London Tunnel Charges 2026
Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels now charge. Live charge status, full price table, peak hours and exemptions — updated from official TfL guidance.
| Tunnel | Charged? | Charge Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silvertown Tunnel | Yes — per crossing | 06:00–22:00 | Opened 2025. Peak/off-peak rates apply on Auto Pay |
| Blackwall Tunnel | Yes — per crossing | 06:00–22:00 | Both northbound and southbound bores are charged |
| Rotherhithe Tunnel | Free | N/A | No charge. Height/width restrictions apply |
| Limehouse Link | Free | N/A | Not a Thames crossing — Tower Hamlets underpass only |
Charges apply 06:00 to 22:00 every day in both directions. This includes weekends and bank holidays. The only exception is Christmas Day (25 December) — no charge on that day. Between 22:00 and 06:00, both tunnels are free.
All charges are per tunnel crossing. Each direction counts as a separate crossing.
| Vehicle Type | Auto Pay Off-Peak | Auto Pay Peak (Mon–Fri) | Pay Online / Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles, mopeds, motor tricycles | £1.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 |
| Cars and small vans | £1.50 | £4.00 | £4.00 |
| Large vans | £2.50 | £6.50 | £6.50 |
| Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) | £5.00 | £10.00 | £10.00 |
Auto Pay is TfL's free account system for tunnel charges, ULEZ and Congestion Charge. When you register your vehicle on Auto Pay, cameras read your number plate as you enter, and TfL bills you monthly — automatically applying off-peak or peak rates as appropriate.
There are no sign-up or renewal fees. You can register up to 5 vehicles. The same London Road User Charging account covers the tunnel charge, ULEZ and Congestion Charge.
If you don't have Auto Pay, you can pay online or by phone (UK: 0343 222 2222) by midnight on the third day after your journey — but you'll pay the peak rate at all times.
Peak rates apply Monday to Friday only — weekends and bank holidays always use the off-peak rate (with Auto Pay).
| Period | When | Car rate (Auto Pay) |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak | All times 06:00–22:00 except peak windows; all weekends; all bank holidays | £1.50 |
| Peak — northbound | Monday–Friday, 06:00–10:00 | £4.00 |
| Peak — southbound | Monday–Friday, 16:00–19:00 | £4.00 |
| Category | Discount |
|---|---|
| Emergency services (fire, police, ambulance) | 100% exempt |
| TfL licensed taxis (black cabs) | 100% exempt |
| DVLA-registered UK buses, coaches, minibuses | 100% exempt |
| Zero-emission capable & wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles (TfL licensed, on a booking) | 100% exempt |
| Blue Badge holders | 100% discount — register with TfL |
| Residents of 12 east London boroughs or City of London (on certain benefits) | 50% discount — apply via TfL |
| Small businesses/sole traders/charities in Greenwich, Newham or Tower Hamlets | £1 off the off-peak charge — max 3 vehicles |
| Non-UK buses, coaches, minibuses registered with TfL | 100% exempt after registration |
| NHS patients travelling to hospital appointments | Refund available via TfL |
The Silvertown Tunnel is London's newest Thames crossing, opening in 2025. It runs between Silvertown (Newham) and North Greenwich (Greenwich), roughly beneath the O2 arena. It was built to relieve chronic congestion at Blackwall and provides a second two-lane bore beneath the river at this point.
There are no toll booths — the tunnel uses ANPR cameras to read number plates. Cyclists cannot drive through; TfL provides a free shuttle bus for cyclists. NHS patients can claim a refund on charges for journeys to hospital appointments.
Blackwall is one of London's busiest crossings, carrying over 60,000 vehicles daily. The southbound bore dates from 1897, the northbound from 1967. Both bores are now charged. The tunnel is notorious for frequent overnight closures for maintenance — always check TfL or JamCams cameras before late-night travel.
The older northbound bore has a 4.0m height restriction. Tall vehicles must use Dartford Crossing or Silvertown. Check TfL's tunnel status page and our JamCam feeds before travelling.
Rotherhithe Tunnel connects Rotherhithe (Southwark) to Limehouse (Tower Hamlets). It dates from 1908 and is the narrowest and oldest Thames road tunnel — still free to use. Its age means significant size restrictions that exclude most commercial vehicles.
The 4.0m height and 3.0m width limits exclude most vans, minibuses and all HGVs. Cars and motorcycles are fine. Do not attempt with an oversized vehicle — getting stuck causes significant disruption and enforcement action.
Limehouse Link is a 1.8km underpass in Tower Hamlets connecting Limehouse with the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf. It does not cross the Thames — it is entirely below Tower Hamlets. There is no charge. Average speed cameras operate throughout.
JamCams.co.uk is not affiliated with TfL. Information is sourced from official TfL guidance documents. Always verify current charges and tunnel closures at tfl.gov.uk before travelling.