Are you planning a train trip from London but are not familiar with the major London train stations? In this article you will learn which areas of the country each station serves, the train companies that run from each station, and travel times to popular UK destinations.
Navigating London transport options can be confusing for visitors and UK residents alike but can be especially so if you are visiting the city for the first time. In this guide we look at some of the principal train stations you may use if you are travelling from London to other destinations in the UK plus which train stations connect to the main London airports (for your arrival or departure).
Whether you plan to journey from London for a day trip by train to one of the popular cities or attractions nearby or for a longer rail adventure around the UK these are the train stations you will be using.
Each train station serves particular areas of the UK. We have endeavoured to list the London train stations in clockwise order starting with stations in north London.
London’s major train stations
Euston
Euston is the principal railway station in London that covers the West Coast Mainline route which runs up the west coast of England.
If you intend to visit Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and the Lake District this is the station to use.
Principal train operating companies that run from this station include Avanti West Coast (faster train service, fewer stops, more expensive) and West Midlands trains (slower train service, stops at just about every station, cheaper).
The Caledonian Sleeper service departs from Euston to destinations across Scotland including Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen.
As with all the London stations in this guide London Euston is a mainline train station and a Tube station. Euston is on the Northern Line and Victoria Lines.
⭐ Nearby attractions include the Britsh Library and British Museum.
Click here for train times and ticket prices from thetrainline.com
Fastest train times
Euston to Liverpool – 3 hours
Euston to Manchester – 2 hours 10 mins
Euston to Birmingham – 1 hour 30 mins
Euston to Glasgow – 5 hours
Euston to Inverness – 11 hours 30 mins
St Pancras & St Pancras International
St Pancras covers the main areas between the West and East Coast Mainlines ie central and northern England (and into Scotland) north of London.
These lines provide alternative routes to the north of England through central England. These are not the quickest routes, so if you are planning a day trip to York from London, you will be better taking a train from King’s Cross.
Trains from St Pancras also serve the south-east of England including departures for Brighton.
Principal train operating companies that run from this station include East Midlands Railway, South Eastern and Thameslink.
St Pancras is also a Tube Station and is connected to 6 lines including the Northern Line, Circle, Piccadilly, Victoria, Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City plus the Thameslink service. There is also a direct service to Luton Airport.
⭐ Nearby attractions include the British Library.
St Pancras International is located within the same building as St Pancras mainline station and is the hub for Eurostar departures to mainland Europe.
Click here for train times and ticket prices from thetrainline.com
Fastest train times
London St Pancras to Derby – 1 hour 36 mins
London St Pancras to York (via Derby) – 3 hours 20 mins
London St Pancras to Leicester – 1 hours 5 mins
London St Pancras to Luton Airport Parkway – 46 mins
London St Pancras International to Paris – 2 hours 29 mins
London St Pancras International to Brussels – 2 hours 4 mins
London St Pancras International to Amsterdam – 3 hours 52 mins
London King’s Cross
London King’s Cross station covers pretty much the entire eastern side of England and into Scotland. Trains from this station provide services north from London up the east side of the country.
Catch a train from London King’s Cross to York, Edinburgh, Durham, Cambridge and Newcastle.
Principal train operating companies that run from this station include London North Eastern Railway and Great Northern.
King’s Cross is also a Tube Station and is connected to 6 lines including the Northern Line, Circle, Piccadilly, Victoria, Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City. Click here for accommodation near King’s Cross Station.
Click here for train times and ticket prices from thetrainline.com
Fastest train times
London King’s Cross to York – 1 hour 40 mins
London King’s Cross to Durham – 2 hours 53 mins
London King’s Cross to Newcastle – 2 hours 50 mins
London King’s Cross to Edinburgh – 4 hours 20 mins
London King’s Cross to Cambridge – 1 hour 20 mins
Liverpool Street
Liverpool Street station is located in central London near the City and serves the East of England including destinations in Essex such as Chingford and Cheshunt plus Norwich, Ipswich, Southend and Cambridge.
The Stansted Express runs from Liverpool Street station to Stansted Airport.
Principal train operating companies that run from this station include Greater Anglia.
Liverpool Street is also a major underground station connecting to the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.
⭐ It is near many London attractions including Spitalfields Markets, the Bank of England, the Barbican and Whitechapel.
Click here for train times and ticket prices from thetrainline.com
Fastest train times
Liverpool Street to Stansted – 50 mins
Liverpool Street to Cambridge – 1 hour 20 mins
Liverpool Street to Norwich – 1 hour 50 mins
Charing Cross
Charing Cross station is located in central London near Covent Garden. It serves the area southeast of London including destinations within the counties of Kent and East Sussex such as Tunbridge Wells, Dartford, Dover, Hastings, Ramsgate, Margate and Sevenoaks.
Principal train operating companies that run from this station include South Eastern trains.
Charing Cross is also on the Bakerloo and Northern lines.
⭐ Attractions in the area include Covent Garden, the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square.
Click here for train times and ticket prices from thetrainline.com
Fastest train times
Charing Cross to Canterbury – 1 hour 40 mins
Charing Cross to Dover – 1 hour 50 mins
Charing Cross to Hastings – 1 hour 30 mins
Charing Cross to Margate – 2 hours 43 mins
Waterloo
Waterloo train station is a central London terminus and is considered London’s largest and busiest station. Waterloo serves areas south and south-west of London including Hampton Court, Epsom, Guildford, Weymouth, Southampton and Portsmouth.
Principal train operating companies that run from this station include South Western Railway.
Waterloo is on Bakerloo, Jubilee and Northern Lines.
⭐ Attractions include the London Eye and South Bank.
Click here for train times and ticket prices from thetrainline.com
Fastest train times
London Waterloo to Weymouth – 3 hours
London Waterloo to Southampton – 1 hour 5 mins
London Waterloo to Portsmouth – 1 hour 30 mins
London Waterloo to Hampton Court – 35 mins
Victoria
Victoria train station is located in the City of Westminster. The station serves south-east and southern England with trains to destinations including Ashford and Ashford International (for the Eurostar), Dover, Brighton, Southampton and Gatwick Airport.
Victoria also serves the cruise ferry ports at Dover and Southampton.
It is also located in close proximity to Victoria Coach Station.
Principal train operating companies that run from this station include South Eastern, Southern and the Gatwick Express Service.
Victoria station is on the Victoria, Circle and District lines of the Tube.
⭐ Attractions in the area include Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park.
Click here for train times and ticket prices from thetrainline.com
Fastest train times
London Victoria to Gatwick (Gatwick Express) – 30 mins
London Victoria to Dover – 2 hours
London Victoria to Southampton – 2 hours 30 mins (direct service)
Paddington
Paddington train station is located in west London and serves destinations to the west and southwest of the country including Bath, Penzance, Cardiff Central, Oxford and Bristol (change at Bristol for destinations in Devon and Cornwall)
This is the station after which a famous bear called Paddington is named!
Principal train operating companies that run from this station include First Great Western, Heathrow Express and the Night Riviera.
Read more about how the best ways to get into London from Heathrow in this article.
Paddington station is on the Circle, District, Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City lines.
⭐ Attractions in the area include Hyde Park.
Click here for train times and ticket prices from thetrainline.com
Fastest train times
London Paddington to Penzance – 5 hours
London Paddington to Bath – 1 hour 20 mins
London Paddington to Bristol – 1 hour 20 mins
London Paddington to Heathrow Terminal 5 is 22 mins & Terminal is 2/3 is 30 mins
London Paddington to Oxford – 1 hour
Marylebone
Marylebone is located in the city of Westminster. It serves destinations to the west of London on the Chiltern line including Birmingham (Snow Hill & Moor Street), Aylesbury, Warwick, Oxford and (with one change) Stratford upon Avon.
Principal train operating companies that run from this station include Chiltern Railways.
Marylebone station is on the Bakerloo line.
⭐ Attractions in the area include Baker Street (Sherlock Holmes), Madame Tussauds and Regent’s Park.
Click here for train times and ticket prices from thetrainline.com
Fastest train times
London Marylebone to Birmingham- 2 hours
London Marylebone to Warwick – 1 hour 30 mins
London Marylebone to Stratford upon Avon – 2 hours
London Marylebone to Oxford – 1 hour
FAQs – Travelling by train in the UK
Where can I find information about accessibility and mobility access when travelling by train in the UK?
For information about accessibility and mobility access for any of these stations consult National Rail’s website passenger assist page here.
What travel passes and cards are available for travelling by train in London and the UK?
When travelling IN London purchasing an Oyster card (smart travel card) is the easiest way to get around. A Visitor Oyster card can be purchased online before arriving in the country. Read more in our guide to London transport.
If travelling outside of London there are multiple travel cards available. There are area-specific or general BritRail Passes available from visitors from overseas which may prove cost-effective.
Click to find out more about BritRail passes
✈️ Which train stations connect to London airports?
Luton Airport – St Pancras
Stansted Airport – Liverpool Street
Gatwick Airport – Victoria
Heathrow Airport – Paddington
What is Thameslink?
Thameslink is a rail system that runs from Bedford to Brighton through London. There are 8 Thameslink stations with tube connections. If possible avoid using Thameslink as there are better services available.
It is an alternative system for getting across London on an overground system that avoids using the Tube. For example, we have used the Thameslink service from Luton to Brighton.
More information about train travel in the UK
The following guides contain more information about travelling around the UK by train:
- Guide to train travel in the UK
- Top 10 scenic train trips to take around the UK
- Best of Britain train itinerary
- Caledonian Sleeper overnight train from London to Scotland
- Eurostar London to Paris
London Travel Guide & Itinerary Planner (+ 4 bonus ebooks)
