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FILMING & PHOTOGRAPHY ON TFL

This guide should tell you everything you need to know about filming or taking photos on the TfL network, but if you have more questions, feel free to contact us.

The TfL Film Office covers the following modes:

  • London Underground (LU)
  • London Overground (LO)
  • Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
  • London Trams
  • TfL piers
  • Emirates Air Line
  • Victoria Coach Station

See also:

Permits and costs

If you want to film or take photographs on the TfL network, you must ask permission ahead of time from the TfL Film Office.

All permit requests must be made in writing, using our downloadable application form.

The cost of permits varies depending on which type you need. Unless indicated, all prices are exclusive of VAT.

Location permit

  • Crew sizes of five or more
  • Quotes on application start from £500 per hour
  • Filming on operational property

See our terms and conditions for location permits.

2-for-1 permit

  • Two hours for the price of one
  • Valid only Monday to Friday, 10:00-15:30 in Zones 1 and 2
  • Crew size of five or less
  • Handheld equipment only
  • Cost: £500 (plus VAT) for up to two hours filming in any one day

Read our terms and conditions for 2-for-1 permits.

Student permit

  • Crew or group size of five or less
  • Handheld equipment only
  • Cost: £60 including VAT - valid for one month
  • Not for publication or broadcast
  • Only valid on London Underground and London Overground

The permit holder is not permitted to publish or broadcast without the prior permission of London Underground. Licence to Publish Contracts start at £360 (including VAT), please contact us for more information.

Read our terms and conditions for student permits.

Exclusive areas

Exclusive areas can include:

  • Closed or separated areas from the public
  • Own train
  • Use of station platforms
  • Working escalators
  • Prices start from £750 per hour for photography or £1,500 per hour for filming

Other costs

If you wish to use our electrical power supply, we will charge you for an electrician.

If you require special access (track or overnight), there is an additional cost.

Payment terms

Payment for all permits must be made either in advance or on the day. We accept most major credit or debit cards, BACS transfer or cash.

Insurance

You must have a current policy of insurance, providing cover for death and personal injury to any person and loss of, or damage to, any property. Your public liability insurance must be for at least £5,000,000.

Notice period

We require two weeks notice to set up an average-sized filming or photography facility. Sometimes this can be turned around faster, depending on the nature of the request.

Access times to film or photograph

We only permit filming and photography during off-peak periods:

  • Monday to Friday: 10:00-15:30 and 20:00-23:30
  • Weekends: generally any time of day (depending on location)

We don't recommend that you film or photograph when locations are closed at night because this is when essential engineering work is carried out. However, it may be possible during these hours if you give advance notice - and if there are no planned works at the location you wish to use. 

Script and copy approval

Scripts

You will need to have your script or layout approved by the TfL Film Office before a permit is granted.

Permits will generally not be considered if a script or layout breaches or contradicts TfL byelaws or marketing campaigns or contains any or our filming restrictions.

LU can refuse a permit application without providing specific reasons, but we will normally offer advice on how you can bring your script or layout into line with its restrictions.

You can send us a synopsis or storyline before submitting your full permit application.

Advertising and copyright

If your application involves an advertising campaign, please contact TfL's advertising contractor Exterion Media for information on copy approval.

It is your responsibility to make sure film or photographic content does not breach copyright or other intellectual property rights.

Restrictions

Equipment

We do not permit flash photography or additional lighting unless you are using an exclusive area. In some cases they may be used, the TfL Film Office and operational staff can advise you on this.

Tripods are only authorised at operational staff's discretion and are not allowed on station platforms or near escalators for safety reasons.

Filming restrictions

In accordance with TfL company regulations, the following activities are not allowed to be filmed or photographed:

  • Vandalism or graffiti
  • Assaults on passengers or staff
  • Suicides
  • Fare evasion or ticket touting
  • Use of firearms or weapons
  • Misuse of escalators or LU property
  • Unlicensed busking
  • Begging
  • Smoking or the use of illegal drugs
  • Behaving in an overtly sexual or indecent manner (including nudity)
  • Direct threats (including terrorist) to LU, its staff or passengers
  • Anything that may negatively affect the interests of the site owner

The TfL Film Office can refuse permit applications which include activities which breach or contradict TfL company regulations and marketing campaigns.

Filming in the driver's cab

It is possible to film in the driver's cab of London Underground or London Overground trains, but you need to contact the TfL Film Office in advance so that special arrangements can be made.

A member of operational staff will need to supervise the shoot and the driver must give permission. A maximum of two crew members with equipment can enter the driver's cab.

The cost is £500 per hour.

Electrical power

We ask film crews to use battery-operated equipment.

LU operates on a different voltage system to the standard domestic set-up and connections to our power supply must be supervised by an LU electrician. This is a chargeable resource, if required please contact us for the current rate.

If you wish to use our power supply, we'll need advance notice so we can provide an electrician. You will be charged for their attendance on the day and for any pre-shoot meetings they attend.

The use of petrol or diesel generators is absolutely prohibited at LU, LO, and DLR stations and trains.

Apply for a permit

Before you start your application, make sure you have all the following additional documentation:

  • Relevant copy of script/storyboard/brief/layout
  • Head and shoulders photograph (for student permit only)
  • Certificate of insurance

You must send all of these documents with your application otherwise we cannot process your request.

application to film or photograph on tfl

 

Channel website: https://tfl.gov.uk/

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