By train to London's Most Visited Attractions

How to make the easiest possible transfers on to a swathe of attractions, when arriving in London by train including:

• places with great views; the London Eye, The Sky Garden and The Shard.
• the museums; Science, Natural History, London Transport, the V & A.
• galleries and the arts; Tate Modern, Somerset House, Tate Britain, the National Gallery; the South Bank Centre.
• Royal and historical London; Buckingham and Kensington Palaces, The Tower, Westminster and Greenwich.
• unique shopping; Borough Market, Covent Garden, Coal Drops Yard and Spitalfields.

The British Museum is within a 10 minute walk of Holborn and Tottenham Court Road stations.

The easiest public transport option for travelling to The British Museum from Euston is to take bus route 68.
It leaves from stop E in the bus station in front of the railway station and goes to a stop named Southampton Row/Theobalds Road.

Despite Transport for London's promotion of Russel Square as the ideal station, the easiest public transport option for travelling to The British Museum from King's Cross and St Pancras is to take a westbound Piccadilly line train to Holborn.

The walking route from Holborn station is left on to High Holborn and then right into Bury Place,
It is a similar distance to that from Russel Square station, but the plus of the route from Holborn is that it leads towards the museum entrance on Great Russell Street.

The easiest public transport option for travelling to The British Museum from Liverpool Street is to take a westbound Elizabeth line train to Tottenham Court Road.

The easiest public transport option for travelling to The British Museum from London Bridge is to take any Thameslink train from platform 5 to Farringdon and then connect there for a westbound Elizabeth line train for a one-station hop to Tottenham Court Road.

The easiest public transport option for travelling to The British Museum from Paddington is take an eastbound Elizabeth line train to Tottenham Court Road.

The easiest public transport option for travelling to The British Museum from Victoria is to take bus route 38 from the bus station in front of the railway station and leave it at the Museum Street stop.

The easiest public transport option for travelling to The British Museum from Waterloo station is to take bus routes/lines 68, 168 or 188 from bus stop K and leave the bus at the Southampton Row/Theobalds Road stop.

The Natural History Museum and The Science Museum and The Victoria and Albert Museum are all located on the aptly named Exhibition Road in South Kensington.
These museums are a five minute walk north of South Kensington underground station, through a subway which leads off from the ticket hall.

Taking the southbound Victoria line from Euston station and connecting there for the westbound District Line to South Kensington seems the logical route, but it’s best avoided due to near permanent overcrowding.
The usually less stressful option is take a southbound Northern Line train on the Charing + branch to Embankment station and then transfer there to any westbound Circle or District line train, as they will all call at South Kensington.

Take any westbound Piccadilly line train direct to South Kensington from King's Cross St. Pancras underground station

The eastbound Circle line is direct from Liverpool Street, but South Kensington station is on the opposite side of the city centre, so it’s a 13 stop journey and the Circle line trains aren’t particularly frequent.
Hence a westbound Central line train to Holborn and transferring there to a westbound Piccadilly line train to South Kensington, usually being a quicker option

South Kensington station is on the opposite side of central London to London Bridge station, so the easiest option for making the transfer is take the northbound Jubilee line to Westminster and connect there for a westbound Circle or District line train to South Kensington.
Though if your train is heading to Charing Cross, leave it at that station and use the Villiers Street exit on the left of the concourse to access Embankment station, taking any westbound Circle or District line train from there.

However, many stations which have trains to London Bridge also have trains to Victoria station and from there it's only a two station hop to South Kensington on any westbound Circle or District line train.

When a direct train to Victoria isn't available it's often possible to make a transfer into a train which will be heading there, at a swathe of stations including Ashford International, Bromley South, East Croydon and Gatwick Airport.

Take an eastbound Circle line train from the part of the Underground station that’s directly by the main concourse, which the District line also uses.
Though the access to the trains will involve going up and over a footbridge, so an easier option can be taking bus route 23 from stop E on Eastbourne Terrace, by the Elizabeth line station and leaving the bus at the Exhibition Road stop.
Or if your train to Paddington calls at Ealing Broadway, then transfer there to a District line train to South Kensington

It’s a two station hop from Victoria on any westbound Circle or District line train to South Kensington, or take bus route C1 from stop R on Buckingham Palace Road and leave it at the stop right outside the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Take the northbound Jubilee line to Westminster and connect there for a westbound Circle or District line train to South Kensington.
Though if your train calls at Richmond or Wimbledon stations you can connect there for eastbound District line trains.

Trafalgar Square is the location of The National Gallery and the separate National Portrait Gallery, plus Horse Guard’s Parade and The Churchill War Rooms, which is just off The Mall, are within a few minutes walk.

Take the southbound Northern line from Euston to Charing Cross station for The Mall and Horse Guard’s Parade, but if you’re heading to the galleries, leave the train at Leicester Square station instead for the short walk down Charing Cross Road.

Take any westbound Piccadilly line to Leicester Square station for the short walk down Charing Cross Road.

There are several options for accessing the area from Liverpool Street due to the comparatively long distance:

(1) take the eastbound Circle line to Embankment station, though it is a 5 -10 min walk from Embankment to Trafalgar Square.
(2) Though if you’re heading to the galleries take a a westbound Elizabeth line train to Tottenham Court Road and connect there for the southbound Northern line to Leicester Square, and walk for three minutes down Charing Cross Road.
(3) or take bus route 26.

All of the attractions in the area around Trafalgar Square are all within a few minutes walk from Charing Cross station.
So if your train to London Bridge won't be terminating there you can make the simple connection in London Bridge station - take any train from platforms 8 or 9 on to Charing Cross.

From Paddington take the southbound Bakerloo line direct to Charing Cross and then when you get to the station, use the exit on to Trafalgar Square.

There are two optimal routes from Victoria to Trafalgar Square:
(1) take the westbound Circle or District lines to Embankment station, as it's a 5-10 walk from there.
(2) take bus routes 24 or 26 from stop N on Victoria Street, which is opposite Westminster cathedral, a two minute walk from the station.

A clutch of tourist destinations are located on the south bank of the River Thames between Waterloo and Westminster Bridges.
They include The London Eye and The Sea Life London Aquarium and The London Dungeon and The South Bank Centre arts complex including The Hayward Gallery and The Festival Hall.

Waterloo Underground station is within a five minute walk of all these attractions, though the station has multiple exits, so take your time and use the maps and signs, so that you use the exit with the easiest access to where you will be heading.

The fastest option for a Euston station to Waterloo transfer is to take a southbound Northern line train via Charing Cross, but if time is on your side, bus route 68 goes from stop E in the bus station.

There isn't a direct Underground Line to Waterloo from King's Cross and St Pancras, but of the many options, SMTJ's preference is to take the Piccadilly Line westbound to Leicester Square and connect there into the southbound Northern line, as the connection between the two lines at Leicester Square involves a comparatively short set of stairs.
Though at Piccadilly Circus station, the next stop on from Leicester Square, an escalator link is available to the southbound Bakerloo line.

Or if you'll want to use lifts (elevators) during the end-to-end journey, you can take this route:

1. Head over to the adjacent St Pancras station and take one of the 12 trains an hour from platform A, which will be heading to London Bridge.
2. At London Bridge station lifts (elevators) and escalators will enable easy access to platforms 8 and 9, from where all the trains will call at Waterloo (East); trains depart at least every 5 minutes.
3. Waterloo (East) station is adjacent to the main station at Waterloo, to which it has step-free access by a footbridge, though a fairly step slope leads up to it from the platforms in Waterloo (East).

At the other end of the footbridge a lift (elevator) and escalators are available down to the main concourse, from where the access to the South Bank is on the far side of the station, by the platforms with the high numbers.

For a Liverpool Street to Waterloo journey the logical option is seemingly making the transfer between the westbound Central line and the Waterloo & City line at Bank station, but the interchange there is comparatively awkward.
So the new, easier option is to take a westbound Elizabeth line train to Tottenham Court Road and then make the transfer there into southbound Northern Line train train.

However, if your train heading to Liverpool Street calls at Stratford, a good option is to transfer to the Jubilee line at that station, because the Jubilee line serves Waterloo.

If your train to London Bridge won't be calling at Waterloo East station, head to platform 8 and 9 and board any train that will be heading to Charing Cross.

From Paddington take the southbound Bakerloo line direct to Waterloo.

There isn't a direct journey by Underground available between Victoria and Waterloo, so the best option is to leave a train to Victoria at Clapham Junction and transfer there to a train to Waterloo station.

Or take bus routes 11 or 211 to their final stop at Waterloo station, they leave from bus stop E, which is in on the other side of the bus station that's located at the front of the railway station.

Tower Hill station is a few minutes walk from the main entrance into the Tower Of London.

Take an eastbound Circle line train to Tower Hill station, as it is a few minutes walk from the main entrance into the Tower Of London.
Though these Circle line trains aren't particularly frequent.
So the alternative is to take a southbound Northern line train to Bank station, where an escalator is available up to an eastbound Circle or District line train to Tower Hill.

Take an eastbound Circle line train to Tower Hill station, as it is a few minutes walk from the main entrance into the Tower Of London.

The easiest option for accessing the Tower Of London from London Bridge station is to walk, as it can be reached in around 15 – 25 mins on foot.
The scenic route is:

• Use the exit from the station on Tooley Street,
• go ahead to the footpath which is along the south bank of the river,
• cross over Tower Bridge.
• use the stairs on the other side of the bridge to access the path on the north bank of the river,
• walk in front of the tower to the ticket booths on the far side.

An option is to go direct on an eastbound Circle line train, from the Underground station at Paddington used by the trains which travel from Hammersmith, to Tower Hill station, as it is a few minutes walk from the main entrance into the Tower Of London.
Though it’s a long journey of 11 stops and the Circle line trains tend to depart only every 10 – 15mins.
So the alternative is to take an eastbound Elizabeth line train to Whitechapel and then connect there for any westbound District line train to Tower Hill.
It’s a greater distance to travel, but despite that it will typically be more than 10 minutes faster.

Take any eastbound Circle and District line train to Tower Hill station, as it is a few minutes walk from the main entrance into the Tower Of London.

Take a northbound Bakerloo train to Embankment and then connect there any eastbound Circle and District line train to Tower Hill station, as it is a few minutes walk from the main entrance into the Tower Of London.
Or take a boat from the London Eye Pier to the Tower pier.

A clutch of tourist destinations are located in the London Bridge area including Borough Market (best experienced on a weekend), The Shard and HMS Belfast the south side access to Tower Bridge, plus the attractions in the adjacent Bermondsey Street area such as the Fashion and Textile Museum and The White Cube Gallery, plus on weekends, The Ropewalk.

At London Bridge underground station

• for Borough Market use the exits on to Borough High Street,
• for HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge use the exits on to Tooley Street,
• for The Shard and Bermondsey Street head to the Tooley Street ticket hall, but exit through the right into the passage way named Joiner Street - and then head to the right along Joiner Street.

To access the London Bridge area from Euston station taking a southbound Northern line train on the route via Bank is the only logical way to go.
Its a six station journey to London Bridge, but it will typically take less than 15 minutes.

To access the London Bridge area from King's Cross and St Pancras taking a southbound Northern line train on the route via Bank is the quickest option.

Avoid taking the Underground.

The alternative route is to take a southbound Thameslink train, because up to 12 trains per hour now depart from platform A in St Pancras Thameslink station and take just over fifteen minutes to make the journey to London Bridge station.

• For Borough Market use the exit on to Tooley Street and turn left.
• For HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge use the same exit on to Tooley Street and turn right
• For The Shard and Bermondsey Street use the exits on to St Thomas Street.

The seemingly obvious route for a Liverpool Street to London Bridge transfer is to travel via Bank station on a combination of westbound Central line and southbound Northern line trains, but the transfer in Bank is comparatively awkward.

So the easier option is to head to bus stop K on the street named Bishopsgate to board bus routes/lines149 and 388, as they terminate in front of the upper level entrance to London Bridge station.

The typically quickest route from Paddington to London Bridge is to take the Bakerloo Line to Baker Street, where a short walk through a passage way connects to the eastbound Jubilee Line.

There is no direct connection by Underground from Victoria to London Bridge, but many stations which have trains to Victoria also have trains to London Bridge station.

When there isn't such a service available the easiest option is to make a transfer into a train calling at London Bridge at a swathe of stations, including Ashford International, East Croydon, Gatwick Airport and Rochester.

Waterloo East station is linked to the main Waterloo station by a footbridge that can be accessed from the concourse by escalators and a lift (elevator), then in Waterloo East station slopes lead down to the trains.
All trains which depart from platforms/tracks A and C in Waterloo East will call at London Bridge, there is a departure indicator which will tell you whether the next train will be leaving from platform A or C, typically more than fifteen trains per hour will be available.

Madame Tussauds is adjacent to Baker Street Underground station, it is on the next block, but taking the bus is the easiest means of reaching The Zoo.
The only bus route which stops right by London Zoo’s entrance is the 274
and at Baker Street it departs from bus stop C, take the bus heading to Angel, Islington.

Take any eastbound Circle and Hammersmith & City line train to Baker Street station; the access to the street exits at Baker Street is more straightforward than from the Metropolitan line trains.
From Euston station, head over to Euston Square station

Though an alternative option for accessing London Zoo from these three stations is to take a northbound Northern line train to Camden Town as The Zoo is a 15 – 25 min walk from there.
Head off down the road named Parkway and then turn right on to Prince Albert Road.
Though Camden Town station can be exceptionally busy on Sundays.

To head to Baker Street from Liverpool Street go direct on any westbound Circle line or Hammersmith and City line train or Metropolitan line train.

Any northbound Jubilee line train from London Bridge will be direct to Baker Street.

Though an alternative option for accessing London Zoo from London Bridge is to take a northbound Northern line train to Camden Town as The Zoo is a 15 – 25 min walk from that station.
Head off down the road named Parkway and then turn right on to Prince Albert Road.
Though Camden Town station can be exceptionally busy on Sundays.

To head to Baker Street from Paddington go direct on any eastbound Circle line or Hammersmith and City line train from the Underground station at Paddington used by the trains which travel from Hammersmith.

To head to Baker Street from Victoria take a northbound Victoria line train to Oxford Circus for a very simple transfer to a northbound Bakerloo line train; this route is much easier than connecting into the Jubilee line at Green Park.

Or avoid the tube lines, by taking bus route 2 from the stop H, which is around the corner from the right hand side of the bus station on Wilton Road.

Take the route 2 to its stop at Marble Arch Underground station.
Then bus route 274 also departs from this same bus stop.

To head to Baker Street from Waterloo take the northbound Bakerloo line, as it tends to be quieter than the Jubilee line trains.

Though an alternative option for accessing London Zoo from Waterloo is to take a northbound Northern line train to Camden Town as The Zoo is a 15 – 25 min walk from there.
Head off down the road named Parkway and then turn right on to Prince Albert Road.
Though Camden Town station can be exceptionally busy on Sundays.

When heading to Westminster Abbey and the area around the Houses of Parliament...

When heading to Westminster from Euston, making the transfer at Green Park between the southbound Victoria and Jubilee lines seems the way to go.
Though the Victoria lines near permanent crowds result in the typically easier option being to take a southbound Northern line train to Embankment station on the Charing + branch instead.
Then from Embankment it’s a 10 minute walk along the river to Westminster, which also saves the bother of connecting to the District line.

From King's Cross and St Pancras stations, making the transfer at Green Park between the southbound Victoria and Jubilee lines seems the way to go.
Though the Victoria lines near permanent crowds result in the typically easier option being:
Take any southbound train from platform A in St Pancras Thameslink station, boarding into the rear of the train.
At Blackfriars connect into any westbound Circle or District line train to Westminster.

From Liverpool Street take the eastbound Circle line to Westminster station, or take London’s most scenic bus route, the 26.

When heading to the area around the Houses of Parliament from London Bridge, either take the northbound Jubilee line direct to Westminster, or if you would rather avoid ‘the tube’, take a train to Charing Cross from platforms 8 or 9.
Head out of the Villiers Street exit at Charing Cross and turn left towards Embankment station, walk through the station until you’re on the river bank and then go right; the walking time will be 10 to 15 minutes.

The image above was taken from just above Embankment station and shows the Elizabeth Tower in the distance.

The eastbound Circle line trains, which share the part of the Underground station at Paddington used by the District line, provide a direct connection to Westminster.
However, the access to these trains is comparatively awkward, because it involves walking up and over a footbridge within the Underground station.
Hence the easier and faster option being a southbound Bakerloo train to Baker Street, where a simple as can be level transfer is available to the southbound Jubilee line on to Westminster.

When heading to Westminster Abbey and the area around the Houses of Parliament from Victoria station take any eastbound Circle and District line train to Westminster or any bus from stop N on Victoria Street, opposite Westminster cathedral.

The Covent Garden area is where the London Transport Museum is located.

The Covent Garden area is most easily accessed from Euston by taking a southbound Northern line train on the Charing + branch to Leicester Square station.
Take the exit from the station on to Cranbourn Street, turn right into Garrick Street and then left into King Street.

The Covent Garden area is most easily accessed from Euston station and from from King's Cross and St Pancras stations by taking a westbound Piccadilly line train to Leicester Square station.
Take the exit from the station on to Cranbourn Street, turn right into Garrick Street and then left into King Street.

The Covent Garden area is now most easily accessed from Liverpool Street by taking the westbound Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Road.
At that station a new exit on Charing Cross Road east is a 10-15 min walk to the market.
The simplest route is to head towards Shaftesbury Avenue and then turn left into Neal Street.

The Covent Garden area is within 7 - 10 minutes walk from Charing Cross station.
So if your train to London Bridge won't be terminating there you can make the simple connection in London Bridge station, take any train from platforms 8 or 9 to Charing Cross.

The Covent Garden area is now most easily accessed from Paddington by taking the eastbound Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Road.
At that station a new exit on Charing Cross Road east is a 10-15 min walk to the market.
The simplest route is to head towards Shaftesbury Avenue and then turn left into Neal Street.

The Covent Garden area has comparatively awkward access by Underground from Victoria station.
The easiest route is to take a northbound Victoria line train to Green Park and connect there for a northbound Piccadilly line train, but taking the bus avoids the hassle of a long walk through the passage ways at Green Park station.
Bus route 24 goes from stop N on Victoria Street, which is opposite Westminster cathedral to its stop at Leicester Square station, which is within a 10 min walk of the market area of Convent Garden.

When heading to to Covent Garden area from Waterloo station there are three options available:
(1)Take the northbound Northern line to Leicester Square; take the exit from the station on to Cranbourn Street, turn right into Garrick Street and then left into King Street.
(2) Take bus route 139 from stop J on Waterloo Road and leave it at the Savoy Street stop, or;
(3) It’s a 15 – 25 min walk, head over Waterloo Bridge, on the other side of Waterloo Bridge, you can’t miss The Lyceum Theatre where The Lion King is playing, go in front of it and then take Russell Street, which is the third on the left.

The entrance for the viewing of The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace is approximately an equal distance from Green Park and Victoria stations.

From Euston station and from King's Cross and St Pancras take the southbound Victoria line to Green Park.

Unusually for a central London underground station, step-free access by a series of lifts (elevators) between train and street is available at Green Park; and Euston underground station is also fully accessible.

The eastbound Circle line is direct from Liverpool Street to Victoria, but Victoria station is on the opposite side of the city centre, so it’s an 11 stop journey and the Circle line trains aren’t particularly frequent.
So the quicker option is to take a westbound Elizabeth line train to Bond Street and connect there for a one station hop on the southbound Jubilee line to Green Park.

The entrance for the viewing of The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace is within a 15 - 20 minutes walk from Charing Cross station; it's at the other end of The Mall.

So if your train to London Bridge won't be terminating there you can make the simple connection in London Bridge station, take any train from platforms 8 or 9 to Charing Cross.

Though Green Park underground station is around 5 minutes walk closer, and it can be reached from London Bridge direct on the northbound Jubilee line.

The eastbound Circle line trains, which share the part of the Underground station at Paddington used by the District line. provide a direct connection to Victoria, but the access to these trains is comparatively awkward as it involves walking up and over a footbridge within the Underground station.
Hence the easier and faster option being a southbound Bakerloo train to Baker Street where a simple as can be level transfer is available to the southbound Jubilee line to Green Park.

The entrance for the viewing of The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace is approximately an equal 10-15 minute walking distance from Green Park and Victoria stations.

So instead of remaining on the train to Waterloo, the option, which avoids having to take 'a tube line', is to make a transfer at Clapham Junction into one of the very frequent trains from there to Victoria station.
From Victoria station the entrance to the The State Rooms is a 7 – 15 minute walk along the road named Buckingham Gate.
When exiting from the front of the station head towards the Victoria Palace theatre, where Hamilton is being staged, take the road to the right of the theatre named Bessenden Place, then Buckingham Gate is the second road on the right.

Or remain on the train to Waterloo and take the northbound Jubilee line train to Green Park.
Unusually for a central London underground station, step-free access by a series of lifts (elevators) between train and street is available at Green Park.

The historic center of maritime Greenwich is served by two stations:

1. Greenwich station is served by mainline regular trains and is a 5 – 10 minute walk to the town centre.
2. Cutty Sark station is in the heart of the historic area and is served by the DLR, which is a hyper people mover system, on which metro style trains travel on routes mainly above ground through the Docklands business area.
   Though Cutty Sark station is below ground with escalators and a lift (elevator) up to street level.

North Greenwich station on the Jubilee line is in an entirely different location.

There are multiple options available for a journey to Greenwich from Euston station:

(1) Take the southbound Northern line train to Bank and connect there for a DLR train heading to Lewisham, though it’s a long transfer within Bank station.
(2) Take the southbound Northern line train to London Bridge station and connect there for one of the typically six trains per hour to Greenwich station, or,
(3) Make the 7 – 12 minute walk over to St Pancras Thameslink station, as it typically has two trains per hour direct to Greenwich station.

There are typically two trains per hour, which are direct to Greenwich from platform A in St Pancras Thameslink station, these trains will typically be heading to Rainham.
Or if the waiting time for one of these trains is more than 15 minutes, you may as well take the first train heading to London Bridge station, then where you arrive there, head over to platform 1 for a train to Greenwich.

If you’ll be on a train which calls at Stratford, make the transfer there to a DLR train, though another transfer at Canary Wharf station is typically required.
If the transfer at Stratford isn’t an option, take the eastbound Circle line from Liverpool Street to Cannon Street station, to connect there for a Southeastern train to Greenwich; there are typically four departures per hour.

The easiest option for a Paddington to Greenwich journey is to take an eastbound Elizabeth line train to Farringdon and then connect there for a Thameslink train to Greenwich.

Though there are only typically two trains per hour, which are direct to Greenwich from Farringdon; these trains will typically be heading to Rainham.
So if the waiting time for one of these trains is more than 15 minutes, you may as well take the first train heading to London Bridge station, then where you arrive there, head over to platform 1 for a train on to Greenwich.

Victoria station is on the opposite side of central London from Greenwich so it's typically easier to board a train heading to London Bridge station instead.
It typically has six trains an hour to Greenwich station but if that isn't an option then the optimum route from Victoria to Greenwich is to take any eastbound Circle or District line train to Monument station and connect there for a DLR train to Cutty Sark station.
The DLR station is named Bank, but an escalator provides an easy transfer from Monument station.

There are multiple options available for a journey to Greenwich from Waterloo station:
(1) take the Waterloo & City line to Bank and connect for there DLR, the trains heading to Lewisham will all stop at Cutty Sark; the Waterloo & City line does not operate at weekends, or;
(2) head over to Waterloo East station and take any train to London Bridge and then connect there for a train on to Greenwich, or;
(3) take a boat from the London Eye Pier to Greenwich.

The closest Underground stations to the Sky Garden are Aldgate, Bank and Monument.

The easiest route from Euston station to the Sky Garden is to take a southbound Northern line train to Bank station, use the exit on to Lombard Street and then keep waking ahead for 7 to 10 minutes.

The easiest route from King's Cross and St Pancras stations to the Sky Garden is to take the eastbound Metropolitan or Circle line to Aldgate station; don't board a Hammersmith & City line train, which will be heading to Barking.
The Sky Garden will then be an 8 - 12 min walk along Fenchurch Street, which is slightly longer than from Bank station, but you can avoid the more complicated transfers to and from the Northern line.

The easiest route from Paddington station to the Sky Garden is to take the eastbound Elizabeth line to Farrringdon and connect there for an eastbound Metropolitan or Circle line train to Aldgate station; at Farringdon don't board a Hammersmith & City line train, which will be heading to Barking.
The Sky Garden will then be an 8 - 12 min walk along Fenchurch Street.

The easiest route from Victoria station to the Sky Garden is to take any eastbound Circle and District line train to Monument station.

The easiest route from Waterloo station to the Sky Garden differs according to the day of the week on which you will be making the journey.

On Monday to Friday take the Waterloo & City line to Bank station, use the exit on to Lombard Street and then keep waking ahead for 7 to 10 minutes.

At weekends take a northbound Bakerloo train to Embankment and then connect there any eastbound Circle and District line train to Monument station.

Somerset House is an entertainment and arts complex, which houses The Courtauld Gallery is at Aldwych, a location which isn't directly served by the Underground, but multiple bus routes converge on this area.

The most direction option for the journey from Euston station to Somerset House is to take bus route/line 68 from stop E in the bus station in front of the railway station and leave the bus at the Aldwych/Drury Lane stop.

The easiest option for the journey from King's Cross and St Pancras stations to Somerset House is to take any southbound train from platform A in St Panrcas Thameslink station, boarding into the rear of the train, then at Blackfriars connect into any westbound Circle or District line train to Temple.

The fastest option for the journey from Liverpool Street station to Somerset House is to take the eastbound Circle line to Temple station, or take London’s most scenic bus route, the 26 to its stop named Aldwych/Drury Lane.

Somerset House is within 10 - 15 minutes walk from Charing Cross station, turn right from the front of the station and walk along The Strand.
So if your train to London Bridge won't be terminating there you can make the simple connection in London Bridge station, take any train from platforms 8 or 9 to Charing Cross.

The easiest option for the journey from Paddington station to Somerset House is to take the southbound Bakerloo line to Embankment station, from there it’s a 10-15 minute walk along the north bank of the Thames.

The easiest option for the journey from from Victoria to Somerset House is to take any eastbound Circle and District line train to Temple station.

Pimlico station is an 8 to 15 walk to Tate Britain, head to the gallery's side entrance by crossing over Vauxhall Bridge Road on to John Islip Street and then turning right into Atterbury Street.

From Euston station and from King's Cross and St Pancras stations take the southbound Victoria line to Pimlico.

Take the westbound Central line to Oxford Circus and connect there for the southbound Victoria line to Pimlico.

Or if you would rather avoid the Tube, take the eastbound Circle line to Westminster and connect for bus routes 87 or 88 from the Parliament Square bus stop on Whitehall.

There are two optimum routes to Tate Britain from London Bridge station:
(1) take the Thames Clipper boat service from London Bridge City pier to the Millbank pier.
(2) or take any train from platforms 8 or 9 to Charing Cross and then bus routes 87 or 88 from stop N on Whitehall.

Take the southbound Bakerloo line to Oxford Circus and connect there for the southbound Victoria line to Pimlico station as it is an 8 to 15 walk to Tate Britain.

Or if you would rather avoid the Tube, the slower option is taking an eastbound Circle line train from the part of the Underground station that’s directly by the main concourse, that the District line also uses.
Leave this train at Westminster and connect for bus routes 87 or 88 from the Parliament Square bus stop on Whitehall.

Either take the southbound Victoria line to Pimlico, or if you would rather not take 'the tube', head out on to Buckingham Palace Road using the side exit at Victoria station by the access from platforms 15-19, turn left and head to bus stop V, where you can board bus route C10, as it goes direct to Tate Britain.

There are two optimum routes to Tate Britain from Waterloo station:
(1) take the Thames Clipper boat service from the London Eye Pier to the Millbank pier.
(2) or, take the northbound Jubilee line to Westminster and connect for bus routes 87 or 88 from the Parliament Square bus stop on Whitehall.

The closest Underground stations to Tate Modern are Southwark and Blackfrairs and Mansion House, despite the latter two stations being on the other side of the River Thames.

When accessing most of London's tourist attractions from Euston station, the route involves heading on from Euston to another station and then completing the journey on foot from the nearest station.
But the optimum route for a Euston to Tate Modern transfer flips that because the longer walk comes at the beginning of the journey:

• Head to the left hand side of the station concourse and then access Euston Road, which is the main street in front of the station, it's on the other side of the bus station and a small green area.
• When you reach Euston Road turn to the left and four blocks over you will see the entrance to The British Library on the left.
• Take the next street on the left, which is named Midland Road.
  St Pancras station is on the right-hand side of the street, you'll soon come to the entrance on Midland Road pictured above, from where the entrance to The Thameslink station is just inside on the left.
• Head down to platform A and then board into the front of any train, and leave it at Blackfriars station, using its southside exit.
• The main entrance to Tate Modern is then within a 3 minute walk.

Head down to platform A in St Pancras Thameslink station and then board into the front of any train, leaving it at Blackfriars station, using its southside exit.

The main entrance to Tate Modern is then within a 3 minute walk.

The route by train from Liverpool Street to Tate Modern is to take the westbound Elizabeth line to Farringdon, so that you connect there for a Thameslink train to Blackfriars.
On arrival there use the South Bank exit, because from there it is a three minute walk to the gallery's main entrance.

Or take bus route 26 from stop L on Bishopsgate and leave it at the St Pauls cathedral stop.
From the bus stop heads towards and then over The Millennium Bridge.

There are two optimal routes for making the transfer to Tate Modern from London Bridge station:

(1) It’s a lovely 15 – 25 min walk through Borough Market and then along the south bank of The Thames, or
(2) take bus 381 from Stop S by the Tooley Street exit and leave it at the Lavington Street stop.

The optimum route for a Paddington to Tate Modern transfer is to take the eastbound Elizabeth line to Farringdon and connect there for a Thameslink train to Blackfriars.
Board into the front of any train and use the southside exit at Blackfriars, the main entrance to Tate Modern is then within a 3 minute walk.

If the station at which you will be commencing your journey is served by Thameslink trains, don't head to Victoria, instead take a train direct to Blackfriars station, board into the rear of the train, so that you will be by the station's exit on the South Bank.

It is a few minutes walk from the main entrance to Tate Modern so if a direct Thameslink train isn't available, making a transfer at Bromley South, Gatwick Airport, East Croydon or Rochester station can be a good option.

If you do want to head to Tate Modern from Victoria, the easiest option is take any eastbound Circle and District line train to Mansion House station, from the station head down Queen Victoria Street until you can see the Millennium Bridge over on the left.

There are two optimal routes for making the transfer to Tate Modern from Waterloo station:
(1) It’s a lovely 12 – 20 min walk along the south bank of The Thames, head towards the front of the Festival Hall on the river bank.
(2) Take bus route 381 from stop V on York Road, exit from the far left of the concourse and use the footbridge to cross York Road; leave the bus at the Lavington Street stop.

The closest station to St Paul's cathedral is St Pauls on the Central line, though it is located by the rear of the cathedral, the closest station to the main front entrance is City Thameslink.

On Monday to Saturday there are two optimum routes for travelling from Euston to St Paul's cathedral:
(1) Make the 7 – 12 minute walk St Pancras Thameslink station, as per the directions above when heading to Tate Modern, and then take any southbound train to City Thameslink station, board into the front of the train for easy access to the exit on Ludgate Hill.
The advantage of the route is that the walk from Ludgate Hill leads up to the front of the cathedral, where its main entrance is located.
Also lifts (elevators) are available to from the trains at both Thameslink stations.
OR
(2) take a southbound Northern line train to Tottenham Court Road on the Charing + branch and transfer there to an eastbound Central line train to St Paul's station.
This is the only option on Sundays as City Thameslink station is only open from Monday to Saturday.

Monday to Saturday

Head down to platform A in St Pancras Thameslink station and then board into the front of any train for easy access to the exit on Ludgate Hill at City Thameslink station.
The advantage of the route is that the walk from Ludgate Hill leads up to the front of the cathedral, where its main entrance is located.
Also lifts (elevators) are available to from the trains at both Thameslink stations.

Sunday
City Thameslink station is only open from Monday to Saturday, so on a Sunday take a westbound Piccadilly line train to Holborn and transfer there to an eastbound Central line train to St Paul's station.

The quickest route to St Paul's cathedral from Liverpool Street is take the westbound Central line to St Paul's station.
Or if you would rather avoid going by 'the Tube' take bus route 26 from stop L on Bishopsgate and leave it at the St Pauls cathedral stop.

The easiest option for accessing St Paul's cathedral from London Bridge station varies according to the days of the week.

Monday to Saturday

Take a Thameslink train from platforms 4 and 5 to City Thameslink, board into the rear of the train for easy access to the exit on Ludgate Hill.
The advantage of the route is that the walk from Ludgate Hill leads up to the front of the cathedral, where its main entrance is located.
Also lifts (elevators) are available to from the trains at both Thameslink stations.

Sunday
City Thameslink station is only open from Monday to Saturday so on a Sunday take bus route 17 from stop D, which is over to the left when exiting the upper concourse; leave the bus at the St Paul's stop.

On Monday to Saturday there are two optimum rotes from Paddington to St Paul's cathedral:

(1) Take the eastbound Elizabeth line to Farringdon and connect there for any southbound train to City Thameslink station, board into the front of the train for easy access to the exit on Ludgate Hill.
The advantage of the route is that the walk from Ludgate Hill leads up to the front of the cathedral, where its main entrance is located.
Also lifts (elevators) are available to from the trains at all of the stations.

OR

(2) ) take the eastbound Elizabeth line Tottenham Court Road and connect there for an eastbound Central line train to St Paul's station.
This is the only option on a Sunday, because City Thameslink station is only open from Monday to Saturday.

The easiest option for accessing St Paul's cathedral from Victoria station is to take any eastbound Circle and District line train to Mansion House station, because from there it's an easy five to ten minute walk along Cannon Street.
St Paul's underground is closer, but by heading to Mansion House you can avoid having to make a transfer between tube lines.

There are two optimal routes when heading to St Paul's cathedral from Waterloo station:

(1) take bus route 76 from stop F on Waterloo Road which is to the left to the Jubilee line ticket hall.
Leave the bus at the Ludgate Hill/Old Bailey stop.

(2) Or It is a lovely 15 – 25 min walk, head towards the Festival Hall, walk along the South Bank of the River, until you can cross the Millennium Bridge in front of Tate Modern.

The closest Underground stations to Kensington Palace are Bayswater and Queensway.

There are two optimal routes for the journey from Euston station to Kensington Palace:

(1) Take a southbound Victoria line train to Oxford Circus and connect for the westbound Central line to Queensway, or
(2) avoid ‘the tube’ by heading to Euston Square station to take a westbound Circle or Hammersmith and City line train to Edgeware Road, connecting there into a Circle or District line train to Bayswater.

There are two optimal routes for the journey from King's Cross, St Pancras Underground station to Kensington Palace:

(1) the quickest route is to take the southbound Piccadilly line to Holborn and connect there for the westbound Central line to Queensway, or
(2) avoid ‘the tube’ by taking a westbound Circle or Hammersmith and City line train to Edgeware Road, connecting there into a Circle or District line train to Bayswater.

Kensington Palace is on the opposite side of the city center from Liverpool Street, but it's an uncomplicated journey, take the westbound Central line to Queensway station.

Kensington Palace is on the opposite side of the city center from London Bridge, but it's an uncomplicated journey.

(1) The quickest route is the northbound Jubilee line to Bond Street, and then connect there for the westbound Central line to Queensway station, or
(2) avoid ‘the tube’ by taking any train from platform 8 or 9 to Charing Cross and from the bus stop in front of the station, take bus route 9.

Take the District line train or a Circle line via Victoria train to Bayswater.

Kensington Palace is a 10 -15 min walk from High Street Kensington station station, which can be reached from Victoria station on a westbound Circle line train.

But bus route 52 stops much closer to the palace and it leaves from stop A in the bus station.

The easiest option for a journey from Waterloo station to Kensington Palace is to take the northbound Jubilee line to Bond Street, and connect for the westbound Central line to Queensway station.

Though if your train to Waterloo calls at Wimbledon station you can transfer there to a District line train direct to Bayswater, the train will be heading to Edgware Road.

If your train calls at Richmond connect for the District line and then make the simple cross platform connection into a train to Bayswater at Earls Court.

If you would rather avoid taking the Underground make a transfer at Clapham Junction into one of the very frequent trains from there to Victoria station and then take bus route 52 from there.

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are some distance from central London, but Kew Gardens station lives up to its name with a location an easy 5 - 10 minute walk from its main entrance.

Due to the distance there are multiple options for travelling to Kew Gardens from Euston station by train:
(1) The quickest, but busiest option is to take a southbound Victoria line and then connect at Victoria for a westbound District line train to Kew Gardens station, though take care to board a train which will be heading to Richmond.
(2) Avoid ‘the tube’ by heading to Euston Square station to take a westbound Circle or Hammersmith and City line train to Edgeware Road.
Transfer there to District line train to Wimbledon which will call at Earl's Court, where a simple as can be cross-platform transfer will be available into a train heading to Richmond; check the indicators.
If you're in luck, a cross-platform transfer will also be available at Edgware Road station.
(3) The simplest route is to take one of the Overground local trains, which leave from the main station building, to Willesden Junction.
At that station a transfer is available to another Overground train, on a separate line, to Kew Gardens; take care to board a train to Richmond.
If an Overground train is due to depart from Euston within 5 minutes, it can be the quickest option too.
Oyster Cards can be used on the Overground trains.

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are some distance from King's Cross and St Pancras stations, hence the multiple options for making the journey by train:
(1) The quickest, but busiest option is to take a southbound Victoria line and then connect at Victoria for a westbound District line train to Kew Gardens station, though take care to board a train which will be heading to Richmond.
(2) Avoid ‘the tube’ by taking a westbound Circle or Hammersmith and City line train to Edgeware Road.
Transfer there to District line train to Wimbledon which will call at Earl's Court, where a simple as can be cross-platform transfer will be available into a train heading to Richmond; check the indicators.
If you're in luck, a cross-platform transfer will also be available at Edgware Road station.
(3) This option seems bizarre, but it's typically very simple and can take less than 40 minutes:

• take a train from platform B in St Pancras Thameslink station to West Hampstead Thameslink station
• Leave that station and when you're on the road, turn right and walk for around a minute and then enter West Hampstead Overground station.
• Take an Overground train to Kew Gardens; taking care to board a train heading to Richmond.
  Oyster Cards can be used on the Thameslink and Overground trains.

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are on the opposite side of the city from Liverpool Street.

The transfer with only connection is to take an eastbound Circle line train to South Kensington where the transfer to a District line train to Kew Gardens station simply involves waiting on the same platform for a train heading towards Richmond to arrive.
However, it's a fairly long end-to-end journey with a total of 23 stops.

Though if your train heading to Liverpool Street will be calling at Stratford, a faster option is:

1. Take the Jubilee line to Waterloo.
2. From Waterloo board any train to Richmond, the fastest trains take only 15 minutes
3. In Richmond station a step-free transfer is available into a District line or Overground train for a one-station hop to Kew Gardens.

This route is also step-free because the train from Richmond will arrive on the platform at Kew Gardens station, which is on the same side of the station as the gardens.

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is some distance from London Bridge station, but it's a relatively straightforward three stage journey.

1. take any train to Waterloo East from platform 8 or 9; if you won't be on a train heading to Charing Cross
2. From Waterloo East use the footbridge connection for a step-free transfer into the main Waterloo station, and board any train to Richmond.
3. In Richmond station a step-free transfer is available into a District line or Overground train for a one-station hop to Kew Gardens station.

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are some distance from Paddington station, but the relatively straightforward transfer is to take a District line train to Earl's Court, where a simple as can be cross-platform transfer will be available into a train heading to Kew Gardens station.
Though take care to board a train which will be heading to Richmond.

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are an easy journey from Victoria, take any westbound District line train to Kew Gardens station, though take care to board a train which will be heading to Richmond.
Though if your train to Victoria will be calling at Clapham Junction transfer there to a train to Richmond and then make another connection for a one-stop-hop on to Kew Gardens, step-free transfers should be available at Clapham Junction and Richmond stations.

Spitalfields Market is a five minute walk from the exit from Liverpool Street on the street named Bishopsgate and Brick Lane is on the other side of Spitalfields Market, at the end of the historic street named Hanbury Street.

The easiest option for a Euston to Liverpool Street transfer is to head to Euston Square station and board any eastbound train, though the only access to these trains is by using stairs.

Though a new and typically faster route from Euston to Liverpool Street, which also avoids the open-air transfer to Euston Square in bad weather and is step free, is to take a southbound Northern line train to Tottenham Court Road and then connect there for an eastbound Elizabeth line train.
At all three stations, Euston, Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street, lifts (elevators) and escalators provide the access to and from the trains.

Avoid taking the Northern line to Bank and making the connection to the Central line at that station.

Or if time is on your side you can take a bus; route 205, which will be heading to Bow.
It leaves from stop D in the bus station at Euston it then arrives at a bus stop on Bishopsgate under a five minute walk to Spitalfields.

Take any eastbound train on the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, they all leave from the same platform.
The trains will then arrive at Liverpool Street on the platform adjacent to its Underground station's ticket hall.

The seemingly obvious route for a London Bridge to Liverpool Street station transfer is to travel via Bank station on a combination of northbound Northern line and eastbound Central line trains, but the interchange at Bank is comparatively awkward.
So taking the bus is a good alternative; routes 149 and 388 leave from stop A in the bus station, which is in front of the upper level exit; the part of London Bridge station which is by The Shard.

Taking the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Liverpool Street is around 15 mins quicker than taking the Underground, plus the transfers from and to the trains are easier than taking the Underground.

Eastbound Circle line trains go direct to Liverpool Street from Victoria, but if you're in a hurry, you can usually save 10 - 15 mins by taking a northbound Victoria line train to Oxford Circus, then connecting there for an eastbound Central line train.

Take a northbound Northern line train to Tottenham Court Road and connect there for an eastbound Elizabeth line train to Liverpool Street.

Coal Drops Yard makes use of some of London's earliest railway buildings located in an area just to the north of King's Cross and St Pancras stations.

A one-stop hop on the Underground is a comparatively expensive means of heading to King’s Cross station from Euston; if you’re willing to pay the tube fare, you may as well take a taxi.

If you do take the Underground, a southbound Northern Line train via Bank is a better option than taking the northbound Victoria line.
This is because the transfer from the Northern line to the mainline trains at King’s Cross, St Pancras underground station is easier than from the Victoria line; though if possible board the towards the front of the train.

Or take the bus; from bus stop D in the bus station at Euston, it's only a two stop ride on routes/lines 30 and 73 and 205 to King’s Cross.

Or walk as it will only take 20 - 30 minutes.

• Head to the left hand side of the station concourse and then access Euston Road, which is the main street in front of the station, it's on the other side of the bus station and a small green area.
• When you reach Euston Road turn to the left and four blocks over you will see the entrance to The British Library on the left.
• Keep going straight ahead walking in front of St Pancras station
• Turn left into Pancras Road and then take the foot path to the right of The German Gymnasium Restaurant, just beyond the entrance to King's Cross station.

The direct route from Liverpool Street to King's Cross is to take any train on the westbound Circle, Hammersmith and City or Metropolitan lines
However, the access to these trains involves walking up and over a footbridge, that's somewhat hidden within the Underground station.

So the step-free route is:

1. Taking a westbound Elizabeth line train to Farringdon.
2. Connecting there for northbound Thameslink train to St Pancras International, the escalator leads directly up to the northbound Thameslink platform.
3. On arrival at St Pancras use the lifts or escalators to exit the Thameslink station.

Up to twelve Thameslink trains per hour now depart from platform 5 at London Bridge station and take 15-20 mins to make the journey to St Pancras Thameslink.
On exiting the Thameslink station in St Pancras, turn left and then go straight ahead towards the exit on the far side of the building

So you can avoid having to make fairly lengthy transfers to/from the Northern line at both mainline stations; plus the Thameslink trains will be air-conditioned.
Step free access by lift (elevator), to and from the Thameslink trains, is also available at both London Bridge and St Pancras.

If the Thameslink trains are unavailable or not operating to their usual timetable, the northbound Northern line trains provide an alternative.

The easiest connection from Paddington is to take the direct link provided by the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines to King's Cross St. Pancras station.

The fastest option is to take the northbound Victoria line to King's Cross St. Panrcas station.
Though if time is on your side, you can avoid travelling on some of London’s most crowded Underground trains, by taking the bus instead.
Bus line/route 390 leaves from stop C in the bus bays right in front of the rail station.
It then stops on the same block as King's Cross station.

A quick glance at the Underground map reveals the lack of a direct link from Waterloo station to the Underground station named 'King's Cross, St Pancras'.
Of the multiple options with connections, SMTJ's preference is to take a northbound Bakerloo line and connect at Piccadilly Circus into a northbound Piccadilly line train.
Two reasons; seats will likely be available on the Bakerloo line train, as it will have made only two prior station calls, plus an escalator link is available between the two lines at Piccadilly Circus.

Most Popular Tours

1: The Classic Gold Bicycle Tour is our premium ride of central London.
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Your guide will lead you on backstreets and cycle paths to some of the most iconic landmarks in London. On your bicycle, you will cover ground not possible on foot whilst discovering streets which would be impossible to see via bus. Your guide will not only talk you through London’s amazing past, but will also shed light on tips and tricks only a local would know!

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Many more unique tours and experiences are available.