The Elizabeth Line is a high-capacity railway serving London and surrounding areas. It connects Heathrow Airport with central London. The Elizabeth line runs from Reading to Shenfield. The line features branches to Abbey Wood and Shenfield. Separate branches serve Reading and Heathrow. The Elizabeth Line connects with the London Underground and key national rail services.
The Elizabeth line serves west London, the centre of the capital, east London, south-east London and Essex. It uses the Great Western Main Line in the west, a new railway through the centre, and the Great Eastern Main Line towards Shenfield. The Elizabeth Line features a central tunnel section linked to five branches. The Elizabeth line has 41 stations.
The Elizabeth line officially opened on 24 May 2022. Queen Elizabeth II opened the line on 17 May 2022. The Elizabeth line opened on 24 May 2022. Construction of the Elizabeth line began on 15 May 2009. The Crossrail Act was authorised on 22 July 2008. Tunnel boring was completed in June 2015. Passenger services started through the new central section in May 2022.
The Elizabeth Line increased central London's rail capacity by 10%. The Elizabeth Line provides significant rail capacity in central London and relieves crowding on older lines. The Elizabeth Line reduces the need for changes between multiple services in London. The Elizabeth Line has brought an additional 1.2 million people within a 45-minute commute of central London's major business districts.
The Elizabeth Line operates high-capacity, modern trains with air-conditioning and walk-through carriages. Trains on the Elizabeth Line can carry up to 1,500 passengers. The Elizabeth Line offers improved access between outer London, central districts, and Heathrow.
Elizabeth Line Train Map
Elizabeth line services run towards Reading, Heathrow, Shenfield and Abbey Wood. In the central section, trains call at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, and Canary Wharf before continuing east.
For Heathrow Airport, trains serve Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. Six trains per hour serve the airport: all six call at Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, four continue to Terminal 4 and two to Terminal 5. Passengers can transfer between Heathrow terminals free of charge using contactless or a free inter-terminal transfer ticket from Heathrow Airport station ticket machines.
All 41 stations are step-free from street to platform. Thirteen stations have level access between trains and platforms. Many stations have toilet facilities. Station staff are available to assist from the first to the last train. Step-free access is available throughout. At some Elizabeth line stations, you may need a boarding ramp between platform level and the train. New station buildings were designed with accessibility in mind.
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Elizabeth Line Fares and Tickets
The Elizabeth line is integrated with London transport ticketing. Fares vary by time and travel zones. You can use contactless pay as you go across the route, while Oyster has a smaller area of validity.
Oyster cards are not accepted west of West Drayton. In practice, Oyster is not valid at stations between Iver and Reading, so passengers starting or ending there should use contactless or buy the correct rail ticket. You can also buy single-journey tickets where appropriate.
Travel to Heathrow starts from £15.50. Heathrow fares are priced between Heathrow Express and Underground. The exact amount you pay can depend on the journey start, travel zone, and time of day. Check the latest fare before travelling, especially if you are comparing peak and off-peak options.
At the airport, each terminal station has ticketing facilities. You can collect free transfer tickets for travel between Heathrow terminals from airport station ticket machines if you are not using contactless. When combining rail with buses or other public transport, check whether a daily cap or travel concession applies.
Elizabeth Line Customer Relations
Telephone: 0343 222 1234
Textphone: 0800 112 3456
Post: TfL Customer Services, 9th Floor, 5 Endeavour Square, London, E20 1JN
General enquiries: Use the TfL Help & Contact page or call the customer service team on 0343 222 1234.
Lost property: Report a lost item through TfL's lost property page.
For assistance, passengers can also use Passenger Assist. Staffed stations support Elizabeth line services while trains are running, and staff can help with accessible routes, lifts, platforms and boarding. The operating company works under contract to TfL.
Service Disruptions
Before travelling, search the TfL status page or TfL Go for live updates, planned engineering work and train times. Signalling faults, track work, incidents, or planned closures may alter a service. Replacement buses can sometimes operate when part of the railway is unavailable.
Software updates and signalling work can also affect operations. Check the travel date shortly before the journey starts, and look at alternative National Rail, buses or Tube routes if disruption is shown.
Delays and Refunds
Passengers may be able to claim a service delay refund if their journey is delayed by 30 minutes or more for a reason within TfL's control. Claims must normally be submitted within 28 days, and the refund is generally based on the single fare paid for the delayed trip.
Delays caused by strikes, security alerts, bad weather, engineering work or customer incidents may not qualify. Keep the date, departure station, destination and approximate delay when submitting a claim.
At the start of passenger services in May 2022, the central section had a more limited timetable. There are 12 trains per hour between Paddington and Abbey Wood. Service hours are from 06:30 to 23:00, Monday to Saturday. Those figures relate to the original opening timetable, not the current service.
The line operates seven days a week. The central section has up to 24 trains per hour in each direction. Elizabeth line trains run every three to four minutes. Frequencies vary by branch, station and hour, so always check current information before travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs the Elizabeth line?
Transport for London runs the railway, with passenger operations delivered under contract. The earlier TfL Rail services in the west and east were incorporated into the new service as the central section opened and through-running was introduced.
Is the Elizabeth line part of the Tube?
No. The railway appears on TfL's familiar transport map and connects with many Tube line stations, but it is not part of the London Underground. It has its own Class 345 trains and also connects with National Rail services.
Does the Elizabeth line go to Heathrow?
Yes. Trains serve Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. A journey from Paddington to Heathrow takes about 28 minutes, and passengers can continue directly from the airport to several central stations without changing.
Can I use Oyster and contactless on the Elizabeth line?
You can use contactless across the route. Oyster works on most services but isn't accepted between Iver and Reading. If your journey starts beyond the Oyster area, check the correct ticket before boarding.
How long does the Elizabeth line take from Reading to London?
A direct train from Reading to Paddington typically takes around an hour, although journey times depend on the stopping pattern and individual service. Allow longer if travelling farther through the central section. Search live train times for the exact journey.
What time do Elizabeth line trains start and finish?
First and last train times vary by station, branch, terminal, day and date. Many trains operate earlier than 06:30 and later than 23:00, so use the current timetable rather than the original May 2022 opening hours.
What is the Elizabeth line route?
The main route crosses the capital from Reading in the west to Shenfield in Essex, with additional branches to Heathrow and Abbey Wood. It passes through Paddington and the central tunnel before dividing towards the eastern destinations.
Is the Elizabeth line free for over-60s?
Not every passenger is free simply because they are over 60. Eligible London residents can apply for a 60+ London Oyster photocard, and eligible older or disabled residents may qualify for a Freedom Pass. Restrictions can apply by time and location, particularly outside London.
Is the Elizabeth line affected by strikes?
Yes, it can be. Industrial action involving railway staff or infrastructure can affect the service, while strikes elsewhere can make alternative routes and buses busier. Check TfL and National Rail updates before travelling on a strike date.