We assessed every tube line based purely on vibes — here’s our verdict

It might not feel like it during the chaos and heat of rush hour, but the London Underground network is actually the blueprint of all tube networks.

So, arguably, it’s the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) – even though many of us are spending vast amounts of our paycheck on TfL. Those 3am transactions kill us.

And so, it felt only right that we set the record straight on how Metro Lifestyle feels about it – and we’ve gone purely on vibes.

You know, based on how likely you are to witness some chaotic yet entertaining activity past the watershed, or how fun the seat patterns are.

So, we took the journalistic liberty of assessing every tube line based on vibes, from immaculate, to lukewarm, through to straight-up despicable.

And, before we start an all-out dispute on what does and what doesn’t constitute a tube, we’ve included the DLR, Elizabeth line and Overground in our rankings here. They’re tube-adjacent, so we had to honour them.

Jubilee

Vibe count: Lukewarm

The Jubilee line is a suspicious character. We want to love it because it’s quite clean and has a fresh, modern look (bonus points for the extra layer of glass doors that still make it feel like something out of James Bond), but something’s a little bit off.

Perhaps it’s a lack of party spirit or the fact that it’s got Canary Wharf, but the Jubilee line could try harder to be a bit more fun and a little bit less corporate.

It is technically the only line that goes out to southeast London though – and for that, we give a round of applause.

Piccadilly

Vibe count: Lukewarm

On paper, the Piccadilly line should be a firm favourite. The Elizabeth line might now be finished, but the Piccadilly has been connecting central London with Heathrow Airport since 1977. Plus, the moquette is super fun.

But recently, it’s not been the most reliable of friend. In fact, in 2023, it was named the least reliable line by the Evening Standard, while December 2024 saw swathes of delays for commuters.

However, the new Piccadilly line trains – due to make their debut at the end of 2025 – will likely upgrade the vibes, since these will be fully air-conditioned and more accessible.

Bakerloo

Vibe count: Immaculate

The Bakerloo line isn’t given enough praise. Yes, it might not be the most popular line, and yes, the carriages might need a bit of an overhaul as they haven’t been replaced since 1972, but it’s got plenty of character.

For one, its age should be worthy of respect. At 53 years old, the carriages aren’t just the oldest on the tube, but they’re the oldest passenger trains in the entirety of the UK. And yet they keep chugging on, day in, day out? Impressive.

Plus, we enjoy that you’ve also got the option of sitting in a four-seater with friends rather than awkwardly choosing two pairs of two seats opposite, dividing conversation into two camps, or a more unhinged four-in-a-row situation that inevitably means the two pals on the end are neglected.

When it’s quiet too, the lack of armrest can give the opportunity to spread out ever so slightly more than you would on other lines. However, the lack of boundaries can feel somewhat chaotic – perhaps even anarchic.  

Central

Vibe count: Despicable

No one is under any illusions here: the Central line has got to be the worst of them all. We know we’re not ranking them with numbers (and just vibes), but if we were, it would score a firm 0.

It’s too warm, too busy, and riding it at rush hour always feels just ever so slightly degrading. Plus, there’s arguably too much space in the aisles which can feel unsettling if footfall is sparse – but probably because, let’s be honest, no one who ever rides it usually manages to get a seat. Poor.

DLR

Vibe count: Immaculate

The DLR gets a lot of hate – and we get it. It feels grimy, and undoubtedly needs a little bit of a refresh (which is currently on the way, FYI).

But who didn’t pretend to be the driver of these driverless trains when they were little? Even in 2024, this still feels like a ridiculously futuristic concept. And yes, the Elizabeth line is technically self-driving, but the trains are still monitored by a driver so it’s not the same.

Yes, taking a journey through the Canary Wharf shopping centre every time you want to get on it can feel somewhat bizarre, but it undoubtedly spices up the commute.

Elizabeth

Vibe count: Lukewarm

Speaking of driverless trains, it might’ve been open for three years, but the Elizabeth line still feels like a novelty.

For commuters in areas of London previously thought to be more far-flung (Woolwich and Abbey Wood, we’re looking at you), the advent of the beloved purple line remains a godsend. And the moquette is arguably the most impressive of them all.

However, it loses points for repeated issues with late arrivals, as in December 2023, Sadiq Khan noted that it has ‘not met the consistently high standards’ expected by Londoners.

After all, who could forget the time passengers were stranded for more than three hours relating to overhead cable damage?

Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, and Circle & District

Vibe count: Lukewarm

Aesthetic-wise, the Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan and Circle & District lines – which all share trains and tracks – are always a pleasant experience. The trains are clean, have air conditioning, there’s plenty of space, and there’s a stunning moquette.

The Circle line in particular, though, is arguably annoying because the links feel like they could be more frequent. Dare to walk slightly slower on your morning commute and you’ve missed the Edgware Road connection. Plus, it’s sometimes plagued by delays since it shares tracks.

Likewise, the Metropolitan line tries its best to give itself street cred with a magenta theme to the TfL logo, but let’s be honest, it’s not the most exciting line.

We wish these lines had more character and were distinct from one another, but we can’t have it all.

Northern

Vibe count: Immaculate

Every Londoner has a hot take on the Northern line. It’s like Marmite: you either love it or you hate it.

Yes, the splits are enough to confuse even the most experienced Londoners (what on earth has become of the Battersea Power Station end since it opened?), but at least it keeps things varied.

But the Northern line feels like classic London: you know what you’re getting, and what you’re getting is a service that’s not too hot, and runs neatly from north to south.

Plus, the section between Stockwell and Borough is the oldest section of deep-level tube line across the entire network. Having opened in 1890, it’s even older than the current stock of Bakerloo line cars.

The Northern also feels like the line you’re most likely to encounter someone reading a book, which is somewhat endearing (and useful if you’re nosy and need recommendations). And there’s 4G and 5G access covering vast swathes of the underground sections. Elite.

Victoria

Vibe count: Immaculate

The vibes on the Victoria line are, quite simply, unparalleled.

Not only does it have a fantastic moquette, but it’s also home to some of the liveliest behaviour at the weekend, connecting up the likes of Oxford Circus, Vauxhall and Brixton, all of which are known for hosting a decent party or two on a Friday night.

And when it comes to range, the Viccy just has it. Up at the northern end of the line with Walthamstow Central and Blackhorse Road, you’ve increasingly got a more wholesome, family atmosphere going on.

Late at night, it’s likely to be quieter up here – while at the other end of the line, Brixton is anything but.

Plus, it only takes about half an hour to get from one end of the line to the other, and during peak times, there are trains once a minute.

The only negative thing we could possibly say is that it’s way too warm, rendering it arguably necessary to dress for 15 degrees warmer than outside when boarding. And maybe a little bit noisy.

Waterloo & City

Vibe count: Despicable

We’ll be honest here, the vibes on the Waterloo & City line aren’t popping.

Colloquially known as ‘The Drain,’ this mysterious line has just two stops on it: Waterloo and Bank. Both are in zone 1, and the journey between them typically takes around four minutes, a fact which has seen disgruntled Redditors give it the title of ‘useless.’

So, if there are only two stations, why was it built? In the late 1800s, a survey identified an overwhelming need to provide transport between Waterloo and the City, as around 12,000 people per day were travelling this route after commuting in from Surrey. And after a four-year construction period, it finally opened in 1898.

Naturally, because there are only two stops, it’s the least used line across the network, which pushes it down in our estimations. Apparently, though, 15 million people use it each year. Who knew?

Overground

Vibe count: Immaculate

The Overground might get an unfair advantage on anything that runs underground, but there are stunning views of East London on offer here.

There’s usually an interesting conversation to be overheard here, providing suitable entertainment, and if we’ve got enough 4G to respond to the group chat, that’s only a plus in our eyes.

The only downside is that, since you’ve got the East London edgy crowd covered, you’re likely to feel somewhat intimidated by the quality of outfits on display here (with the exception of the excessively rolled-up beanie, of course).

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