The London Underground is infamous for its sweltering conditions during the summer months. While 2024 has hardly been one for the history books so far, this weekend temperatures are expected to creep up to 25C.
The Tube network, which is 160 years old, features tunnels that are deeply embedded underground. Over time, the clay in the Tube walls has absorbed a significant amount of heat, gradually increasing the temperature within the Tube.
This is the primary reason for the stifling heat experienced on these trains, making commuting quite uncomfortable. Additionally, many of the trains themselves are several decades old and lack air conditioning to counteract this heat.
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As temperatures consistently reach into the twenties, we’ve put together a list of the TfL lines equipped with air conditioning and those you might want to avoid due to their lack of it.
Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, District, Elizabeth and Overground
The Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan and District lines are the four Sub-Surface Lines. They aren’t as deep as many of the other lines, which helps keep temperatures cooler.
Coupled with the fact that they received new trains in 2010 equipped with air-conditioning, these lines offer a much more comfortable commute.
The Elizabeth and Overground Line, while not Tube lines, are fully air-conditioned. These relatively new trains have been designed with built-in air conditioning systems.
As these lines partially or entirely run over ground, they aren’t trapped by the underground heat.
On the other hand, the Central, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Jubilee, Bakerloo, and Waterloo and City lines are notorious for their sweltering temperatures.
These lines operate some of the oldest trains, many of which lack air conditioning. However, many of these trains are set to be replaced by the ‘New Tube for London’, a project by Siemens Mobility.
The new trains will replace the 1973 Stock trains on the Piccadilly Line and potentially the Central, Waterloo and City and Bakerloo lines. All these new trains will come equipped with air conditioning.
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