London Underground, Public rapid transit system in Greater London, United Kingdom.
The London Underground is a metro system that stretches across roughly 400 kilometers, connecting 272 stations throughout the British capital. Eleven lines cross the city and its suburbs, with some sections running above ground and others deep below the surface.
The first stretch opened in 1863 between Paddington and Farringdon, making London the first city in the world with an underground railway. Over the following decades the network expanded steadily, reaching its current form after the Second World War.
Commuters and tourists travel daily between neighborhoods, while many locals organize their journeys around favorite seats or specific carriages they prefer. The round red and blue logo appears on clothing, souvenirs and street furniture, making it a living sign of London identity that everyone recognizes instantly.
Trains run from around 5 in the morning until midnight on weekdays, with Night Tube services on weekends covering selected lines until dawn. Ticket gates and digital payment options simplify access, while each station has signs and maps that show connections and transfer points.
Around 40 abandoned stations remain beneath the streets, sealed for decades and closed to the public. Some of these ghost stops are occasionally opened for events or film shoots, offering a rare glimpse into the past of the network.
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