TfL announces tube and rail fare increases, including Elizabeth Line rise from March 2026

What’s Changing

Under the proposed package, pay-as-you-go fares on the Tube and TfL rail services will go up, with individual increases typically kept to 10p or 20p. The Mayor’s office has said no single pay-as-you-go Underground fare will rise by more than 20p, a cap intended to limit the impact on passengers.

Examples include pay-as-you-go Tube fares within Zone 1 only rising from around £2.90 to £3.10 in peak, and off-peak journeys from Tottenham Court Road (Zone 1) to Edgware (Zone 5) rising from £3.60 to £3.80.

While TfL’s bus and tram fares will remain frozen until July 2026 as a cost-of-living measure, fares on the Tube, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground and Elizabeth line will rise from March.

Elizabeth Line Increases 

Fares on the Elizabeth line will also rise, including on services to Heathrow Airport. The pay-as-you-go fare for a single journey from central London (Zone 1) to Heathrow is set to increase from £13.90 to £15.50, a rise of £1.60 that will affect many airport travellers, particularly those making occasional journeys.

With airport travel costs in focus, passengers are increasingly weighing up the range of rail options available. Heathrow Express, which operates a non-stop service between Paddington and Heathrow, said its £10 Advance Single Ticket continues to offer a more affordable option for travellers who are able to plan ahead.

Aoife Considine, Business Lead at Heathrow Express, said: “With TfL fares to Heathrow set to rise, it’s worth highlighting that our £10 Advance Single Ticket remains one of the most affordable ways to travel between Central London and the airport.

"Booked 30 days or more in advance, it offers a 15-minute, non-stop journey from Paddington – combining speed, comfort and value for money.

"We know cost is front of mind for many travellers, particularly in the current economic climate. For those able to plan ahead, this fare provides a straightforward, reliable alternative to rising transport costs.

"Families can also benefit, with children aged 15 and under travelling free with a fare-paying adult.

"Plus, you can enjoy even greater savings with a Railcard when booking through any of our sales channels.

"We remain committed to offering flexible fare options that help passengers balance convenience and affordability.”

For regular commuters, the proposed freezes on Travelcards and daily and weekly caps are expected to soften the impact of individual fare rises. However, the above-inflation increases on transport modes that remain essential to many Londoners’ daily lives are likely to continue putting pressure on household budgets amid the wider cost-of-living challenge.

TfL’s proposals are set to be considered formally by the Mayor in a Mayoral Decision in early 2026, with final fare tables published ahead of the March implementation date. Passenger groups and campaigners are expected to continue debating how best to balance sustainable funding for London’s transport network with affordability for users.

Funding pressures and long-term investment

TfL has said the fare increases are necessary to support the ongoing operation and maintenance of London’s transport network following the loss of long-term government operating funding earlier in the decade. Unlike national rail services, which are subject to separate fares policy decisions, TfL retains fare revenue to help fund both day-to-day services and longer-term investment.

The authority argues that its approach for 2026 aims to strike a balance between maintaining a reliable, high-frequency transport system and keeping fares as affordable as possible.

Final fare tables and detailed pricing information are expected to be published ahead of March 2026, giving Londoners and visitors time to understand the changes and plan their journeys accordingly.