London is the hub of the UK’s rail network, with frequent services to all corners of the country from the city’s 9 centrally-located mainline railway stations. We can help you help you navigate the best route via National Rail Enquiries and book advance rail tickets online in a jiffy with our partner Qjump.
Rail services in the UK are overseen by the Strategic Rail Authority and split into two sets of responsibilities. Network Rail, a not-for-profit company manages the track, signalling and many of the stations, and a set of private Train Operating Companies (such as GNER, Virgin Trains and C2C) manage the trains and run services.
The best way to navigate your way to London by rail is to start at the main website of National Rail.
Buying tickets online is easy with our preferred partner Qjump which offers a quick an convenient booking engine for local and national rail services across the UK. Click here to jump to Qjump.
Your point of origin will determine at which London terminal you arrive, and which train service is most appropriate. Most rail services offer First and Standard Class accommodation, with many long-distance and inter-city services offering a buffet car or at-seat trolley service of drinks and snacks, as well as pre-booked seat reservations.
Always be sure to be on board your train at least a couple of minutes before the scheduled departure time as many trains have automatic doors that shut 40 or so seconds before departure.
London’s mainline railway stations are:
- London Waterloo
Waterloo is the UK's largest station, covering an area of 24.5 acres. For trains to and from the south coast and south-west of England.
For more information click here.
- London Paddington
This station was first opened in 1854 and has recently benefited from a major re-development, including a new customer information system, new platform surfaces and a new shopping, eating and waiting area. For trains to and from the west and south-west of England and South Wales, including Bath, Bristol, Penzance and Cardiff.
For more information click here.
- London Charing Cross
Charing Cross was opened in 1864 and is used by 37 million people every year. Situated on the forecourt of the station stands the Eleanor Cross, which is the point from which Britain measures its road distances. The station services commuter routes to and from the South-East of London and beyond into Kent.
For more information click here.
- London Victoria
Victoria originally began as two stations until in 1924, with a 'Kent' side, providing services to the Medway towns and the Coast, and the remainder constituting the 'Central' side, providing services to Gatwick, Brighton and rest of Sussex. Over 110 million people pass through Victoria every year.
For more information click here.
- London Bridge
London Bridge is the oldest station in London, first opened in 1836. Today it serves over 42 million people every year. The through platforms lie on the Kent and South East London Routes into Charing Cross and Cannon Street. The remainder of the station is the terminus for routes from Sussex and South London.
For more information click here.
- London Fenchurch Street
Fenchurch St was built in 1854 - the first station to be built in the City. It was built to accommodate the trains of the London Tilbury & Southend Railway as well as those of the London and Blackwall and serves East London, Essex and its coast.
For more information click here.
- London Liverpool Street
Originally completed in 1874, Liverpool Street Station benefited from a major redevelopment in the late 1980's. It is the London terminus of the former Great Eastern Railway originally providing routes to Norwich via Ipswich and King's Lynn via Cambridge. Today the station has 123 million visitors each year.
For more information click here.
- Kings Cross/St Pancras
Kings Cross is the London terminus of the East Coast main line for services to Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and beyond into Scotland. The station was opened in 1852 and the station roof, the largest at the time, was supposedly modelled on the Russian Czar’s riding school. Teenage wizard Harry Potter also famously departs on the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9¾.
Its near neighbour, St Pancras, one of London’s most stunning pieces of architecture, provides Midland Mainline services to the East Midlands including Nottingham, Derby and Leicester.
For more information click here.
- London Euston
The original Euston station opened in 1837 and was completely re-built in the 1960s. The station serves over 51 million people each year and is the main gateway to the west Midlands and West Coast, serving Birmingham, Manchester and stations to Glasgow.
For more information click here.
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