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London is an unbelievably large city and even a cheap day out with the kids can feel daunting. That’s why millions rely on the many tube stations that are spread throughout the capital city.
In this article, you’ll find plenty of information about which of London’s top attractions have nearby underground stations, as well as how to locate them.
Taking the tube in London
London’s public transport system is both convenient and comprehensive. The Tube alone has a massive 272 stops across 11 different lines that take you where you need to go quickly and cheaply.
While the Tube does stretch to South London, most of it is in the North. In the South, the London Overground and tram networks offer an alternative where the underground is unavailable.
While the tube trains run regularly, it’s important to remember that most Tube lines stop running at midnight, reopening at five in the morning. However, there is a 24-hour Night Tube service on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines that runs on Fridays and Saturdays.
Like the Tube, London bus lines stop at around midnight as well.
The most popular urban mobility app in London is TfL Go. Download it to get live updates on all public transport routes. It can even tell you where the nearest bus stop is.
For even more convenience, you can opt for an Oyster card. This allows for easy travel across London and works on buses, trains, trams, and the Tube. Costing just £7, they’re worth it when taking a trip to the capital city.
Nearest tube to Buckingham Palace
No visit to London would be complete without seeing Buckingham Palace, with its nearest tube station being St James’s Park station. You’ll find it on the Circle and District tube routes.
The nearest train station to Buckingham Palace is London Victoria, around a 10-minute walk away.
Buckingham Palace is the iconic home to the monarch of the United Kingdom, currently King Charles III. The building is an internationally famous icon synonymous with London and Britain. One of the big tourist attractions is the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which occurs daily.
There are 775 rooms in the Palace and it’s home to the largest private gardens in London. Access to the State Rooms in the Palace is permitted over the summer months.
Essential information about Buckingham Palace
- Opening times: 9:30 am to 7:30 pm in July and August (last admission is at 5:15 pm), 9:30 am to 6:30 pm in September (last admission is at 4:15 pm)
- Seasonality: Open mid-July to late September (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
- Pricing: £30 for adults, £19.50 for young adults (18-24) £16.50 for children (five to 17) and disabled, and free for under five-year-olds. Book in advance to secure these prices.
Nearest tube to the British Museum
To get to the British Museum, the nearest tube station is Tottenham Court Road. This is on the Northern and Central lines.
The British Museum, located in the Bloomsbury district of London, is one of the world’s oldest and most famous gatherings of artefacts.
You can see valuable artefacts and exhibits from different time periods and places, such as the Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Sculptures, and much more.
The Great Court in the museum is the largest covered public space in Europe. While admission is free, there may be separate charges to view special exhibitions and collections.
Essential information about the British Museum
- Opening times: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (last admission is at 4 pm), late closing on Fridays at 8:30 pm
- Seasonality: Open all year round except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day
- Pricing: Free for permanent collection, but fees may apply to temporary exhibits
Nearest tube to the Tate Modern
To get to the Tate Modern, the tube station you need is Southwark Street. This is on the Jubilee line between Waterloo station and London Bridge station. You can also catch mainline trains to Tate Modern from around the country.
Located on the South Bank of the Thames, the Tate Modern is one of the most important modern art galleries in the world. It was originally a power station but, following conversion, it now houses works by the likes of Warhol, Hockey, and Picasso.
Similar to the British Museum, it’s free to get into the gallery, but you may have to pay to visit special exhibitions.
Essential information about the Tate Modern
- Opening times: Monday to Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Seasonality: Open all year round except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day
- Pricing: Entry is free, though fees may apply for special showings
Nearest tube to Trafalgar Square
The nearest tube station for Trafalgar Square is Charing Cross station. This is on the Bakerloo and Northern lines.
Explore the area more with a National Gallery Highlights tour from £49, complete with afternoon tea. The fascinating LGBTQ+ walking tour of Soho and central London also starts at Trafalgar Square, with prices starting from just £4.99 each.
Trafalgar Square is one of the largest public squares in London, and a magnet for both locals and tourists.
The Square contains the famous lion statues, Nelson’s Column, and the National Gallery. It’s also a gateway to other major London attractions like the West End and Covent Garden.
Essential information about Trafalgar Square
- Opening times: As a public space, Trafalgar Square is always open
- Seasonality: All year round
- Pricing: Free
Nearest tube to Hyde Park
For Hyde Park, the nearest tube station is either Lancaster Gate or Marble Arch station. These are both on the Central line.
Alternatively, you could alight at Hyde Park Corner or Knightsbridge stations. These stations are on the Piccadilly line.
You can also get to Hyde Park by train with Avanti West Coast, which offers services from Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Liverpool. If you’re catching the train for London Pride, the parade route starts at Hyde Park Corner.
Arguably London’s most famous public park, there’s lots to do in the 350-acre grounds. You could go boating or horseback riding. This has been the venue for major free open-air concerts over the years, including Queen in 1976.
Hyde Park is also home to the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, which is next to Kensington Palace, the home to William and Kate. To get to Kensington Palace, the nearest Tube station is the Queensway underground train station.
Essential information about Hyde Park
- Opening times: Seven days a week, 5:00 am to 12.00 am
- Seasonality: All year round
- Pricing: Free
Nearest tube to the Tower of London
To reach the Tower of London, the tube station closest to the iconic landmark is Tower Hill, which is a short walk away from the River Thames. Tower Hill is on the District and Circle lines. You can also catch the train to the Tower of London with Avanti West Coast.
The iconic tower is a 1,000-year-old castle on the north bank of the Thames. Over the centuries, it’s been a royal palace, a zoo, and even a prison. Today, it’s home to the White Tower and, more famously, the Crown Jewels.
Essential information about Tower Bridge
- Opening times: Seven days a week, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
- Seasonality: Open all year round except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. The site also closes on New Year’s Day, the 4th of January, and the 5th of January.
- Pricing: £33.60 for adults, £16.80 for children (five to 15), and free for under five-year-olds
Nearest tube to The Shard
The nearest tube station to the Shard is London Bridge, which is on the Northern and Jubilee lines. For the mainline, the nearest train station to the Shard is also London Bridge.
The Shard is an amazing structure and the tallest building in London, standing at 310 metres. The 72nd floor offers panoramic views of London with its open-air skydeck. The Shard is home to a viewing gallery, offices, and a hotel.
It’s also more than just spectacular views. There are restaurants and bars serving up different cuisines and drinks, with some establishments going on late into the night.
Essential information about The Shard
- Opening times: Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 10.00 pm. Hours may vary throughout the year.
- Seasonality: Open all year round. However, the facility is generally shut on a Monday or Tuesday outside school holidays.
- Pricing: From £28 per person. Full price tickets up to £37.
Nearest tube to Natural History and Science Museums
The nearest tube station to the Natural History Museum is South Kensington. As they’re situated next to each other, the nearest tube station to the Science Museum is also South Kensington. This is on the Piccadilly, District and Circle Lines.
If you’re catching the train to visit the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum, it’s about a 30-minute walk from London Euston.
Alternatively, hop on the Tube at Euston Underground and take the Northern line heading south, getting off at Leicester Square. It’ll be just five stops away on the west-bound Piccadilly line.
The Natural History Museum has long been a hit with families for many decades. That's thanks to its dinosaur skeletons and the vast range of specimens it holds that date back hundreds of millions of years.
The Science Museum showcases the achievements of humankind in technology and other areas of knowledge. It’s also home to an IMAX 3D cinema, showing a wide range of science-related films.
Essential information about the Natural History Museum
- Opening times: Seven days a week, 10:00 am to 5:50 pm (last entry is at 5:30 pm)
- Seasonality: Open all year round except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day
- Pricing: Free, although donations are welcome and some exhibits may require tickets
Essential information about the Science Museum
- Opening times: Seven days a week, 10:00 am at 6:00 pm (last entry is at 5:15 pm)
- Seasonality: Open all year round except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day
- Pricing: Free, although pre-booking is required
Getting the train to London with Avanti
Every year, millions come to visit the best of London's attractions, and the tube stations make travel faster and more convenient.
We recommend booking a London Attraction Ticket from Avanti West Coast. Enjoy discounted prices on a range of activities, including the Harry Potter Warner Bros tour and the London Eye river cruise.
Plan your London journey by train in advance to save money. Save even more with a Railcard or a Two Together Railcard so you can take trips with a friend, your partner, or a family member.
To get instant access to the latest great rail deals and to book your train tickets, download the Avanti West Coast app.
