If you’ve ever spotted a little ✠ symbol on your train ticket and thought, “What on earth is that?” you’re not alone. It’s called the Maltese cross, and while it sounds like something from a medieval treasure map, it actually means you’ve got a little extra travel magic included with your ticket.
So what does it mean? And how far can you go with it? Let’s break it down; no jargon, no fuss.
✠ What Is the Maltese Cross?
The ✠ (Maltese cross) symbol on your ticket means that your fare includes a cross-London transfer between mainline train stations via London Underground or Thameslink services. Handy, right?
You’ll usually see it if:
- You’re travelling to or from a station outside London
- You need to change stations within London to complete your journey (e.g., going from Euston to Victoria)
- Your ticket is marked with “London Terminals” or explicitly shows the ✠
It’s essentially permission to hop on the Tube (or other permitted services) between train stations that aren’t directly connected.
🚉 How It Works in Real Life
Let’s say you're travelling from Manchester to Brighton. Your train arrives at London Euston, but your next train leaves from London Victoria.
No problem. Your ticket includes the cross-London journey — just follow the signs for the Victoria Line, hop off at Victoria station, and you're good to go.
As long as the ✠ is on your ticket, you don’t need to buy a separate Tube ticket for this transfer.
✅ You can usually use:
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London Underground (Tube)
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DLR (for certain routes)
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Thameslink (cross-London National Rail services)
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Elizabeth line (in some cases — check with us if you’re unsure)
🚫 What It Doesn’t Cover
There are a few limits. The cross-London transfer is:
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Only valid on the day of travel
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Only for connecting between rail terminals — it’s not an all-day travelcard
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Not valid for general travel around London if you’re not changing stations
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Not valid if your ticket is to a specific London terminal (like “London Euston” only, without the ✠)
Still not sure if you're covered? Send us your journey details — we’re happy to check.
Image Credit: SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS| Pexels
🧳 What If I Want to Explore London Too?
Tempting, right? If you’re planning to see the sights or do some shopping while you’re changing trains, we recommend getting a Travelcard, Oyster, or using contactless for anything beyond your station-to-station route.
Your ✠ doesn’t cover travel to Covent Garden or a cheeky detour to Camden. (We get it though — it’s hard to resist.)
Final Stop: No Tap-Out Panic Necessary
We get a lot of questions about cross-London travel — and it makes sense! London’s busy, the Tube can be a maze, and if you’re not sure what’s included in your fare, it’s easy to worry you’ll get it wrong.
That’s where we come in. We’re here to help decode your ticket, explain the ✠, and make sure you know exactly what to do when the escalators start moving and the announcements are echoing in five different directions.
Got a question about your journey? Send it our way. We’ll help you get from A to B — even when it includes a quick hop through Zone 1.