I want to give you a genuinely clear, complete answer here, because the Night Tube isn't complicated once you understand its logic; it's just that most people don't know which nights it runs, which lines are included, or what happens if theirs isn't one of them.
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The Core Answer: Friday and Saturday Nights Only
The Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights only. It operates throughout the night, from around midnight to 5:30am, on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines.
I'd tell you the way to think about this is that the Night Tube doesn't really have a fixed "start time" in the traditional sense. The Night Tube doesn't have a separate start time. Normal Friday and Saturday services simply don't stop. Trains run straight through the night until regular Sunday morning services begin, usually around 5:30am.
The Five Lines That Run All Night
The Night Tube is currently running on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines. Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights on all five of these lines.
I'd specifically flag that not all parts of every line run through the night; the Night Tube operates on the busiest, most central sections of each line. If you're travelling to a more outer terminus, I'd always double-check using Citymapper or the TfL Journey Planner before assuming you can get home at 3am.
How Frequently Do They Run?
Trains run every 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the line and time of night. Off-peak Tube fares apply.
More specifically, the Victoria line runs every 10 minutes across the entire route. The Central line runs every 10 minutes between White City and Leytonstone and every 20 minutes on the outer sections to Ealing Broadway and Loughton.
The London Overground Night Service
Beyond the five Tube lines, the London Overground Windrush line also runs a night service on weekends between Highbury and Islington and New Cross Gate every 15 minutes on Friday and Saturday nights. I'd flag this as particularly useful if you're in Shoreditch or Dalston and need to get home via that corridor late at night.
What About Sunday Through Thursday Nights?
On weeknights (Sunday through Thursday), the Tube generally stops running around midnight to 12:30am, with the last trains departing central London stations around that time. Check your specific line and station, as last train times vary. The first trains start running around 5 to 5:30am.
I'd tell you this is genuinely the most important thing to know if you're planning a midweek late-night out: the Night Tube doesn't run on these nights, so you need to catch the last train or switch to night buses.
What Are the Fares on the Night Tube?
Night Tube fares are off-peak. Day travelcards are valid on the day of issue and for journeys starting before 04:30 the following day. I'd tell you this is good news; you won't be paying a premium for the convenience of traveling late. Tap your Oyster or contactless card as normal, and off-peak rates apply automatically.
What If My Line Doesn't Run at Night?
If the Night Tube doesn't cover your route, your options are night buses, a taxi or Uber, or simply staying out until the first morning Tube starts running, which is a time-honored London tradition, particularly among the younger crowd. Trafalgar Square is the main hub for night buses, with routes radiating out to all parts of London.
I'd tell you night buses run on routes marked with an "N" prefix, they're included in your normal bus daily cap, and they cover most of London fairly comprehensively, though they're slower and less frequent than daytime services.
One Practical Warning I'd Give You
The Night Tube does not usually run on bank holiday weekends or during planned closures, so always check before traveling. I'd genuinely recommend checking the TfL live service status in the TfL Go app before you head out on any Friday or Saturday night, since engineering closures do occur on Night Tube lines even at weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Night Tube start on Friday and Saturday nights?
The Night Tube doesn't have a specific start time; regular Friday and Saturday services simply don't stop. Services run continuously through the night, from the normal evening service through until around 5:30am.
Which lines run the Night Tube?
The Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines all run throughout Friday and Saturday nights. The London Overground Windrush line also operates a night service between Highbury and Islington and New Cross Gate.
Does the Night Tube run every weekend?
It runs on Friday and Saturday nights. It does not run Sunday through Thursday. On bank holiday weekends and during planned engineering closures, services may be reduced or suspended; I'd check the TfL app before you go.
How much does it cost to travel on the Night Tube?
Off-peak fares apply on the Night Tube. Your Oyster card daily cap and travel cards are valid until 4:29am, so you won't be charged separately for your late-night journey.
What happens if I miss the Night Tube?
Night buses are your main alternative, marked with an "N" prefix and paid for via Oyster or contactless at the standard bus fare. Taxis and ride-share apps are also available throughout the night across London.
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Key Takeaways
- The Night Tube runs only on Friday and Saturday nights, on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines.
- Services don't have a fixed start time; they simply continue through the night without stopping until around 5:30am.
- Trains run every 10 to 20 minutes depending on the line and time.
- Off-peak fares apply; there is no premium for late-night travel.
- Check TfL's live service status before every Night Tube journey, since bank holiday weekends and engineering closures can affect services.