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London Underground - 2024 fares and how to use them

Be informed and in control using london's underground / metro system.

For the visitor to London the Underground or Tube will probably be the transport of choice to get around town. The Underground is normally the fastest way to get around town, often much faster than any taxi.

There is invariably an underground station nearby where you want to go and also your hotel and finding your way around the system is very easy. 

There are currently 13 Underground lines, with the Elizabeth Line the latest, which opened in May 2022.

Journey planner   Map   DLR, overground & TfL   Oyster card, contactless & Travelcards   Night service   Fares   Concessions   Child fares   Group tickets   Purchasing tickets   Access

Key points about the London Underground

It is still encouraged to wear a facemask when using public transport in London, but it is no longer mandatory.

The authorities penalise you heavily for buying single journey tickets. In the centre you can pay more than double the price than if you used an Oyster Card for example.

A single journey on the London Underground can involve 1 or 2 changes of train. Your journey starts when you go through the ticket barrier of the station entrance you depart from and finishes when you pass through the ticket barrier at the exit of your destination. You cannot break a journey on a single fare, once you go though an exit barrier of a station that is journey completed.

The buses, Underground, DLR and London suburban trains are managed by a central government body called Transport for London (TfL) chaired by the Mayor of London. The transport passes that nearly everyone uses, Oyster and Travelcard, allow you to travel seamlessly across all modes of transport, bus, Underground, train and DLR using the same ticket/pass.

Children under 11 travel free on the London Underground and DLR (Docklands Light Railway) at all times. Child fares are available for those under 16 and it is possible to get discounted fares if you are under 18 or studying in London with an ID card.

There are no seniors fares for visitors. If you reside in London and are over 60 you can get a pass that makes free bus and Underground travel available. If you have an English National Concessionary bus pass you cannot use it on the London Underground (but you can use it on London's red buses).

The London Underground is closed from around midnight until around 5am, getting started a little later on Sundays. However on Friday and Saturday nights, much of the Underground runs through the night. In Central London there is a very good night bus network when the Underground is closed.

You will rarely have to wait more than 5 minutes for an Underground train at any time of the day.

London Journey Planner - for all types of transport across London

Use the TfL (Transport for London) journey planner to plan your travel. The journey planner covers all public transport.

TFL Journey planner

London Underground map

The London Underground map is a classic design that when first launched was immediately taken up worldwide for similar systems. The clarity, simplicity and ease of use compromises strict geographical accuracy.

The Circle line doesn't really go around in a squashed circle and it is not apparent for instance that Bayswater Underground is only 100 yards from Queensway.

In 2016 the Night Tube was introduced. On Friday and Saturday nights only Underground trains run through the night. For lines that operate a night service see the Night Tube map linked below or on the right-menu.

In May 2022 the long awaited Elizabeth Line opened its first section. The Elizabeth Line provides a route connecting East and West London. Find out more about the new Elizabeth Line .

Underground map   Tube & rail map   Night tube map

Docklands Light Railway (DLR), overground and TfL rail trains

To the east of London in the Docklands region you will see a region covered by something called the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). You can treat this network as just another Underground line.

Not in the centre of London, but in the suburbs you will find a train network called the Overground which can also be thought of as being part of the Underground for ticketing purposes.

Commuter trains into the suburbs are very confusing for the visitor. You can still use Oysters and Travelcards on these but those lines run by the national railways only give free travel to children under 5.

In the north and east of London most of these services are now run by TfL Rail or the Overground so free travel is available to children under 11, but to the south and west of London, services are still dominated by national railways companies.

The Tube and rail map usefully shows which railway stations are in which travel zones. Travel zones are the basis for fare charges on London's railways and Underground system.

London Underground Night Service - the Night Tube

In 2016 the London Underground began to introduce a full 24/7 service on Friday and Saturday nights only. Introduction has been on a phased basis.

Night Tube services are now running on the Central, Victoria, Jubilee line, Northern line (Charing Cross branch) and Piccadilly line (but not Acton to Uxbridge branch). The Night Tube will offer a 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays. Standard off-peak fares are levied for travelling on the Night Tube using Oyster and Contactless cards.

Travelcards are valid from the first day of issue (using the date printed on the card), and for journeys starting before 4.30am the following day. For example, if you buy a 1-day Travelcard at 11am on Friday, you can use it until 4.29 on the following Saturday.

Night Tube map - current lines operated

London Underground fares

The London public transport system is divided up into zones that radiate from the centre. Nearly all the hotels and the main sights are in Zone 1. Heathrow Airport is in Zone 6 and the furthest zone out is Zone 9.

The majority of visitors will only travel in the two most central zones 1 and 2. The Underground Map (link above) has the stations and their zones marked.

Some stations, such as Turnham Green, are in two zones. You use whichever zone for these stations is most beneficial in working out your fare.

Underground fares

You can see from the table below there is big financial incentive not to purchase individual tickets and use an Oyster card or Contactless payment card .

The other main way of paying is purchasing a Travelcard , which is a pass giving you unlimited travel for a set time period. The cost goes up with the coverage of zones required. The more zones you require the more expensive the Travelcard.

London Underground Fares from 3 March 2024 - March 2025

Oyster cards, contactless payment cards & travelcards.

As you can see from the above fare structure the authorities do not want you to buy single tickets, they want you to purchase one of the three payment options, Oyster cards, Contactless payment cards or Travelcards.

The Oyster card is a permanent reusable electronic ticket which is topped up from time to time by its owner. Londoners also have their season tickets loaded onto Oyster cards as well and there are passes for one weekly and monthly durations. All can be loaded onto the one electronic Oyster card.

Contactless cards are standard credit or debit cards that support the contactless payment technology, the total cost of all the journeys that you make in one day is calculated at the end of the day and a single charge is made to your Contactless payment card account.

Unlike the Oyster card the contactless facility has a 7-day cap as well as the Oyster daily cap used by Oyster.

You can use Oyster cards on all of London's public transport, not just the Underground, but buses, overground, DLR, suburban rail services and some river services.

Travelcards are another alternatives. Travelcards are valid on the same modes of transport but are unlimited travel passes for a fixed flat fee. Travelcards are available for 1 and 7 days, 1 month and 1 year durations.

You can purchase and subsequently top up Oyster cards and Travelcards from Underground stations and a wide variety of other outlets throughout London including neighbourhood stores, but not Contactless payment cards.

Oyster cards - more details

Contactless payment cards - more details

Travelcards - more details

Seniors concessions

There are no seniors fares for visitors. If you reside in London and are of pensionable age you can get a Freedom pass giving free travel. If you are 60+ and live in London the Seniors Oyster ID Card that makes free bus travel available. You can apply online or get a form from your local Post Office.

Anybody with an English National Concessionary bus pass can use that on London's red buses too and travel free of charge.

If you have a Senior Railcard you can get your 1/3 discount on off-peak Oyster fares. You have to ask a member of staff to load the concession on to a standard Oyster card (note, not a Visitor Oyster card) at an Underground station after showing your Seniors Card.

If you have a Senior Railcard you can also buy a 1 day off-peak zone 1-6 Travelcard at the discount applied.

Child concessions

This is a very complex subject and is covered in detail in the table below. Generally, a child is defined as under 16 years old, but in the last couple of years it has been possible to get child fares after jumping through a few hoops up to the age of 17.

Children under 11 can travel free on the London Underground, DLR and buses without a ticket. If a child is between 11 and 15 years old, you require an Oyster 11-15 Photocard (which has a fee, see below). This allows 11 to 15 year olds to travel at child fares on the Underground, DLR, Overground and some trains, free on the buses.

If you are a short-term visitor (in London for up to 14 days) with kids between 11-15 you can take advantage of the Young Visitor Discount. This means you can get half price fares on an Oyster card on a temporary basis for your child without going through the hoops and expense of getting an Oyster ID card. You do need to read carefully the rules of this scheme though.

Children's Fare Concessions

Group tickets - 1-day group travelcard for groups of 10 or more.

This ticket is for groups of 10 or more travelling together.

This in scope is the same as a 1-day off-peak Travelcard for zones 1-6 and 1-9 providing unlimited travel on all services after 9.30am Monday to Friday and all day Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.

The pricing is particularly attractive if you have kids in the group and those staying in one of the outer zones, however if you are staying in the centre of London zones 1 to 3 it will be cheaper to purchase individual Oyster cards.

If you are a group of 10 or more then do check out this product.

Purchasing tickets & fares levied

There are no longer manned ticket offices at Underground and DLR stations. All tickets are dispensed by ticket machines in the ticket hall and there will be a member of staff hanging around these.

The same machines will allow you to top up your Oyster cards or see what the balance is on your Oyster card and they will also allow you to cancel your Oyster card and get your deposit and any cash left on the Oyster refunded.

If you prefer talking to people selling the tickets there are Oyster ticket stops. These are many of these and typically are convenience stores or news-stands that sell public transport tickets as a sideline. These outlets will have a sign in their front window.

The fare you pay is set by which zone your departure and destination stations are in. Your journey starts when you go through the ticket barrier of the station entrance you depart from and finishes when you pass through the ticket barrier at the exit of your destination. You cannot break a journey on a single fare, once you go though an exit barrier of a station that is your journey completed.

Access to platform & luggage

To gain access to the platforms, and again to exit a station you have to pass through automatic barriers (pictured). There is always one wide ticket barrier for wheelchairs, pushchairs and people with large suitcases.

If you have a single ticket, the barrier at your destination will not return your ticket. There is a manned side gate by the barriers. If you have a Travelcard you insert the Travelcard into the same slot as for the single tickets, the barrier will check that your Travelcard is valid for both date and zones travelled.

If you have an Oyster card or Contactless payment card you swipe the card over a bright yellow pad, the barrier will check validity and will record the station you have started your journey before opening the barrier. The barrier may display the balance on your Oyster too.

At your destination station, exiting through the barrier in effect tells the system you have ended your journey and it works out the fare to be deducted from your card.

BUY VISITOR OYSTER CARD & TRAVELCARD FOR LONDON

Visiting London? Save time and money on London public transport

• Visitor Oyster Card • Travelcard for 1 day anytime / off-peak or 7 days anytime • Group day travelcards available

LONDON TUBE MAPS (PDF)

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

How much do London Tube and bus fares cost?

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As more Londoners return to venues and offices around the capital, surely that’ll mean a few more bus and Tube rides, too.

Perfect timing! On March 1, Transport for London ’s fares will see the biggest price hike in a decade …

While the (average) 4.8% rise in ticket costs may be inevitable due to the pandemic, it’s useful to know how much you’ll be shelling out for your daily bus journey or Tube trip going forward.

Here are the current prices – and what they’re going up to.

How much does the London Tube cost?

Right now, a single Tube journey in one zone costs £2.40. By March 1, the cost will rise by 10p to £2.50.

How much you’ll need to pay for a single fare or ticket really depends on where you’re going, though. TfL has a single fare finder which will tell you the cost of your planned journey.

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Daily caps will rise, too, but again how much by will depend on what zones you need to travel through – and whether you need to travel Anytime or during Off-Peak hours.

For Daily Anytime caps, the change will be as follows:

Zone 1 only: £7.40 currently, rising to £7.70

Zone 1 – 2: £7.40 currently, rising to £7.70

Zone 1 – 3: £8.70 currently, rising to £9

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Zone 1 – 4: £10.60 currently, rising to £11

Zone 1 – 5: £12.70 currently, rising to £13

Zone 1 – 6: £13.50 currently, rising to £14.

Weekly caps (covering Monday to Sunday) will also rise, going up to:

Zone 1 only: £37 currently, rising to £38.60

Zone 1 – 2: £37 currently, rising to £38.60

Zone 1 – 3: £43.50 currently, rising to £45.20

Zone 1 – 4: £53.20 currently , rising to £55.20

Zone 1 – 5: £63.30 currently, rising to £65.70

Zone 1 – 6: £67.70 currently, rising to £70.30.

The more zones you need to include, the more chance there is your daily/weekly cap will be higher. It can also vary depending on whether or not you need to travel through Zone 1.

How much are London bus fares?

Bus tickets for a single journey are set to rise from the current price of £1.55 to £1.60.

The daily cap, covering journeys happening in the space of 24 hours, will rise by 30p. It’s currently £4.65, and from March 1 will be £4.95.

And the weekly cap is going up to £23.30 – which is £1.40 more than the existing £21.90.

These price rises will also apply to the caps on London’s network of trams, too.

Fortunately, the Hopper Fare will still be in place, meaning you can change to another bus or tram within an hour of tapping in, and only get charged for one journey.

Full list of fare hikes from March 1 across bus and Tube network

• Cost of pay-as-you-go Tube journeys within zone one will go up by 10p to £2.50.
• Bus trips to increase by 10p to £1.65 (the Hopper fare allows multiple journeys within the hour)
• Daily cap on multiple pay-as-you-go Tube journeys to rise by 3.8%.
• Daily bus journeys cap to go up 30p to £4.95.
• Minimum cash fare on the Tube up 80p to £6.30.
• Trips on the Emirates cable car to go up 25% to £5, with return tickets no longer available.

The above figures on include adult fares, but there are discounted fees for young people (under 18s), apprentices and those who are currently unemployed.

People over 60 are entitled to free travel across London’s transport network, too, with a photo ID Oyster card.

But to work out your own daily, weekly or monthly costs for specific bus rides, Tube journeys – and whether you save money with a travel card instead – visit Transport for London for their full list of fees.

MORE : How much do TfL monthly travel cards cost?

MORE : Biggest rise in Tube and bus fares in a decade as cost of trips increase by 5%

MORE : ‘Low risk’ of catching Covid on Tube if people actually wear masks

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Major disruption - DO NOT TRAVEL. More info. Due to an ongoing cyber incident involving TfL, all live Tube data is currently unavailable.

Fare Calculator

Fare calcuator.

Enter two stations and select a passenger type to find fares.

About our Fare Calculator

This tool allows you to find out how much a Single fare costs between two stations of your choice. At present, this only works for stations within the TfL network.

All you need to do is select two stations and the type of fare you want to find - and then click "Calculate Fare". You will then be shown the available fares, which often includes the Peak and Off Peak Oyster/Contactless fares and, if available, the cost of a paper Single ticket.

Some stations, for example Reading, are outside the Oyster zones, so you won't be able to use an Oyster card for that journey. If this happens to be the case, you will see a note at the top of the page.

For some journeys, you will be shown an "Alternative Fares" section. These journeys often avoid Zone 1 and are cheaper but may be slower or require more changes.

Make sure you select the appropriate fare type, e.g. Adult if you are using a Contactless or Oyster card with no discounts. If you have a different type of Oyster card, be sure to select it in the dropdown.

This website does not sell tickets. If you need to purchase paper tickets, you can do so at the station or elsewhere online.

Why use our fare calcuator?

• Find the best value: quickly compare different fare types to see which is the most effective for your trip.
• Plan ahead: calculate your travel costs in advance, allowing you to budget more effectively.
• Explore options: discover alternative routes that might save you money if you're not in a hurry.
• Avoid suprises: know the expected price beforehand so you're not caught offguard by suprise charges.

Looking for something else?

Caps & travelcard prices.

Find the caps and price of travelcards relevant to you with this tool.

Journey Planner

Find the best way of getting from A to B with our no-nonsense journey planner.

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Oyster Fares Central

This fare finder tool is provided as an alternative to the Single Fare Finder found on the TfL website. The actual fares data is derived from the same open data source, so you can be confident that the results are the same. We have made a number of improvements to the useability of the tool and added some additional information which we think is useful. The main improvements are listed below.

Station List: There are two main issues with the station list on the TfL site. Firstly, quite a few stations are listed more than once even though they are the same physical station. An example is Kensal Green which is listed as both an Underground and a Rail station. The Bakerloo line and Overground trains both use the same platforms, and fares to everywhere are exactly the same whichever service you use. We only list the station once. Secondly there is an issue with many National Rail stations which have more than one word in the name. Try entering ‘East Croydon’ and you’ll see a long list of stations containing ‘east’ appear after entering the ‘s’, but not East Croydon itself. That will only appear once you’ve entered the ‘n’, at which point the list changes to anything including ‘Croydon’. Again this is fixed in our list.

Touch-In Time: We highlight the fact that the only time which matters is the touch in time at the origin station when deciding whether a standard (peak) fare or a reduced (off-peak) fare is charged.

Reverse Button: The peak charging times often differ depending on the direction of the journey so we have provided a reverse button to quickly show the same journey but the other way around.

Zonal Coverage: This is a key addition to our tool. Above each route is the range of zones covered by the fare charged for that route. This can be used to determine which cap will apply as a result of making that journey (as long as other journeys don’t go further out). It can also confirm whether the journey will be covered by a travelcard stored on the Oyster card. Finally it can help decode which route is meant by the ‘default route’. There are some journeys for which fares cover a surprising range of zones. Finsbury Park (2) to Hackney Central/Downs (2) is described as a zone 2-3 fare because the default route thinks you’ll change at Seven Sisters (3). If you have a zone 1-2 travelcard then you’ll probably want to touch the pink reader at Highbury & Islington (2) so you aren’t charged any extra. The data for this feature is provided by TfL at the time of each fare revision.

Caps: Below each route we list the cap(s) which will apply (see above). Caps are provided for all Oyster journeys and also for contactless only journeys providing only one end is beyond zone 6.  If both ends are beyond zone 6 then extension fares will apply above the cap for whichever end results in the cheapest overall charge. In this case we can’t advise what the cap may be.

Time to Complete Journey: This explains how long you have to make the journey in question. The data has only just (Apr 2024) been released by TfL. Most journeys have a very generous limit, but there are some which can be quite tight. We hope that this information will assist if disruption causes incomplete journeys to be charged.

London travelcard cost for each zone and fare caps for individual journeys in 2023

Fares rose by 5.9 per cent back in March

• 12:37, 17 APR 2023

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Back in March 2023, London travelcard prices and rail fares saw a staggering 5.9 per cent increase - the biggest rise in over a decade. Fares across the country have seen hundreds of pounds added to the cost of many annual season tickets, and individual journeys or day travelcards now cost significantly more.

In London, TfL prices all went up with pay-as-you-go fares rising by an increase of 10p to 30p. The price increase also impacted bus and tram fares, daily and weekly caps, daily and weekly travelcards, river bus services and the IFS cloud cable car. The adult peak pay-as-you-go fare for a journey in Zone 1 is now £2.80, while for off-peak it is £2.70.

Before March 2023, a pay-as-you-go single fare was £1.65 on buses, now it is £1.95. The daily cap for zones 1 & 2 used to be £7.70 and a weekly cap of £38.50. Now, it is £8.10 daily and £ 40.70 weekly. In case you've lost track of the new costs, we've compiled a list of the cost of every single travel card in each TFL Zone as well as the maximum fares for a single journey.

READ MORE: Drivers warned of '20p hack' which could save you from being slapped with huge £10k fine

For a one-day anytime or one day off-peak journey it would cost you a maximum of £8.10. For a Monday to Sunday 7-day travelcard, it would cost £40.70 A one-day anytime travelcard would cost £15.20, the same for off-peak journeys. While a 7-day travelcard would cost £40.70, monthly it is £156.30 and annually it is £1,628.

Zone 1 and 2

A Zone 1 & 2 one day anytime journey costs a maximum of £8.10, the same as off-peak. It costs the same amount for a Zone 1 & 2 travelcard as it would for one covering just those individual zones, so £40.70 weekly, £156.30 monthly and £1,628 annually.

Zone 1, 2 and 3

In Zones 1-3 it costs a maximum of £9.60 for a one-day anytime and off-peak journey as if you are travelling within those three zones. It is £47.90 for a 7-day Monday to Sunday ticket. One day anytime or off-peak travelcards cost £15.20, or they are £47.90 for a 7-day, £184 monthly and £1,916 annually.

Zone 1, 2, 4 and 4

A one-day anytime ticket costs a maximum of £11.70, the same as off-peak. A 7-day Monday to Sunday travelcard costs £58.50. One day anytime or off-peak travelcards cost £15.20, or they are £224.70 monthly and £2,340 annually.

Zone 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

One day anytime journeys cost a maximum of £13.90, the same as off-peak and for a 7-day Monday to Sunday ticket it's £69.60. A one-day anytime travelcard costs £21.50 while an off-peak costs £15.20. While a 7-day costs £69.60, monthly it's £267.30 and annually it's £2,784.

Zone 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

One day anytime costs a maximum of £14.90, the same for off-peak journeys. Monday to Sunday 7-day travelcards cost £74.90. A one-day anytime travelcard costs £21.50, while off-peak costs £15.20. A monthly travelcard is £285.70 and annually it's £2,976.

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How Much Does A Trip On The Trans Siberian Railway Cost?

9 May 2020.

I had always imagined a trip on the Trans Siberian Railway would be accompanied by a hefty price tag; an Orient Express type experience of luxury carriages and gourmet dining.

And while these lavish experiences do certainly exist, this extensive train route across Russia was first and foremost established as a way to link Europe with the Far East. To encourage trade and provide a lifeline for remote village communities.

Today, it remains an integral and affordable way of life for locals moving about Siberia, while international visitors often consider it as one of the world’s great overland adventures. One that thankfully doesn’t need to break the bank.

This guide includes a breakdown of exactly what my month-long journey on the Trans Siberian Railway cost, things to consider if you’re pinching your pennies and which big purchases were completely worth it.

Some Things To Know About This Budget Breakdown…

|      Long time readers of The Sandy Feet will know that I generally prefer travelling on a budget. That said, there are occasionally things that I will gladly splurge on given the opportunity. Experiences like an exceptional meal, a unique day tour, or a night on the train that offers an extra touch of luxury. Though higher than my usual day-to-day budget, I always felt these hand-picked experiences were worth it and offered excellent value for money, particularly when compared to what is considered ‘affordable’ by western standards.

|     Moscow and Saint Petersburg are far more expensive destinations than anywhere else in Russia and have the potential to blow out your travel budget very quickly. In fact, a common and rather amusing line you’ll see in restaurant reviews across Siberia where people have deemed a place too expensive is ‘where do you think you are, Moscow?’ Though I did make a few big purchases in the capital, I was generally more conscious of my spending here and sought out more budget-friendly options.

|     Travelling Russia solo added considerably to my overall costs, particularly for accommodation. If you’re travelling as a pair or group, this will help keep your day-to-day costs down.

|     I took a month to travel from east to west which allowed me to spend more time off the train than actually on it. Travelling slowly is always a great way to save money on the road, as is taking full advantage of free activities like hiking or exploring cities on foot which I did as much as possible. If you’re taking the trip over a shorter time frame, your daily spend will likely be much higher.

|     Prices are based on travel in December 2019, with all train tickets booked one month in advance, except for one purchased at the station after a last-minute change of plans. This post was written in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic when economies were struggling, currencies were in freefall and everything was pretty much up in the air. All values in Russian Rubles were correct at the time of travel, but the provided exchange rates are likely to see enormous fluctuations so I’d suggest only using them as a guide.

|     Prices shown are in Russian Ruble (₽), Euro (€), US Dollar ($) or Australian Dollar (A$).

Total Cost   //   ₽80,564   //   €1,006   //   $1094

Days   |    30

Average Daily Spend   |    ₽2,685   //   €34   //   $36

Transport   |    36%   //   ₽29,233   //   €365   //   $397

Accommodation   |    26%   //   ₽20,584   //   €257   //   $279

Food   |    24%   //   ₽18,952   //   €237   //   $257

Clothing   |    9%   //   ₽7,065   //   €88   //   $96

Activities   |    4%   //   ₽3,617   //   €45   //   $49

Extras   |    1%   //   ₽1,113   //   €14   //   $15

Transport    //   ₽29,233   //   €365   //   $397

Train Tickets   //   ₽21,279   //   €266   //   $289

The journey between Vladivostok and Moscow involved six train trips in a combination of third class, second class and premium second class. This cost also includes cancellation fees for two tickets which were rebooked (₽200 / €2.50 / $2.70 each).

The most expensive leg was the 70-hour journey between Vladivostok and Irkutsk on the premier Rossiya Train (₽5,295 / €66 / $72) and, as a result, was also the only part of the trip I spent in third class. On the other end of the scale, the cheapest fare was for Yekaterinburg to Kazan (₽2,603 / €33 / $35) in second class on a standard passenger service, closely followed by the overnight stint between Kazan and Moscow (₽3,212 / €40 / $44) where I splurged on premium second class on the Rossiya for my final leg of the Trans Siberian Railway which was absolutely worth the minimal price hike compared with the second class ticket. 

Keep in mind that ticket prices can fluctuate heavily based on demand and season. For example, during the summer peak, fares may be at least double what I was charged during winter.

Your trip will also become more expensive with each separate train trip that you take even though you’re covering exactly the same distance overall. This accounts for things like fresh linens every time you board the train. If you’re trying to keep costs down, making fewer stops will help.

Other Transport   //   ₽7,955   //   €99   //   $108

The bulk of this category comes from long-distance buses, such as trips from Irkutsk to Olkhon Island, Novosibirsk to Gorno-Altaisk and Yekaterinburg to Zlatoust . The rest is from city transport – buses, metros and the odd taxi.

ESSENTIAL TIPS:   20 USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE TAKING THE TRANS SIBERIAN RAILWAY

Accommodation   //   ₽20,584   //   €257   //   $279.

After transport, accommodation was my biggest expense and included 11 nights in hostel dorms and 10 nights in private rooms in guesthouses. The remaining 8 nights were spent on the train.

Anyone travelling as a couple or group will be able to save a bunch of cash on accommodation compared to a solo traveller as most private rooms cost the same whether you’re a party of one or four. In many more remote locations, these will also be the only option available.

The most expensive accommodation I stayed at was in wonderfully wintery Artybash at a still fairly reasonable ₽1,750 (€21.85 / $23.75), while my cheapest night was at Rolling Stones Hostel in Irkutsk at ₽460 (€5.75 / $6.25), incidentally also my favourite hostel of the trip.

Food   //   ₽18,952   //   €237   //   $257

Restaurants   //   ₽14,946   //   €187   //   $203

Eating out in Russia can be extremely affordable, meaning travellers on virtually any budget can eat well.

Most of my meals cost between ₽120 and ₽400 (€1.50 / $1.60 to €5 / 5.50), though among my best value finds was the cosy Baikal Love Cafe in Irkutsk where I feasted on huge portions of fresh Baikal fish and cherry dumplings. Yum!

At the other end of the scale, I also splurged on lunch at the beautiful Cafe Pushkin in Moscow as a special little treat for my last day in Russia. Admittedly, their a la carte menu is fairly pricey, but their 3-course lunch and wine option (₽1,640 / €20.60 / $22.30) set in an elegant old-world library room is a lovely way to indulge without breaking the bank.

Groceries   //   ₽4,006   //   €50   //   $54

All the food and snacks for train trips and hiking adventures. i.e. a ridiculous amount of instant noodles and chocolate. See more of my train food packing tips here .

Clothing   //   ₽7,065   //   €88   //   $96

I had never planned to find all the gear that would help me survive winter in Siberia in Australia, so I had fully expected to spend big on a few winter essentials on arrival.

However, high-quality outdoor gear turned out to be so affordable that aside from the insulated snow boots and pants that I desperately needed, I also added an extra pair of woollen gloves, insulated mittens, a fleece-lined beanie and a pair of handmade woollen socks to my already overstuffed backpack.

If you’re taking the trip in summer or are already well-equipped for the harsh winter, this is not an expense you’ll need to worry about.

DON’T MISS:   WHAT TO PACK FOR THE TRANS SIBERIAN RAILWAY

Activities   //   ₽3,617   //   €45   //   $49.

Surprisingly, I spent very little on activities with money for this category going towards just three things:

|  the entry ticket for the Kremlin Cathedral Complex and Armoury (₽1,700 / €21.40 / $23.10)

|  the northern tour of Olkhon Island (₽1,500 / €18.80 / $20.40)

|  two day passes for Taganay National Park (₽200 / €2.50 / $2.70)

Unless you’re taking part in several tours or visiting a number of museums, you likely won’t need to fork out much on activities.

Extras   //   ₽1,113   //   €14   //   $15

All the random expenses that don’t really fit anywhere else, these extra costs included a month of data (₽600 / €7.50 / $8.20), laundry, luggage storage and the odd toilet stop.

Additional Expenses

Visas   //   A$200   //   €121   //   $131

Most nationalities will need to apply for a visa to visit Russia.

For Australians, a standard single-entry tourist visa valid for 30-days will set you back A$170. As part of the application, you’ll require a Letter of Invitation which can be ordered online for an additional A$30. If you’re unable to apply in person at either of the Australian Visa Centres, you’ll also need to pay for postage. For express visas, expect to pay double.

Thankfully, it isn’t too complicated, but this step-by-step guide for Aussies will walk you through the Russian visa application process . 

Tourist visas for other nationalities cost the following: £101 (UK), US$198 (USA) or €105 (EU).

Travel To And From Russia  //  

Another major expense of your trip will be your travel to and from Russia which will vary hugely depending on where you’re coming from and in what season.

From Europe, you’ll be glad to know that you can virtually always find a great flight deal to Moscow or Saint Petersburg. Arriving in Vladivostok is generally more expensive but you’ll find regular connections with Moscow and major hubs in East Asia. Schedules are heavily reduced over winter.

Both sides of Russia can also be reached by ferry with services between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg, and Vladivostok and Sakaiminato in Japan via Donghae, South Korea.

Since this train trip will essentially take you half way across the world, it’s a good idea to consider all your options for getting there and which will be the most convenient and affordable before deciding on which direction to travel the Trans Siberian Railway .

Could I have Done It Cheaper?

Absolutely!

While I enjoy travelling on a budget, I also feel as if I’m past the point of agonising over every dollar spent and am willing to pay a little extra for certain comforts or unique experiences and for this journey it was often these small splurges that led to some of my favourite memories of the trip.

There were a number of areas where I could have tightened the purse strings to cut down my overall spend, but this time around, that just wasn’t the type of trip I wanted to take.

If you are travelling on a shoestring, things like only travelling on trains in third class, making fewer stops along the way, travelling as a pair, avoiding remote locations where only pricier private accommodation is available or sticking only to cheap eats will help keep your daily travel budget in check.

What About Luxury Train Travel?

Want to make this bucket list adventure that little bit more special? There are just a handful of options for anyone seeking a  luxurious train experience.

To retain some flexibility in your Trans Siberian Railway itinerary, consider travelling in first class on any of the premium passenger trains. Cabins are extremely limited so you’ll need to book well in advance, but this will allow you to plan your own itinerary and have a private space on board. Tickets are also still reasonably affordable at around €1,000 per person for the full journey.

For a high-end all-inclusive experience, you’ll also find bespoke itineraries on private trains with an extravagant price tag to match. Here you’ll be treated to a range of spacious and elegant ensuite rooms, plush dining areas, gourmet meals and a host of guided day activities. Trips usually run for 2 to 3 weeks and you’ll be taken care of at every step of the way.

Popular companies include Tsar’s Gold and Golden Eagle with rates ranging from €6,000 to upwards of €60,000 per person.

Artybash + Lake Teletskoye: A Guide To The Altai’s Winter Wonderland

5 Fun Things To Do In Krasnoyarsk

Stolby Nature Reserve | A Complete Day Tripper’s Guide

How To Apply For A Russian Visa As An Australian | A Step By Step Guide

20 Incredibly Useful Things To Know Before Taking The Trans Siberian Railway

What To Pack For The Trans Siberian Railway (Especially In Winter)

Things To Do In Vladivostok | The Port City In Siberia’s Far East

Taganay National Park: A Wonderful Wintery Escape In The Ural Mountains

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Polly Pocket Joins The Upside Down With New 'Stranger Things’ Set

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The wait for Stranger Things ' fifth and final season has been an incredibly long journey. The dueling actor and writer’s strike halted the production schedule last year, but the series started filming earlier this year and is currently in the middle of its shoot. We’ve slowly been getting little teasers and a handful of behind-the-scenes photos of all our favorite actors/characters on sets. However, the extra downtime in-between seasons let merchandisers release an endless amount of new products tied to the popular Netflix horror series. This included Funko Pops , Bath & Body Works scents and action figures . Now Mattel is getting back in the Stranger Things game with a new Polly Pocket -themed set .

The Collector Stranger Things Compact set has the exterior of a Hawkins Middle School A.V. Club themed walkie-talkie and opens up to reveal the series' main location, Hawkins, Indiana , on one side . The scenery includes Hawkins Middle School Castle and Castle Byers. However, on the flip side of the set there's the dreaded Upside Down. There are also six micro figures, including Mike, Dustin, Will, Lucas, Eleven and the monstrous Demogorgon . The accessories with them are four bikes and walkie-talkies along with a blond wig and waffles for Eleven. This appears to be a set mainly themed after Season 1. The Stranger Things set will be $50 and is a return to form for the classic Polly Pocket sized worlds rather than the smaller, more compact designs the brand has mainly used in recent years.

What's ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 About?

As the final season is still in production, there hasn’t been much official plot released regarding the fan’s final trip to Hawkins. When the Season 4 finale dropped in the summer of 2022, our heroes returned to their hometown united after “defeating” Vecna . However, the rifts between our real world and The Upside Down have been ripped open. This will seemingly lead to Hawkins being vulnerable to any future attacks that come its way in the final batch of episodes. Vecna was revealed to be the main threat of the series last season , and he’ll most definitely be back to get his revenge on Eleven and her friends . Whatever form that may be remains to be seen.

When Does ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Release?

There's no concrete release date for Stranger Things ' final season yet, but a 2025 debut window is likely . While fans anxiously wait for more news, you can pre-order Polly Pocket’s Stranger Things set on Mattel Creations' website . The nostalgic piece will ship on or before September 27 . You can also catch up on the first four seasons of Stranger Things now on Netflix .

Stranger Things

When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one strange little girl.

Watch on Netflix

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Retro trains that can transport you back in time (PHOTOS)

A retro train at the Rizhsky railway station, Moscow.

1. Sokolniki, Moscow

Left: Sokolniki retro train in the style of the first metro train. Right: The first train of the Moscow metro, 1935.

The Sokolniki retro train runs on the red line of the Moscow Metro, along with regular trains. In fact, it was actually built in 2010 to mark the 75th anniversary of the metro, but is stylized to look like a 1930s train. Inside, it has soft seats made of faux leather, as well as lamps and handrails of that era. And no advertising on the walls, especially since the walls are covered with lincrusta and nothing will stick to its deeply embossed surface anyway. Incidentally, this is the only train in the Moscow Metro that does not have Wi-Fi. That is because passengers in the 1930s read books, not blogs!

2. Retro train, St. Petersburg

Retro train in St. Petersburg metro.

The St. Petersburg metro has its own retro train, too, but it can only be ridden on with a guided tour. It consists of four restored 1960s train cars, which, in addition to the usual seats, also house an exhibition about the history of the subway. The train was launched in 2015 to mark the 60th anniversary of the St. Petersburg Metro. At first, it ran on weekends between Avtovo and Ploshchad Vosstaniya stations; however, now this train can only be seen a few times a year, and only on a guided tour (in Russian, English and Chinese), where passengers are even allowed to take a peek inside the driver’s cabin. The tour can be booked on the St. Petersburg Metro website.  

3. The Ruskeala Express, Karelia

Ruskeala express train.

You can take this retro train that takes you to one of the most beautiful national parks in Russia. Starting from June 2019, the Ruskeala Express runs daily between Sortavala station (250 km west of Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia) and the park. It departs Sortavala at 10:40 AM and leaves the park at 530 PM. This is the only daily steam-powered passenger train left in Russia. It consists of five train cars (four with passenger compartments and a restaurant car), whose interiors are fashioned to the late-19th century look. It also runs with a locomotive built in 1949: with coal, smoke and steam.

The journey to the park takes about an hour. Tickets can be bought at any Russian Railways ticket office or on their website (sales open 45 days in advance, and a single ticket costs about 300 rubles, roughly $5). A ticket to the national park can be bought on board the train (that will also set you back 300 rubles). The route became so popular that in the first month after its launch it carried more than 3,500 passengers! Previously, the Ruskeala park was only accessible by car.

4. Bologoye-Ostashkov, Tver Region

There is a regular commuter train leaving the Bologoye station (175 km north of Tver) every Saturday at 9.25 that is pulled by an L series steam locomotive from the late 1940s. Its engine drivers and train attendants are all dressed in 1940s uniforms and sell old-style tickets. However, the seats in the cars are modern (the original wooden benches have been replaced with new cushioned seats, for passengers' comfort. The train arrives in Ostashkov at 1:07 PM, and departs on its return journey exactly two hours later, at 3:07 PM. Along the way, it makes a 25-minute stop at the old Kuzhenkino station, which is now a museum. In Ostashkov, there is enough time to check out Lake Seliger, as well as the old city. Tickets can be bought at Bologoye or Ostashkov, and onboard the train . A single ticket costs 300 rubles (ca. $5).

5. To Lake Baikal

A steam engine of a tour train rides on the Circum-Baikal railway, a part of the East Siberian Railway along the shores of Lake Baikal.

The world's deepest lake can be reached in many ways, but perhaps the most romantic one is on a vintage train, with a 1940s steam locomotive and new train cars. It departs from the Irkutsk railway station at 8.00 AM and travels along the Circum-Baikal Railway, making several stops where you can admire picturesque views of the lake. The train arrives at its final destination, Baikal port, at 7.30 PM, and passengers then return to Irkutsk by bus. The round tour costs 4,000 rubles (around $60) per person and can be purchased either on the website of the Russian Railways travel agency or in its offices in Moscow or St. Petersburg.  

6. From St. Petersburg to Tsarskoye Selo

A vintage steam train at Detskoselskaya station.

Every other Sunday, you can take a vintage train from St. Petersburg's Vitebsky railway station to Tsarskoye Selo. The train uses an L series 1940s locomotive with new train cars. During the two-hour journey, passengers are presented with an interesting presentation about the history of railways in Russia, while being dined with hot tea in traditional iron cup holders and various sweets and pastries. Unfortunately, the return journey is by coach, however! Tickets cost 1,300 rubles (ca. $22) per person and are available on the Russian Railways travel agency’s website . 

7. From Moscow to Vladivostok

Yes, one can even take a trip across the whole of Russia in a retro train. There are several options for trips from Moscow to Vladivostok, that usually last up to two weeks and make stops (with excursions in different languages) in Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Baikal, Ulan-Ude and Khabarovsk. Passengers can either return to Moscow by plane or continue their journey further into Asia. The trains consist of an L or P36 series steam locomotive from the 1950s and new train cars, with the interior fashioned to look like pre-1917 revolution Russia.

The “cheapest” option can be purchased from the Russian Railways travel agency (prices start from $6,000), while the most expensive option, on the Golden Eagle train , will cost over $31,000(!!). Not surprisingly, this is the most expensive train in Russia. 

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• 7 Russian train journeys you should experience at least once in life
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Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

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Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

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