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Travel Info & Tips How to travel between Euston and other central London stations

How to travel between Euston and other central London stations

Tips for making the easiest possible transfers across the city centre when travelling between Euston and the other major stations in central London.

| Last Updated: 17 days ago
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These guides on how to travel between Euston station and the other London stations are focused on, or at least include, the easiest routes - so that the simpler alternatives when travelling with heavy luggage or with young children etc can be followed.

Euston station is served by the Northern and Victoria Lines, as the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines use a separate Underground station named Euston Square, which is located outside the main station.

The entrance to Euston's underground station has been temporarily relocated and it is now just outside the station.
So once you have ascended to the main concourse, walk across it to the front of the station building, exiting by the first set of doors that you come to.

At weekends the Underground lines and both the cross-city Elizabeth line and Thameslink trains can be impacted by construction work, those affecting the Underground and Elizabeth line trains can be looked up here, while those impacting the Thameslink trains, can be found here.

From Euston:

Accessing the Northern and Victoria line

The main access down to the Underground station ticket hall is by escalator, but there are also lifts/elevators down to this level.
You'll find them on the right on the main concourse, by the entrance to the mainline ticket office, there also lifts down from the Underground's ticket hall to the trains.

Whether you will be taking the Northern or Victoria Line, there is only one set of escalators which leads down to the trains from the ticket hall in the Underground station.
However at the foot of this escalator, you need to take different routes to the THREE parts of the station that the trains to central London leave from; and they are:

  • The Northern Line via Charing Cross - platform (track) 2; accessible from here by a short flight of stairs
  • The Northern Line via Bank - platform (track) 6; accessible from here by another escalator
  • The Victoria Line; accessible from here by another escalator
    So you need to pay particular attention to the signs when you the step off of the escalator which leads down from the ticket hall.
    From this space at the foot of this escalator;
  • go left for the Northern Line which goes to Charing Cross and Waterloo,
  • go right and then turn left for the southbound Northern line to London Bridge and the southbound Victoria line to Victoria.

Accessing the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines

Following the roofed walkway to the taxi rank Following the roofed walkway to the taxi rank
Look out for the entrance to Euston Square Underground station Look out for the entrance to Euston Square Underground station

Accessing the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines

Euston Square underground station is is a 3 - 5 min walk away from the main station and the route isn’t particularly obvious.

When you’re on the main concourse, follow the route from here which leads to the relocated taxi rank; use the exit doors on the right hand side of the concourse, those that are over the by the ticket office.
On the other side of the doors you will see a roofed step-free path, which leads down to the taxis, which will then be over to the right.
Keep going ahead, until the charming old pair of buildings, which house the Euston Tap pubs, are on your left.
When you reach them you need to turn right and walk towards the road junction, which is on the far side of the area used by the taxis.

When you reach the road junction/intersection, cross the street and keep walking ahead, you will be on Euston Road.
The entrance to Euston Square station, will be on the left, before you reach the next road junction.
Though look out for it, as it’s a contender for London’s most anonymous Underground station entrance.

You’ve reached Euston Square when you can see an underground sign on a pole above a staircase, which leads down from the street.
The staircase will take you down to a ticket hall which provides access to both the trains heading east or west.
Though the only access to the eastbound platform at Euston Square is by staircases.

However, the westbound platform has lift (elevator) access, but to reach it, you have to walk passed this entrance and turn left at the next intersection.
You need to cross to the other side of Euston Road and use the main entrance to Euston Square, which is the glass fronted building on the street corner.

The trains will look the same, regardless of which line they are serving, so check the indicators on the platform and on the sides of the trains.

to Charing Cross

The Northern line trains ‘via Charing Cross’ leave from platform (track) 2 in Euston Underground station.
Note that when heading to Euston, the suggestion is to connect into the Northern line at London Bridge, but as no seat reservations are available on the trains which depart from Charing Cross, it's best to head there in order to board a train.
All trains from Charing Cross will call at London Bridge, but by the time they arrive there, spare seats will be harder to find.

to King's Cross

The entrance to King's Cross from the square in front of the station on Euston Road The entrance to King's Cross from the square in front of the station on Euston Road

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 12-20 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.
  • On the next block, over to the left behind a branch of Pret a Manger, you'll see the entrance to King's Cross pictured above.

to Liverpool Street

The lift on the left and the escalators up to the Elizabeth line exit at Liverpool Street The lift on the left and the escalators up to the Elizabeth line exit at Liverpool 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 on arrival Liverpool Street the platform that the Underground train will arrive at is adjacent to its ticket hall.

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 a is to take a southbound Northern line train to Tottenham Court Road and then connect there for an eastbound Elizabeth line train.
Though a short flight of stairs to the southbound Northern Line platform is the final stage of accessing the trains at Euston.
Then at Tottenham Court Road station a lift (elevator) goes to the Elizabeth line.
At Liverpool Street, lifts (elevators) and escalators go up to the Underground ticket hall.
If you have luggage etc, when exiting through the Underground ticket hall to the main concourse, look out for the lift (elevator) which is on the right-hand side of the staircase.

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 just across the street from one of the main entrances into Liverpool Street; escalators and a lift (elevator) is available down to the main concourse.

to London Bridge

Taking a southbound Northern line train on the route via Bank is the only logical way to go, it's a six station journey to London Bridge, but it will typically take less than 15 minutes.

to Paddington

There are no two routes from Euston to Paddington

If you don't have heavy luggage:

If you don't have luggage etc so walking across city street won't be so much of an issue, the easiest option for a Euston to Paddington transfer is to head to Euston Square station. to take any westbound Circle or Hammersmith and City line train from Euston Square station, the train will be heading to Hammersmith.
The main entrance to Euston Square station is on the other side of Euston Road and it houses a lift (elevator) down to the westbound platform.
From there any westbound Circle or Hammersmith and City line train will go to Paddington; the train will be heading to Hammersmith, avoid boarding a Metropolitan train - as it won't look any different.

Though the Underground station at Paddington used by the Circle or Hammersmith and City lines is some distance from the main concourse, where most of the station facilities at Paddington are located.

The staircases in Paddington station The staircases in Paddington station

Also the short-cut route from Circle and Hammersmith & City lines to all of the main line departures from Paddington, involves walking down staircases, one of which is pictured above.

To access the lifts (elevators) and escalators, which provide the access to the main concourse, you need to head to the other side of the taxi rank, but that route from here is very much the long way round.

The Elizabeth line elevator at Paddington station The Elizabeth line elevator at Paddington station

If you do have heavy luggage:
The first stage of the alternative route is to take a southbound Northern line train on the route 'via Charing Cross' to Tottenham Court Road.
Though a short flight of stairs leads to the southbound Northern Line platform - then at Tottenham Court Road station a lift (elevator) goes to the westbound Elizabeth line.
At Paddington both lifts (elevators) and escalators are available for the transfer up from the Elizabeth line.

Go through these exits from the Elizabeth line station and the main concourse at Paddington is directly ahead Go through these exits from the Elizabeth line station and the main concourse at Paddington is directly ahead

Also take this route if you'll want or need to make use of the facilities at Paddington station, such as its food/drink outlets or the ticket office
The main concourse is mere steps away from the Elizabeth line exits.

to St Pancras International

The entrance to St Pancras International on Midland Road The entrance to St Pancras International on Midland Road

A one-stop hop on the Underground is a comparatively expensive means of heading to St Pancras 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 in 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 C in the bus station in front of the rail station, as it’s only a two stop ride on bus routes 91 and 390 to St Pancras.

Or walk as it will only take 12-20 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.
  • 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.
    Once you're in the station, go right for Eurostar arrivals and departures, up a level for the East Midlands and Southeastern trains, and the entrance to the Thameslink part of the station will be over to the left

Though the transfer to St Pancras International is infinitely easier from King's Cross station than from Euston, so if you'll be connecting into a Eurostar and your journey will be commencing in Manchester, you can have a step-free end-to-end trip if you travel via Leeds.
Similarly if you will be heading to Eurostar departures from Glasgow, the easier option is to travel via Edinburgh.

Also if you’re thinking of heading to St Pancras in order to take a Thameslink train heading south towards Brighton or Gatwick Airport, take the Northern line to London Bridge instead and make the transfer there, that route will be much easier; and is all undercover, if the weather is poor.

to Victoria

The Victoria line is the busiest on the Underground so squeezing on to a southbound train is nearly always somewhat fraught, particularly if you will be travelling with luggage.
However, if you'll be taking an onward train from Victoria station, then it's by far the most logical public transport option when heading to Victoria from Euston.

But if using a deep level 'tube' is something you'd pay to avoid and time is on your side, the trains operated by Southern, which usually connect Milton Keynes to Clapham Junction and East Croydon, provide a step-free alternative route.
These trains are currently departing from Watford Junction.
Most of the trains which depart from Victoria will call at Clapham Junction and all of the longer-distance routes operated by Southern, call at East Croydon.

to Waterloo

The entrance Waterloo station opposite the bus stops on Waterloo Road The entrance Waterloo station opposite the bus stops on Waterloo Road

The fastest option is 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.

Though on arrival at Waterloo you will need to cross the road and enter the part of the station, pictured above, which gives access to the Jubilee line; from there escalators and lifts (elevators) can take you up to the main station concourse.

To Euston:

Arriving by the Northern and Victoria lines

There is only one exit from Euston’s underground station, so when you step off a Northern or Victoria line train and follow the ‘Way Out’ signs, you will ultimately pass through the Underground ticket hall, which is beneath the main station’s concourse.

A series of escalators connect the platforms that the trains on both the Northern line (City branch) and Victoria line trains will arrive at to the ticket hall, and lifts (elevators) are also available
However a combination of a short flight of stairs + an escalator provides the access from the platforms that the Northern line (Charing + branch) will arrive at = and a lift (elevator) isn't available from this part of the Underground station.

If you use the escalator which lead up to the Underground station's ticket hall, once you have passed through the ticket gates in the Underground station, straight ahead will be the passage which leads to the concourse at the station.
The passage way curves to the left and you can't miss the escalators, which go up into the main station building.
Over to the right in this passage are some less obvious lifts (elevators), which also go up to the main concourse.

When you step off the escalator, the direct route on to the main concourse has for the time being been closed off by building works.
Instead you have to briefly step outside the station and then pass through the doors which lead on to the main concourse.
A sign will tell you to turn left to access the main concourse, but you can also go right; and doing so is the quickest route to the ticket hall, where you can purchase or collect pre-booked tickets.

If you won’t be collecting or buying tickets, and if you don’t want to break into a run, it will take at least five mins to make the transfer between stepping off of the Underground and boarding your long-distance train; so allow a minimum of 10 mins for a stress-free transfer.

Arriving by the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines

These old lodges on Euston Road are landmarks for the pedestrian routes to/from the station These old lodges on Euston Road are landmarks for the pedestrian routes to/from the station

Euston Square station isn’t at Euston station, take a second look at the Underground Map and you’ll notice that the line between Euston Square and Euston is dotted; and as the key on the map shows, the dotted line means that you can walk between the two stations in under 10 minutes.

Ideally board an eastbound train to Euston Square towards the rear of the train and a westbound train towards the front, you’ll then be by the exit when you step off the train.

Euston Square station has more than one exit to the street, so you will need to follow the signs pointing the way to Euston station.
Stairs are the only means of exiting the station from trains heading east, but there is a lift between the platform and the street on the westbound platform.

If you have taken the stairs which lead to the Euston station exit, when you reach the street, turn right, then in the distance on the corner of the next road junction/intersection, you will see two large signs on a pole, a national rail symbol over an underground symbol.
These are indicating the location of Euston mainline station.
The walk will take around 3 - 5 mins, there is a busy road junction to cross and Euston station is set back from the street; so more than enough time to receive a soaking if the weather is poor.
If you don’t quicken your pace you will need to allow a minimum of 10 mins, between stepping off a train at Euston Square and boarding a train in Euston station.

When you reach the road junction, you will see the taxi rank on the other side of the street, and you need to enter this area and walk over to the far side of it, until you have no choice but to turn left; when you are by the charming pair of lodges/cottages, which house the Euston Tap pub/bar.

Once you’ve turned to the left, you will now be following the step-free route into the station, that’s also used by travellers that have been dropped off by taxi.
A sloping path with a canopy has been provided and you can follow this to the doors, which lead into the main terminal building.

from King's Cross

It's a 10 - 15 min walk to Euston station from King's Cross, so being a pedestrian is easier and cheaper than taking the Underground.
However, if the weather isn't conducive, take the southbound Northern line and avoid the Victoria line, as you then won't have to walk so far in the Underground station to access the trains.

from Liverpool Street

The escalator down to the Elizabeth line at Liverpool Street The escalator down to the Elizabeth line at Liverpool Street

Taking the westbound Circle, Hammersmith and City or Metropolitan lines to Euston Square underground station can seem the logical, direct option, but it has two obstacles;

  1. The access to the westbound lines at Liverpool Street involves going up and over a footbridge that's somewhat hidden within the Underground station.
  2. Euston Square is a 3 to 5 minute walk in the open-air to the main Euston station

However, there is a new alternative for a Liverpool Street to Euston transfer which is also a much easier route if you have luggage etc:

  1. Taking a westbound Elizabeth line train to Tottenham Court Road
  2. Connecting there for northbound Northern line train; a lift (elevator is available)
  3. Though on arrival at Euston, a combination of short flight of stairs + an escalator + a lift provides the optimum route to the main concourse in the station.

The access to the Elizabeth line at Liverpool Street is on the other side of the main Underground ticket hall, which is opposite platforms 3 - 7.
There is a lift available down into this ticket hall to the left of the short flight of stairs.
An escalator and lift (elevator) lead down to the Elizabeth line trains.

from London Bridge

Taking a northbound Northern line train on the route via Bank is the only logical way to go, it's a six station journey from London Bridge, but it will typically take less than 15 minutes.

from Paddington

If you'll be arriving into Paddington on a long-distance train, take the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Tottenham Court Road and then connect there for the northbound Northern line.
There are two advantages of this route:

  1. The long-distance trains will all arrive at platforms linked to the main concourse at Paddington and the entrance to the Elizabeth line is just to the right of the concourse, go through these arches by platform 1.
    The Elizabeth line entrance is through the arches on the side of the main concourse by platform 1

  2. Though on arrival at Euston, a combination of short flight of stairs + an escalator + a lift provides the optimum route to the main concourse in the station.

What looks like a simpler route from Paddington to Euston is taking an eastbound Circle or Hammersmith & City line train to Euston Square, but the two negatives of this option are:

  1. The shortest route from the long-distance trains to the Underground station that these two lines use, involves ascending a flight of stairs
  2. Euston Square is also a 3-5 minute walk to Euston station and the exit from the eastbound platform at Euston Square is solely by stairs.

However, some of the non-express trains to Paddington arrive at its platforms 12 and 14 and these are adjacent to the Underground station that the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines use.

Or for a step-free direct route, which also avoids any escalators, take bus route/line 205 from stop E
It's easily located if you head towards the Elizabeth line station as it is adjacent to Eastbourne Terrace, the road on which the bus stop is located.
Head towards the lift (elevator), which is behind the escalators, but instead of heading down into the Elizabeth line station, go up to street level and the lift doors will open right by the bus stop.
The Elizabeth Line lift at Paddington also provides easy access to the bus stop for routes into central London
At Euston, the bus, which will be heading to Bow Church, will stop in the bus station directly in front of the rail station

from St Pancras International

Taking the Underground one stop to Euston from St Pancras International can seem an un-necessary expense, and a hassle.
However, if you have luggage, it can be a better option than making the 10-12 min walk.
If you're going to opt for the Underground when arriving by Eurostar, turn left from Eurostar arrivals and head towards a northbound Northern line train.
A plus of taking the Underground is if you’ll be pulling luggage on wheels, it’s further down Euston Road than it looks on a map, and working out how to enter Euston station from the street is a challenge.
In contrast the exit from the Underground station at Euston takes you direct into that station's main departure hall.

If you do opt to walk heading to Euston station from St Pancras International will take around 8 - 15 minutes.
if you arrive at St Pancras on an East Midlands, Southeastern or Thameslink service, head for the exit on to Midland Road; it's by the access to the Thameslink part of the station, at the opposite end of the 'Market' area of the station to the access to King's Cross station.
When you step outside the station, the Francis Crick Institute building will be across the street.
Or if you arrive by Eurostar follow the signs to the taxi rank as it is located on Midland Road, when you step out of the station turn to the left.

  1. From either of these exits turn to the left and walk down Midland Road keeping the station building on your left.
  2. At the end of Midland Road you will reach the junction with Euston Road, turn to the right and cross the street and head towards the British Library, which you will now see on the right.
  3. Three blocks over, you will pass the Unison Building, with the word 'Unison' in large letters mounted on the pavement.
  4. From here turn right and left, on two short streets used by the buses which serve Euston's bus station.
  5. The access to the the railway station will then be up the short flight of steps you'll see ahead across the street; a longer step-free route into the station is also available.

Though if you will be arriving on a Eurostar and heading to Manchester, you can avoid having to make this transfer by taking a train from King's Cross to Leeds.
King's Cross is just across the street from Eurostar arrivals and Leeds typically has four or five trains per hour to Manchester.

Similarly if you will be heading to Glasgow there is a daily direct train from King's Cross to Glasgow, or if that doesn't suit you can take a train to Edinburgh, to connect there for a train on to Glasgow.

from Victoria

The red-bricked building by the bus station houses the Gatwick Express and Southern trains The red-bricked building by the bus station houses the Gatwick Express and Southern trains

Victoria station has a direct link to Euston by the northbound Victoria line, but 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 Victoria station, it then arrives in the bus station just in front of Euston station.

from Waterloo

The northbound Northern line provides a direct connection from Waterloo, but it's an always busy seven-station journey.
Also on arrival at Euston, a combination of short flight of stairs + an escalator + a lift provides the optimum route to the main concourse in the station.

The alternative is to head to bus stop K from where lines/routes 68 and 168 go to Euston from Waterloo.

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This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.

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