TfL closures in October 2026 hit west and central London hardest. The Piccadilly line is closed between Cockfosters and Uxbridge from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 October, then shuts completely on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November. The Circle and District lines close through Victoria, St James's Park and Westminster on two weekends, 10–11 and 24–25 October. On Sunday 11 October, the Royal Parks Half Marathon closes roads across Hyde Park, St James's Park and Westminster. The Oxford Street vehicle ban is due to begin in the second half of the month, The WP Times reports.
The Victoria line, which serves Pimlico and Victoria, has no planned closures in October, and neither does the Bakerloo line. No Tube strike dates have been announced. That makes the Victoria line the most reliable way out of SW1 on the weekends when the sub-surface lines are shut. The Jubilee line closes between Green Park and Canary Wharf during daytime hours on 3–4 October. Engineering work on the Elizabeth line, London Overground, the DLR and London Trams continues through the month. Westminster schools are on half-term from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, so the midweek Piccadilly line closure falls in a week when family travel into central London usually rises.
Which Tube lines are closed in October 2026?
TfL's planned closures list, last updated on 24 September, puts most October Underground work on weekends and late nights. The largest disruption is on the Piccadilly line, which is being prepared for its new train fleet. It loses its western branch on 17–18 October, is closed between Cockfosters and Uxbridge for three weekdays from 28 October, and shuts entirely on Halloween weekend. The Circle and District lines both lose the central section through Westminster on 10–11 and 24–25 October. That affects anyone living or working between Victoria and Embankment, and trips to South Kensington's museums. The Northern line has two short station closures: at Waterloo overnight on 2–3 October, and at Burnt Oak from 26 October to 8 November. The Victoria and Bakerloo lines have no listed closures for October.
| Dates | Line | Section closed |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 2 – Sat 3 Oct | Jubilee | Finchley Road to Stratford, during Friday Night Tube |
| Sat 3 – Sun 4 Oct | Jubilee | Green Park to Canary Wharf, daytime hours |
| Fri 2 – Sat 3 Oct | Northern | Trains do not stop at Waterloo between 02:45 and 04:15 |
| Fri 9 – Sat 10 Oct | Piccadilly | Trains do not stop at Earl's Court between 03:15 and 05:45 |
| Sat 10 – Sun 11 Oct | Circle | Edgware Road to Aldgate via Victoria |
| Sat 10 – Sun 11 Oct | District | Edgware Road and Tower Hill to Ealing Broadway, Kensington (Olympia), Richmond and Wimbledon |
| Sat 17 – Sun 18 Oct | Piccadilly | Hammersmith to Heathrow and Uxbridge, including Night Tube |
| Sat 17 – Sun 18 Oct | District | Turnham Green to Ealing Broadway |
| Fri 23 – Sat 24 Oct | Piccadilly | Trains do not stop at Earl's Court between 03:15 and 05:45 |
| Sat 24 – Sun 25 Oct | Circle | Edgware Road to Tower Hill via Victoria |
| Sat 24 – Sun 25 Oct | District | Edgware Road and Embankment to Ealing Broadway, Kensington (Olympia), Richmond and Wimbledon |
| Mon 26 Oct – Sun 8 Nov | Northern | Trains do not stop at Burnt Oak |
| Wed 28 – Fri 30 Oct | Piccadilly | Cockfosters to Uxbridge |
| Sat 31 Oct – Sun 1 Nov | Piccadilly | No service on the entire line, including Night Tube |
What closes each weekend in October 2026?
Weekend of 3–4 October: Jubilee line and Canada Water
The Jubilee line runs no trains between Green Park and Canary Wharf during the day on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October. That cuts Westminster, Waterloo, London Bridge and Canada Water off from Canary Wharf. On the night of 2–3 October the line is also closed between Finchley Road and Stratford during Friday Night Tube. Northern line trains do not stop at Waterloo between 02:45 and 04:15 that night. On the Windrush line, Canada Water is closed all weekend, and Surrey Quays to Clapham Junction is closed on Sunday. The DLR is closed between Tower Gateway and Shadwell on Sunday 4 October. Elizabeth line trains do not stop at Acton Main Line, Hanwell and West Ealing from 23:00 on Saturday until 09:00 on Sunday. The Elizabeth line from Bond Street or Tottenham Court Road is the fastest way to Canary Wharf that weekend.
Weekend of 10–11 October: the hardest weekend for Westminster
The weekend of 10–11 October is the most disruptive of the month for central London. The Circle line is closed between Edgware Road and Aldgate via Victoria. The District line is closed from Edgware Road and Tower Hill to all of its western branches. That means no sub-surface trains at Victoria, St James's Park, Westminster, Embankment, Sloane Square or South Kensington. On Sunday the Royal Parks Half Marathon closes roads across Hyde Park, St James's Park and Westminster. The DLR is closed between Stratford International and Woolwich Arsenal on both days. The Weaver line has no service at all until 10:15 on Sunday, and the Suffragette line is closed between Barking and Barking Riverside. On the Elizabeth line, West Drayton to Slough is closed until 08:15 on Sunday. Victoria line, Jubilee line and bus services remain the main options through Westminster.
Weekend of 17–18 October: Piccadilly line to Heathrow
The Piccadilly line is closed between Hammersmith and Heathrow and Uxbridge on 17–18 October, including Friday and Saturday Night Tube. The District line is closed between Turnham Green and Ealing Broadway. On Sunday 18 October, Elizabeth line trains do not stop at Acton Main Line, Hanwell and West Ealing, and service between Paddington, Maidenhead and Heathrow Terminal 4 is reduced. The DLR is again closed between Tower Gateway and Shadwell. The Mildmay line is closed between Gospel Oak and Stratford until 11:15. The Weaver line is closed between Edmonton Green and Cheshunt. On the trams, Sandilands to New Addington is closed on both days.
Weekend of 24–25 October: Circle and District lines and the clocks going back
The Circle line is closed between Edgware Road and Tower Hill via Victoria on 24–25 October. The District line is closed from Edgware Road and Embankment to Ealing Broadway, Kensington (Olympia), Richmond and Wimbledon. That again leaves Victoria, St James's Park, Westminster, Embankment and Sloane Square without sub-surface trains, the second such weekend of the month. Clocks go back one hour at 02:00 on Sunday 25 October, during the closure. The Mildmay line is closed between Willesden Junction and Shepherd's Bush from 19:30 on Saturday until 12:00 on Sunday. The Windrush line is closed between Sydenham and Crystal Palace on Sunday. On the trams, East Croydon to Beckenham Junction, Elmers End and New Addington is closed from 24 October to 5 November.
Half-term week and Halloween weekend: 26 October to 1 November
Westminster schools are on half-term from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October. The Piccadilly line is closed between Cockfosters and Uxbridge from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 October, and TfL lists no time limits for the closure. On Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, the whole Piccadilly line is closed, including Night Tube, giving five consecutive days without a normal Piccadilly service across central London. On Sunday 1 November, Elizabeth line trains do not stop at Acton Main Line, Hanwell and West Ealing, and service to Heathrow Terminal 4 is reduced. The Mildmay line is closed between Camden Road and Richmond and between Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction. The Windrush line is closed between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace and West Croydon all weekend. Families planning half-term trips to South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Covent Garden or Leicester Square should use the Victoria, Central or Elizabeth lines and buses that week.
Which Westminster, Victoria and Pimlico stations are affected?
Victoria and Pimlico keep a full Victoria line service throughout October. That is the main workaround for south Westminster on closure weekends. Westminster station keeps its Jubilee line service on 10–11 and 24–25 October, but not during the daytime Jubilee closure of 3–4 October. Buses 11 and 24 both run between Victoria and Westminster and are the most direct surface alternative along the closed section. On the morning of 11 October, those routes also face the Royal Parks Half road closures. Green Park loses its Piccadilly line trains from 28 October to 1 November.
| Station | Lines affected | Closed dates | What still runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | Circle, District | 10–11 Oct, 24–25 Oct | Victoria line, National Rail, buses |
| Pimlico | None | — | Victoria line |
| St James's Park | Circle, District | 10–11 Oct, 24–25 Oct | Buses on Victoria Street; walk to Westminster or Green Park |
| Westminster | Circle, District, Jubilee | 3–4 Oct daytime (Jubilee); 10–11 Oct and 24–25 Oct (Circle, District) | Jubilee line on 10–11 and 24–25 Oct |
| Embankment | Circle, District | 10–11 Oct, 24–25 Oct | Bakerloo and Northern lines |
| Sloane Square | Circle, District | 10–11 Oct, 24–25 Oct | Buses towards Victoria |
| Green Park | Jubilee, Piccadilly | 3–4 Oct daytime (Jubilee east); 28 Oct – 1 Nov (Piccadilly) | Victoria line |
Best alternatives from SW1
| If you usually travel | Closed dates | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria to Westminster or Embankment | 10–11 Oct, 24–25 Oct | Bus 11 or 24, or walk along Victoria Street (about 20 minutes) |
| Victoria to South Kensington | 10–11 Oct, 24–25 Oct | Victoria line to Green Park, then Piccadilly line (not 28 Oct – 1 Nov); or bus from Victoria |
| Pimlico to the West End | None planned | Victoria line to Green Park or Oxford Circus |
| Westminster to Canary Wharf | 3–4 Oct, daytime | Victoria line to Oxford Circus, walk to Bond Street or Tottenham Court Road, Elizabeth line to Canary Wharf |
| Victoria to Covent Garden or Leicester Square | 28 Oct – 1 Nov | Victoria line to Oxford Circus, Central line to Tottenham Court Road, then walk |
| Victoria to Heathrow | 17–18 Oct, 28 Oct – 1 Nov | Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express from Paddington |
How do you get to Heathrow when the Piccadilly line is shut?
The Piccadilly line does not provide a through service from central London to Heathrow on 17–18 October or from 28 October to 1 November. From Victoria and Pimlico, the most direct route is to Paddington, then the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express to the airport. On Sunday 18 October and Sunday 1 November, the Elizabeth line runs a reduced service between Paddington and Maidenhead and at Terminal 4. Heathrow Express is not listed in TfL's closure programme for those dates. Passengers with early flights on Sunday 1 November should also note that Elizabeth line trains do not stop at Acton Main Line, Hanwell and West Ealing that day. Anyone relying on those stations will need to start from Ealing Broadway or Paddington. With half-term travel peaking in the same week, leaving extra time for the airport is advisable from 28 October.
Which London roads close in October 2026?
Royal Parks Half Marathon: Sunday 11 October
The Royal Parks Half Marathon starts at 08:45 on Sunday 11 October on South Carriage Drive in Hyde Park, with the last wave away between 09:30 and 09:45. The route passes the Mall, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Kensington Gardens. Runners have a four-hour cut-off. Hyde Park roads close from 00:01 on Sunday until 05:00 on Monday 12 October. Roads in St James's Park close from 06:00 to 18:30. Other Westminster roads on the route close from 07:00 to 12:30. Because of the Tube engineering work that weekend, organisers recommend Knightsbridge (12 minutes' walk from the start), Hyde Park Corner (15 minutes) and Green Park (20 minutes, step-free). Emergency access is maintained along the route throughout the day.
| Area | Closed from | Reopens |
|---|---|---|
| Hyde Park roads | 00:01, Sun 11 Oct | 05:00, Mon 12 Oct |
| St James's Park roads | 06:00, Sun 11 Oct | 18:30, Sun 11 Oct |
| Westminster roads on the route | 07:00, Sun 11 Oct | 12:30, Sun 11 Oct |
Oxford Street vehicle ban: second half of October
The Oxford Street vehicle ban is due to start in the second half of October on the 0.9km section between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, including Oxford Circus. Private vehicles, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, cycles, e-bikes, e-scooters and pedicabs will be barred. Emergency services and mobility scooters keep access. Deliveries will be limited to 00:00–07:00 every day, with other servicing moved to surrounding loading bays. The October scheme is a temporary transition that runs until spring 2027, with permanent construction planned for late 2027.
| What changes | Before | After the ban |
|---|---|---|
| Buses 7, 94, 98, 139, 390 | Along Oxford Street | Diverted via Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place, stops 100–200m from shops |
| Taxis | Selfridges rank | Ranks on Orchard Street (4), Duke Street (6), Holles Street (2), John Prince's Street (5) |
| Deliveries | Outside bus and taxi hours | 00:00–07:00 only |
| Cycling | Permitted | Not permitted on the closed section |
Long-running roadworks in October
On the A23 at Brixton Hill and Streatham Hill, lane restrictions between Holmewood Road and Tierney Road remain in place until late 2026 while TfL builds a new road layout. On the A41 at Brent Cross, long-term renewal work that began at the end of September continues through October.
Are there Tube strikes in October 2026?
No RMT or London Underground strike dates have been announced for October 2026, and the most recent Tube strike action ended in June. TfL's planned closures list is therefore the main source of disruption for the month. Live incidents, signal failures and short-notice changes are posted on TfL's status pages.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Victoria line closed in October 2026?
No. TfL's planned closures list shows no Victoria line closures in October 2026, so Pimlico, Victoria, Green Park and Oxford Circus keep their Victoria line service.
Is the Circle line closed in October 2026?
Yes, on two weekends: between Edgware Road and Aldgate via Victoria on 10–11 October, and between Edgware Road and Tower Hill via Victoria on 24–25 October.
When is the Piccadilly line closed in October 2026?
Between Hammersmith and Heathrow and Uxbridge on 17–18 October, between Cockfosters and Uxbridge from 28 to 30 October, and on the entire line on 31 October and 1 November. Trains also skip Earl's Court overnight on 9–10 and 23–24 October.
Which weekend is worst for travel in central London?
The weekend of 10–11 October. The Circle and District lines are closed through Westminster, and on Sunday the Royal Parks Half Marathon closes roads in Hyde Park, St James's Park and Westminster.
When do the clocks go back in 2026?
At 02:00 on Sunday 25 October, during the Circle and District line closures through central London.
When does the Oxford Street vehicle ban start?
It is due to start in the second half of October 2026 between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.
When is October half-term in Westminster?
Westminster's determined school dates put autumn half-term from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026. Individual schools can set their own dates.
Sources used: Transport for London planned track closures (24 September 2026), Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon road closures and FAQs, Westminster City Council bi-borough term and holiday dates 2026/27, Tube Notifications strike schedule, The WP Times Oxford Street vehicle ban report, London Now roadworks report.
Sources: TfL planned track closures, Royal Parks Half road closures, Royal Parks Half FAQs, Westminster term dates 2026/27, Tube Notifications strikes, The WP Times Oxford Street
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