London Waterloo Station is on the South Bank in the Waterloo area of the London Borough of Lambeth in Central London. Many places near the station are worth visiting, including Southbank Centre, Tate Modern, and the London Eye. You will see the Victory Arch outside the station at the main entrance.
London Waterloo Station is the busiest station in the UK and one of the busiest in the world, with 57.79m entries and exits in 2022-23. London Waterloo Station is also the largest in the UK and has the most platforms at 24.
London Waterloo Station was opened in 1848 by the London and South Western Railway before being rebuilt in 1922. When the London and South Western Railway first built the station, it was not intended to be a terminus station. London Waterloo Station is named after the famous bridge nearby, which itself was named after the Battle of Waterloo.
London Waterloo Station is part of a large transport interchange, with Waterloo Underground Station and Waterloo East Station based here, along with several bus stops. National Rail services are operated by South Western Railway, while Transport for London runs trains from Waterloo Underground Station.
London Waterloo Station is very much a commuter station, with most trains running to Greater London or neighbouring counties, so it is at its busiest from Monday to Friday. Destinations outside Greater London, which South Western Railway serves, include Portsmouth Harbour, Southampton Central, and Weymouth.
Station Area Map
London Waterloo Station is situated on the South Bank in Central London, in the borough of Lambeth. Waterloo Underground Station connects to London Waterloo Station, while Waterloo East Station is adjacent. Being situated on the South Bank, there are many attractions worth visiting near London Waterloo Station, including the National Theatre, Tate Museum, and London Eye.
South Western Railway trains from London Waterloo Station run on the South West Main Line and Waterloo - Reading line. London Waterloo Station has 24 platforms in total:
- Platforms 1-6 are used for suburban trains on the South West Main Line with destinations including Guildford, Woking, and Wimbledon.
- Platforms 7-16 are used for long-distance trains on the South West Main Line with destinations including Weymouth, Portsmouth, and Exeter.
- Platforms 17-24 are used for services on the Waterloo-Reading line, with destinations including Reading, Staines, and Ascot.
Waterloo Underground Station serves the city of London with trains on the London Underground Jubilee Line, Bakerloo Line, Northern Line, and Waterloo & City Lines.
Hotels Near London Waterloo Station
Travelodge London Central Waterloo
Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo
Park Plaza London Waterloo
Station Details and Facilities
Address
London Waterloo Station, Station Approach, London, Greater London SE1 8SW
General Information
Station Opening Hours
- Monday to Friday: 04:30 – 01:05
- Saturday: 04:30 – 01:50
- Sunday: 05:30 – 01:05
Ticket Buying and Collection
You can book cheap train tickets to London with Split My Fare. You can receive e-Tickets via email or collect your tickets from the self-service ticket machines at London Waterloo Station. Any queries can be answered at the ticket office.
Passenger services
Lost Property
If you’ve lost an Item at Waterloo or on a South Western Railway train or station you can check if your item has been handed in by contacting South Western Railway.
The lost property office at Waterloo is at 12 Lower Road, London SE1 8SE.
From the main concourse, take the escalators or lift opposite Platforms 4-5 (exit 2) to the lower level, turn right and turn right again.
Left Luggage
Left luggage facilities operated by Excess Baggage Co are available next to exit 5, opposite the ramp to platforms 20-24.
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday: 07:00 to 23:00
Station Facilities
ATMs
There are ATMs available at London Waterloo Station.
Telephones
Telephones are located on most platforms.
Photo Booths
At Exit 2 near the top of the escalators.
Car Hire
Zipcar and Enterprise have cars on Spur Road.
Water Fountains
The water fountains are located opposite Platform 1 at the concourse and balcony level and opposite Platform 18 at the concourse level.
Accessibility
Step Free Access
There is step-free access from the main concourse to all platforms, shops and facilities. Step-free exits are Exit 1 (Station approach), Exit 2 (with a lift to Waterloo Road and lift access to the London Underground Jubilee line), and Exit 3 for taxis and onward travel towards the South Bank.
There is level access throughout the station.
There is step-free access to/from the Jubilee line
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available at the station.
Ramp for Train Access
A ramp for train access is available.
Drop Off Points
There are accessible drop-off points at the station.
Ticket office
The Ticket office is opposite Platforms 16-17
Opening Hours
- Monday – Saturday: 05:30 – 23:15
- Sunday: 06:30 – 22:30
Height Adjusted Ticket Counter
There is a height-adjusted ticket counter at this station.
Ticket Machines
Ticket machines at this station are operated by South Western Railway.
Accessible Ticket Machines
There are accessible ticket machines at this station.
Induction Loop
There is an induction loop available at the station.
Toilets
Until Autumn 2023 there will be a refurbishment and remodel of the toilets.
Men’s, women’s & baby changing: When work occurs, alternative facilities for passengers will be available at the Sidings and outside the station on Cab Road via exit 3.
Accessible Toilets: The accessible toilet will be unaffected by the work and can be accessed opposite platform 19. They open 15 minutes after the station opens. A Radar key is needed to access these facilities.
WiFi
Free public WiFi is available at the station.
Staffing and Customer Service
Information Point
The information point is under the clock
Information Point
The information point is under the clock
Opening Hours
- Monday to Thursday 06:45 – 22:00
- Friday and Saturday 06:45 – 22:30
- Sunday 08:00 – 22:00
Parking
APCOA Parking (UK) Limited
Open 24 hours a day.
27 Spaces
Accessible Parking
There is one free Blue Badge space just beyond the taxi rank in front of the station on Station Approach (Cab Road).
Bicycle Facilities
174 cycle spaces are available on Cab Road, 193 spaces are available by Platform 11/12.
You must return to your bicycle within two weeks of leaving it at Waterloo. Abandoned bicycles are periodically tagged for removal to maintain sufficient space in the racks. Removed bicycles are stored at the station for a further few weeks prior to disposal.
Popular Routes
There are many popular routes across Greater London that run from London Waterloo, with destinations including Reading, Wimbledon, and Woking. For tips on destinations to visit from London click on one of our Popular Route pages below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is London Waterloo Station?
London Waterloo Station is on the South Bank of central London in Waterloo in the borough of Lambeth.
What Tube line is Waterloo Station on?
Waterloo Station connects to Waterloo Underground Station, which is on four underground lines:
- Bakerloo
- Jubilee
- Northern
- Waterloo & City
Where do trains from Waterloo go to?
Trains from Waterloo go to nearby suburban destinations such as Wimbledon, Guildford, and Woking on the South West Main Line, destinations further afield such as Portsmouth, Weymouth, and Exeter, and to stations on the Waterloo - Reading Line.
Are Waterloo and Waterloo East the same station?
Waterloo and Waterloo East are different stations, though they are adjacent to each other, and there is a walkway that connects them. Trains from Waterloo Station run on the South West Main Line and Waterloo - Reading Line, while trains from Waterloo East run on the Southeastern Mainline.
Is Waterloo station open 24 hours?
Waterloo Station is not open 24 hours, its opening hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 04:30 – 01:05
- Saturday: 04:30 – 01:50
- Sunday: 05:30 – 01:05
How busy is Waterloo station?
Waterloo Station is the busiest train station in the UK, serving 41,426,000 passengers in 2021-22.