London Tube Strike June 2026: Which Lines Are Affected Thursday?

Quick Facts: London Tube Strike June 4, 2026

• The RMT walkout is scheduled to run from 00:01 to 23:59 on Thursday, June 4.

• The Piccadilly line is expected to be suspended, including service to Heathrow Airport.

• The Circle line is expected to be fully closed for the day.

• The Metropolitan line is expected to close between Baker Street and Aldgate, while the Central line is expected to close between White City and Liverpool Street.

• Heathrow should still be reachable by Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express.

• The Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, buses, and trams are expected to operate, though they may be busier than usual.

• Some disruption could continue into Friday morning as services return to normal.

Which Tube Lines Will Be Affected by the London Tube Strike Thursday?

The RMT union is striking over Transport for London’s introduction of a compressed four-day working week for Tube drivers. The union says the arrangement raises concerns about shift lengths and fatigue, while TfL says the scheme is voluntary and designed to improve work-life balance. ASLEF, the other major Tube drivers’ union, has already accepted the arrangement.

For travelers, the practical takeaway is simple: four routes are expected to be either fully or partly suspended on Thursday. These are the same closures London saw during Tuesday’s strike, so anyone moving through central London or heading to Heathrow should have a backup plan ready before leaving the hotel.

The lines expected to have no service on Thursday are:

• Piccadilly line, including Heathrow

• Circle line

• Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate

• Central line between White City and Liverpool Street

Other Tube lines are expected to operate with reduced service. Travelers should plan for limited trains before 6:30am, heavier crowding throughout the day, and slower journeys across the wider network. The Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, buses, and trams are expected to run, though “running” and “pleasantly empty” are very different things on a strike day

How to Get to Heathrow Without the Piccadilly Line

The Piccadilly line to Heathrow is expected to be completely suspended on Thursday, which matters for a lot of US travelers. It’s one of the most common budget-friendly ways to get from central London to the airport, and it’s the route many visitors automatically choose when they open a map app.

The good news is that Heathrow should still be very reachable. The Elizabeth line is the best all-around replacement for most travelers because it connects Heathrow with Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, and Stratford. Journey times from central London are typically around 25 to 35 minutes, but platforms and lifts at Heathrow may be crowded during the strike.

Other Heathrow options include:

• Heathrow Express: Fastest option if you're near Paddington, with a 15-minute journey and trains every 15 minutes. Walk-up singles start at £26, around $33, while advance fares can be as low as £10 if booked 45+ days out.

• National Express coaches: A useful backup from several London locations, though demand can be higher on strike days.

• Taxis and ride-hail: Available, but likely slower and more expensive during peak disruption.

If you’re flying Thursday, add at least 90 minutes to your usual airport timeline. Strike-day travel has a way of making even simple journeys feel like a group project nobody volunteered for.

What US Visitors Should Know About Getting Around London During the Strike

If this is your first time dealing with a London Tube strike, the most important thing to know is that the Tube is not the whole transport system. London still has buses, the Elizabeth line, the DLR, the Overground, river boats, taxis, and very walkable central neighborhoods. You are not trapped. You're just slightly more inconvenienced than planned.

Oyster cards and contactless payment work across the services that are still running. That includes the Elizabeth line and DLR, so you don’t need to buy a special ticket unless you’re using Heathrow Express, National Express, or another separate operator.

A few practical adjustments will make Thursday easier:

• Build in at least 30 to 45 extra minutes for most journeys.

• Add more time if you’re heading to Heathrow.

• Avoid peak travel between 7:30 and 10:00am and 4:30 and 7:00pm.

• Check TfL’s Journey Planner before every trip.

• Consider walking between central sights when distances are short.

• Move any Piccadilly line-heavy plans to Friday if you can.

London is used to this kind of disruption, which is both reassuring and mildly absurd. Tourists usually manage fine, but Thursday is not the day to leave your hotel at the last possible second and hope the transport gods are feeling generous.

Where Can You Go Without the Tube?

The Elizabeth line should do a lot of heavy lifting during the strike. It connects Heathrow, Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf, and Stratford, which covers a huge portion of central and east London travel without needing the suspended Tube routes.

The DLR is also expected to run normally and is especially useful for Canary Wharf, Greenwich, Stratford, Bank, and London City Airport. It’s step-free across the entire route and mostly elevated, so it’s one of the rare public transport alternatives that can feel like a small sightseeing upgrade.

The Thames Clippers River Bus is another good option if you’re traveling between central and east London. It stops at Battersea Power Station, Westminster, Embankment, London Bridge, Canary Wharf, Greenwich, and Woolwich. It’s slower than the Tube, but on a strike day, slower with river views can beat faster with 900 people breathing into your coat.

Will There Be More London Tube Strikes After June 4?

Thursday is the final planned strike date in the current wave. As of Wednesday, June 3, RMT has not announced further walkouts after June 4, though talks between the union and TfL are expected next week.

The underlying dispute over the four-day working week has not been fully resolved. That means travelers should still keep an eye on TfL updates if they’re visiting London later this month or this summer. New dates could be announced if talks break down, and some disruption may also continue into Friday morning while services return to normal.

For now, the best strategy is boring but effective: check routes before leaving, avoid peak travel where possible, and don’t rely on the Piccadilly line for Heathrow on Thursday.

Thursday’s strike is the last one currently scheduled, but the dispute isn’t fully settled. If you’re in London with a flight to catch on June 4, your plan is simple: use the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express, leave earlier than feels necessary, and assume every station lift will have opinions. London still works during a Tube strike. It just asks for a little more patience, a little more walking, and maybe one fewer tightly timed reservation.

Frequently Asked Questions: London Tube Strike June 4, 2026

Which Tube lines are expected to be closed on June 4, 2026?

No service is expected on the Piccadilly line, the Circle line, the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, and the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street. Other Tube lines are expected to operate with reduced service.

Is the Piccadilly line running to Heathrow on June 4?

No. The Piccadilly line is expected to be suspended, including service to Heathrow Airport. Travelers should use the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express instead.

Is the Elizabeth line running during the London Tube strike?

Yes. The Elizabeth line is expected to run during the strike, though it will likely be busier than usual. It is one of the best alternatives for reaching Heathrow and crossing central London.

How do I get to Heathrow during the Tube strike?

Use the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express. The Elizabeth line serves multiple central London stations, while Heathrow Express runs from Paddington to Heathrow in about 15 minutes.

Are London buses running during the Tube strike?

Yes. London buses are expected to run, along with the DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, and trams. Buses may be slower than usual because more people will be using road transport.

Will the London Tube strike affect Friday, June 5?

Some disruption may continue into Friday morning as services return to normal. If you’re traveling early on June 5, check TfL before leaving and allow extra time.

Are more London Tube strikes planned after June 4?

No further strike dates have been announced as of June 3. Talks between RMT and TfL are expected next week, so travelers should continue checking updates.

Should tourists avoid London during the Tube strike?

No, but they should plan around the closures. Most major sights are still reachable by walking, bus, Elizabeth line, DLR, Overground, or river boat.