Bikes are allowed on Metropolitan Line trains outside of rush hour. However when you get to my age (old) it’s not so much fun lugging a bike up and down the stairs to get between street level and the platform. Year by year, the program of upgrades to provide step-free access to more stations is making incremental progress. Out here in Hillingdon the only step free stations on the Metropolitan Line are Uxbridge, Hillingdon and Ickenham.
Harrow-on-the-Hill and Wembley Park have already got lifts, but in central London I think only Kings Cross and Farringdon have lifts in both directions between the Met Line platforms and street level. Euston Square has a lift in the direction for coming home, but not going there. If you can decipher the step-free tube map then you are a step ahead of me, but here it is: is the official step-free tube map
As of Summer 2026, Eastcote is rumoured to be in line for a major upgrade in 2027 or 2028. The Eastcote station planning application is now available on the planning portal of the Hillingdon council website. You may want to leave a comment in support or opposition.
In September 2026 TfL announced a small piece of good news for people who want to take bikes, mobility aids and luggage into central London, and don’t like having to cross the busy Euston Road dual carriageway at street level.
TfL sent the following update
“We have opened a new step-free entrance at King’s Cross St Pancras Tube station on the south side of Euston Road.
This entrance replaces 2 smaller entrances. It is part of the new Belgrove House building and includes a lift, enabling step-free access from the south side of Euston Road for the first time.
This will allow customers to make quicker, safer, easier and more direct step-free journeys between the Tube platform and street level.
For more information on step-free access across our transport network, visit our website. You can use TfL Go for help planning step-free journeys. “
If you can share any useful tips or hints for putting bikes on trains, please let us know!
Jess