It is so easy to fall in love with London, UK with its rich history and spirited culture.
You need all the energy you can get to walk around and see endless notable cultural attractions.
From red telephone booths on every corner to state-of-the-art museums and royal palaces, London has a lot to offer to its visitors.
Apart from the many incredible sights to explore, London has always been a favorite destination for tourists because of its easy transportation.
It has one of the largest public transit systems – and one of them is the Central Line of the London Underground.
If you are a first-time visitor to London, then you have to be familiar with using tubes or trains.
This article answers the question – What is a Central Line used for? It shows the basic information on Central Line stations, maps, how to buy a ticket, frequently asked questions, and many more.
After reading this article, you will be more confident and well-informed on riding the Central Line.
Some other Tube lines
- Bakerloo line
- Circle line
- District Line
- Hammersmith & City line
- Jubilee line
- Metropolitan line
- Northern line
- Piccadilly line
- Victoria line
- Waterloo & City line
Contents
- 1 What Is Central Line
- 2 How Many Stations on the Central Line
- 3 Map of Central Line London
- 4 Central Line Running Times
- 5 How to Buy a Central Line Ticket
- 6 Famous Landmarks in each Central Line Station
- 7 Tips on Riding the Central Line
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions
- 8.1 What are the operating hours of the Central Line?
- 8.2 What colour is the Central Line on the London Underground?
- 8.3 What are the rush hours of the Central Line?
- 8.4 Is there a 24-hour service Night Tube on the Central Line?
- 8.5 Is it safe to travel on the Central Line?
- 8.6 How fast does the Central Line go?
- 9 What Are Your Thoughts on the Central Line?
What Is Central Line
The Central Line officially opened in 1900 as Central London Railway originally.
It was Central London’s first operating tube and is considered the most bustling line of the London Underground.
More than 260 million passengers use the Central Line annually to travel through London from the northwest to the northeast.
Epping in Essex, Ealing in the London Borough of Ealing, and Ruislip in the London Borough of Hillingdon are all connected through the Central Line.
It is the longest line of the London Underground, spanning a length of 46 miles or 74 kilometers.
Moreover, it utilizes three traction maintenance depots: Ruislip, Hainault, and White City.
How Many Stations on the Central Line
Central Line has 49 stations, of which West Ruislip Station and Epping Station are the terminus stations.
It is grouped into several branches, including the Ruislip branch, Ealing branch, Main route, Hainault loop, and Epping branch.
Here is a complete Central Line Stations list, from the western terminus to the northeastern terminus.
Ruislip branch
- West Ruislip
- Ruislip Gardens
- South Ruislip
- Northolt
- Greenford
- Perivale
- Hanger Lane
Ealing branch
- Ealing Broadway
- West Acton
Main route
- North Acton
- East Acton
- White City
- Shepherd’s Bush
- Holland Park
- Notting Hill Gate
- Queensway
- Lancaster Gate
- Marble Arch
- Bond Street
- Oxford Circus
- Tottenham Court Road
- Holborn
- Chancery Lane
- Paul’s
- Bank
- Liverpool Street
- Bethnal Green
- Mile End
- Stratford
- Leyton
- Leytonstone
Hainault loop
- Wanstead
- Redbridge
- Gants Hill
- Newbury Park
- Barkingside
- Fairlop
- Hainault
- Grange Hill
- Chigwell
- Roding Valley
Epping branch
- Snaresbrook
- South Woodford
- Woodford
- Buckhurst Hill
- Loughton
- Debden
- Theydon Bois
- Epping
Map of Central Line London
To get a clearer picture of all 49 stations and their order, here is a complete London Underground and Central Line Stations map.
(Central Line and London Map by Edgepedia via Wikimedia Commons)
(London Underground with Greater London Map by Edgepedia via Wikimedia Commons)
Central Line Running Times
The Central Line operates every day of the week from Monday to Sunday. Departure and arrival times vary, depending on your designated stations.
If you are departing from West Ruislip Underground Station, the first service train departs at 5:23 am and the last service train departs at 23:53 pm.
Generally, the first train of West Ruislip Underground Station operates from 5:23 am to 23:53 pm from Monday to Thursday.
The timetable changes from Fridays to Sundays, either the line departs at a later time or has fewer departures.
For instance, the first service of West Ruislip Underground Station on Sunday departs at 6:41 am, instead of 5:23 am.
Visit the Central Line Timetable provided by the Transport for London (TFL) to learn more about the schedule of each station.
If you want to get real-time train updates, check out the Transport for London Status Updates as well where you can get information on severe or minor delays and good service status.
How to Buy a Central Line Ticket
If you are staying in London for a few days, weeks, or months, the best way to save on tube fare is by Oyster card, Visitor Oyster card, or Travelcard.
These smartcards allow you to travel hassle-free by simply tapping them on the yellow card reader upon entering the station. It saves you the hassle of purchasing single-journey tickets and you can even conveniently use it to pay at restaurants, buses, and stores.
Buy a Visitor Oyster card online in advance, choose the amount you require starting at £10 up to £50, and have it delivered to your home. Alternatively, you can also buy an Oyster card for £7 if you are already in the UK.
Generally, the recommended credit for a two-day London trip is £15, and £30 if you are staying for four days. You can always top up should you need more credit to travel.
If you require unlimited travel without the need to top up like the Visitor Oyster card, then Travelcard is the best option.
A Travelcard offers unlimited travel for seven days, a month, or a year in most public transportation, including bus, tube, tram, National Rail services, DLR, London Overground, and Elizabeth line. You can buy Oyster cards, Travelcards, and group tickets in several ways including Oyster Ticket Stops, Visitor Centres, and ticket machines at the station.
Famous Landmarks in each Central Line Station
Make the most of your travels and hit all the amazing spots at each tube station on the Central Line.
For your convenience, here is a complete list of must-visit and interesting places according to its nearest station.
The Hoover Building
Nearest Station: Perivale
Address: Western Avenue, UB6 8AT
London Transport Museum
Nearest Station: Holborn
Address: The Piazza, London WC2E 7BB, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 343 222 5000
Loftus Road
Nearest Station: White City
Address: S Africa Rd, London W12 7PJ, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 8743 0262
Westfield London
Nearest Station: White City
Address: Ariel Way, London W12 7GF, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 3371 2300
Portobello Road Market
Nearest Station: Notting Hill Gate
Address: Portobello Rd, London W10 5TY, United Kingdom
Contact: Send Inquiry
Kensington Palace
Nearest Station: Notting Hill Gate
Address: Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 333 320 6000
Hyde Park
Nearest Station: Lancaster Gate
Address: London, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 300 061 2000
Kensington Gardens
Nearest Station: Lancaster Gate
Address: West of Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 300 061 2000
The Handel House Museum
Nearest Station: Bond Street
Address: 25 Brook St, London W1K 4HB, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7495 1685
Manchester Square
Nearest Station: Bond Street
Address: North of Oxford Street in Marylebone, London
Wigmore Hall
Nearest Station: Bond Street
Address: 36 Wigmore St, London W1U 2BP, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7935 2141
All Souls Langham Place
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
Address: All Souls C of E Church, 2 All Souls’ Pl, London W1B 3DA, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7580 3522
BBC Broadcasting House
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
Address: Between Oxford Street and Regents Park in Central London
Carnaby Street
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Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
Address: Soho, London
Contact: Contact Form
London Palladium
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
Address: 8 Argyll St, London W1F 7TF, United Kingdom
Phone: 0207 557 7300
St George’s Hanover Square
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
Address: The Vestry, 2A Mill St, London W1S 1FX, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7629 0874
Oxford Street
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
Address: Between Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch
British Museum
Nearest Station: Holborn
Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7323 8299
Lincoln’s Inn Fields
Nearest Station: Holborn
Address: Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, United Kingdom
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Nearest Station: St. Paul’s
Address: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7246 8350
Museum of London
Nearest Station: St. Paul’s
Address: 150 London Wall, Barbican, London EC2Y 5HN, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7001 9844
St Mary-le-Bow Church
Nearest Station: St. Paul’s
Address: St Mary Le Bow Church, Cheapside, London EC2V 6AU, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7248 5139
Shakespeare’s Globe
Nearest Station: St Paul’s
Address: 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7401 9919
30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin, one of the tallest Buildings In London)
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street
Address: 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8BF, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7071 5029
Whitechapel Art Gallery
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street
Address: 77-82 Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7522 7888
Victoria Park
Nearest Station: Mile End
Address: Grove Rd., London E3 5TB, United Kingdom
Mile End Park
Nearest Station: Mile End
Address: Clinton Rd, London E3 4QY, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 7951 321051
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Nearest Station: Stratford
Address: Stratford, Hackney Wick, Leyton and Bow in East London
Phone: +44 800 072 2110
Tips on Riding the Central Line
- If you want a relaxing commute, avoid traveling during rush hours. Peak hours are usually in the morning from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and in the evening from 4:40 pm to 7:00 pm.
- Before boarding the tube, allow alighting passengers to get off first. Even if you are in a hurry, you won’t be able to get in if people are exiting the tube.
- It is a must to stand behind the yellow line to ensure your safety. If you go beyond the yellow line, the tube conductor usually blows the horn to warn you.
- In London, people usually stand on the right and walk on the left side when riding escalators. So when you are in a rush going to the station, remember to walk up or down on the left side of the escalator.
- Avoid staying by the tube doors to avoid blocking the doors. Instead, stay in the middle of the carriage to make way for other passengers entering the tube.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the operating hours of the Central Line?
The operating time depends on each station. The first train leaves at 5:23 am from the terminus station, West Ruislip station.
Check out the operating times of each station at the Central Line Timetable.
What colour is the Central Line on the London Underground?
The Central Line is in the colour red on the tube map.
What are the rush hours of the Central Line?
The Central Line is busiest in the morning around 7:00 am to 8:00 am and in the late afternoon between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
Is there a 24-hour service Night Tube on the Central Line?
The Night Tube is a night service ride provided every Friday and Saturday before 4:30 on Central Line.
However, stations between North Acton and West Ruislip, Loughton and Epping, and Woodford and Hainault might not have Night Tube services.
Is it safe to travel on the Central Line?
It is relatively safe to ride the Central Line as it is managed by London Underground staff.
If you are traveling via Night Tube, the British Transport Police (BTP) is always on patrol for safety.
Read on more tips and advice from the Safer travel guidance provided by Transport for London.
How fast does the Central Line go?
From West Ruislip to Epping station, the tube ride takes about an hour and a half in total.
During peak times, about 35 trains run every hour. The average speed of the Central Line is 37.27 kph.
What Are Your Thoughts on the Central Line?
You will most likely need to use the Central Line more often since most of London’s top attractions are located in Central London.
Several Central Line stations are just minutes away from famous landmarks, so it is easy to get around and visit them.
Don’t forget to use the Visitor Oyster card or Travelcard for convenient travel and discounted fares.
Do you have any tips to share about the Central Line? Write a comment below in the comments section.
If you have ridden the Central Line before, share your experience with us as well.
