Keep within maximum journey times

Keep within the maximum journey time when you travel so you don't pay more for your journey.

Your journey time

Every journey on Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and National Rail services has its own maximum journey time. This depends on the:

  • Number of zones you cross
  • Day of the week
  • Time you travel

Your pay as you go journey must be completed by touching out at the end of your journey.

If the time between touching in at the start and touching out at the end of your journey is more than the maximum journey time limit, you'll be charged two maximum pay as you go fares.

A single maximum fare is:

  • up to £9.40 in Zones 1-9
  • up to £26.00 beyond Zone 9, including on the Heathrow Express

Pay the right fare

To pay the right fare, always touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end on yellow card readers. Find out more about touching in and out.

Maximum times

Maximum journey times are set generously and will only be exceeded under exceptional circumstances. 

If this has happened to you for reasons outside your control, such as a severe delay on the network, you may receive an automatic refund. This is normally done up to three times a month.

To check your journey and payment history, you need to create an online account.

If you do not receive a refund automatically, you can call us on 0343 222 1234 (charges may apply) to request one, if appropriate.

Maximum journey times for travel that includes stations beyond Zone 6 are set with the same generous times as those within Zones 1-6.

Travelling within Zones 1-4

Journey made Monday to Friday 04:30 - 19:00 Monday to Friday after 19:00 & all day Saturday Sunday and public holidays
In Zone 1 only
In Zone 2 only
In Zones 2-3		 1 hour 30 minutes 1 hour 40 minutes 1 hour 50 minutes
In Zone 1-2 1 hour 40 minutes 1 hour 50 minutes 2 hours
In Zones 1-3 1 hour 50 minutes 2 hours 5 minutes 2 hours 15 minutes
In Zones 1-4 (for journeys across up to five zones within Zones 1-4) 1 hour 50 minutes 2 hours 5 minutes 2 hours 15 minutes

All other journeys in Zones 1-6

Zones Monday to Friday 04:30 - 19:00 Monday to Friday after 19:00 Friday & all day Saturday Sunday and public holidays
1 zone 1 hour 10 minutes 1 hour 20 minutes 1 hour 25 minutes
Across 2 zones 1 hour 20 minutes 1 hour 30 minutes 1 hour 40 minutes
Across 3 zones 1 hour 30 minutes 1 hour 40 minutes 1 hour 50 minutes
Across 4 zones 1 hour 40 minutes 1 hour 50 minutes 2 hours
Across 5 zones 1 hour 50 minutes 2 hours 5 minutes 2 hours 15 minutes
Across 6 zones 2 hours 2 hours 15 minutes 2 hours 25 minutes
Across 7 zones 2 hours 10 minutes 2 hours 25 minutes 2 hours 40 minutes
Across 8 zones 2 hours 20 minutes 2 hours 35 minutes 2 hours 50 minutes
Across 9 zones 2 hours 30 minutes 2 hours 45 minutes 3 hours
Across 10 zones 2 hours 40 minutes 3 hours 3 hours 15 minutes
Across 11 zones 2 hours 50 minutes 3 hours 10 minutes 3 hours 25 minutes

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