It shows just how different the Tube is from TfL’s map
London’s Underground system is an icon of the city, and its unwritten rules are ingrained in every Londoner. The code is simple: never block the left side of escalators, and steer clear of striking up chats with fellow travellers under any circumstances.
The TfL map itself is rather iconic, though it prioritises clarity over geographical precision.
But this fascinating image was produced by Martin Bangratz who, sparked by a Reddit post displaying an aerial photograph of London in 2018, realised he could reimagine the Tube system from a distinctive angle.
He obtained approval from the original photographer, known online as @djsantero, to superimpose the Tube diagram onto the overhead view of London.
Bangratz’s resulting creation provides a captivating aerial perspective where the recognisable lines of the Tube are mapped out in their signature colours, weaving like coloured strands linking the city’s landscape.
Not content with his original work, Bangratz refined his aerial piece to incorporate the Overground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and even the Waterloo and City line.
There are also several official variations of the map. One such version shows the walking duration between stations.
Within Zone 1, certain journeys can be covered in a swift three-minute stroll.
The gap between Charing Cross and Embankment is notably short, as is the stretch from Leicester Square to Covent Garden – a route that TfL itself recommends tackling on foot.
On the other end of the scale, the walk from White City to East Acton is a considerable 25-minute trek, while the hike from Mile End to Stratford is a whopping 43 minutes.
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