Transport for LondonTube
Multi-purpose area
- Planning your journey
- Entering the station
- Buying a ticket
- Getting to the platform
- Boarding a train
- On the train
Planning your journey
The 24-hour travel information centre (020 7222 1234 or Minicom 020 7918 3015) or Journey Planner can help you plan a journey which best meets your needs.
Our accessible Tube maps include details of step-free access. Further information is also available from our Customer Service Centre (0845 330 9880), which can also provide an audio version of the Tube map.
There is no need to pre-book assistance on the Tube. Just turn up at a station and staff will assist you.
A number of stations have audible descriptions available from Describe Online. You can find detailed information on access to individual stations at Direct Enquiries.
Occasionally, a lift may be out of service. You can check this before you travel by using Journey Planner or calling our Customer Service Centre. Alternatively, you can sign-up for TfL travel alerts.
Entering the station
London Underground currently has 48 stations which are step-free from street to platform; full details can be found in the Tube access guide.
All car parks operated by us have accessible spaces, free for use by Blue Badge holders.
Buying a ticket
If you require help purchasing a ticket you can ask at the ticket office, or a member of staff in the ticket hall will assist you in using the ticket machines.
All of our ticket offices have induction loops which you can use by switching your hearing aid to the T position.
Getting to the platform
When you arrive at a station you can request assistance in the ticket hall from a member of staff. They are normally located by the ticket barriers or in the ticket office.
All of our front-line staff are trained in how to assist blind and partially sighted customers as part of their disability equality training.
If you have a guide dog, staff will help you to avoid escalators where possible, or stop them to allow you and your dog to walk. At busy times at our busiest stations it may not be possible to stop escalators immediately, due to overcrowding.
If you feel able, you may carry your dog on the escalator.
For your safety, and that of other customers, you are not permitted to use an escalator while in a wheelchair. Wheelchairs can be folded and carried on the escalator; please ask a member of staff if you require assistance.
Tactile warning surfaces are being installed on all staircases.
Priority seating
Priority seats are being introduced on platforms. These are identified by a sign.
Children under 11 travel free on the Underground when accompanied by an adult. Please ask a member of staff to let you through the ticket barrier.
Boarding a train
A member of staff will assist you onto the train and, if necessary, help you to find a seat. They will then call ahead to your destination or interchange stations and arrange for a member of staff to meet and assist you there too.
Tactile warning surface
Tactile warning surfaces are being installed on every platform.
Many stations have a step into the train which may be as high as 12 inches (300mm). There may also be a gap. Please check before you travel whether you can safely manage this. Use the Tube access guide, Customer Service Centre (0845 330 9880) or Direct Enquiries to check before you travel.
We are trialling some innovative new ways to decrease the step-gap between the platform and the train, including platform humps (at London Bridge, Wembley Park and on the Waterloo and City line), and changes to track height (on the Central and Jubilee lines).
On the train
Priority seating on the train
All trains have priority seating, clearly marked next to doors. Customers are expected to vacate these seats if they see someone might require a seat. If no one offers, feel free to ask.
District, Jubilee and Northern lines have multipurpose areas suitable for wheelchairs, luggage and pushchairs.
All trains, apart from the Metropolitan line and some District line trains, have automatic voice announcements. These announce the current and next station stops, and the destination of the train.
Service disruption information will be broadcast by the driver using the public address system.
The following lines have visual information displays inside the train: District (being installed), Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly. These display the current and next station stops, and the destination of the train.
