London's Underground and National Rail networks are both prone to periodic strike action, and when a strike lands, the entire city's transport pattern shifts at once — everyone who'd normally take a line that's down is trying to find another way at the same time.
Prices below are estimates and may vary by time and demand; we confirm the final fare when you book.
Why strike days behave differently to a normal bad-traffic day
- The whole city is affected at once, not just your route — so replacement buses, remaining lines and ride-hailing apps are all under load simultaneously, not just the usual peak-hour crowding.
- On-demand apps typically hit surge pricing exactly when demand spikes hardest, which is precisely when a strike is announced.
- Replacement bus services cover the gap but stop frequently and fill up fast, turning a normal 20-minute Tube hop into an hour or more.
Planning around a known strike date
- Check TfL's status page or your line's operator as soon as a strike is announced — most are announced with some notice, which is exactly the window to book ahead in rather than wait and see.
- Book your journey the day before, not the morning of — by the time a strike morning arrives, availability is already tighter and any app-based option is already surging.
- Build in extra time regardless — even with a taxi booked, strike-day road traffic is heavier than usual as displaced Tube passengers shift to cars, buses and taxis alike.
Pre-booked taxi vs on-demand apps on a strike day
| Factor | On-demand rideshare apps | Pre-booked with us | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Pricing | Surge pricing at exactly the moment demand peaks | Estimated fare confirmed before the strike-day rush | | Availability | Drivers matched at the moment of booking, with high cancellation risk under load | Reserved in advance for your specific pickup time | | Predictability | Price and wait time both move with real-time demand | Fixed pickup time, price estimate locked in ahead of travel |
Common strike-day routes
Commuters travelling into central London from outer boroughs, or between an airport and the city during a strike, tend to benefit most from pre-booking — anywhere a Tube or rail change would normally do the heavy lifting is exactly where a strike hits hardest. If you're travelling to or from an airport on a strike day, see our airport transfer guides for route-specific advice.
Get an estimated fare ahead of a strike day, rather than trying to arrange transport once it's already under way.