Metro passengers will see fares on certain tickets increase by as much as 7.1 percent when the new pricing structure takes effect on March 1.
The changes are part of Transport for London’s annual fare review, which has seen prices exceed inflation in recent years.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said the increase is related to securing government support for major infrastructure investment, following the settlement over last year’s spending review.
National Rail fares have been maintained at current levels in an attempt to ease pressure on passengers amid cost-of-living pressures. However, it has been confirmed that Metro fares will not be subject to a similar freeze.
Complete list of new metro fares from March 2026
From early March, these are the new single tube fares passengers will pay in London:
Zone 1 only: Peak £3.10 | Off-peak hours €3.00
Zones 1–2: Peak £3.60 | Off peak hours £3.10
Zones 1–3: Peak £3.90 | Off peak hours £3.30
Zones 1–4: Peak £4.80 | Off peak hours £3.60
Zones 1–5: Peak £5.30 | Off peak hours £3.80
Zones 1–6: Peak £5.90 | Off-peak hours €4.00
One zone outside Zone 1: Peak £2.30 | Off peak hours £2.20
Two zones outside Zone 1: Peak £2.50 | Off peak hours £2.30
Three zones outside Zone 1: Peak £3.20 | Off peak hours £2.40
Four zones outside Zone 1: Peak £3.40 | Off-peak hours €2.50
Zones 2–6: Peak £3.80 | Off peak hours £2.60
The City Hall said underground and overground fares are rising because government funding for major infrastructure projects is dependent on TfL raising prices above the retail price index.
Under the terms of last year’s spending review, TfL must demonstrate financial ‘prudence’, including annual rate increases of RPI plus one percentage point, to unlock investment for key projects.
The government has indicated that more than £2 billion of capital funding will be made available, provided rates are increased in line with the agreed formula.
In the absence of a freeze, metro fares traditionally increase every March.
By contrast, TfL bus and tram fares in the capital will remain unchanged under what City Hall has described as an “emergency cost of living” intervention. Mr Khan confirmed that the freeze will remain in place until July 2026.
The popular Hopper fare also remains at £1.75, allowing unlimited bus journeys within an hour at no extra cost.
Elsewhere, regulated National Rail fares will be maintained as promised in the autumn budget – marking the first such freeze in decades.
The measure covers season tickets, peak return fares on shuttle services and off-peak returns between major cities, providing relief to passengers facing higher travel costs. The freeze is expected to remain in place until March 2027.
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