The Elizabeth line is the flashy new kid on the block. It runs partly on old tracks, partly on new ones, and reaches speeds of 90 mph on the surface sections. Underground? About 50 mph. Still, that’s practically a jetpack compared to the Central line.
And the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is driverless and cute, like a toy train that grew up. It tops out at 50 mph, but it feels faster because the trains are small and the windows are big. Plus, no driver means you can pretend you’re in charge.
So, to answer the big question: Tube trains go between 15 and 62 mph, depending on the line and the mood of the universe. You are not going to break the sound barrier, but you will get to work with your dignity (mostly) intact.
Why This Is Actually Great
Think about it: a slow train means you have time to read, nap, or zone out. If the Tube were a bullet train, you’d miss all the glorious weirdness—like the guy who brings a full cheese platter onto the train, or the woman singing opera at 8 AM.
What's The Optimum Speed For London Underground Trains? | Londonist
Speed isn’t everything. The Tube is a social experiment with a transportation problem. It’s slow, cramped, and occasionally smells like a wet dog. But it’s ours. And it gets us home.
So the next time you’re creeping along at 18 mph between King’s Cross and Euston, don’t sigh. Just smile and whisper, “We’re going the speed of history.” And then enjoy the fact that you’re not stuck in traffic above ground, where the cars are going… maybe 12 mph.
