When are the London Underground strikes in April 2026?

Two waves of 24-hour RMT-union strikes: from 12:00 Tuesday 21 April to 12:00 Wednesday 22 April, then 12:00 Thursday 23 April to 12:00 Friday 24 April 2026. The Piccadilly and Circle lines have no service, and most other lines run a reduced, heavily crowded service.

Which London Underground lines are affected by the April 2026 strike?

Piccadilly and Circle lines have no service at all. The Metropolitan line has no service between Baker Street and Aldgate. The Central line has no service between White City and Liverpool Street. All other Tube lines run a reduced service with significant crowding. The Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and most buses run as normal.

Can I claim compensation when a train or Tube is cancelled by a strike?

Yes. For National Rail, Delay Repay pays 25 percent of a single fare for a 15-minute delay, 50 percent for 30 minutes, and 100 percent for 60 minutes. For London Underground, a Service Delay Refund applies when TfL-controlled delays exceed 15 minutes. Strike action by TfL staff is normally refundable. Claims must be filed within 28 days.

What is the RMT strike about?

The RMT union is striking against TfL's proposal to introduce a four-day working week for London Underground drivers. The union argues the compressed schedule forces drivers to work excessively long shifts even on reduced days. TfL says the change would improve work-life balance.

UK Travel Disruption: Live Strikes, Rail Delays, Airport Chaos And Your Rights

This hub tracks disruption across the UK's transport network: London Underground and Overground strikes, National Rail action, airport and flight delays, and Highway England / AA motorway alerts. Primary sources are TfL, National Rail Enquiries, and the Civil Aviation Authority, cited below.

Current live disruption

London Underground strikes: Tuesday 21 to Friday 24 April 2026. Two waves of 24-hour strikes by RMT-union drivers, running from 12:00 midday Tuesday 21 April to 12:00 Wednesday 22 April, then 12:00 Thursday 23 April to 12:00 Friday 24 April. Trigger: RMT is opposing TfL's proposed move to a four-day working week, arguing the compressed schedule forces drivers into too-long shifts.

Piccadilly line: no service.
Circle line: no service.
Metropolitan line: no service between Baker Street and Aldgate.
Central line: no service between White City and Liverpool Street.
All other Tube lines: reduced service, severely crowded, late starts (no service before 07:30 on Wednesday and Friday).
Still running normally: Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, most buses.

Additional: Stagecoach London bus routes 8, 25, 205, 425, N8, N25, N205 strike from 05:00 Friday 24 April to 05:00 Saturday 25 April.

How to check before you travel

The most up-to-the-minute source for London transport is the TfL Strikes page. For National Rail services, use National Rail's strike page. For flight disruption, check your airline's app and the CAA's passenger rights guidance.

Your rights when a strike disrupts your journey

National Rail

If your train is cancelled or delayed 15 minutes or more, you can claim Delay Repay from the operator whose ticket you bought, regardless of cause (strike included).
Compensation is 25% of a single fare for a 15-minute delay, 50% for 30 minutes, 100% for 60 minutes. Some operators pay 100% from 15 minutes.
Claims must be filed within 28 days. Keep your ticket.

London Underground

If your Tube journey is delayed 15 minutes or more by something within TfL's control, you can claim a Service Delay Refund.
Strike action by TfL staff is usually refundable. Confirm on the TfL refund portal.

Flights

Under UK 261 (retained EU regulation), flights delayed more than three hours or cancelled on short notice entitle you to cash compensation, unless the cause is extraordinary (weather, air traffic control strikes by non-airline staff).
Airline-staff strikes are usually not extraordinary, so compensation is due.
Separately, you are entitled to care (meals, accommodation, re-routing) regardless of cause.

What typically triggers UK travel disruption

Union industrial action. RMT, Aslef, Unite, GMB, and TSSA are the main rail-sector unions. Pay disputes, pensions, and driver-only operation are the recurring triggers.
Engineering works. Network Rail publishes planned closures for bank holidays (Easter, May Day, August, Christmas/New Year).
Severe weather. Met Office amber/red warnings trigger cancellations. Rail speed restrictions during storms can add hours.
Signal failures and overhead line issues. Common on the Underground and on older rail infrastructure.
Airport queues and strike action. Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester face periodic Border Force or ground-crew action.

Bank holiday and weekend planning

Engineering works are concentrated on weekends and bank holidays. Check your route on National Rail's engineering page before travel. Rail replacement buses can double journey times. Where possible, travel Saturday morning rather than Sunday, and avoid the first service after a bank holiday Monday.

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