So, what’s the actual number? For a single standard poster in a decent station, you might be looking at £500 to £2,000 per week. A "six-sheet" poster (the smaller ones on the platform) is a bit cheaper. But a domination campaign—where your brand wraps an entire train—that’s a different league.
You could easily drop £50,000 to £200,000 for a month-long blitz. That’s not a typo. That’s the price for making sure every tired commuter from Epping to Morden sees your logo while they curse the lack of air conditioning.
For that kind of cash, you could buy a small boat. Or, you know, pay your rent for a year. But instead, you’re paying for the privilege of being ignored by someone listening to a podcast about ghosts.
Is It Worth It?
Despite the eye-watering cost, it remains a weirdly effective tool. There’s a strange intimacy to it. You see the same ad on your way to work for months, and it starts to feel like a friend you never met. A very expensive, laminated friend.
You start to notice the subtle differences. "Oh, the woman in the subscription ad switched from a red coat to a green one. Good for her." That’s the connection they pay for. That’s the goal.
So next time you’re standing on the tube, look at the poster for that new streaming service. Remember that some poor soul paid a fortune to make you mildly consider watching a show about competitive knitting. And then, just smile, nod, and wait for the next stop. The ad is the one paying the fare.
