services and some Southeastern and Greater Anglia services outside Greater London. Here’s a breakdown of London zones 7 to 9 and their locations for better understanding:
Zone 7: Zones A – Croxley, Rickmansworth and Watford and B – Chorleywood
Zone 7 encompasses charming towns like Croxley, Rickmansworth, and Watford in Zone A and the picturesque surroundings of Chorleywood in Zone B, offering a mix of suburban tranquillity and urban accessibility.
Average Cost Of Accommodation: £700 – £1,100 per month
Zone 8: Zone C – Chalfont & Latimer
Zone 8 features the serene locales of Chalfont & Latimer, providing a peaceful escape from bustling city life.
Average Cost Of Accommodation: £700 – £1,100 per month
Zone 9: Zone D – Amersham and Chesham
The outermost reaches of London, Zone 9’s Amersham and Chesham, offer a more rural atmosphere, showcasing historic charm and scenic beauty.
Average Cost Of Accommodation: £700 – £1,100 per month
However, these zones do not create complete rings around London. To speed up ticket purchases, zones were introduced to reduce pricing. In addition to navigating within the city, it’s essential to consider transportation options for journeys beyond the city limits, such as London airport transfers. Various platforms offer reliable and convenient transfer services, ensuring a smooth transition to or from major airports like London’s Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and City Airport.
What Are The Types Of Transportation In London Zones?
London is an expansive city with a wide variety of transportation options. These ensure that residents have the flexibility and convenience to travel seamlessly within and around the city centre. Public transportation remains London’s significant transportation alternative as it easily connects the major areas. Here are some of the popular modes of commute for London Zones 1 To 6:
London Underground
The London Underground Zone 1 6 is one of the best transit systems in London. It is one of the world’s oldest underground railways. London Underground is a rapid transit system that serves all 9 London zones.
It is also widely known as Tube amongst the locals. It serves over 270 stations across London. This 24-hour service runs on the Jubilee, Victoria, Central, Northern and Piccadilly Lines. You can use an Oyster card to make the payment.
- First ride: 5 am
- Last ride: 12 am
London Overground
The overground runs above the street level and connects the major parts of the city centre to the larger metropolitan localities through London zones 1 to 6 and even up to zone 9. Often confused with the Tube, London Overground covers about 71% of London districts and 100 stations.
It merges the older networks into new lines in east and south London. London Overground has a limited 24-hour service and you can pay for the same through a contactless payment mode or Oyster card.
- First ride: 5:30 am
- Last ride: 12:30 am
Docklands Light Railway
The Docklands Light Railway is an automated transport system as a part of the driverless London zones. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) links to London’s cable car, the Emirates Air Line.
The DLR serves the Docklands area of London, which lies directly east and southeast of the city centre. It is part of the London Ground Network. It starts from 5:30 – 12:30 am on weekdays.
- First ride: 5:30 am
- Last ride: 12:30 am
London Buses
London’s iconic red buses have been a major part of the city’s public transportation system since 1829. Buses are an affordable and convenient way to travel across the city with ease.
London’s bus network serves multiple routes which enables travellers to reach a myriad of localities and popular places from London zones 1 to 6 and even beyond.
- First ride: 5 am
- Last ride: 12 am
Cable Car (Emirates Air Line)
Gliding high above the River Thames, the Emirates Air Line cable car is also known as the “Dangleway”. Passengers get an opportunity to experience the stunning panoramic views of the historic Greenwich sites to the Canary Wharf high-rises. The cable car offers an elevated look of the city centre from zones 1 to 3.
- First ride: 8 am
- Last ride: 8 pm
Boris Bikes
Santander Cycles, commonly referred to as ‘Boris Bikes,’ runs a public bicycle rental programme across London Zones 1-6. With over 12,000 bikes and 800 docking stations, it offers a great and eco-friendly way to explore the city. Over the past decade, the number of cyclists on London’s roads has more than doubled.
- First ride: All day
- Last ride: All day
River Bus
The inaccurately named ‘River Bus’ operates six routes along the River Thames, spanning from Putney in the west to Woolwich in the east, with departures from 22 piers. Departures are every 20 minutes, so it’s recommended to plan your trip in advance to avoid delays when traveling in London zones 1-8. The River Bus offers a great way to navigate the city while enjoying stunning views of London’s riverfront and its scenic beauty.
- First ride: 5:30 am
- Last ride: 11:30 pm
Cost Of The Modes Of Transports In London
| Mode of Transport | First Ride | Last Ride | Average Fare (per ride) |
| The Underground | 5 AM | 12 AM | £10.50 |
| The Overground | 5:30 AM | 12:30 AM | £8 |
| Docklands Light Railway | 5:30 AM | 12:30 AM | £8.50 |
| London Buses | 5 AM | 12 AM | £6 |
| Emirates Air Line | 8 AM | 8 PM | £6 |
| Boris Bikes | 24/7 | 24/7 | £1.65 or £3.30 |
| River Bus | 5:30 AM | 11:30 PM | £9 |
How To Pay For London Transport In London Zones?
Some popular payment modes that are widely accepted for public transportation in London zones 1 to 6 are listed below:
Oyster Cards
The Visitor Oyster Card is a non-refundable London 1 6 zone travel card that offers discounts across all 6 London fare zones. The regular Oyster Card does not have a validity as such, and it is refundable with a £5 deposit.
Oyster cards are available at all Tube, Overground and Elizabeth Line stations, and DLR stations. However, they are not accepted between Reading and Iver.
Oyster Cards make travelling across London easy and affordable. Here are the average regular Oyster Card fares:
- Zones 1-2: £8.10 per day
- Zones 1-3: £9.60 per day
- Zone 1-4: £11.70 per day
- Zone 1-5: £13.90 per day
- Zone 1-6: £14.90 per day
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is one of the most popular payment methods for public transportation across all London zones. This contactless payment option lets you tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the yellow card readers when entering and exiting the Tube, buses, Overground, DLR and more. It is as seamless as using an Oyster card.
Apple Pay works the same way, with easy tap-and-go access as Oyster, on your mobile device.
Contactless Payment
Debit and credit cards can be used as contactless payment options on public transit, similar to an Oyster card. You must tap your contactless-enabled card on the yellow readers when entering and exiting the Tube, buses, Overground, DLR, and more.
This allows for easy pay-as-you-go travel across London’s extensive transport network without purchasing a separate Oyster card. However, your card needs contactless functionality to support this payment option.
How to Save On Travel To Central London Zones 2-6?
The London Travelcard provides a key advantage by being valid on buses throughout London, regardless of the desired London zones. If residing in Zones 2–6 and needing to travel to Zone 1 (London’s centre), consider the cost-effective strategy of purchasing a weekly or monthly Travelcard excluding Zone 1 but encompassing Zone 2. Opt for bus travel within Zone 1 after taking the train or tube to the nearest Zone 2 station. Significant savings are only achievable with a weekly or monthly Travelcard. Here are the pricing details for your clarity:
Weekly Travelcard Rates:
- Zone 1-5: £69.60
- Zone 2-5: £40.50
Monthly Travelcard Rates:
- Zone 1-5: £267.30
- Zone 2-5: £155.60
Weekly and Monthly Travelcards for Zones 6-9:
- Weekly: £64.40
- Monthly: £247.30
Fares For Stations Across Two Zones
The London public transport system consists of nine fare zones, with Zone 1 covering the city centre and the remaining zones extending outward. Stations positioned on the border between two adjacent zones are considered to straddle their boundary.
These stations, denoted on the tube map by a unique graphic clue, have a distinctive status, indicated by a white box around their names. Travellers should be attentive to possible ticketing discrepancies when travelling to or from these border stations, including varying rates, ticket options, or fee computations compared to journeys within a single zone.
Popular Places to Visit Outside London Zone 1
Zone 1 encompasses most of central London, but areas beyond Zone 1 also offer a wealth of tourist attractions, cultural sites, and dining options to explore during your visit to England’s capital. Here are some of our top picks:
- Horniman Museum: near Forest Hill station
- Greenwich: near Cutty Sark station
- Highgate Cemetery: near Archway station
- Battersea Park: near Battersea Park station
- Oxleas Wood & Severndroog Castle: near Eltham station
- Brockwell Lido: near Herne Hill station
- Broadway Market: near London Fields station
- London Wetland Centre: near Barnes station
- Bruce Castle Museum: near Bruce Grove station
- Crystal Palace Park: near Crystal Palace station
Starting to explore London through Zones 1-9? This guide aims to assist in seamless navigation, ensuring a comfortable experience for new travellers in the United Kingdom. Abide by the country’s laws, tap in and out to avoid travel card penalties, and explore suitable student accommodation in London.
Thus, navigating London’s vast transportation network is simple when you understand the city’s major zones and available transportation options. With a broad array of public transit alternatives connecting London zones 1 to 6 and even beyond, getting to the major areas in the capital city of the United Kingdom feels like a breeze.
FAQs
How many zones are present in London City?
London’s transportation network has nine zones, which are widely known as London zones 1 to 9.
Which is Zone 2 in London?
Zone 2 is a cultural hub with the trendy streets of Notting Hill, the alternative charm of Camden Town, and the zoological wonders of London Zoo. It also has two prominent football stadiums for sports enthusiasts.
What is Zone 5 in London?
A retreat for rugby enthusiasts, Zone 5 is home to Twickenham Stadium, the world’s largest dedicated rugby union venue, and serves as the heart of England Rugby.
What areas are in Zone 6 London?
Richmond, Kingston upon Thames, and parts of north Kent majorly fall under Zone 6 London.
What area is Zone 1 in London?
Zone 1 mainly covers the West End, the Holborn district, Kensington, Paddington, and the City of London, as well as Old Street, Angel, Pimlico, Tower Gateway, Aldgate East, Euston, Vauxhall, Elephant & Castle, Borough, London Bridge, Earl’s Court, Marylebone, Edgware Road, Lambeth North, and Waterloo.
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