How to travel on the Tube in hot weather

Summer has finally reached the UK, with a spell of hot weather that has seen the mercury climb as high as 33.3°C in some parts of the country.

As much as we love the heat and sunshine, it makes for some pretty sticky conditions when it comes to the morning and evening commute – with temperatures soaring on the Tube as well as above ground.

To avoid a sweltering journey that sees you arrive at your destination drenched in sweat, you might want to opt for a route that will keep you as cool as possible.

But which Tube lines have air conditioning? And which other train and transport services offer it?

Which Tube lines have air conditioning?

Only a handful of London Underground lines currently have air conditioning, and they are as follows:

• Circle
• Hammersmith & City
• District
• Metropolitan 
• Elizabeth

The good news is that more are on the way, with the Piccadilly Line set to join the ranks of those lines with air con when its new trains come into service – although this won’t be until around 2025.

‘New trains are coming in early 2030, under the Deep Tube Upgrade Program which will be delivered with full air cooling systems.’

Dates for the new Bakerloo and Waterloo and City Line trains have not been confirmed, and there are no plans for any upgrades to the Jubilee, Northern or Victoria Lines.

Previous reports have suggested the Bakerloo Line is the hottest of all during warm weather, with reports that temperature on the trains soared to around 30°C during hot weather in July 2020.

This was closely followed by the Central, Victoria, Northern, and Jubilee Lines.

Why is the Central Line so hot?

The Central Line is one of the hottest tube lines because of its age and depth beneath the ground.

It is one of the oldest Underground routes in London and was opened as The Central Railway in 1900 with early extensions carried out in 1920 and in the 1940s.

The line is a deep-level tube which means it is at least 20 metres underground and travels through two small tunnels to reach each station.

This compact space and lack of ventilation stops the heat generated from dispersing and therefore keeps it contained.

The old design of the tunnels also makes it difficult to create enough extra ventilation to have much of an effect.

If you really can’t avoid a non-air-conditioned route in hot weather, Transport For London offers the following tips on its website to make your journey easier.

• Carry water with you at all times
• Don’t board a train or bus if you feel unwell
• If you feel unwell, please get off at the next stop and contact a member of staff at the next station or speak to the bus driver
• Where possible, consider retiming journeys to less busy times

Passengers are also advised only to travel if absolutely necessary when temperatures rocket past the 40°C mark.

How to stay cool on public transport

• Switch up your journey: As well as choosing different public transport, you could opt for a ‘Boris Bike’ in London, or similar cycle sharing scheme in your area. Why not make the most of the sun?

• Bring a fan: Whether you go analogue or electric, a handheld fan will save your life on a busy commute.

• Hack your clothes: If you have to wear a suit or something heavy, stick it in your bag before you get into the office. On the journey itself, look for clothes that are made of breathable fabrics like cotton and linen.

• Stay hydrated: As we’ve mentioned, it’s important to drink plenty of water.

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