Night Tube schedule: How to plan your late-night London party with subway updates

When you’re out late in London and the bars are still buzzing, the Night Tube, a 24-hour subway service on select lines that runs Friday and Saturday nights. Also known as London’s all-night underground, it’s the backbone of every serious night out—no more Uber prices or last-minute taxis. It’s not just a train service. It’s your ticket to staying out later, hitting multiple venues, and getting home safely without breaking the bank.

The Night Tube isn’t on every line. Only the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines run all night on weekends. The District, Circle, and Metropolitan? They shut down like regular trains. That means if you’re in East London and want to head to Soho, you need to plan your route. The Northern line connects Camden to Bank, the Piccadilly takes you from Leicester Square to Heathrow, and the Victoria lets you zip from Brixton to King’s Cross without changing. Miss the last train? You’re stuck with a bus or a cab—and those cost more than your third cocktail.

Hours matter. The Night Tube starts around midnight Friday and Saturday, not 11 p.m. It doesn’t run every night—only weekends. Sunday through Thursday? Regular service ends around 12:30 a.m. That’s why you can’t just show up on a Wednesday night expecting it to be running. And it’s not always smooth. Delays happen. Construction, signal issues, or a late-running train can throw off your whole night. Check Transport for London’s real-time app before you leave your last venue. Don’t trust your memory. Don’t assume it’s running just because it was last weekend.

What about safety? The Night Tube is generally safe, but crowded. Stick to well-lit platforms. Avoid empty carriages. If you’re with a group, stay together. Women-led initiatives like women-led nightlife, venues and transport policies designed with safety and comfort in mind have pushed for better lighting, clearer signage, and more staff on Night Tube platforms. You’ll notice it—the difference between a dark, silent station and one with staff, cameras, and people around.

You’ll find posts below that talk about how to book linked venues, plan a wine crawl, or hit a drag brunch without worrying about getting stranded. But none of that matters if you don’t know when the last train leaves. The Night Tube schedule isn’t just logistics—it’s freedom. It lets you move between a cocktail bar in Shoreditch, a late-night snack in Soho, and a dance floor in Peckham without stress. It’s what makes London’s nightlife feel alive after midnight.

Whether you’re a local who’s been here five years or a visitor planning your first big night out, the Night Tube is the quiet hero of the city’s after-dark scene. Know the lines. Know the hours. Know your route. And you’ll never have to miss the end of the night again.