London Victoria (VIC) (Train Station): Departures and guide

Travel to London Victoria Station from London city centre

London Victoria is the second busiest railway station in the UK (after Waterloo), and mainly serves destinations in southern England. This makes it an important transit hub for visitors to Brighton, as well as those catching flights to and from London Gatwick Airport. Located in west-central London, Victoria is within walking distance of Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, and is a place that most travelers to London will visit at some stage during their trip. So it definitely helps to know the best ways to get there.

What is the best way to get to the train station London Victoria from central London?

The best transport method to Victoria Station depends on where visitors are coming from. If they are starting out in the West End near most theaters and stores, they can catch the Victoria Line of the London metro (the Tube), and expect transfer times of 5-10 minutes. The Circle and District lines run to Victoria from Westminster (10 minutes) and the Tower of London (20 minutes), while the Victoria Line also runs from King's Cross-St Pancras and Euston stations. Anyone starting out at the Tate Britain, Harrods, or Buckingham Palace can walk to the train station London Victoria in just 10-15 minutes, or hail taxis for a very rapid transfer to the station. Various buses also serve Victoria, including the 211, 148, 390, and 2, offering connections to all parts of central London.

How far is it from the city centre to London Victoria train station?

Generally speaking, travelers in central London won't be far away from the train station London Victoria. Victoria is around two kilometers west of Trafalgar Square (roughly at the heart of London), five kilometers west of the Tower of London, and less than one kilometer south of Buckingham Palace. Transfers from the center will take 10 minutes via the Tube and 10-15 minutes by taxi, while walking will take approximately 20 minutes. Victoria is within 25 minutes of all other major London stations, including Liverpool Street, St Pancras, and Waterloo. Moreover, the station is 45 minutes from Heathrow Airport via National Express buses (which run to nearby Victoria Coach Station), and Gatwick Airport is 30 minutes away via express rail services. When taking taxis from central locations and London suburbs, pay attention to traffic and rush hour. Journey times will lengthen considerably between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., potentially causing travelers problems when catching trains. Taxi drivers will be able to advise about likely transfer times if there is any doubt.

How accessible is London Victoria train station for those with limited mobility?

If travelers require the use of a wheelchair or otherwise impaired, they should plan their route to London Victoria carefully. The London Underground network is not the easiest metro to navigate with a wheelchair, and not all stations are accessible via elevators. The ones that are, are clearly marked on London Underground network maps. Buses are much more accommodating for wheelchairs, with designated spaces on board, and access ramps on all vehicles.

Overground trains also tend to be very easy to access, and carriages will have specific seating areas for disabled passengers. The station itself is designed for wheelchair access, and reaching trains should pose few problems. Elevators to the main concourse can be found at four locations: Hudson Place, Victoria Street, Grosvenor Gardens, Terminus Place and Wilton Road.  Inside, there are accessible ticket counters and disabled toilets, while personal assistance can also be requested via a counter near the Wilton Street station entrance.

Local tips: Visiting the train station London Victoria like a Londoner

The first thing to know about London Victoria is that it isn't the same facility as Victoria Coach Station. The Coach Station is around 300-400 meters south of the railway station, so factor in 10-15 minutes transfers. Secondly, Victoria is a great station for sightseeing on foot. Within two kilometers of the station, travelers can visit Hyde Park, the Ritz Hotel, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Harrod's, Brixton Market, and the Tate Britain art gallery.

However, if travelers need to head to the station rapidly, there's never a need to panic. London's red buses, taxis, metro services, bike rental, and even overground rail connections offer plenty of ways to get to rail departures with time left over to relax. And there's quite a lot to do at Victoria is travelers have time to spare. Above the platforms, there is a large shopping mall, focusing on luxury retailers, and finding a bit to eat is simple. Neighboring Belgravia is full of upscale restaurants, while Brixton's street food scene is 10 minutes away by bus.