Combine the major railway stations and London Underground stations and you’re looking at nearly 300 different rail stations that you might encounter during your trip to England’s capital.
And St Pancras International is one you need to drop a pin on.
It’s a mighty fine-looking building: take one look at its 19th-century Victorian Gothic facade and you’ll see why the well-traveled have called it one of the most elegantly designed railway stations in the world.
But St Pancras hasn’t endured 150-years on beauty alone. This popular train station is a central hub connecting passengers throughout the city of London, the country of England, and even the continent of Europe.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Angel Villalba. Image Location: St Pancras International station, London, UK
Everything You Need to Know About London St Pancras International
Where is St Pancras Station in London?
St Pancras International Station, or simply St Pancras, is a railway station located on Euston Road in London. The British Library is a nearby point of interest, but many tourists find their way to St Pancras in search of Platform 9¾ located at the adjacent King’s Cross Station.
What rail lines stop at St Pancras Railway Station?
Eurostar, Southeastern, ThamesLink, and East Midlands Railway are the four major services from St Pancras, which includes the Eurostar service to Paris. The Kings Cross St Pancras tube station serves the London Underground lines Victoria, Piccadilly, Northern, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan.
Is King’s Cross the same as St Pancras?
Not exactly. Let's help break it down a bit:
- King's Cross railway station and St Pancras railway station are not the same.
- King's Cross is home to a whole range of regional and intercity trains which serve UK destinations to the north of London, such as Cambridge, Durham and Newcastle, and even as far north as Scotland. Many Edinburgh-bound trains leave from King's Cross.
- St Pancras is primarily an international station (with a few regional trains) and is home to the Eurostar. This is where you can pick up high-speed trains to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. (We know, it's a bit counterintuitive that trains heading south to the continent come from a train station to the north of central London!)
- However, despite the fact that they are two separate railway stations serving very different destinations, they happen to be right next to each other. As such, they are both served by one London Underground station: "King's Cross St Pancras".
- So, if you're traveling from either King's Cross or St Pancras and getting to your station by the Underground, get off at Kings Cross St Pancras and then follow the signs to whichever of the two stations you need.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Johnny Greig. Image Location: St Pancras International station (red-brick, left) and King's Cross station (yellow brick, right), London, UK
From Potter to Paris: What’s Around St Pancras International
Platform 9¾
Let’s talk about the elephant-shaped boggart in the room.
You could fill an entire house at Hogwarts with the visitors who’ll skip right on by St Pancras International in favor of King’s Cross Station, a.k.a, where Harry Potter’s fabled Platform 9¾ is located.
From St Pancras International, exit the station on the east side, walk across Pancras Road, and enter King's Cross Station where you’ll find a Harry Potter gift shop and a Platform 9¾ photo op that’s absolutely magical.
Unless you’re traveling by floo powder, we recommend that Potterheads and other passengers alike pause before hopping back on the brooms and instead explore the other attractions around St Pancras International.
Image Credit: Getty Images, AveryPhotography. Image Location: Platform 9 3/4, King's Cross station, London, UK
Great restaurants around St Pancras and King's Cross Station
Within the station itself, there are two dozen eateries, restaurants, bars, and cafes. From the reliables like Starbucks, Pret A Manger, and Costa Coffee to new watering holes like Booking Office 1869 and the Japanese street food at Yo!, you won’t go hungry or thirsty when waiting for your train.
Just outside, you’ll find awesome options like:
- Coal Drops Yard: A stylish outdoor shopping mall in a 19th-century warehouse that has everything from Taiwanese dishes and pizza to wine bars where a certain Idris Elba likes to have dinner.
- The Somers Town Coffee House: A traditional English, yet family-friendly, pub where you can get your fish and chips fix.
- Mildreds: If you’re worried about getting a hearty vegan meal before a long train ride, you’ll be thankful for the all-day menu of housemade kimchi, Nashville hot chick’n, and bokkeumbap.
Hotels near St Pancras
To curb travel anxiety, our vote is to rest our heads as close to our departing platform as possible. That’s why the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is our pick. Gold leaf ceilings, a grand staircase, and Gothic revival metalwork might convince you to do the same. With over 50 restaurants and retailers in the station itself, plus artwork and live performances, you’ll have plenty to fill your waking hours with.
Or if you’d prefer a pillow offsite:
- Apollo: A quaint, family-run hotel in a townhouse that’s limited to 12 rooms for maximum peace and quiet.
- The Standard, London: Positively posh, this five-star hotel has a gym, bar, and library lounge where you can take it easy before your train.
Find me a train!
Headed to St Pancras International with no destination in mind? Let us give you some travel inspiration. Download the Trainline app today and begin planning your next adventure.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Howard Pugh (Marais). St Pancras International station, London, UK