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
Journey Planner can help you plan a journey which best meets your needs. You can also call our 24-hour travel information centre (020 7222 1234) or Minicom (020 7918 3015) for help and advice. You do not need to book assistance in advance. For additional information call our Customer Service Centre (0845 330 9880).
Our accessible Tube maps include details of stations with step-free access. You can also call our Customer Service Centre for an audio version of the Tube map.
Audible descriptions of a number of stations are available from Describe Online. You can also find detailed information on access to individual stations, including walking distances between platforms, 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 free Tfl Travel alerts and get travel news sent to your mobile phone.
Entering the station
London Underground currently has 58 stations which are step-free from street to platform; full details can be found in the Step-free Tube guide.
All car parks operated by us have accessible spaces, free for use by Blue Badge holders.
Buying a ticket
If you need help buying a ticket you can ask at the ticket office, or a member of staff in the ticket hall can help you use the ticket machines.
All of our ticket offices have induction loops, which you can use by switching your hearing aid to the T position.
Some customers with a disability are entitled to a Freedom Pass which allows free travel on the Tube. You can find out if you are eligible by contacting your local council.
Getting to the platform
At the station you can ask a member of staff to help you get to the platform. All our staff receive regular training on how to assist disabled customers and will help you as far as it is safe to do so.
Many of our stations have wide-aisle automatic ticket gates that you can operate, so you don't have to wait to be let through a manual gate.
Priority seating If you have a guide dog, staff will help you avoid escalators where possible, or stop them to allow you and your dog to walk. However, at busy times it may not be possible to stop escalators immediately, as it may cause 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; please ask a member of staff for help.
Tactile warning surfaces are being installed on all staircases as we refurbish our stations. Priority seats are being introduced on platforms.
Boarding a train
A member of staff will help you onto the train and, if necessary, help you 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 platforms as we refurbish our stations.
Many stations have a vertical step into the train which may be as high as 12 inches (300mm). There may also be a gap between the train and the platform. Please check before you travel whether you can manage this. The Step-free Tube guide shows the step and gap at each station.
To reduce the step up, we are installing platform humps on some platforms. These raise the platform to the level of the train. They are currently available at Brixton, Tottenham Hale, London Bridge, the Victoria line platforms at Kings Cross St Pancras and at stations on the Waterloo and City line.
On the train
All trains have clearly marked priority seating next to doors. These are for disabled people, pregnant women, older people, those travelling with children and anyone less able to stand. Customers are expected to leave these seats free or vacate them if they see someone who might require a seat. If no one offers, feel free to ask.
Priority seating on the train The number of priority seats is being increased across all London Underground lines and the location of seats is being standardised so people know where to expect them.
Pregnant women can also wear a 'Baby on board' badge to let other passengers know they may need a seat. These are available from our Customer Service Centre, or by calling 0845 330 9880 or emailing babyonboard@tfl.gov.uk.
District, Jubilee and Northern lines have multipurpose areas suitable for wheelchairs, luggage and pushchairs.
All trains, apart from the Metropolitan line, have automatic voice announcements. These announce the current and next stations, and the destination of the train.
Service disruption information will be broadcast by the driver using the public address system.
The District, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines have visual information displays inside the train. These show the current and next stations, and the destination of the train. New trains with audio and visual information will soon be introduced on the Victoria line.
