Here’s where it gets fun. Because Earl’s Court is a shared zone, you can sometimes save money by alighting here. Let’s say you’re heading from Zone 2 to a Zone 1 destination like South Kensington. If you get off at Earl’s Court and walk the rest (about 10 minutes), you avoid the Zone 1 charge entirely. Your legs get a stretch, and your bank account breathes a sigh of relief.
Earls Court Photo Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images
Another scenario: you’re meeting friends for dinner in Chelsea. Chelsea is actually in Zone 1, but it’s right on the border. By hopping off at Earl’s Court and walking across the bridge, you feel like you’ve cheated the system. It’s the transport equivalent of finding a fiver in an old coat pocket.
What about the tourists? They need to know this.
If you’re visiting London and staying near Earl’s Court, you’ve hit the jackpot. The area is full of affordable hotels that are a stone’s throw from the station. Because it’s a dual zone, many visitors accidentally buy a Zone 1–2 pass and then only use the Zone 2 bits. Don’t be that tourist. Check the map, plan your routes, and you’ll save cash for a proper afternoon tea.
I once watched a family from Texas try to buy a ticket to the London Eye. The machine offered them a choice: “Zone 1–2” or “Zone 2–3.” They picked the wrong one, spent an extra £15, and spent the ride complaining about the price of a hot dog. A simple check at Earl’s Court would have saved them.
