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Travelling by train to and from London is often the fastest way to get to London from other UK destinations. It's also a greener mode of transport than driving or flying.
London is the hub of the UK's rail network, with frequent services to all corners of the country from the city's centrally-located mainline railway stations. Your point of departure will determine the best service to take and your station of arrival in London.
 
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There are nine major British Rail train stations in London each serving different parts of the UK. The station you travel from is determined by where you want to go so you need to know how to get to the right train station in order to successfully make your journey. London Transport have a 'Stationlink' bus service which runs between the major London British Rail stations in addition all the stations are part of the Underground train network so it is reasonably easy to travel from one station to another. Using the RailEasy™ train ticket price checker and Rail Saver reservation service to complete an online train ticket reservation for travel to, from, in or around London is quick and easy and will find you the cheapest available London train ticket price in a few quick easy steps. |
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Travelling by Train To London - Useful Information
Most rail services to and from London offer First and Standard Class accommodation. Many long-distance and inter-city services have a buffet car or at-seat trolley service for drinks and snacks.
Several rail companies now run passenger trains in London, most of which interchange with the Tube. The driverless Docklands Light Railway (DLR) links the City at Bank and Tower Gateway at Tower Hill with services to Stratford to the east and the Docklands and Greenwich to the south.
London's immense Tube (consisting of 12 lines) is legendary and is usually the quickest and easiest way to get around. All of the major stations have direct Tube links with the exception of Fenchurch Street that is close to Tower Hill and Aldgate Tube stations. London's larger stations include shops where you can pick up a bite to eat, a drink and something to read on your journey.
Always be sure to be on board your train a couple of minutes before the scheduled departure time as many trains have automatic doors that shut 40 seconds before departure.
To download a detailed map of the London train and tube rail network click here.
Popular London Rail Services and Average Journey Times
The fastest city-centre-to-city-centre journeys to London are:
* Bristol: 1 hour 45 mins (First Great Western)
* Cardiff: 2 hours (First Great Western)
* Birmingham: 1 hour 30 mins (Virgin Trains)
* Manchester: 2 hours 15 mins (Virgin Trains)
* York: 2 hours (National Express East Coast)
* Newcastle: 3 hours (National Express East Coast)
* Edinburgh: 4 hours 30 mins (National Express East Coast or First Scot Rail)
* Glasgow: 5 hours (National Express East Coast or Virgin Trains)
* Leicester: 1 hour 25 mins (Midland Mainline)
* Nottingham: 1 hour 30 mins (Midland Mainline)
* Derby: 2 hours (Midland Mainline)
* Sheffield: 2 hours 30 mins (Midland Mainline)
London Suburban Trains
Some areas of London are better served by trains than the tube, notably the northern suburbs. The North London Link stretches from Richmond across northern London to North Woolwich. Another useful rail service travels from Hampstead Heath to Kew. Often these suburban trains are cheaper than similar tube trains and leave the traveler closer to popular tourist destinations.
London Underground Trains
Probably the most useful transportation method for the visitor to London is the tube, or Underground. The London Underground can be properly said to have begun in 1890 when an electrically-powered line was opened between King William Street and Stockwell. There are now 12 lines plus the Docklands Light Railway serving millions of travelers around London every day.
Although the tube will usually be the quickest and most inexpensive way of getting about London (that is, if you take advantage of the various discount passes available), be aware that the British Rail "above-ground" trains serve some areas of London better than the tube (details here).
Regular underground service runs from 0530 to just after midnight. The gap in service during the night is bridged by a new night bus service.
If you do not purchase a city-to-city train ticket that incororates a London Undergound ticket you can buy tickets either from automated machines or at a ticket window. You will need to keep your ticket until you have passed throiugh the gates at your destination station. Be aware that ticket inspectors randomly police the Underground and can (and will) levy £10 fines for invalid tickets.
London's Major Train Stations
London Bridge Train Station
At the south end of the legendary bridge itself, London Bridge is the oldest station in London. As well as providing services to South and South East London, the station is the terminus for routes from Sussex and Kent.
London Charing Cross. An impressive Victorian railway station in the centre of London, Charing Cross services commuter routes to and from the South East of London and beyond into Kent. Click here to view a map London Bridge railway station.
London Euston Train Station
Euston is close to both the cultural treasures of the British Museum and the shopping heaven of Oxford Street. The station is the main gateway to the West Midlands, the North West, and Scotland. Left luggage facility available.
London Fenchurch Street. A short walk from the Tower of London, Fenchurch Street was the first station to be built in the City, London's international business centre. It serves East London, Essex and the East coast. Click here to view a map London Euston railway station.
London King's Cross Train Station
Legend has it that King's Cross station is built on the burial site of Celtic warrior queen Boudicaa. The station entered modern mythology when Harry Potter departed on the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 3/4! Services from King's Cross connect London to the North and North East of England, and Scotland. Left luggage facility available. Click here to view a map London Kings Cross railway station.
London Liverpool Street Train Station
Poised between the financial markets of the City and the buzzing weekend markets of Spitalfields and Brick Lane, Liverpool Street station serves Essex and the East of England. It is also a terminus for trains to Stansted Airport. Left luggage facility available. Click here to view a map London Liverpool Street railway station.
London Paddington Train Station
This historic station is home to trains to and from the West and South West of England and South Wales, including Bath, Bristol, Penzance and Cardiff. Paddington is also the terminus for the Heathrow Express link with Heathrow Airport. Left luggage facility available. Click here to view a map London Padington railway station.
London St Pancras Train Station
One of London's most stunning buildings, St Pancras boasts a magnificent Gothic façade designed by Victorian architect George Gilbert Scott. The station has seen a revival of fortune, following a £800 million restoration and expansion programme. November 2007 saw the completion of the high speed Channel Tunnel Rail Link and St. Pancras is now the Eurostar terminus in London. St Pancras is home to East Midlands and Yorkshire services as well as Thameslink.In 2012 it will also be the terminus for the Olympic Javelin shuttle between Central London and the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. Click here to view a map London St Pancras railway station.
London Victoria Train Station
In the heart of Westminster, Victoria is a busy railway station, providing services to Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, and rail links to Gatwick Airport. Facilities include a left luggage office. Victoria Coach Station is just 300m away from the mainline station. Click here to view a map London Victoria railway station.
London Waterloo Train Station
Set in the vibrant cultural district of London's South Bank, Waterloo is the main terminus for trains to and from South and South West England, and for Eurostar (until the terminal moves to St Pancras in November 07). Left luggage facility available. Click here to view a map London Waterloo railway station.
Left Luggage Facilities
Most of the large mainline London stations have left-luggage facilities available and baggage lockers have been phased out. The Excess Baggage Group offers a baggage forwarding facility at Paddington, Euston, Waterloo, King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, Victoria and Charing Cross stations. Offices at these stations will accept your bags and forward them on to your required destination.
Using London Trains with a Disability
There is variation in wheelchair accessibility for different trains and stations. It's a good idea to check before travelling to ensure a hassle-free journey.
Arrangements can be made for passengers with mobility impairments, including people who use wheelchairs. Train operating companies can usually arrange for staff to meet you at the station, accompany you to the train and see you safely on board. Ramps can be provided for people using wheelchairs, to get on and off trains easily.
See the National Rail Enquiries/Disabled Passengers for more information. You can also telephone the enquiries line on +44 (0)8457 48 49 50.
The Disabled Persons Railcard qualifies you for up to a third off fares. See the Disabled Persons Railcard website for details.
London Trains Railcards and Rail Passes
Several different types of railcard are available offering up to a third off train fares for about £20 per year:
* Young Persons - aged 16-25
* Family Railcard - up to 4 adults and 4 children aged 5-15
* Senior Railcard - aged 60+
* Network Railcard - off-peak services in South East England
* Disabled Person Railcard - disabled people and their carers
For more information see the Railcards website
The BritRail Pass is for tourists visitng Britain and gives you the freedom to travel on all National Rail services for a set period of time. For details, see the BritRail pass website.
Train Tickets to London
Click here to check London train ticket prices, London rail timetables and book your ticket online.
Rail Saver finds the most cost effective London train fares for your rail journey quickly and easilly. Enjoy more rail travel for less when you use Rail Saver to book your London train tickets online.