What is the difference between the London Underground and the Elizabeth line?


What is the difference between the London Underground and the Elizabeth line? Perhaps the biggest and most obvious difference are the trains themselves. While the London Underground lines stock are either S7 or S8, the Elizabeth Line uses Class 345 trains.


Is the Elizabeth line different from the underground?

Despite being named under the same system as London Underground lines, and having sections which are underground, the Elizabeth line is not classified as a London Underground line. Under the project name of Crossrail, the system was approved in 2007, and construction began in 2009.


What is the maximum fare on London Underground?

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.


Is the Elizabeth line more expensive than the underground?

Fares are the same on the Elizabeth line as the rest of the London Underground network and vary by the time you travel (peak and off-peak fares), as well as how many zones you travel through.


Can I use Oyster on Elizabeth line?

Can I use an Oyster or contactless payment card on the Elizabeth line? Yes, Oyster cards are accepted for most journeys, except for stations west of West Drayton.


How long is the journey from Paddington to Reading on the Elizabeth line?

The average journey time by train between London Paddington and Reading is 42 minutes, with around 332 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.


Is the Elizabeth line a train or a subway?

The Elizabeth line is a high-frequency hybrid urban–suburban rail service in London and its suburbs.


Can you buy a ticket for Elizabeth line?

Ticket and fares Travel on the Elizabeth line costs £12.80 at all times of the day, for a journey to or from Heathrow airport, where that journey starts, ends or goes through Zone 1. Single journey tickets and Zones 1-6 Travelcards can be purchased from airport station ticket machines.


Is Elizabeth line free for over 60s?

Travel free on bus, tram, Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line. You can travel free on TfL services with your Older Person's Freedom Pass from 09:00 weekdays and anytime at weekends and on bank holidays.


Can I use my Oyster card on the Elizabeth line to Heathrow?

As part of the London Underground network, you can pay for your journey to or from Heathrow on the Elizabeth Line with a single-use paper ticket, an Oyster Card, or a contactless debit/credit card. It's ALWAYS cheaper to use an Oyster Card or your contactless card than it is to buy a paper ticket.


What is so special about the Elizabeth line?

The Elizabeth line is dramatically improving transport links in London and the South East - journey times are being cut, capacity increased and accessibility transformed with spacious new stations and walk-through trains.


Where can I buy Elizabeth line Oyster card?

You can get an Oyster card:
  • Online with a contactless and Oyster account, if you live in the UK.
  • At Oyster Ticket Stops in many newsagents in London.
  • At all Tube, most London Overground and most Elizabeth line stations.
  • Some DLR stations.
  • At Visitor Centres.
  • At the Tramlink Shop in Croydon.


Does the Elizabeth line cost the same as the tube?

Elizabeth line fares are the same as the Tube on journeys within TfL's fare zones, which extend to Brentwood in Essex. However, beyond this, special fares kick in.


Why is the Elizabeth line not part of the underground?

While Transport for London has exclusive management of the London Underground, the Elizabeth Line is part-owned by TfL, National Rail, and Heathrow Airport Holdings. A separate management firm named MTR Corporation was granted an eight-year contract to operate Crossrail.


Why doesn t the Elizabeth Line have toilets?

The most controversial aspect of the new trains is that there are no toilets. A spokesman for TfL explained why. He said: Toilets are not provided on the TfL Rail/Elizabeth Line trains. Adding toilets to the trains would take up space and displace approximately 600 passengers per hour.


Is Elizabeth Line cheaper than Heathrow Express?

The Elizabeth Line is about half the price of a full-fare Heathrow Express ticket, but takes twice as long to reach Paddington. Trains depart every 30 minutes and it takes just 35 minutes to travel between Paddington Station and Heathrow.