The District Line is not complicated — but during Wimbledon fortnight, it gets very, very busy. Here's how to use it without losing your mind.
💡 In 30 seconds
- Best station: Southfields (District Line, Zone 3) — 15-minute walk to the grounds
- The Queue opens: 28 June at 2pm; first 1,500 people typically get a show court ticket
- Your Oyster or contactless card works on everything — no special ticket needed
Getting to the All England Club by Tube
Wimbledon has three nearby District Line stations, and they are not equal.
| Station | Walk to grounds | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Southfields (Zone 3) | 15 min | Best option. Flat, signposted, set up for crowds |
| Wimbledon Park (Zone 3) | 25 min | Closer on the map; lake means a longer walk in practice |
| Wimbledon (Zone 3) | 20 min | Uphill. Also serves South Western Railway and Tram |
Use Southfields. It is the station closest to the AELTC in walking time, the exit is set up for Wimbledon crowds, and the route is entirely flat and signposted. Trains from Earl's Court run every 5–8 minutes and take around 25 minutes from central London.
From the city centre, take the District Line towards Wimbledon. Do not take a train terminating at Ealing Broadway or Richmond — check the front of the train or the platform display before boarding.
How much does it cost?
Standard TfL fares apply. Use contactless or Oyster — there is no Wimbledon surcharge.
| Journey | Contactless/Oyster | Valid |
|---|---|---|
| Central London → Southfields (off-peak) | £3,30 | Single, Zones 1–3 |
| Central London → Southfields (peak) | £3,90 | Single, Zones 1–3 |
| Daily cap (Zones 1–3) | £10,50 | Unlimited trips within the day |
| Bus (any single journey) | £1,75 | All London buses |
As of May 2026, Transport for London
Peak hours on weekdays are 06:30–09:30 and 16:00–19:00. Matches start at 11am on outer courts and 1pm on Centre Court — if you leave in the morning, you travel peak. If you leave after 7pm, you travel off-peak.
Step-by-step: getting there
- Tap in at your departure station with your contactless bank card or phone. Same fares as Oyster — no deposit required.
- Take the District Line towards Wimbledon. From Earl's Court or Embankment, trains run every 5–8 minutes.
- Get off at Southfields, not Wimbledon. The exit is set up for Wimbledon foot traffic.
- Walk 15 minutes along Wimbledon Park Road — it is flat, well-signposted, and you will simply follow the crowd.
- Tap out at your exit station. On the Tube you must tap both in and out — forgetting costs you the maximum fare.
The Queue: what it actually is
The Queue is not a marketing stunt. It is Wimbledon's official same-day ticketing system, and it works.
Each day of the tournament, a set number of tickets go on sale to people who show up in person:
- ~500 tickets for Centre Court
- ~500 tickets for Court No.1
- ~500 tickets for Court No.2
- Unlimited Grounds Passes (access to outer courts and The Hill)
The Queue for 2026 opens at 2pm on Sunday 28 June, the day before the Championships begin. Once you join, a steward issues you a numbered Queue Card. That card holds your place — it is non-transferable and can be checked at any point.
Typically, the first 1,500 people in the Queue will secure a show court ticket. If you want Centre Court on an early-round day, plan to arrive the evening before.
If you simply want to experience the atmosphere — outer courts, strawberries, Henman Hill — it is possible to join the queue after 5pm for late entry. Grounds Passes are slightly cheaper at that point, and many morning visitors will already have left.
One practical tip about The Hill: The Grounds Pass gives access to the Hill, where you can watch live coverage of Centre Court and Court No.1 on a giant screen. It is free once you have your pass, and a legitimate way to follow the big matches without a show court ticket.
Common mistakes
Mistake: Getting off at Wimbledon station because it sounds right. Fix: Get off at Southfields. It is one stop earlier and 5 minutes closer to the grounds — and the exit is configured for the crowd.
Mistake: Boarding a District Line train without checking where it terminates. Fix: The District Line splits. Only trains marked Wimbledon go to Southfields and beyond. Trains marked Ealing Broadway or Richmond will not get you there.
Mistake: Joining The Queue at midday expecting a show court ticket. Fix: Show court tickets are typically gone within the first 1,500 places. Arrive the evening before for Centre Court. For a Grounds Pass, afternoon or early evening on the day is fine.
⚠️ Common mistake
Assuming your daily fare cap from the day before carries over. It does not. The daily cap resets at midnight — so if you travel out after midnight on Wimbledon's late night, that journey counts towards the next day's cap.
Roamy's quick checklist ✓
- Use contactless or Oyster — no special ticket required
- Take the District Line towards Wimbledon; get off at Southfields
- Check the train destination before boarding — only Wimbledon trains serve Southfields
- For show court tickets via The Queue, arrive the evening before; for a Grounds Pass, afternoon on the day is fine
- Tap in and out at every Tube station — forgetting costs you the maximum fare
→ Planning your London trip? See the full public transport guide on the London city page.
Wimbledon 2026 runs from 29 June to 12 July at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Church Road SW19. Full details and ticket information at wimbledon.com.