London superloop: Where do the buses stop?
LONDON’s new Superloop network is now providing faster express services to outer Londoners.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan hailed the final piece of the circuit taking in key South London hubs.
What is the London Superloop?
The Superloop comprises a system of 10 fast-track bus routes encircling outer London.
The completed orbital network provides direct links to town centres, medical facilities, educational institutions, and major transport hubs.
Khan had pledged to enhance London's bus infrastructure in London's outskirts, after expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across the city in 2023.
The London Mayor said: "When I made the tough decision to expand the Ulez London-wide, one of my key commitments to Londoners was to improve transport links in outer London.
"I'm proud to say I'm delivering on this commitment."
The last three Transport for London routes of the loop launched in March 2024, completing a 138km circle network spanning the city’s suburbs.
The newest additions to the network include the SL2, which connects Walthamstow and North Woolwich, the SL3, linking Thamesmead and Bromley North, and the SL5, connecting Bromley North with Croydon town centre.
The Superloop's final route, SL4, is scheduled to launch in 2025 coinciding with the opening of the Silvertown tunnel.
Responding to the launch, Khan said: “The Superloop is a game-changing new network of express buses that have added more than six million additional bus kilometres to the capital’s bus network, linking stations, town centres, hospitals and transport hubs.
“I’m so excited about the benefits these new services will bring by providing Londoners with stronger alternatives to private car use, and helping us to build a better, greener London for everyone.
Where does the London Superloop stop?
The Superloop services will run via Friern Barnet, New Southgate station, Arnos Grove station, Palmers Green and Silver Street station, calling at 13 stops in each direction.
While you can now travel on the full loop, the SL4 route from Canary Wharf to Grove Park will open in 2025.
The Superloop goes from:
- Route SL1 - North Finchley to Walthamstow
- Route SL2 - Walthamstow Central to North Woolwich
- Route SL3 - Thamesmead to Bromley
- Route SL4 - Canary Wharf to Grove Park
- Route SL5 - Bromley to Croydon
- Route SL6 - Russell Square to West Croydon (peak services only)
- Route SL7 - Croydon to Heathrow Airport
- Route SL8 - Uxbridge to White City
- Route SL9 - Heathrow Airport to Harrow
- Route SL10 - Harrow to North Finchley
Services operate every 12 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays during daytime hours, and every 15 minutes during all other times of the day.
How to pay for a fare on the London Superloop bus routes
The fares for the Superloop will remain consistent with standard bus routes at £1.75.
On top of this, passengers have the option to use the "hopper" feature, allowing them to transfer between buses at no additional charge within an hour of beginning their journey.
This means that commuters can switch between Superloop and regular bus services throughout their journey.
London Superloop timetable
These express bus routes is expected to help improve connections
Route SL1 - North Finchley to Walthamstow
Based on a Monday to Friday schedule, the first bus begins at 5.00am and finishes at 12.30am heading in the direction of Walthamstow Bus Station.
It takes approximately 45 minutes to the destination.
Going in the opposite direction, the first bus leaves at 5.20am and the final bus stops at 12.50am, but takes 42 minutes.
Route SL2 - Walthamstow Central to North Woolwich
Heading towards North Woolwich Ferry, the first bus leaves at 5.00am and stops at 12.30am.
The journey takes around 63 minutes.
It is the same timings in reverse as well, but takes 68 minutes.
Route SL3 - Thamesmead to Bromley
The bus leaves at 5.00am and finishes at 12.30am, taking an hour in total, in both directions.
Route SL4 - Canary Wharf to Grove Park
The operation of Route SL4 is set to begin on March 1, 2025.
This route will run from Grove Park to Westferry Circus, passing through Lee, Blackheath, Shooters Hill Road, Sun in the Sands, East India, and Canary Wharf.
Route SL5 - Bromley to Croydon
From Bromley North to Park Street, the bus heads out at 5.00am and finishes service at 12.30am, taking half an hour to complete the journey.
At the moment, the Croydon to Bromley route is no longer available.
Route SL6 - Russell Square to West Croydon (peak services only)
The SL6 route starts later than the others at 5.50am and finishes at the earlier time of 8.30am, as it only runs at peak times in the morning and afternoon.
The later bus starts at 3.40pm and finishes at 6.50pm
Route SL7 - Croydon to Heathrow Airport
Route SL7 is an airport bus, which means it starts earlier at 4.10am, but finishes at 11.15pm when travelling towards Heathrow.
When going in the other direction, it starts at 5.40am and stops at 12.40pm.
It is also the longest route, taking around 103 minutes to complete.
Route SL8 - Uxbridge to White City
As Uxbridge is on the outskirts of London, buses start at 4.25am, while finishing at 12.50pm.
It takes just over an hour to get from first to the last stop.
The bus starts at 5.10am and finishes at 12.24 heading towards Uxbridge.
Route SL9 - Heathrow Airport to Harrow
The Heathrow to Harrow bus starts at 5.55am and ends at 11.40pm, taking around 55 minutes from A to B.
It leaves at 5.40am and stops at 10.50pm travelling in the opposite direction.
Route SL10 - Harrow to North Finchley
The bus from Harrow to North Finchley begins at 5.00am and finishes at 12.30am, taking around 50 minutes.
From North Finchley to Harrow, it starts at 5.15am and stops at 12.45am.