London’s Public Transport Is Now the Most Expensive in the World

London’s public transport has officially earned the title of the most expensive in the world, surpassing cities like New York and Berlin.

Recent data highlights the soaring costs of travel across the city’s buses, trains, and the iconic Tube, raising concerns for commuters as fares continue to rise.

London’s Public Transport

After a 4.6 percent increase in TfL prices last weekend, London surpassed Berlin to become the most expensive city for transportation.

Train fares in London increased on March 2, with the daily cap for Zone 1 travel rising by 40p from £8.50 to £8.90. The cap for travel across zones 1, 2, and 3 also increased to £10.50, disappointing commuters.

According to research by the Telegraph, the recent price hikes have officially made London’s underground train network the most expensive in the world.

The Survey

The paper analyzed the cost of ten major metro systems worldwide, noting that while comparing them is challenging due to different pricing structures, London’s standard prices stand out as particularly expensive.

The survey found that while Berlin is more expensive for single tickets in the central zone (£2.80 vs. £3.14), London is pricier for 24-hour tickets. London’s highest daily cap is £16.30 for zones 1 to 6, while Berlin’s is only £10.17.

Prices in Paris and Washington are much cheaper, starting at £1.65 and £1.78, respectively. TfL’s standard £2.40 single fares are three times higher than those in Seoul (77p) and Tokyo (95p), and twice the price of fares in Madrid (£1.24).

Transport for London Speaks Up

A TfL spokesperson explained that other international cities have a larger portion of their transportation costs covered by government subsidies or dedicated taxes, with subsidies in many major European and North American metros accounting for 40-60% of their revenues.

The TfL spokesperson added that without subsidies, fares in other countries would likely match or exceed TfL’s prices. They emphasized TfL’s commitment to keeping fares affordable while ensuring safe, reliable, and accessible public transport. Additionally, bus and tram fares, already among the lowest in the UK, will remain frozen until March 2026.

What Are the Cities With the Most Expensive Public Transport?

Here are the metro prices for single tickets in central zones and 24-hour/one-day tickets in 10 major world cities:

• London: £2.80-£2.90 and £8.90-£16.30
• Berlin: £2.15-£3.14 and £8.19-£10.17
• New York: £2.29, one day ticket N/A
• Barcelona: £2.19 and £9.55
• Washington DC: £1.78 and £10.65
• Milan: £1.82 and £6.28
• Paris: £1.65-£2.07 and £9.93
• Madrid: £1.24 and £8.24
• Tokyo: 95p and £4.23
• Seoul: 77p, one day ticket N/A

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