London travel disruption this weekend: full list of tube and train closures for May 16-17 2026

Photograph: Ron Ellis / Shutterstock.com

At time of writing, tube strikes are set to hit London once again next week. But those walk-outs aren’t the only travel disruption to watch out for over the coming days. This weekend (May 16-17) there will also be several major tube and train service closures to navigate in the capital.

But a bit of travel disruption is no reason to stay at home this weekend – there’s plenty to be getting up to in the Big Smoke on Saturday and Sunday. There’s the opening of the Globe’s outdoor season (with a good-vibes rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, no less), a literature festival on Fleet Street, a new exhibition in the Barbican’s Sculpture Court and much, much more. 

There are only a few planned closures and service alterations on May 16-17, but they’re major ones. The Central line, DLR and the Overground’s Windrush line are among the most severely affected routes. Here are all TfL’s train and tube closures to know about this weekend.

RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in London this weekend.

London travel disruption and tube closures, May 16-17 2026

Central line

• On Saturday May 16 in the early morning (1.45am to 5.15am), no trains between Marble Arch and Woodford/Newbury Park.
• From 5.45am on Sat May 16 and all day on Sunday May 17 (including Saturday night tube), no service between Marble Arch and Leytonstone.
• On Sat May 16 and Sun May 17, Mile End station is closed.

DLR

• On Sat May 16 and Sun May 17, no service on the entire network after 11.30pm on each evening.
• On Sun May 17, no trains between Shadwell and Tower Gateway.

Photograph: Sampajano_Anizza / Shutterstock.com

Elizabeth line

• On Sun May 17, no trains between Paddington and Ealing Broadway until 7.40am.

Piccadilly line

• Eastbound trains will not call at Barons Court until June. When travelling east, go one stop west (to Hammersmith) and bounce back east.

District line

• On Sat May 16 and Sun May 17, Mile End station is closed.
• As with the Piccadilly above, eastbound trains will not call at Barons Court until June. When travelling east, go one stop west (to Hammersmith) and bounce back east.

Hammersmith and City line

• On Sat May 16 and Sun May 17, Mile End station is closed.

Photograph: RichartPhotos / Shutterstock.com

Windrush line (Overground)

• On Sun May 17, no trains between New Cross Gate and West Croydon/Crystal Palace.

Waterloo and City line

• Closed on weekends and bank holidays (but for how much longer?).

Hackney Half Marathon and the Mildmay line (Overground)

The 2026 HOKA Hackney Half will take place on Sunday May 17. To accommodate the crowds, the Mildmay line will have additional services running in both directions between Stratford and Camden Road. Homerton station will be shut eastbound until 11am.

Expect stations near the marathon’s start and finish points to be much busier than usual. Stratford, Hackney Wick and Clapton will likely be busiest.

You can find Time Out’s full guide to the 2026 Hackney Half Marathon here, including the route, start time and best places to watch. 

Photograph: Motiv Sports UK

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