The journey to the airport is stressful enough on a good day. The obligatory panic questions – What if I left the stove on? Did I remember to double lock the back door? Have I got my passport? – go through your head as you heave your luggage to one of London’s six major airports.
If you’re heading off on a break from London next week, the prospect of tube strikes organised by the RMT union are likely causing you even more of a headache.
Luckily, TfL expects the strike impact to be less severe than previous walk outs in September. While the whole tube network will be affected, reduced services will be running on most lines until industrial action ends or is called off by the union. However, just to be safe we’d suggest finding alternative routes so you don’t run the risk of missing your flight.
Here’s everything you need to know about how next week’s industrial action will impact your trip to the airport.
When are the tube strikes in April 2026?
Tube drivers will walk out for two 24-hour periods next week, impacting travel across four days: April 21, 22, 23 and 24.
Strike action will start on April 21 at 12pm and end the following day at 11.59am. The same 24-hour closure will occur across April 23-24.
Even when the 24-hour strike periods have ended on April 22 and 24, you’ll need to plan your journey. TfL is expecting disruptions to continue after the strikes end at midday while services return to normal.
There will be no service on the Piccadilly and Circle lines, on the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate and on the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.
The Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and tram services will be running normally on strike days.
You can find a line-by-line breakdown of the impact of the strikes here.
How to get to Heathrow during the tube strike
Heathrow is the easiest of any London airport to access by public transport. The Piccadilly line is usually a popular option, but during hours when the tube has been called off you’ll still be able to get there on the Elizabeth line, or with the Heathrow Express which runs from Paddington.
National Express also operates coaches to Heathrow.
Importantly, while a reduced service is expected on most London tube lines on April 21-22 and 23-24, no service is expected on the Piccadilly line.
How to get to Gatwick during tube strikes
The easiest way to get to Gatwick is on the Gatwick Express from Victoria station, or on one of the direct Thameslink services that go through to the airport and leave from Blackfriars, Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Bridge and St Pancras. These will be running as normal.
Avoiding the underground may make it more difficult to get to departure stations, but there are buses and other services you can hop on instead. Taxis are also an option, albeit a pricier one, while you can also get a National Express coach to Gatwick from various London bus stations.
Be warned that the Circle line is not expected to run during the April strikes. However, Victoria is also on the District and Victoria lines, which are running a reduced service.
How to get to Stansted airport during tube strikes
The Stansted Express, running from Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale stations, should be working on its normal timetable with no delays or disruptions. However, you may have to opt for a bus or taxi to get you to the station without the tube. Tottenham Hale does not have an Overground stop, but Seven Sisters, which is somewhat nearby, does.
The Victoria line, which serves Tottenham Hale, will be running. So will the Hammersmith and City line for Liverpool Street.
However, Liverpool Street will not be served by the Circle line on April 21-22. The Central line will also not run through central London between Liverpool Street and White City.
How to get to London City airport
London City is easiest accessed via the DLR, which should be running normally throughout the strike action. Trains are likely to be busier than usual, though, so you might consider hopping on one of the London buses that also serve the station (the 129, 473 and 474), unless you’re up for treating yourself to a taxi.
If you do opt for a cab, book ahead as there is likely to be a higher demand than usual.
How to get to Luton airport
The Luton Airport Express and Luton Dart won’t be impacted by strikes, although, as before, you will have to get either a bus or a taxi to St Pancras rather than relying on the tube lines. St Pancras is also walkable from King’s Cross, Euston and Tottenham Court Road stations.
How to get to Southend airport
You’ll also still be able to get trains to Southend from Stratford and Liverpool Street, but once again you will need to use buses, the Overground, and taxis in order to get to the train station.
Did you see that two of the best budget airport terminals in the world are in London?
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