That's all from BBC London live today. We'll be back at the earlier time of 06:00 tomorrow with a special live page dedicated to helping you get around London during the Tube strike.

Have a good evening.

More stations are beginning to close their doors now, including Waterloo (pictured). The strike officially closes all lines at 21:30 BST.

While many have managed to avoid disruption this evening by travelling early, travel is expected to be much more difficult on Thursday, when the entire Tube network will shut down for the whole day.

Image source, PA

Just a reminder that Transport for London, external has created extra hubs for people to hire bicycles from during the Tube strike as it continues on Thursday. Here's a map to help you find them

Image source, Transport for London

Black cab drivers had attacked Uber, external ahead of the Tube strike because its fares will increase as demand rises.

Image source, Getty Images

The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, external accused Uber of "exploiting" strike-hit commuters, and advised them to share a metered cab with others.

Uber said an algorithm was used to charge riders and when Uber drivers headed to where demand was highest, the fares would automatically reduce.

Image source, Henry Clarke Price

This was the scene on the Victoria line a short time ago, when Henry Clarke Price tweeted, external: Thank you #tubestrike for a very pleasant journey home

Lots of late commuters have been pointing out that those Tube trains which are running are unexpectedly empty.

This came in from BBC London producer Kierra Lew, who reports Victoria station is very quiet and that people seem to have listened to TfL and started the journey home earlier.

Image source, Kierra Lew

At the same time, more lines are now running with delays as a result of the strike. This was the rather busy escalator at Archway in north London earlier as commuters made their way home.

Image source, PA

Beth Rose
BBC News

If your phone is anything like mine it's been going off all morning with offers from different companies tempting you to stay in town, once the Tube strike starts, and use the codes STRIKE or TUBE.

Now, the Evening Standard has also got involved creating a London Tube strike pub crawl map, external with the tag line "Make the most of the Tube strike with a mid week pub crawl".

Image source, ALldayPA

And the call-answering company alldayPA produced this map of no hope just to make sure you don't have too much fun during the action.

Alpa Patel
BBC London reporter

At Victoria station:

While Londoners have been leaving work early to avoid the disruption, some tourists have been taken unawares. A number are sitting on the station concourse wondering how they will navigate London during the next 36 hours.

There are volunteers helping people to get around. But it has been raining here for the past hour, to add insult to injury. There are worries that we will see those long queues again for buses.

Some good news for those forced to walk home: the rain is forecast to clear by 20:00 BST.

The Tube strikes in London have prompted many people to cycle to work for the first time. What are the key tips for someone who can cycle but has never braved rush-hour urban traffic?

Image source, PA

London is braced for a tube strike, and Transport for London advises people who own a bike to ride it to work. What should unfamiliar cyclists do if they choose to commute this way, asks Jon Kelly.

The strike has begun and services are not expected to return to normal until Friday morning.

Stick with us throughout the day tomorrow for updates, information and pictures as the strike happens across the capital.

BBC reporters will be out and about at stations across the capital including Liverpool Street and King's Cross.

We'd love to see your pictures and hear from you so tweet your travel-to-work experiences to @BBCLondonNews, external or email london.locallive@bbc.co.uk.

TfL is reminding commuters that cash fares aren't accepted on buses and you must use Oyster or a contactless card. You can find Oyster Ticket Stops here, external.

Londoners are now in strike-mode and getting around as best they can without the Tube. Here's a reminder of what it's all about.

Image source, PA

• Drivers are unhappy at pay and conditions offered for working on the new Night Tube service set to begin on 12 September

• Members of the four unions - RMT, TSSA, Unite and Aslef are walking out causing a total shut-down of the Tube network

• The unions have rejected a deal including a 2% salary increase this year, an extra £200 per night shift for drivers for a limited time, a £500 bonus for night Tube staff when the service is introduced in September and a shorter working week

• London Underground says it will not offer a better deal and union representatives should put it to their members

The director of infrastructure policy at London First, external, which promotes the capital's businesses, has said the Night Tube is a "vital part of the infrastructure of a modern world city" - as the network is set to close for a 24-hour strike.

David Leam said the service was "far from being a vanity project.....[and] cities from New York to Berlin already have a night service and London risks being left behind".

He said: "There is a good deal on offer to Tube workers; their unions should now end this latest attempt to prevent modernisation on the Underground."

Image source, PA

But, according to Seb Michnowicz, a train driver writing in the Huffington Post today, external, the dispute is about rostering.

He writes: "As the proposals currently stand, tube workers are being opened up to the possibility of working unlimited night shifts, running roughshod over their entitlement to a life outside work."

Paul Murphy-Kasp
Journalist, BBC London

The Tube strike is set to begin officially at 18:30 for 24-hours, however Transport for London, external has warned commuters to finish their journeys before then and nothing will run on Thursday. Here is a snapshot of what will be available.

London's streets are set to start getting busy as Tube staff from four unions walk-out. Here is what you can expect.

Image source, AFP

• All Tube stations are expected to close from 18:30

• An extra 250 buses will be laid on during the strike, however, remember you can't use cash on them only contactless or Oyster cards

• Extra river services will run during peak hours

• Temporary cycle hire hubs have been created to offering more bikes for hire

• Prices will likely increase and demand will be high for taxis and minicabs

Transport for London has a complete break down of how transport in the capital will be affected, external.

Radical preacher Anjem Choudary gave a 20-minute speech protesting his innocence as he appeared Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with inviting support for the so-called Islamic State.

Image source, Getty Images

The 48-year-old, of Hampton Road, Ilford, chose to represent himself and spoke confidently as he outlined his indication to plead not guilty.

Choudary was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on 28 August.

An all-out strike by staff at the National Gallery, external in a row over privatisation of services has been brought forward.

Image source, PA

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union, external will now launch an indefinite stoppage from 11 August - one week earlier than planned.

BBC London News

On the programme at 18:30 on BBC One: A 24-hour tube strike begins with services expected to grind to a standstill until Friday - we'll have the latest.

Image source, Amy Smith

And we hear of one London woman's campaign to help improve health services for victims of sexual violence.

Commuter Natalie Hughes tweets, external: Some days I hate London. #tubestrike @TfL

Image source, Natalie hughes

@Lolly37

Lauren Bones tweets, external: I'm busy downloading podcasts for the long walks i have coming up - any recommendations? #tubestrike #walkingshoes #podcasts