This week is turning into an absolute nightmare for anyone trying to get around the capital. London travel has been thrown into complete chaos as one of the most severe strikes in recent memory brings the Tube network to a standstill.
If you’re planning any journeys across London this week, you need to know what’s happening and how to deal with it. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience – we’re talking about the kind of disruption that could completely ruin your plans if you’re not prepared.
The Strike That’s Crippling London Travel
The RMT union has launched what they’re calling a “rolling strike” across London’s transport network, and it’s causing absolute mayhem for travel in London. Starting from Friday, September 5th, different groups of workers are walking out on different days, creating a week-long period of transport hell.
This isn’t your typical one-day strike that you can plan around. The travel is being disrupted from September 5th all the way through to September 11th. That’s seven full days of chaos, affecting millions of people trying to get around the capital.
The Underground network – the backbone of travel in London – is facing “little to no service” for most of this period. We’re talking about every single Tube line being affected. The Bakerloo, Central, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, and Waterloo & City lines are all in the firing line.
But it gets worse. The DLR is also being hit by separate strike action, with no service at all on Tuesday 9th and Thursday 11th September.
Why London Travel Is Under Attack
The strikes affecting stem from several disputes between the RMT union and Transport for London. The main issues are pay, working conditions, and what the union calls “extreme shift patterns” that are causing fatigue among workers.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey explained why the travel is being disrupted: “Our members are doing a fantastic job to keep our capital moving and work strenuous shift patterns to make sure Londoners get to their destinations around the clock. They are not after a King’s ransom, but fatigue and extreme shift rotations are serious issues impacting on our members health and wellbeing.”
The union is pushing for a reduced working week alongside a 3.4% pay rise that’s been offered. But TfL says reducing the 35-hour working week “is neither practical nor affordable.” This deadlock is why London travel is suffering this week.
There’s also frustration about previous agreements that workers say haven’t been honoured. “An atmosphere of distrust has been created, where our members feel like no one is listening to them,” Dempsey added.
What’s Actually Running During the London Travel Chaos
Don’t panic completely – not everything has stopped during this travel disruption. The Elizabeth line is still running, though it might not stop at certain stations that are closed due to the strikes.
London Overground services are also operating normally, which is a massive relief for traveling during this period. The Lioness, Windrush, Weaver, Liberty, Mildmay, and Suffragette lines should be running as usual, though they’ll definitely be busier than normal.
Buses are still running their regular services, but expect them to be absolutely rammed. During normal times, buses complement travel options – this week, they’re going to be lifelines for millions of people.
Trams are also operating normally, though again, expect them to be much busier as people scramble for alternative travel options.
The Day-by-Day Breakdown of London Travel Disruption
Here’s exactly what to expect each day of this London travel nightmare:
Monday, September 8th: No Underground service at all. This is when it really hits rock bottom.
Tuesday, September 9th: No Underground OR DLR service. Possibly the worst day for travel during the entire strike period.
Wednesday, September 10th: No Underground service continues.
Thursday, September 11th: No Underground OR DLR service again. Another terrible day for London travel.
Any Tube services that do manage to run during this travel chaos will start much later than usual – nothing before 8am at the earliest.
How to Survive the London Travel Meltdown
Walking and cycling are going to be your best friends during this disruption. For short to medium distances, they’ll actually be faster than trying to cram onto overcrowded buses.
Many of London’s major attractions and business districts are closer together than you might think. Walking from Covent Garden to Oxford Circus takes about 15 minutes. From London Bridge to Tate Modern is a pleasant 10-minute stroll along the Thames.
If you absolutely must use public transport this week, allow double or triple your normal journey time. Buses will be packed, and even the Elizabeth line and Overground will be much busier than usual.
Boris Bikes and other cycle hire schemes are going to be in massive demand during this crisis. If you’re thinking of cycling, book or grab a bike early in the day before they’re all taken.
The Impact on London’s Economy
This London travel disruption isn’t just inconvenient – it’s hitting the capital’s economy hard. West End shows, restaurants, tourist attractions, and businesses are all feeling the impact of people struggling to get around.
Many theatre productions are warning audiences to allow extra time for travel, with some even offering to move bookings to different dates for people who can’t make it due to the transport chaos.
Hotels in central London are seeing increased bookings from people who normally commute in but are choosing to stay closer to work rather than battle the travel nightmare.
Tourist attractions are bracing for lower visitor numbers, especially from those staying in outer London areas who would normally rely on the Tube.
What the Mayor Is Saying
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who chairs the TfL board, is under enormous pressure to sort out this travel crisis. “Nobody wants to see strike action or disruption for Londoners,” a spokesperson said. “Strikes have a serious impact on London’s businesses and commuters.”
The Mayor is urging both sides to get back around the negotiating table to resolve the dispute and end the chaos. But with talks ongoing and no resolution in sight, this week’s disruption looks set to continue.
Critics are pointing out that Khan previously promised “zero strikes” during his time as mayor, making this London travel disruption particularly embarrassing for him politically.
Tips for Tourists Caught in the London Travel Chaos
If you’re visiting London during this transport nightmare, you’re not completely stuck. Staying in central London near major attractions will save you from the worst of the London travel disruption.
Book taxis or ride-sharing apps in advance, especially for airport transfers. Apps like Uber will be in massive demand during this crisis, so expect higher prices and longer wait times.
Consider walking tours rather than trying to hop between attractions using public transport. Many of London’s famous sights are actually within walking distance of each other.
If you’re staying further out, think about changing your accommodation to somewhere more central for this week only. It might cost more, but it could save hours of stress dealing with travel problems.
When Will Normal London Travel Resume?
The current strikes are scheduled to end on Thursday, September 11th, so London travel should start returning to normal from Friday, September 12th onwards.
However, talks between TfL and the RMT are still ongoing. There’s always a chance that if no agreement is reached, further disruption could be announced for later dates.
The union has said they remain “open to talks” and are waiting for a revised offer from TfL. Until there’s a proper resolution to the underlying disputes, the threat of future chaos will continue to hang over the capital.
For now, Londoners and visitors just have to grit their teeth and get through this week of transport hell. Normal traveling in London feels like a luxury that we’ll all appreciate much more when it finally returns.
