Journeys across London are expected to get cheaper on Fridays as Transport for London (TfL) will begin a trial for off-peak rides.

The three-month-long trial will see all London Underground fares become cheaper in a bid to encourage more back into central London.

Confirming the news, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan took to X, formally Twitter, to share: "I’ve asked @TfL to run a groundbreaking three-month trial making all London Tube and Rail off-peak on Fridays.

"Off-peak Fridays could benefit all Londoners, especially those concerned about the national rail increases from March."

Tube journeys will be cheaper on Fridays with an off-peak trial

The £24 million plan comes as TfL figures show that midwife travel on the Tube is at 85% of pre-COVID levels whilst the figures for Fridays is at 73%.

Currently, peak fares on TfL and national rail services apply on weekdays from 6.30am until 9.30am and between 4pm and 7pm. 

Journeys on the Tube from Zone 6 to Zone 1 at peak cost £5.60 per trip, but off-peal trial will see the same routes cost passengers £3.60.

The full cost of fares during off-peak Fridays during the trial is as follows:

  • £2.70 for Zone 1 (10p cheaper)
  • £2.80 for Zones 1-2 (60p cheaper)
  • £3 for Zones 1-3 (70p cheaper)
  • £3.20 for Zones 1-4 (£1.20 cheaper)
  • £3.50 for Zones 1-5 (£1.60 cheaper)
  • £3.60 for Zones 1-6 (£2 cheaper)

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The cost for the new trial comes from £24m set aside by Khan as part of his 2024/25 annual budget and comes following his recent freeze of fares until March 2025, costing £123m.

Discussing the off-peak Friday charges, Khan said: "London has really bounced back since the pandemic, but the lack of commuters returning on Fridays is a clear exception – with a major knock-on effect on our shops, cafes and cultural venues. That’s why I’ve asked TfL to trial off-peak fares on Fridays, and I encourage Londoners to get involved.

"A trial will help us to see if it’s an effective way of increasing ridership and giving a welcome boost to businesses as we continue to build a better, fairer, more prosperous London for everyone."