Does the Overground have any 24-hour services?

Yes. As of 2025, a portion of the London Overground’s East London line runs through the night on Fridays and Saturdays between Highbury & Islington and New Cross Gate.

Which Tube lines run overnight?

As of 2025, the Night Tube comprises the Central, Jubilee, Northern (Charing Cross branch), Piccadilly, and Victoria lines on Friday and Saturday nights. Frequencies vary from every 8 to 15 minutes.

Why isn’t every line 24 hours?

Maintenance closures remain crucial for older tunnels and rolling stock. TfL must still conduct track repairs and upgrades during off-service hours to ensure safety and reliability.

What are the Overground’s night service details?

The Overground’s East London line runs overnight on Fridays and Saturdays, usually between Highbury & Islington and New Cross Gate. Trains typically run every 15 minutes, connecting with some Night Tube lines.

Could overnight services expand further?

TfL regularly reviews passenger demand and budget constraints. Any future 24-hour expansions depend on cost, staffing, and infrastructure feasibility.

Is the Tube 24 Hours? (As of 2025)

Q: Is the Tube fully 24 hours as of 2025?

Not completely. Certain lines operate all night on weekends, but most lines still run from early morning to around midnight on weekdays.

As of 2025, the London Underground still does not operate on a 24-hour schedule across its entire network. That said, Night Tube services run continuously on selected lines during the weekend, and the London Overground has also introduced limited overnight operations on specific routes.

Below is a comprehensive overview of which lines provide round-the-clock service, how the Overground fits into London’s weekend night map, and how these overnight operations compare with other global cities. We also highlight essential usage statistics to show the Night Tube’s popularity, as well as Overground’s developing role in late-night travel.

Q: Is the Tube fully 24 hours as of 2025?

A: Not entirely. Certain lines operate all night on Fridays and Saturdays, but most lines still run from early morning until around midnight on weekdays. Maintenance demands, legacy infrastructure, and budget constraints continue to limit full 24-hour daily service.

Q: Which Underground lines run overnight on weekends?

A: The Central, Jubilee, Northern (Charing Cross branch), Piccadilly, and Victoria lines each have Night Tube services on Friday and Saturday nights, typically until the early hours of the following morning. Frequencies vary, ranging from every 8 minutes at peak late-night times to around every 15 minutes in the quieter hours.

Q: Does the Overground run 24 hours as well?

A: Partially. As of 2025, a section of the London Overground on the East London line (between Highbury & Islington and New Cross Gate) provides overnight services on Fridays and Saturdays. Trains generally run every 15 minutes, aligning with Night Tube services at interchange stations like Canada Water.

Q: Why are only select lines provided with overnight services?

A: Legacy tunnel infrastructure and the need to undertake overnight engineering work restrict the potential for across-the-board 24-hour operations. TfL continues to prioritise critical maintenance (track, signals, escalators) during non-service hours to minimise disruption and ensure passenger safety.

Q: Could the Night Tube or Overground night service expand further?

A: TfL routinely analyses passenger demand, operational budgets, and rolling-stock readiness. If demand for overnight travel grows and infrastructure improvements can reduce maintenance downtime, more lines or Overground routes might eventually be added to the night network. As of 2025, however, no new confirmed expansions have been announced.

Night Tube & Overground: Lines and Frequencies

The table below summarises the key night services on both the Underground and Overground (weekends only). Frequencies listed are approximate and may vary due to maintenance or special events.

Service	Coverage	Fri/Sat Night Frequency
Central Line	Main line (some branches excluded)	Every 10 mins (peak night period)
Jubilee Line	Entire line	Every 10 mins
Northern Line	Charing Cross branch only	Every 8–12 mins
Piccadilly Line	Between Cockfosters & Heathrow T5	Every 10–15 mins
Victoria Line	Entire line	Every 10 mins
Overground (East London)	Highbury & Islington ↔ New Cross Gate	Every 15 mins

Night Usage (Tube vs. Overground)

The chart below compares the approximate average night ridership (on weekend overnights) for the five Night Tube lines and the Overground’s East London night service. Data is drawn from aggregated TfL and GLA (Greater London Authority) estimates as of 2025.

The Central line consistently leads in overnight passenger counts, reflecting its high demand corridor through central London. Meanwhile, the Overground section has a smaller but growing audience, especially among late-night workers and leisure travellers in the East London area.

Comparisons with Global 24-hour/Overnight Metros

Many large cities around the world have experimented with or continue to operate extended-hour metro services. Below is a simplified radar chart showing the extent of late-night operations (weekend or full 24/7) among various metro systems as of 2025.

The New York Subway remains the most comprehensive 24/7 urban rail network globally, whereas other cities—like Berlin and London—offer partial overnight services primarily on weekends. Meanwhile, cities such as Sydney still rely heavily on night buses or alternative services rather than running trains all night.

Future Considerations

As the London Underground and Overground continue to modernise—replacing rolling stock, upgrading signalling, and improving accessibility—opportunities for expanded night services may arise. However, crucial maintenance windows must be preserved. The capital faces ongoing challenges in balancing passenger demand for overnight travel with the practical need for safe, well-maintained infrastructure.

For now, weekend Night Tube and limited Overground night routes remain the primary ways to travel by rail through the small hours in London. Other overnight options include Night Buses, taxis, ride-hailing apps, and occasionally National Rail services operating for airport links or special events.

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