What is the difference between the 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. The Elizabeth Line's 345 stock are based on the Aventa similar, but improved, to that used by other British Rail trains.



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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.

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Elizabeth line fares are the same as the Tube on journeys within TfL's nine fare zones, which extend to Brentwood. But passengers travelling to and from Shenfield in the east, and to or from all stations beyond West Drayton in the west, are charged “special” rates equivalent to national rail fares.

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The Underground isn't a TOC, but the Overground and the Elizabeth Line are and are part of National Rail. That's why, for instance, National Rail passes such as Britrail are valid on the Overground and the Elizabeth Line but not on the Underground.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A Travelcard (in the zones it's valid for) gives you unlimited travel at any time on bus, Tube, Tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and National Rail services in London. You can use it on all buses, and if valid in zones 3, 4, 5 or 6, on all trams. Travelcards can start on any day.

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If you're 60 or over and live in a London borough, you can get free travel on our transport services with an Oyster photocard.

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Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, National Rail, River Bus and IFS Cloud Cable Car. Touch in on a yellow card reader at the start of your journey and touch out at the end. To pay the right fare: Always use the same device or contactless card to touch in and out.

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There are different caps for the times of day you travel (peak and off-peak) and the transport you use: Cap for bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and National Rail journeys in London.

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Automatic weekly capping on both payment methods means you can pay as you go and you will never pay more than the equivalent cost of a weekly Travelcard between Monday and Sunday. Off-peak fares apply to our rail services between 09:30 and 16:00 and after 19:00 on weekdays, and during weekends and bank holidays.

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On Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and National Rail services in London: Peak fares - Monday to Friday (not on public holidays) between 06:30 and 09:30, and between 16:00 and 19:00.

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Important as this central government contribution has been to the project, it needs to be put in context: pandemic years apart, London contributes a tax surplus equivalent to two whole Crossrails every year. So we can justifiably say that London has paid for the new line.

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It retains the familial appearance of its siblings, and uses a bold and assurant purple as its modal colour. The rationale for the selection of these colours is as follows: Elizabeth line Purple - Modal colour and the primary way of quickly identifying the Elizabeth line service across mutiple touchpoints.

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Operated by MTR Elizabeth line (MTREL), a 100% subsidiary of MTR Corporation, the Elizabeth line is part of the TfL network and has interchanges with the London Underground, DLR, London Overground and National Rail services.

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