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Travel Info & Tips How to travel between Liverpool Street and other stations in central London

How to travel between Liverpool Street and other stations in central London

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

| Last Updated: 22 days ago
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The guides on how to travel between Liverpool Street 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.

Also note the advice for travel to a station from Liverpool Street can vary from that on how to access Liverpool Street from another station, for multiple reasons including the availability of lifts (elevators) in various locations and the access to and from bus stops.

At weekends the Underground lines and both the 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.

Arriving at Liverpool Street by bus

If you arrive at Liverpool Street by bus, there are escalators available down into the main concourse, but you don't have to use these to access the trains.
There is a balcony above main concourse, which is at street-level and on this balcony a lift (elevator) is also available down to the trains.
It is directly underneath the station's beautiful war memorial
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From Liverpool Street:

Liverpool Street is served by the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.
There is an obvious entrance to the Underground station shared by all the lines, as well as the Elizabeth Line, on the mainline station concourse; its opposite platforms (tracks) 3 – 6.
The primary access from the main concourse into this Underground ticket hall is by using a short flight of stairs, but an elevator is also available to the left of these stairs.

The lift to the left of the Underground station which avoids the need to use the staircase

On the other side of the ticket barriers the access to the Elizabeth line is a short walk away over to the right, where an escalator...

Accessing the Elizabeth line at Liverpool Street station

... and a lift (elevator)...

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... lead down to the trains.

Though if your train to London will be calling at Stratford connecting there into the Elizabeth line, for onward journeys into central London, will be easier than at Liverpool Street.

Escalators lead down to the Central line, but the Circle, the Hammersmith and City and the Metropolitan lines, all share an older part of the station.
The platform that these lines use when travelling eastbound is on the same level as the Underground ticket hall, the platform is steps away from the ticket hall.
Though a quirk of how the Underground was constructed is that the Circle lines which travel 'eastbound' from here will make a U-turn so that they will then travel west through London along the north bank of The River Thames; they initially head east to Aldgate.

The other platform in this part of the Underground station, used by the westbound Circle, Hammersmith and City and Metropolitan lines, doesn't have step-free access as a footbridge within the station has to be used to reach it.

to Euston

Transfer between the Elizabeth line and Northern Line at Tottenham Court Road station Transfer between the Elizabeth line and Northern Line at Tottenham Court Road station

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) - the transfer to the Northern line is by the rear of the trains.
    From the platform you will exit into the wide passage way, which leads around to the escalators to the exit, but the lift to the Northern line is then over to the right
  3. At Euston you will need to take a short flight of stairs which lead up to the escalator to the Underground ticket hall - on the other side of the Underground station ticket gates, there are escalators up to the main station, but there are also lifts over to the right-hand side.

to King's Cross

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 much easier route if you have luggage etc 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.
    Elizabeth line to northbound Thameslink trains at Farringdon
  3. On arrival at St Pancras use the lifts or escalators to exit the Thameslink station.
  4. Turning left from the exit at the Thameslink part of St Pancas station and walking ahead to the street exit on Pancras Road, you'll then see King's Cross just across the street.
    This entrance to King's Cross is literally across the street from Eurostar arrivals

to London Bridge

The seemingly obvious route for a Liverpool Street to London Bridge station 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.

The route which SMTJ takes when I don't have luggage is to head over 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 exit on to Bishopsgate can be accessed from the main concourse by escalators and a lift (elevator) is also available.
On the upper concourse at London Bridge, a lift and escalators are available to the lower concourse, from where the departures by Southeastern and Thameslink trains can be accessed.
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Though if you want a step-free journey which doesn't involve taking a bus two other options are available.

  1. Take an eastbound Circle Line train to Cannon Street and then take any train from there to London Bridge; though if your ultimate destination can be reached from Cannon Street then this is the way to go; Cannon Street typically has four trains per hour to Greenwich.
  2. Take a westbound Elizabeth line train to Farringdon and then a southbound Thameslink train.
    The route to follow is:
  • The Elizabeth line can be accessed through the main Underground station ticket hall at Liverpool Street, but the steps down into it can be avoided by taking the lift (elevator) to the left of the staircase.
  • Then once you have passed through the ticket gates, and escalator and a lift (elevator) is available down to the Elizabeth line.
  • At Farringdon the escalators go up to the northbound Thameslink platforms, so the direct route to the southbound Thameslink trains is to use the lift, up to 12 trains per hour will depart for London Bridge.
  • On arrival at London Bridge, a lift and escalators are available to the lower concourse from where all of the other platforms in the station have step-free access.
    The elevators on the Thameslink platforms at London Bridge

to Paddington

Go direct from Liverpool Street to Paddington on a westbound Elizabeth line train.

On arrival at Paddington a lift (elevator) and escalators lead to an area which is immediately beside the station.
Having taken these elevators up from the Elizabeth line, the main concourse is through the gaps in the wall on the left
The main concourse will then just be steps away through the three gaps in the wall, which will be over to the left

to St Pancras International

The direct route from Liverpool Street to St Panrcas 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 much easier route if you have luggage etc is

  1. Taking a westbound Elizabeth line train to Farringdon.
  2. Use the escalators to connect there for northbound Thameslink train to St Pancras International.
    From the Elizabeth line to the Thameslink trains at Farringdon station
  3. On arrival at St Pancras use the lifts or escalators to exit the Thameslink station.

to Victoria

The eastbound Circle Line train from Liverpool Street is direct to Victoria station, but it's a comparatively slow twelve stop journey; plus the trains are comparatively infrequent, you can wait for more than 15 minutes.
Though it's a comparatively easy journey if you have luggage etc, becasue the access to the eastbound Circle line is adjacent to the entrance to the Underground station in Liverpool Street and a lift (elevator) is available on arrival at Victoria.
Though if you don't mind using escalators and squeezing on to tube trains, the quicker alternative is take a westbound Central line train to Oxford Circus to connect there for a southbound Victoria line train.

Also if your train towards London calls at Seven Sisters or Tottenham Hale stations, the better option is to connect into the southbound Victoria line at those stations instead.

However, if time is in your side, board London's most scenic regular bus route/line, the 11, as it stops by Victoria station.

to Waterloo

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.

Though if you have luggage the option which avoids long escalators is to take bus route/line 26 from stop L on the street named Bishopsgate which will have a final destination of Waterloo.
They will arrive at a bus stop just across the street from the station entrance pictured below.
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However, if your train heading to Liverpool Street calls at Stratford, a good option is to transfer to the Jubilee line at that station as the Jubilee line serves Waterloo.
These trains commence their journeys at Stratford, so if you don't rush to join the next departure, seats and space for luggage will be available.

To Liverpool Street:

When taking the Underground or Elizabeth line to Liverpool Street station, the access to the onward train departures, including the Stansted Express, involves an obvious route through the Underground ticket hall.
Though what's less clear is that if you have luggage etc, you don't have to use the short flight of stairs to access the concourse, as there is a lift (elevator) available over to the right of the staircase.

from Euston

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.
Though when exiting through the Underground ticket hall at Liverpool Street, 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, 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.

from King's Cross and St Pancras

Take any eastbound train on the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.
They all leave from the same platform, which can be accessed by lift (elevator) from the ticket hall above these lines; the ticket hall is located immediately in front of St Pancras station; and it also easily accessible from King's Cross.

The trains will then arrive at Liverpool Street on a platform which is adjacent to its Underground station's ticket hall.
To the right of the steps which lead up to the main concourse, an elevator is also available.

from London Bridge

The seemingly obvious route for a London Bridge to Liverpool Street 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 a bus to Liverpool Street from London Bridge
Then the stop at Liverpool Street is by some escalators which lead down to the station concourse, from where all the trains can be accessed; a lift (elevator)
The entrance to Liverpool Street station on Bishopsgate

Though there is now also a route on which lifts (elevators) can be used to make the transfer between trains, though it is indirect.

  • Take a Thameslink train from platform 5 at London Bridge to Farringdon
  • Take the escalators directly down to the eastbound Elizabeth line.
    From the Elizabeth line to the Thameslink trains at Farringdon station
  • At Liverpool Street escalators and a lift (elevator) are available up to the ticket hall of Liverpool Street Underground station.
    The lift on the left and the escalators up to the Elizabeth line exit at Liverpool Street
  • Exit on to the main concourse through the ticket hall, a lift (elevator) is available to the right of a short flight of stairs.

from Paddington

Taking the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Liverpool Street will be around 15 mins quicker than taking the Underground, plus the transfers from and to the trains will be easier too.
The lift on the left and the escalators up to the Elizabeth line exit at Liverpool Street

Though if you will be travelling on to the likes of Ipswich, Norwich and Southend, making the transfer at Stratford will be easier than at Liverpool Street.

The Elizabeth line entrance at Paddington is on the side of the concourse which is by platform 1, so when arriving by train at any other platform, go straight ahead on to the main concourse and then when you reach it turn to the right and go through the arches pictured below.

The Elizabeth line entrance is through the arches on the side of the main concourse by platform 1

The escalators down to the Elizabeth line ticket hall will then be steps away over to the right.
The escalators down to the Elizabeth line are outside the main station building by platform 1

For the elevator access, walk to the right of the escalators and then you'll see the elevator over to the left.
On the other side of the escalators are the Elizabeth line elevators, over on the left

from Victoria

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.

That route via Oxford Circus also avoids having to the use flights of stairs which connect the Circle line to the exit from the Underground at Liverpool Street.

from Waterloo

There is no direct Underground link from Waterloo to Liverpool Street, though if you don't have luggage etc, a comparatively easy one-train option is to take the Waterloo and City line to Bank station, and then walk for five to 10 minutes along Threadneedle Street.
Though avoid making the transfer at Bank station into the Central line on to Liverpool Street, because if you're happy to make a transfer between trains, the better option is to take a northbound Northern line train to Tottenham Court Road and connect there for an eastbound Elizabeth line train.

Though if you have luggage the option which avoids escalators is to take bus route/line 26, it will be heading to Hackney Wick from stop F on Waterloo Road.
take bus 26 from Waterloo to St Pauls

The bus will the arrive at a stop by Liverpool Street station, and in this adjacent station entrance, escalators and elevators will be available to the main concourse, from where all the train departures can be accessed.
The entrance to Liverpool Street station on Bishopsgate

However, if the train you will be connecting into calls at Stratford, then a typically faster option is to travel there from Waterloo on an eastbound Jubilee line train and then make the transfer at Stratford station.
Trains heading to multiple destinations including Colchester, Ipswich, Norwich and Southend will typically call at Stratford.

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Simon Harper

I wanted to share my passion for train travel and explain how anyone can take the fantastic journeys I have taken.

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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.

We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.

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