London Transport
London zones explained without pretending the map tells the whole story
Understand how Zones 1 to 6 affect transport costs, commute choices and housing decisions.
Quick answer
Zones matter, but route quality matters more
Zones influence fares and housing tradeoffs, but a direct route from further out can be easier than a closer address with awkward changes.
- Compare door-to-door time, not just zone number.
- Living further out can save rent but add fare and time costs.
- Backup routes matter when a line has problems.
What zones mean
London fares are partly organised by zones radiating from central London. Zone 1 is central, and higher numbers generally move outward.
- Tube and rail fares often depend on zones crossed.
- Buses do not work the same way as Tube zones.
- Housing prices often loosely follow zone pressure.
How zones affect where to live
A cheaper zone can be a good move if the route is direct and reliable. It can be a bad move if it adds daily friction.
| Area type | Potential upside | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1/2 | Access and shorter trips | Higher rent |
| Zone 3 | Balance of access and value | Line quality varies |
| Zone 4+ | Space or lower rent | Longer or more expensive commute |
Test real trips
Always test the journey at the time you will travel, including walking time and transfers.
Zone mistakes
The zone number is only one input. It should not decide your housing alone.
- Choosing Zone 2 without checking transfers.
- Assuming Zone 4 is automatically cheap overall.
- Ignoring bus and rail options outside the Tube map.
Personalised
Browse the Transport hubGet your commute and zone plan
Landing Connect can connect zones, housing, work location and budget pressure into one path.
- Zones
- Commute
- Housing
- Budget
Takes a few minutes - Free - No sign-up required
Ready to test your actual commute?
Use commute planning next before choosing an area.
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