Honestly, the short answer is: check your calendar, then check it again—because these strikes love to move around like a squirrel on caffeine. The exact dates depend on which union is having a spat with Transport for London (TfL) this month. Usually, strikes get announced with about a fortnight’s notice, so your best bet is to follow TfL on social media or download the Citymapper app, which will scream warnings at you in a very helpful British panic.
For a current list, I’d point you to the official TfL website or a trusty news site like the BBC. They’ll list the dates in a table that looks suspiciously like a doom scroll. But don’t stress—I’ll keep this fun, I promise.
The Usual Suspects: When Do Strikes Typically Happen?
Strikes usually pop up like unwelcome party guests on weekdays, often a Thursday or Friday. Why? Because unions want to cause maximum disruption to commuters, and also because it’s the perfect excuse for a three-day weekend if you’re clever. They love a good Tuesday–Thursday block, too, just to remind you that work is optional (it’s not, but let’s dream).
Oh, and bank holidays? Forget it. Strikes adore bank holidays like a cat adores a sunbeam. They nestle right in, making your plans feel like a sad sandwich. So if you see a strike looming near a long weekend, just assume the Tube is turning itself into a museum exhibit for a few hours.
