april-2026-tube-strikes:-how-to-get-around-london-during-this-week’s-rmt-industrial-action

April 2026 Tube Strikes: How to get around London during this week’s RMT industrial action

Photograph: Ian Dewar Photography / Shutterstock.com

Getting to and from work (as well as travelling around the city in general) will be more of a faff than normal this week. That’s because, after six months without a hitch, tube strikes are taking place once again. 

Back in February, RMT union members voted to stage a series of walk-outs over working hours. The first of those were meant to happen in March, but they were called off following progress in talks between the union and London Underground management. However the rest of the strikes are still going ahead and, from Tuesday to Friday this week, much of the London Underground will be shut. 

There will still be plenty of ways to get where you need to go, though. Here’s our essential guide to getting around London while the tube is out of action. 

RECOMMENDED: Full list of dates and train services impacted by RMT train strikes in April, May and June 2026. 

What dates are the tube strikes in April?

Tube drivers will walk out on six occasions across 12 dates. The first of those strikes are this week on: 

  • April 21-22 (12pm Tues to 11.59am Weds)
  • April 23-24 (12pm Thurs to 11.59am Fri)

There will be four more days of strikes over the following two months on: 

  • May 19-20 (12pm Tues to 11.59am Weds)
  • May 21-22 (12pm Thurs to 11.59am Fri)
  • June 16-17 (12pm Tues to 11.59am Weds)
  • June 18-19 (12pm Thurs to 11.59am Fri)

How to travel around London during the tube strikes

The Overground, DLR, Elizabeth line and most buses will still run as normal throughout the strike period. They will likely be a lot more busy than usual, but there shouldn’t be any changes to their timetables unless previously specified. Make sure to use TfL’s journey planner before you set off to make sure there have been no changes.

Alternatively, e-bike hire schemes like Lime and Forest have also proved to be a popular mode of transport while strikes are on. 

For those who work or live in the east of the city, bear in mind that there’s also a bus strikes in those parts on Friday. The affected routes will be the 8,25, 205, 425, N8, N25, N205. 

TfL information for Tube strikes April 2026
Image: TfL

Which lines are affected?

During April 21-22 and April 23-24, TfL says it expects to run a reduced service will run across most lines. However, significant disruption is still expected. 

When it comes to specific lines: 

  • No service expected on the Piccadilly and Circle lines.
  • No service expected on the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate.
  • No service expected on the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.

Every single Underground line will be affected by strike action, which will cause reduced services, delays and crowding. As a reminder, all the tube lines are:

  • Bakerloo
  • Central
  • Circle
  • District
  • Hammersmith & City
  • Jubilee
  • Metropolitan
  • Northern
  • Piccadilly
  • Victoria
  • Waterloo & City

Will the Elizabeth line be running?

The Lizzie line actually separate from the Underground network, so it isn’t impacted by the industrial action and will run as normal. 

Find out more about the status of the Elizabeth line during the strikes here.

Will the Overground be running? 

On the Overground, the Lioness, Weaver, Liberty, Mildmay and Suffragette lines will all be running as usual all week, though will be more crowded than normal. However, there could be some disruption on the Windrush line on Thursday due to industrial action by signallers and telecom staff. On previous RMT Windrush line strikes in February and March, TfL ran a normal service.

How to reach key train stations during the strikes

Here’s how to reach important London rail hubs during the strikes. 

King’s Cross-St Pancras

For Eurostar services and train routes across the UK from King’s Cross and St Pancras International, get a Thameslink service to St Pancras from Luton Airport Parkway, Gatwick airport, London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Waterloo East and more. 

You can use the Elizabeth line to get to Farringdon, then get the Thameslink to King’s Cross

Paddington

Get to Paddington on the Elizabeth line.

Euston

Euston is walkable from several stations that will still have non-tube services running this week, such as King’s Cross, St Pancras and Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line).

Victoria

Victoria will be most easily reachable via bus. You can find all the buses that serve Victoria and its surrounding area on the TfL website here.

How to get to major London airports during the April 2026 tube strikes

Travel to Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted will be particularly severely impacted due to the strikes. 

  • The Circle line will be down, which serves Victoria station for the Gatwick Express and Liverpool Street for the Stansted Express.
  • The Piccadilly line will not be running, which serves Heathrow.
  • The Central line will be shut between White City and Liverpool Street, also impacting access to the Stansted Express.

You can find a full guide to how to travel to London’s six major airports during the strikes here.

Is there any other travel disruption to be aware of?

Beyond the Overground and bus strikes that we’ve already mentioned, be aware that the Elizabeth line and Overground trains may not stop at certain stations if they are closed due to industrial action.

Seven London bus routes are also on strike on Friday April 24. Find out more about those here.

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