With stations dotting the city of London, the London Underground is easily the favorite way for Londoners to crisscross the British capital city. Commonly referred to as the Tube, the Underground system is among the oldest in the world. 270 stations are located throughout various points in the Greater London area, connecting residents and tourists to major rail stations, historic sites, and commercial districts. More than 250 miles of track make the system the second-largest in the world, with approximately 3.5 million passengers taking the trains each day.
Since opening to the public in 1863, the Tube has formed an integral part of transport in London. Together with the network of iconic red buses, trams, and light rail, the Underground forms a public transport system governed by Transport for London. The Metropolitan Railway was the first line established as a subway system to serve London. The Hammersmith and City Railway followed in 1864, with the District and Circle line coming shortly thereafter. Today, 11 lines operate throughout the system, in addition to these initial 4. The other seven are the following: Bakerloo,
Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and the Waterloo and City lines.
The Tube has undergone significant changes in leadership and ownership over the course of its illustrious history. Most recently, the Tube has operated as a Public-Private Partnership, with two private companies operating the system owned by the public. Following the collapse of Metronet, one of the companies responsible for the maintenance and day to day operations of the system, Transport for London took over the Underground system. This effectively ended the previous partnership.
The London Underground primarily services Oyster Card holders. This transport card can either be used as an unlimited pass for a set period of time, or passengers can opt to charge it with set amounts of currency towards future rides. Individuals tickets are also available for the system. The Oyster Card is valid across all Transport for London systems, including the bus network and light rail.
The largest station in the Underground system is London Waterloo, which links Tube passengers to one of London's busiest rail stations. Hundreds of trains leave from Waterloo each day, with most of them headed towards various destinations within the suburban surroundings. Waterloo is also a popular retail and commercial destination, with various stores and restaurants scattered throughout the facility.
Waterloo is far from the only train station connected to the Underground system. Kings Cross, St Pancras, an Underground station serving 6 different lines, connects passengers to both Kings Cross and St Pancras International. The former station has long served as one of the primary rail centers of London, while St Pancras links passengers traveling to both domestic and international destinations. The Eurostar trains, which carry travelers to Paris and Brussels, operate from St Pancras.
Various other rail stations across London include Victoria Station, Paddington, and Euston. These stations are all linked on the Underground. Passengers can also reach destinations such as London Heathrow using the Underground system.
