Bus PL-5 in London links Cockfosters Station and Finchley Central Station. The route is 0.0 km long with 5 stops, and the official schedule from Transport for London puts the full trip at about 47 minutes. On a weekday it runs 138 trips in one direction.
Route at a glance
| Mode | Bus |
|---|---|
| Route number | PL-5 |
| City | London |
| Operator | Transport for London (TfL) |
| Start → end | Cockfosters Station → Finchley Central Station |
| End → start | Finchley Central Station → Cockfosters Station |
| Route length | 0.0 km / 0.0 km in the opposite direction |
| Number of stops | 5 / 5 in the opposite direction |
| Travel time | about 47 minutes |
| Trips per day | 138 on weekdays one way |
| Frequency | peak 4–10 · midday 10 |
| First / last trip from «Cockfosters Station» | 04:30 / 23:55 |
| First / last trip from «Finchley Central Station» | 00:03 / 23:53 |
| Fare | 1.75 £ (fare in effect since 5 July 2026) |
| Updated | August 22, 2026 |
Route of Bus PL-5
Outbound: Cockfosters Station → Finchley Central Station
This direction has 5 stops. The route passes Oakwood Station, Southgate, Arnos Grove Station. The full list of stops in order is below.
| No. | Stop | From start | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cockfosters Station | 0.0 km | Terminus |
| 2 | Oakwood Station | 0.0 km | |
| 3 | Southgate | 0.0 km | |
| 4 | Arnos Grove Station | 0.0 km | |
| 5 | Finchley Central Station | 0.0 km | Terminus |
Inbound: Finchley Central Station → Cockfosters Station
This direction has 5 stops. The route passes Arnos Grove Station, Southgate, Oakwood Station. The full list of stops in order is below.
| No. | Stop | From start | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finchley Central Station | 0.0 km | Terminus |
| 2 | Arnos Grove Station | 0.0 km | |
| 3 | Southgate | 0.0 km | |
| 4 | Oakwood Station | 0.0 km | |
| 5 | Cockfosters Station | 0.0 km | Terminus |
Schedule and frequency
According to the official schedule from Transport for London, the route runs 138 trips in one direction on a weekday.
| Direction | Weekdays | Weekends and holidays |
|---|---|---|
| From «Cockfosters Station» | 04:30 — 23:55 | — — — |
| From «Finchley Central Station» | 00:03 — 23:53 | — — — |
Frequency calculated from the departure table: in the morning peak buses run every 4–10 minutes, most often every 7; midday every 10 minutes; in the afternoon peak every 6–9.
Fare and payment
A single ride costs 1.75 £ — fare in effect since 5 July 2026. The same fare applies to buses in London.
A single bus or tram journey costs £1.75. The Hopper fare lets you make unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour of your first tap at no extra charge. Daily spending is capped at £5.25; a 7 Day Bus & Tram Pass costs £24.70. London buses do not accept cash — pay by contactless or Oyster. Transfers within 60 minutes are free. Within the Hopper hour the transfers are free; you must tap the same card or device.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ride on bus PL-5 cost?
1.75 £ for a single ride — fare in effect since 5 July 2026.
When do the first and last trips run?
From Cockfosters Station the first is at 04:30 and the last at 23:55. From Finchley Central Station they are 00:03 and 23:53.
How long does the trip from Cockfosters Station to Finchley Central Station take?
About 47 minutes end to end — the median of full trips in the official schedule.
How many stops does the route have?
5 outbound and 5 inbound according to the official GTFS feed. The two lists do not match exactly.
Does bus PL-5 run on weekends?
Yes, the route runs every day, with a separate weekend schedule.
Every route number with its termini, operating hours and travel time is collected in the London buses overview.
Data current as of August 22, 2026. Schedule and termini — Transport for London (TfL). Fares — Mayor of London, MD3517 July 2026 fare changes (Direction to TfL). Stop list, schedule and route geometry come from the official GTFS feed (Bus Open Data Service (BODS), version 20260822_025337).