Mind Your Volume: London Transport Launches Campaign to Tackle Loud Inconsiderate Phone and Music Use on the Tube

London’s Transport for London (TfL) has rolled out a new public awareness campaign targeting one of the capital’s most persistent travel annoyances: passengers who play music or videos loudly on their phones without using headphones. The initiative, which began appearing on the Elizabeth line today and will expand across the network this autumn, aims to remind travelers—both locals and visitors—about basic public transport etiquette.

A Growing Problem as London Gets More Connected

The campaign comes as new TfL research reveals that 70% of surveyed passengers find loud music and phone conversations without headphones genuinely disruptive to their journeys. While most Londoners naturally use headphones when consuming content on public transport, a vocal minority continues to use their device speakers or make calls on speakerphone, creating an uncomfortable environment for fellow passengers.

This issue has become more pronounced as London’s transport network becomes increasingly connected. The completion of 4G and 5G coverage across the Elizabeth line—the UK’s busiest railway with 800,000 daily passengers—means more people than ever are streaming content, making calls, and staying connected while traveling underground. Large sections of the Tube network across central London now have mobile coverage, with expansion planned for major interchange stations like Green Park and King’s Cross St Pancras by year’s end.

What Visitors Should Know

For tourists and first-time visitors to London, understanding local transport etiquette can make a significant difference in how you’re perceived by locals and how comfortable your journey will be. The golden rule is simple: if you’re listening to music, watching videos, or taking calls, use headphones or earbuds. This consideration is especially important for travelers with conditions like autism, who may have heightened sensitivity to unexpected noise.

The campaign also reminds passengers to occasionally look up from their screens to check if someone nearby might need their seat more—pregnant women, elderly passengers, or those with mobility issues who might not feel comfortable asking directly.

Part of London’s Broader Courtesy Campaign

This headphone initiative represents the latest phase of TfL’s #TravelKind campaign, which has been encouraging considerate behavior on London’s transport network since 2017. The message is particularly relevant for the Elizabeth line, which connects central London with destinations popular among visitors, including Canary Wharf, Stratford (for the Olympic Park), and areas extending east and west across the capital.

Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance emphasized that while the vast majority of passengers already follow these unwritten rules, “the small minority who play music or videos out loud can be a real nuisance to other passengers and directly disturb their journeys.”

A Connected Underground Experience

The timing of this campaign coincides with London Underground’s ongoing digital transformation. TfL and Boldyn Networks are working to bring high-speed mobile coverage to the entire Underground, DLR, and Elizabeth line networks. Last year, the Elizabeth line became fully connected, allowing seamless connectivity for travelers moving between central London stations and destinations like Whitechapel, Stratford, Canary Wharf, and Woolwich.

Recent additions include mobile coverage between Balham and South Wimbledon on the Northern line, plus coverage at key stations like Kennington, Oval, Tooting Broadway, and South Wimbledon. This expanded connectivity means visitors can now stay in touch, navigate using maps, or catch up on entertainment during longer journeys across London.

The Bottom Line for Travelers

As London’s transport network becomes more connected and convenient, the basic principles of considerate travel remain unchanged. Whether you’re a tourist exploring the city for the first time or a regular visitor, packing a pair of headphones is as essential as having your Oyster card or contactless payment ready. It’s a small gesture that helps maintain the relatively peaceful atmosphere that makes London’s public transport system manageable for millions of daily users.

For those looking to upgrade their travel audio experience, TfL has partnered with JBL for a competition offering wireless headphones—a reminder that good transport etiquette and quality audio can go hand in hand.