London Transport Museum
200 years of London transport history — vintage buses, Tube trains, trams and the world's finest poster collection in Covent Garden
200 years of London transport history — vintage buses, Tube trains, trams and the world's finest poster collection in Covent Garden
The London Transport Museum tells the story of how a small city became a sprawling metropolis — one bus route, railway line and Tube tunnel at a time. Set in a Victorian iron-and-glass building on Covent Garden Piazza, it covers two centuries of transport history.
From a horse-drawn omnibus of the 1820s to a 1938 Tube carriage you can climb aboard, the collection brings history to life. Play zones, interactive galleries and a world-class poster collection make this much more than a trainspotter's trip.
London's transport network is one of the oldest and most complex in the world, and this museum traces every chapter. The ground floor begins with the horse-drawn hackney carriages and omnibuses of the early 1800s, then moves through the arrival of steam-powered underground railways in 1863 — the world's first — to the electrification that made the Tube possible.
Upper galleries cover the twentieth century, from the Routemaster bus and its Windrush-era drivers to the Jubilee line extension and Oyster card. Real vehicles are displayed throughout: a beautifully restored Metropolitan Railway steam locomotive, a 1938 Tube stock carriage with its original moquette seats, and a red AEC Regent RT bus you can climb aboard. A section on the Elizabeth line, London's newest railway, brings the story up to the present day.
Few organisations have shaped graphic design as profoundly as London Transport. From the earliest commissions in 1908, the network's managers understood that bold poster art could persuade Londoners to travel off-peak, visit the countryside, or simply feel proud of their city.
The museum rotates works from its 33,000-strong poster collection, featuring artists from Edward McKnight Kauffer to Abram Games. You can also trace the evolution of the Johnston typeface, the roundel logo, and Harry Beck's iconic Tube map — design classics still in daily use over a century later.
The All Aboard zone on the ground floor is one of central London's best play areas for under-sevens. Children drive a scaled-down bus, load cargo onto a miniature Tube train, and dress up as drivers and engineers. It gets busy after 11am on weekends, so arrive early for the best experience.
Older children enjoy the upper galleries, where they can try a bus-driving simulator and operate a signal box. School holiday programmes add workshops, trails and costumed actors to the mix. The whole museum is pushchair-friendly, with lifts between all levels.
Standard adult tickets include unlimited return visits for a full year — keep your ticket as an annual pass
Every adult ticket doubles as an annual pass. Flash it at the desk on future visits and you get in free for a full year from the date of purchase.
The All Aboard play zone fills up fast on Saturday mornings. Arriving at opening time gives small children space to play before the crowds build after 11am.
The museum opens at 11am on Fridays instead of 10am, but the later start means fewer visitors. It is one of the quietest times of the week.
Temporary poster shows rotate several times a year and are included in the ticket price. The museum website lists current and upcoming exhibitions.
The museum sits on the piazza itself, so pair your visit with lunch at one of the market's restaurants or a wander through the street performers and shops of Neal's Yard nearby.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: February 28, 2026
