In life, there are very few undeniably universal truths: Pubs are best in summertime, parks are essential for outdoor larks, and the Central Line in summer is hotter than the surface of the sun*. And now, the data pretty much backs us up.
*I might be catastrophising.
A new study from Making Moves London has revealed exactly which Tube lines are the hottest and coldest in London—and, shock, horror, gasp, the results are about as sweaty as you’d expect. Astonishingly, some lines are seeing temperature differences down there of up to 5°C hotter than street level, meaning that even during a heatwave, there’s no relief underground.
The hottest line on the Underground is the Central Line, clocking in at a toasty 30.3°C. That’s warmer than a summer’s day in Benidorm. Legit, I’m not sure if we should call it commuting or slow-cooking.
Coming in just behind is the Bakerloo Line (because, naturally, it’s lagging these days), peaking at 29.2°C, and then the Jubilee Line at a not-so-chilly 28.3°C. If you’re looking for an instant facial hydration with al-natural salts, just spend five minutes on any of these baddies.
On the flip side (and by “flip side” we mean “lines you should absolutely seek out”), the coldest Tube line in London is the recently refreshed Elizabeth Line, gliding along at a breezy 21.4°C. Air-con, legroom, and comfort? It’s like being on the Tube back in the 1900’s, when it was famously cold underground.
Runners-up in the ‘least likely to make you sweat through your shirt’ category include the Overground (22.5°C) and the DLR (23.2°C). Basically, if it’s orange or teal, you’re golden.
The data, collected in June, is helping us make sense of this heatwave. If you turned on a furnace and placed a Pret in all corners, that’s London right now. And while there’s not much we can do about the temperatures underground, we can start timing journeys for maximum coolness—and minimal meltdowns.
So, if you’re planning a trip across our legendary city, don’t wear anything clingy, keep that handheld fan charged, and for the hate of all things smelly—avoid the Central Line at rush hour.
To stay cool and recover from the swampy conditions, why not pop over to somewhere with aircon, like a world-renowned museum, get enveloped in a stunning immersive experience, or go to the cinema and see a new film in comfort?
Stay cool, Secret Londoners.