Tube strikes: Full list of dates and lines affected in walkout

Heavy disruption is expected on the Tube this week as train drivers go on strike over changes to their working conditions.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out for two 24-hour periods, while some bus routes in the capital will also be affected by a separate day-long strike.

Here's everything you need to know.

When are the strikes?

The first 24-hour Tube strike will start at 12pm on Tuesday, while the second will start at 12pm on Thursday.

Here's how Transport for London (TfL) expects this to impact travel each day this week from tomorrow:

Tuesday 21 April:

• Normal services until mid-morning
• Late morning, services decrease ahead of strike
• Significant disruption on all lines from midday, when the strike begins
• The limited Tube services which do run will finish early, meaning those who have to travel should have completed their journey by 8pm

Wednesday 22 April:

• Tube services that do run will start later than normal, with no service expected before 7:30am
• Significant disruption is expected on all lines until midday
• Services will still be recovering in the afternoon and evening, meaning some disruption is likely

Thursday 23 April:

• Normal services until mid-morning
• Late morning, services decrease ahead of strike
• Significant disruption on all lines from midday, when the strike begins
• The limited Tube services which do run will finish early, meaning those who have to travel should have complete their journey by 8pm

Friday 24 April:

• Tube services that do run will start later than normal, with no service expected before 7:30am
• Significant disruption is expected on all lines until midday
• Services will still be recovering in the afternoon and evening, meaning some disruption is likely

TfL says to use its journey planner to map out your route in advance of travel, and to check the status of lines in real time with its live page.

Which lines are affected?

TfL has warned the strikes will affect the whole Tube network, despite a reduced service running across most lines.

"Any services that do run will be less frequent, very busy, and you may not be able to board the first train," it says.

No service is expected on:

• The Piccadilly and Circle lines
• The Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate
• The Central line between White City and Liverpool Street

However, the Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and tram services will be running normally on strike days.

Are there other strikes this week?

While the vast majority of London buses are set to run as normal, Unite the Union says 150 of its members, who are bus station and network traffic controllers, will also be walking out from 23-25 April to coincide with the Underground walkouts.

There is also set to be a bus strike on seven bus routes operated by Stagecoach from Bow Bus Garage in East London, running for 24 hours from 5am on Friday.

The routes affected are: 8, 25, 205, 425, N8, N25 and N205.

TfL says it expects the 25 and 425 to run a near normal services for most of the day throughout the strikes, while the N8 will run a reduced route between Hainault and Liverpool Street at its usual frequency.

It says the other affected routes are likely to be severely delayed or cancelled.

Why are the Tube strikes happening?

The train drivers have taken issues with TfL imposing a new four-day working week.

RMT has called the plan, which would condense drivers' weekly hours, "fake".

It initially suspended the strike last month, saying London Underground's management had agreed to negotiate.

But the union accused the company of a U-turn on Saturday and said the strikes would go ahead.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "We have approached negotiations with TfL in good faith throughout this entire process, but despite our best efforts, TfL seem unwilling to make any concessions in a bid to avert strike action.

"This is extremely disappointing and has baffled our negotiators.

"The approach of TfL is not one which leads to industrial peace and will infuriate our members who want to see a negotiated settlement to this avoidable dispute."

Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said: "We have set out proposals to the RMT for a four-day working week.

"This allows us to offer train operators an additional day off, whilst at the same time bringing London Underground in line with the working patterns of other train operating companies, improving reliability and flexibility at no additional cost.

"The changes would be voluntary, there would be no reduction in contractual hours and those who wish to continue a five-day working week pattern would be able to do so."

(c) Sky News 2026: Tube strikes: Full list of dates and lines affected in walkout