Transport for LondonTube
Multi-purpose area
Download our policy for helping customers with disabilities (PDF 66KB)
Planning your journey
Journey Planner can help you plan a journey that meets your needs. There are options which allow you to avoid stairs and escalators or to limit the distance you need to walk. You can also call our 24-hour travel information centre (0843 222 1234) or Minicom (020 7918 3015) for help and advice. You don't 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, information on gaps between the platform and the train, and stations which can be accessed by using escalators. You can order audio and large print versions of the Tube map. Text descriptions of a number of stations are available from Describe Online.
Occasionally, a lift or escalator may be out of service. You can check this before you travel by using Journey Planner or calling our Customer Service Centre. Alternatively, sign up for free TfL Travel alerts and get travel news sent to your mobile phone. TfL's Twitter feeds also give live service information, including when lifts and escalators are out of service.
Entering the station
London Underground has 66 stations which are step-free from street to platform. These are shown by a blue wheelchair on a white background on the Tube map. Some of these stations are step-free from street to train - these are shown by a white wheelchair on a blue background.
Full details can be found in the Step-free Tube guide. Access to most other stations is by escalator, but some stations can only be accessed using stairs. Details of stations that can be accessed by escalators can be found in the Avoiding stairs Tube guide (PDF 472KB).
If you arrive at a station and the lift is unavailable, staff will help you to plan an alternative journey to your destination. If there isn't a suitable alternative route, we'll book you a taxi (at our cost) to take you to your destination or an accessible station from where you can continue your journey.
All car parks we operate have accessible spaces, free for use by Blue Badge holders.
Buying a ticket
If you need help buying a ticket, any member of staff will be happy to assist you.
Each station has at least one ticket machine with lower buttons and coin and card slots for wheelchair users. All of our ticket offices have induction loops, which you can use by switching your hearing aid to the T position.
Some disabled passengers are entitled to a Freedom Pass that allows free travel on the Tube. Find out if you are eligible by contacting your local council.
Getting to the platform
You can ask a member of staff to help you get to the platform. All our staff have regular training on how to assist disabled passengers and will help you as far as it is safe to do so.
There are now more than 250 wide-aisle automatic ticket gates on the Tube that you can operate, so you don't have to wait to be let through a manual gate.
In 2011 we changed the Byelaws to make it easier for some assistance dog users to use Tube stations. Assistance dogs which have been specifically trained in how to use escalators (and carry the appropriate identification) are now able to use escalators. Customers with assistance dogs should use non-escalator routes where they are available. Ensure your dog is properly trained by contacting your assistance dog training organisation.
Priority seating
If your dog is not trained, 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. If you feel able, you may carry your dog on the escalator.
For your safety and that of other passengers, 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 staircases as we refurbish our stations. Seats are available on most platforms.
Boarding a train
A member of staff will help you onto the train if it is safe to do so and, if necessary, help you find a seat. They will then call ahead to your destination or interchange stations on request 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 if you can manage this before you travel. The Step-free Tube guide shows the step and gap at each step-free 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 on all Victoria line platforms except Pimlico, Northern line platforms at London Bridge, Northern and Piccadilly line platforms at King's Cross, Piccadilly and Jubilee lines at Green Park, and Piccadilly line at Earl's Court and at some other stations. We are also making smaller improvements to some platforms to reduce the step and gap as new trains are introduced.
To use platform humps at certain stations on the Jubilee and Piccadilly lines, you need to board at a particular carriage.
If you are using the Jubilee line between Westminster and Stratford, you can use any carriage to board and alight as the whole platform has level access at these stations. However, if you are travelling to Green Park or Wembley Park, you need to be in the carriages that line up with platform humps at these stations. Look out for signs on platforms, which will tell you where to board. To travel between Green Park and Wembley Park, board at the level access point and travel to Kingsbury, where you can change for a train to your destination station. Ask a member of staff for assistance.
If you are travelling on the Piccadilly line to central London from Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 or Heathrow Terminal 4, refer to the signage on the platform so that you use the correct platform hump.
Information about which carriage to use has also been added to our online Journey Planner. Look out for these messages when planning your travel.
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. Passengers 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
Dedicated wheelchair spaces are available on Victoria and Metropolitan line trains. District, Jubilee and Northern line trains have multipurpose areas suitable for wheelchairs, luggage and pushchairs.
All trains 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, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines have visual information displays inside the train. These show the current and next stations, and the destination of the train.
Baby on board badges
Pregnant women can wear a 'Baby on board' badge to let other passengers know they may need a seat.
These are available from Tube station ticket offices. If you live in Greater London or south east England, you can also request a badge through our Customer Service Centre, by emailing your full name and address to babyonboard@tfl.gov.uk or by calling 0343 222 1234.
