Trains to London arrive at eight main stations — London Victoria, London Liverpool Street, Paddington, Kings Cross, Waterloo, London Bridge, Euston and St Pancras — served by Southern, Thameslink, Avanti West Coast, LNER, Great Western Railway and other operators from across the UK.
Whether you're commuting, visiting landmarks like Big Ben or Tower Bridge, exploring world-class museums, catching a West End show, or enjoying the city's restaurants and galleries, you'll find everything easily accessible from the main stations. Keep reading for the cheapest ways to book and what to see when you arrive.
How to find the cheapest train tickets to London
Advance tickets are the cheapest option on most UK routes to London. When you book 12 weeks ahead, typically when tickets first go on sale, you save an average of 61%* compared to buying an Anytime ticket on the day of travel. Below are five ways to save further.
1. Get a Railcard
If you travel by train more than a few times a year, a National Railcard saves 1/3 on most fares. Railcards are available for different age groups and circumstances: Senior Railcard, Disabled Persons Railcard, 26–30, and others. Combined with an Advance ticket booked 12 weeks ahead, a Railcard gives the strongest saving available on most routes. You can purchase one online or check eligibility requirements on our Railcards page.
2. Book tickets to London in advance
Advance tickets typically go on sale 12 weeks before departure and are the cheapest option on most routes. The closer you get to your travel date, the fewer Advance tickets remain and prices rise. If you can't plan 12 weeks ahead, sign up for Ticket Alerts and we'll email you as soon as Advance tickets release for your route.
Tip: Check if a return ticket is cheaper than two singles, and compare "London, Any station" against a specific arrival station — prices vary.
3. Travel during Off-Peak times
Off-Peak tickets are valid outside peak commute times (usually Monday–Friday 09:30–16:00 and 19:00 onwards, plus weekends) and cost less than Anytime tickets. When you search in our Journey Planner, compare all available tickets in the dropdown. If an Off-Peak Advance ticket is available, it will be the cheapest option. You can combine Off-Peak with a Railcard for even greater savings. See our Off-Peak tickets page for more information.
4. Travelling as a group? Use GroupSave
If you're travelling in a group of 3–9 people, GroupSave gives 1/3 off Off-Peak fares. You don't need a physical Railcard, GroupSave appears in the Railcard dropdown when booking. All passengers must travel together on the same day and be booked in a single transaction.
If you're travelling with children, check whether your train operator offers Kids for a Quid. On participating operators, children travel for £1 on return journeys during Off-Peak times (up to 4 children per adult). Terms vary by operator.
5. Split your train tickets
On some routes, splitting your journey into multiple separate tickets costs less than a single through-ticket. Our SplitSave feature automatically finds and combines cheaper ticket combinations without requiring you to change trains. Look for the SplitSave icon when searching in the Trainline app.
*Conditions and peak travel time exclusions may apply on some Railcard types.
Popular train journeys to London
London is one of the most well-connected cities in the UK by train, with 17 terminal stations served by over 20 rail companies.
| Route | Fastest journey | Train operator |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh to London | 4h | LNER, Avanti West Coast, Lumo |
| Glasgow to London | 4h 28m | LNER, Avanti West Coast |
| Oxford to London | 52m | Great Western Railway, Chiltern Railways |
| Cambridge to London | 47m | Great Northern, Greater Anglia |
| Manchester to London | 1h 59m | Avanti West Coast |
| Leeds to London | 1h 59m | LNER, East Midlands Railway |
| Sheffield to London | 1h 59m | East Midlands Railway |
| Brighton to London | 55m | Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express |
| Birmingham to London | 1h 13m | Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, West Midlands Railway |
| Exeter to London | 2h 3m | Great Western Railway |
| Warrington to London | 1h 46m | Avanti West Coast |
| Wigan to London | 1h 57m | Avanti West Coast |
Need some info about services within London? Check out our trains in London page!
Things to do in London
London's main attractions are clustered in a few distinct areas, all easily accessible by Underground or a short walk from the main stations. Here's where to explore, what to see and how to get there.
Museums and galleries
Start with London's world-class free museums. The British Museum (10-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road station) houses ancient Egyptian artefacts, the Rosetta Stone and extensive collections spanning human history. The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery sit side by side at Trafalgar Square (5 minutes from Charing Cross station) and are perfect for a focused art visit. For modern and contemporary work, head to Tate Modern on the South Bank (5 minutes from Blackfriars or Southwark stations) — the building itself, a converted power station, is worth seeing. The Natural History Museum offers dinosaur galleries and geological collections that appeal to all ages.
South Bank: culture and views
The South Bank is a riverside cultural district. The Southbank Centre and National Theatre (both 5 minutes from Waterloo station) host exhibitions, performances and events year-round. If you want to take in city-wide views, the London Eye is 10 minutes further along the river — on a clear day, you can see for miles from 135 metres up. The whole area is a pleasant walk along the Thames, with cafes and riverside seating.
Royal London: landmarks and places
Walk from Waterloo across Westminster Bridge to reach Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Westminster Abbey, the medieval church where monarchs are crowned and buried, is just next door. Continue west for Buckingham Palace (another 15 minutes), where you might catch the Changing of the Guard. If the walk feels long, Charing Cross and Westminster stations serve the area.
Sport and entertainment
For live events, London has several major venues. Wembley Stadium (concerts, football, rugby) is served directly by Wembley Park station. Twickenham Stadium (rugby union) is accessible from Twickenham station, while Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (football) connects via Northumberland Park station. The O2 Arena (concerts, sports) is reachable from North Greenwich station. For theatre, London's West End clusters around Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus stations — book in advance for shows.
Food and markets
London has excellent markets and dining. Borough Market (near London Bridge station) has over 100 food and drink stalls — great for lunch or snacking. Camden Market (from Camden Town station) offers street food, vintage finds and crafts across a 7-day week. Soho (near Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square) is packed with restaurants, bars and late-night venues ranging from casual to upscale.
Getting around London
Once you arrive, navigate the city easily with a Visitor Oyster Card from TfL. It's a pay-as-you-go card that works on the Underground, buses and Overground — cheaper than buying individual tickets. Top it up at any Underground station or participating shops. Alternatively, use contactless payment on your phone or card on the same network.
Tip: Get a London Pass for unlimited access to popular attractions and a free 1-day bus tour.
Frequently asked questions
Where do trains arrive in London?
You'll arrive at one of eight main stations depending on where you're coming from: Waterloo, Victoria, London Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Euston, Kings Cross, St Pancras or Paddington. Each serves different regions of the UK.
Which train companies run trains to London?
Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express, Avanti West Coast, LNER, GWR, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry and ScotRail all operate services to London, depending on which region you're travelling from.
What's the cheapest way to book a train to London?
Advance tickets (booked 12 weeks ahead) save an average of 61%* compared to Anytime fares. Combining Advance with a Railcard (1/3 off) or Off-Peak travel saves further. GroupSave gives 1/3 off for groups of 3–9 travelling together.
Do trains run to London every day?
Yes, trains run to London regularly. Services are less frequent late at night and very early morning, but there are regular daytime and evening services throughout the day. Check live train times for your specific route and time.
Can I use a Railcard to save on a trip to London?
Yes. Most Railcards save 1/3 on eligible fares – the 16–17 Saver saves up to 50%. Types of Railcard include include:
- Network Railcard (London & South East Travel Zone)
- Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
- 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
- 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
- 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
- Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
- Family & Friends Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
- Disabled Persons Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)
What happens if my train to London is delayed?
If your train is delayed by 30 minutes or more, you may be entitled to compensation under the Delay Repay scheme. Check our Delay Repay page for eligibility and how to claim.
Can I change or cancel my ticket?
It depends on your ticket type. Advance tickets cannot be changed or cancelled once booked. Anytime and Off-Peak tickets can usually be changed to a different train, subject to availability. See our ticket changes page for full terms.
*Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.