I spent this semester studying in London, England with the Vassar Media and Culture Studies Program at Goldsmiths, University of London. My family and friends, eager to hear about my time across the pond, often ask what it is that I love so much about this beautiful city. My answer remains: public transportation. Sure, every major metropolitan area has some form of it but the Underground is special. While in London, I rode hundreds of trains so that you do not have to, and I present to you my official ranking.
Disclaimer: This list includes all Underground or “Tube” lines as well as the Overground and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). The Elizabeth Line will be considered a Tube line as it is a frequent TFL service that crosses central London underground. It does not include the IFS Cloud Cable Car, ThamesLink and London Trams.
14. The Waterloo & City Line
It pains me to put any Tube line last, but, unfortunately, the Waterloo & City Line takes the bottom spot. This line is one of two that I had to actively make an effort to ride in order to craft this list. The Waterloo & City Line only has two stops: Waterloo and Bank. That is it. It is mostly used by financial district commuters, and it is only open on weekdays. This line has major significance to those working in the financial district but it is not very efficient for an average Joe like myself. However, Waterloo & City certainly wins for prettiest color with its light turquoise.
13. The Circle Line
Now we move on to the Circle Line. While the Circle Line has a plethora of stops in comparison to Waterloo & City, you can reach every stop via another line, running in tandem with the District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines. If anything, the Circle Line has only ever left me confused and bewildered. None of my Circle Line trips were memorable, and I spent the majority of my trip thinking about how I was actually meant to be on the District Line.
12. The Docklands Light Railway
For some of my Vassar Media and Culture Studies Program peers, this will be a controversial placement. Admittedly, the DLR only ranks this high because it feels like a theme-park attraction. There is no driving cab, all of the DLR trains are automated.You can sit right up at the front and look out the window, it is exhilarating. However, it ranks lower because it is similar to the Waterloo & City Line, serving financial district commuters with limited stops. As the name implies, it mainly serves the Docklands, which I did not frequent. But the few times I did find myself traveling to the Docklands area, I enjoyed the DLR.
11. The Metropolitan Line
Unfortunately, this was the second line that I had to actively make an effort to ride in order to make this list, mainly because I resided in South East London, and the Metropolitan Line runs along many other lines in central London. However, it does get points for having express service during peak hours and for being one of only two lines that cross the boundary of Greater London into the “Home Counties,” which are the counties that border London proper.
10. The Hammersmith & City (H&C) Line
The H&C Line and I got very acquainted when my family came to visit and stayed in Aldgate East. My main issue with the line is similar to that of the Circle— every stop can be reached via any other line that it runs along. Because of this, the line also boasts some pretty long wait times, which is far from convenient. However, the H&C finds redemption because it is rarely overcrowded relative to other Underground lines. It also has some beautiful above-ground moments where the Sun (sometimes) can shine in. Points for a very “pretty in pink” aesthetic, but it does not compensate for what the line lacks in efficiency.
9. The Central Line
Now, this may be a controversial ranking for Central as it is widely considered to be London’s most hated line. For me, the line just barely breaks the top 10 because of its practicality. It is perfect if you need to quickly go to the east or west in central London. However, I, along with many Londoners, find the line to be rather scary, if not outright depressing. The windows on the train are darkened more than on other lines; it is always crowded and it is always hot. It was the line I found to be most frequently delayed or suspended. But the Central Line is part of the Night Tube service, which means it runs on Friday and Saturday nights. For all its faults, it has saved me many times, earning the ninth spot.
8. The Northern Line
Frankly, it pains me to put the Northern Line in eighth. As the name implies, it is great for quick and simple northbound or southbound travel in London. However, in central London, the line splits into two branches. This often means waiting longer for a train that is actually traveling via the correct branch. Sometimes, you will even have to switch to another branch partway through your journey. Also, the line is notoriously loud. It is impossible to have a conversation with someone, even if they are directly next to you. But the Northern Line is special, offering good service and Night Tube.
7. The Bakerloo Line
The Bakerloo Line is known for being in desperate need of a makeover. When you step onto the train, it feels as though you have been transported to the 1970s. And, to a certain extent, you have. The majority of the line still uses the same trains from 1972, a whopping 50 or so years past their shelf life. The trains also have lots of graffiti that is very possibly older than most Vassar students. However, I find this to be charming. I love how the old stock still has facing seats, and all Bakerloo seating feels more akin to couches than individual chairs. I have always had quick, decent service on the Bakerloo. Once it gets a much-needed facelift—which may even include an extension into Lewisham—it will only get better.
6. The Piccadilly Line
The Piccadilly Line does not necessarily excel, but it also never disappoints, so the greater middle of the list is fitting. I was never a regular on Piccadilly, but every time I took the line, it was pleasant. Piccadilly covers a lot of key stations, going all the way from the Heathrow terminals to King’s Cross St. Pancras and Arsenal. On top of that, the line offers Night Tube service. Practical, quick and reliable—the Piccadilly Line is solid.
5. The District Line
The District Line stops at a whopping 60 stations, with service extending all the way from Upminster to Richmond. While this often means a slightly slower journey, with frequent stops, it is a price that I am certainly willing to pay. The District Line is perfect for visiting the many museums of Kensington, particularly the Victoria & Albert Museum, which was a personal favorite of mine. It always feels a lot less packed than other lines since more often than not I was able to secure a seat.
4. The Overground
The Overground is made up of a few different lines that were all named in 2024: the Lioness, Liberty, Mildmay, Suffragette, Weaver and Windrush Lines. Goldsmiths is situated directly next to the New Cross Gate station on the Windrush Line, so the Overground was my lifeline in terms of getting from South East to central London. The Overground offers fantastic views, has a generally great frequency of service and was always there for me when I needed it most. The Windrush Line, especially considering its Night Tube service, was particularly stellar. The Overground was such an important part of my London experience, and I will always remember it fondly.
3. The Victoria Line
If I had to describe the Victoria Line in one word, it would be fast. Not in terms of average speed, but it is undeniably the most frequent service. At peak times, the line serves up trains every 100 seconds. That is up to 36 trains per hour! The line also services key stations as a vital North-to-South service. Admittedly, it does get pretty hot on the trains, but the Victoria Line’s efficiency is in a league of its own. Extra points for Night Tube service!
2. The Elizabeth Line
Named after the former queen, the Elizabeth Line is certainly fit for one. It is the newest line, running its first service in May 2022, It is considered to be a “distinct service” rather than an Underground Line because it is a hybrid heavy rail service. The trains are Class 345, and they are large, modern, accessible, air-conditioned and smooth. It follows a route similar to the Central Line and offers service all the way to Heathrow. The Elizabeth Line is always a joy to ride, but there is one Tube line that takes the top spot…
1. The Jubilee Line
Oh, my sweet Jubilee. This will forever and always be my favorite line. The Jubilee Line has incredibly consistent service, with trains typically arriving and departing every two minutes. I took this line almost every time I ventured beyond South East London, and yet I cannot recall a single time when the line was suspended or closed. It gets quite busy during rush hour, but given how incredibly useful the line is, I cannot complain. Jubilee is incredibly interconnected; it is the one and only line that connects with every other mainline service. It is also a part of the Night Tube service, which is just the cherry on top. What is even better? It makes a cool sound as it arrives and departs, something that the other lines lack. The Jubilee Line is dependable, efficient, practical—there is not much else you need in a train. Jubilee was always an absolute pleasure to ride.
However, there are not any real losers here. As I prepare to leave England in less than a week, I find myself savoring every trip I can on the system that keeps London going. I know I will miss it greatly.