Local trains in London
- greaterlondon
- Apr 23, 2015
- 3 min read
Use London's Overground train network to travel across the city and beyond the Tube.
London's Overground rail services crisscross the city and extend beyond the Tube network. Most local train lines connect efficiently with the Tube and accept payment by Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card,
Travelcard and contactless payment card.
London Train Service Information
Transport for London (TfL) does not operate rail services in London. However, journeys by train and other modes of public transport can be planned online using the Transport for London Journey Planner
National Rail Enquiries provides detailed information about rail services in London, covering routes, timetables and fares. A full list of train operating companies, including network maps, is available on the website.
Local Train Operators in London
The main rail operators connecting Greater London to the city centre are:
For train travel to and from London to the rest of the UK and Europe, see our mainline trains to London and Eurostar pages.
How to Pay for Train Journeys in London
You can use a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card or Travelcard as well as contactless payment cards on all London Overground trains and most National Rail services in zones 1-9.
How much you pay depends on the time of day and which lines you use. If you pay with a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card or contactless payment card, the fare is the same. For contactless payment cards issued outside of the UK, please check for any transaction fees or bank charges that may apply.
You can also buy train tickets for travelling in London with thetrainline.com.
You cannot use a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card of Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, Stansted Express, and a few other services.
Railcards for Discounted Fares
Several different types of card are available offering up to a third off train fares:
Young Persons Railcard (aged 16-25) £30
Family and Friends Railcard (up to 4 adults and 4 children aged 5-15) £30
Senior Railcard (aged 60+) £30
Network Railcard (off-peak services in South East England) £30
Disabled Persons Railcard (disabled people and their carers) £20
For more information see the Railcard website
Accessibility Information and the Disabled Persons Railcard
The National Rail Enquiries website provides detailed information about rail services in London, covering routes, timetables, fares and access to stations and trains.
A map showing rail stations in London and the South East that have step-free access can be found on the National Rail Enquiries disabled passengers page.
The Disabled Persons Railcard qualifies you for up to a third off fares; see the Disabled Persons Railcard website
Like the Tube, access to platforms at rail stations will normally involve using stairs. Additionally, there will generally be a step of a few inches between the platform and the train. Arrangements can be made for passengers with mobility impairments, including people who use wheelchairs. Train operating companies can usually arrange for staff to meet you at the station, accompany you to the train and see you safely on board. Ramps can be provided for people using wheelchairs, to get on and off trains easily.
Left Luggage Services in London
Most of the large mainline London stations have left luggage facilities available. The Excess Baggage Group offers a baggage forwarding facility at Paddington, Euston, Waterloo, King’s Cross, St Pancras International, Liverpool Street, Victoria and Charing Cross stations.
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