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
- the day of the week
- the 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 circ*mstances.
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 refundautomatically, 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 2only 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 | Sundayand 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 |
