# Transport for London API

> Transport for London returns London line status and journey options through a workflow and API.

Transport for London (TfL) Get line status returns current or future-day service status; date and line are optional. Plan journey returns London journey options, leg directions, times and available adult fares; origin and destination are required.

- Page: https://fous.com/tools/transport-for-london
- Handle: `@transport-for-london`
- Category: [Travel](https://fous.com/tools/category/travel)
- Source website: https://tfl.gov.uk
- Last verified: Sep 30, 2026

## Methods

### Get line status

Operation `get_line_status`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Get current or future-day service status for London Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR, Overground, tram or a named bus route. For multiple notices on one line, shows the most disruptive status, combines its reasons and spans its validity times; future-day information reflects currently published plans.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `date` | string | no | `"2026-10-03"` | Future service date in YYYY-MM-DD, such as 2026-10-03. Omit for the current live status. |
| `line` | string | no | `"73"` | Line name or bus route number, such as Northern, Elizabeth line, Mildmay, Overground or 73. Omit for all rail and tram lines. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "date": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "date",
      "description": "Future service date in YYYY-MM-DD, such as 2026-10-03. Omit for the current live status.",
      "examples": [
        "2026-10-03"
      ]
    },
    "line": {
      "type": "string",
      "default": "",
      "description": "Line name or bus route number, such as Northern, Elizabeth line, Mildmay, Overground or 73. Omit for all rail and tram lines.",
      "examples": [
        "73",
        "Overground",
        "Jubilee"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {},
    {
      "line": "73"
    },
    {
      "line": "Overground"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `lines` | array |  | Service status in TfL line order. |
| `lines[].type` | string | `"Tube"` | Transport type. |
| `lines[].reason` | string or null | `"Bakerloo Line: Service will resume later this morning."` | Explanation when service is not good, or null. |
| `lines[].status` | string | `"Service closed"` | Service status in words. |
| `lines[].line_id` | string | `"bakerloo"` | TfL line identifier. |
| `lines[].valid_to` | string or null | `"2026-09-29T05:58:27+01:00"` | End of the reported status in London local time, or null. |
| `lines[].line_name` | string | `"Bakerloo"` | Line or bus route name. |
| `lines[].page_link` | string | `"https://tfl.gov.uk/tube-bus-river/status/"` | TfL service status page for this line. |
| `lines[].valid_from` | string or null | `"2026-09-29T01:16:15+01:00"` | Beginning of the reported status in London local time, or null. |
| `lines[].severity_number` | integer | `20` | TfL status severity number. |

**Example input**

```json
{}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "lines": [
    {
      "type": "Tube",
      "reason": "Bakerloo Line: Service will resume later this morning.",
      "status": "Service closed",
      "line_id": "bakerloo",
      "valid_to": "2026-09-29T05:58:27+01:00",
      "line_name": "Bakerloo",
      "page_link": "https://tfl.gov.uk/tube-bus-river/status/",
      "valid_from": "2026-09-29T01:16:15+01:00",
      "severity_number": 20
    },
    {
      "type": "Tube",
      "reason": "Central Line: Service will resume later this morning.",
      "status": "Service closed",
      "line_id": "central",
      "valid_to": "2026-09-29T05:58:27+01:00",
      "line_name": "Central",
      "page_link": "https://tfl.gov.uk/tube-bus-river/status/",
      "valid_from": "2026-09-29T01:16:28+01:00",
      "severity_number": 20
    },
    {
      "type": "Tube",
      "reason": "Circle Line: Service will resume later this morning.",
      "status": "Service closed",
      "line_id": "circle",
      "valid_to": "2026-09-29T05:58:27+01:00",
      "line_name": "Circle",
      "page_link": "https://tfl.gov.uk/tube-bus-river/status/",
      "valid_from": "2026-09-29T01:16:41+01:00",
      "severity_number": 20
    }
  ]
}
```

### Plan journey

Operation `plan_journey`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Plan a London public transport journey from a place, station, address or postcode. Returns journey options in TfL order, with leg directions and an adult pay-as-you-go fare when available.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `modes` | array | no |  | Transport modes to include; omit for all public transport. Example: ["tube", "bus"]. |
| `origin` | string | yes | `"SW1A 1AA"` | London address, station, place or postcode. Example: King's Cross. |
| `time_is` | string | no | `"arriving"` | Whether the specified time is when you leave or arrive. Example: departing. |
| `date_time` | string | no | `"2026-09-30T12:00:00+01:00"` | London local departure or arrival date and time as ISO 8601, or now. Example: 2026-09-30T12:00:00+01:00. |
| `destination` | string | yes | `"SE1 7PB"` | London address, station, place or postcode. Example: Brixton. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `2` | Most journey options to show, in TfL order. Example: 3. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "origin",
    "destination"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "modes": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "enum": [
          "tube",
          "bus",
          "overground",
          "elizabeth_line",
          "dlr",
          "national_rail"
        ],
        "type": "string",
        "examples": [
          "bus"
        ],
        "description": "Use the same format as these example values: \"bus\"."
      },
      "description": "Transport modes to include; omit for all public transport. Example: [\"tube\", \"bus\"].",
      "uniqueItems": true,
      "examples": [
        [
          "bus"
        ]
      ]
    },
    "origin": {
      "type": "string",
      "title": "From",
      "description": "London address, station, place or postcode. Example: King's Cross.",
      "examples": [
        "SW1A 1AA",
        "King's Cross"
      ]
    },
    "time_is": {
      "enum": [
        "departing",
        "arriving"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "departing",
      "description": "Whether the specified time is when you leave or arrive. Example: departing.",
      "examples": [
        "arriving"
      ]
    },
    "date_time": {
      "type": "string",
      "default": "now",
      "description": "London local departure or arrival date and time as ISO 8601, or now. Example: 2026-09-30T12:00:00+01:00.",
      "examples": [
        "2026-09-30T12:00:00+01:00"
      ]
    },
    "destination": {
      "type": "string",
      "title": "To",
      "description": "London address, station, place or postcode. Example: Brixton.",
      "examples": [
        "SE1 7PB",
        "Brixton"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 3,
      "maximum": 10,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Most journey options to show, in TfL order. Example: 3.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        2,
        3
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "modes": [
        "bus"
      ],
      "origin": "SW1A 1AA",
      "time_is": "arriving",
      "date_time": "2026-09-30T12:00:00+01:00",
      "destination": "SE1 7PB",
      "max_results": 2
    },
    {
      "origin": "King's Cross",
      "date_time": "2026-09-30T12:00:00+01:00",
      "destination": "Brixton",
      "max_results": 3
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `journeys` | array |  |  |
| `journeys[].legs` | array |  |  |
| `journeys[].page_link` | string | `"https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/results?InputFrom=SW1A+1AA&InputTo=SE1+7PB&Date=20260930&Time=1200&TimeIs=arriving"` |  |
| `journeys[].total_time` | string | `"15 min"` |  |
| `journeys[].arrival_time` | string | `"2026-09-30T11:40:00+01:00"` |  |
| `journeys[].time_minutes` | integer | `15` |  |
| `journeys[].fare_currency` | string | `"GBP"` |  |
| `journeys[].departure_time` | string | `"2026-09-30T11:25:00+01:00"` |  |
| `journeys[].adult_pay_as_you_go_fare_gbp` | number or null | `1.75` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "modes": [
    "bus"
  ],
  "origin": "SW1A 1AA",
  "time_is": "arriving",
  "date_time": "2026-09-30T12:00:00+01:00",
  "destination": "SE1 7PB",
  "max_results": 2
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "journeys": [
    {
      "legs": [
        {
          "mode": "walking",
          "to_stop": "St James's Park Station",
          "leg_time": "10 min",
          "from_stop": "SW1A 1AA",
          "line_name": null,
          "instruction": "Walk to St James's Park Station",
          "time_minutes": 10
        }
      ],
      "page_link": "https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/results?InputFrom=SW1A+1AA&InputTo=SE1+7PB&Date=20260930&Time=1200&TimeIs=arriving",
      "total_time": "15 min",
      "arrival_time": "2026-09-30T11:40:00+01:00",
      "time_minutes": 15,
      "fare_currency": "GBP",
      "departure_time": "2026-09-30T11:25:00+01:00",
      "adult_pay_as_you_go_fare_gbp": 1.75
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with a Fous API key. To create one, open Developers at the bottom of Fous Studio, turn on Developer mode, then go to API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys). Change the values in `input` to run the same tool on new data.

```bash
curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@transport-for-london",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_line_status",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {},
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
import json
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@transport-for-london\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"get_line_status\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {},\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=180) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
const apiKey = "YOUR_API_KEY";

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(180_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@transport-for-london",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_line_status",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {},
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

## Use from an AI assistant

Connect this tool to Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and any MCP client as its own MCP server. Each method is a typed tool whose arguments are the method’s input.

- Server URL: `https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/transport-for-london`
- Authorization: `Authorization: Bearer <Fous API key>`

**Tools**

- `get_line_status`: Get line status. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `plan_journey`: Plan journey. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `fous_get_run`: the result of a run that was still going, by its `request_id`. Free.

Claude Code:

```bash
claude mcp add --scope user --transport http fous-transport-for-london https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/transport-for-london --header "Authorization: Bearer ${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY to your Fous API key}"
```

To give the assistant every tool, connect `https://api.fous.com/mcp`: it finds one with `fous_search_tools` and runs it with `fous_run_tool`. Setup for other clients: https://fous.com/llms-full.txt.

## Use cases

- Check line or bus route status before travelling
- Review published service plans for a future date
- Compare public transport journeys between London locations
- Estimate journey times and available adult pay-as-you-go fares

## FAQ

### Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

### Can I call this Transport for London tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

### How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a Transport for London account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from tfl.gov.uk when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 30, 2026.

### What is the service status for a London line?

Use Get line status with a line name or bus route number, or omit the line to see all rail and tram lines.

### What service status is planned for a future date?

Use Get line status with a future date. Results reflect currently published plans.

### What journeys can I take between two London locations?

Use Plan journey with an origin and destination to get journey options, leg directions, times and an adult pay-as-you-go fare when available.

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- [Trip.com API](https://fous.com/tools/trip-com.md): Trip.com offers hotel and flight bookings, with hotel listings limited to initial public results and prices and fares subject to change.
- [All Travel tools](https://fous.com/tools/category/travel)