The Elizabeth line opened with a partial service from Tuesday 24 May 2022. There is still more work ahead. Bond Street station is expected to open in October 2022. The service from Reading and Heathrow will later run into the central London tunnel rather than currently terminate at Paddington's surface platforms.
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After multiple delays, in August 2020 Crossrail announced that the central section would be ready to open in the first half of 2022. In May 2021, trial running commenced. On 17 May 2022, the line was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in honour of her Platinum Jubilee.
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.
The fares on the central section of the Elizabeth line (Paddington to Liverpool Street) are the same as the fares on London Underground in Zone 1. So travelling from Paddington to Liverpool Street would cost you £2.80 – the same as the Tube.
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 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.
The Elizabeth Line offers a reasonable, more budget-friendly option for travelling to Heathrow. It's likely to be the best train to Heathrow if you're coming from East or Central London, as it avoids the need to change at Paddington. It's also the cheapest option if you need to travel at the last-minute.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: This fare increase was chosen as one which would have a lower impact on Londoners currently worried about the cost of living, and to ensure that journeys that avoid zone 1 will not be affected, helping to protect those living near and working at the airport.
A small number of Elizabeth line services - mostly at the start and end of the day - still terminate at Paddington and Liverpool Street National Rail stations instead of running directly into the Elizabeth line tunnels.
Free London Underground services and shuttle trains (Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express) are available for inter-terminal transfers between Heathrow Terminals 2&3 and Heathrow Terminal 5.
There will be four days of strikes in May and June that will affect the national train network. Please keep an eye on the news and be aware that your travel may be disrupted. Rail workers are due to strike on Friday 12 May, Saturday 13 May, Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June.