Highbury & Islington, located at Highbury Corner in North London, serves Highbury, Islington, and Canonbury. It sits near Upper Street, known for its shops, cafés, restaurants, bars, and theatres. Nearby attractions include Islington Green, Almeida Theatre, and Emirates Stadium.
The station is a central North London transport hub and interchange, connecting the Victoria line, London Overground (North London Line), and Great Northern National Rail services to Moorgate.
Opened in 1872 for National Rail and in 1968 for the Victoria line, the station has been modernised to handle high passenger volumes and is managed by Transport for London.
While there is no dedicated bus station, numerous routes serve Holloway Road, Upper Street, and Highbury Corner, linking passengers across North and Central London.
Direct train connections include King’s Cross St Pancras, Oxford Circus, Victoria, Stratford, Camden Road, Dalston, Hackney, and Moorgate, making it a key interchange for commuters and visitors.
Station Area Map
The main entrances to Highbury & Islington are located at Highbury Corner, with access from Holloway Road and Upper Street, providing convenient entry from both Highbury and Islington. The station offers step-free access from street level to all platforms, with lifts available to the Underground, London Overground, and National Rail services.
Highbury & Islington has eight platforms in total. These include two platforms for the Victoria line (northbound and southbound), two London Overground Platforms for services on the North London line, and four platforms for National Rail (Great Northern) services operating between Moorgate and destinations in North London.
Highbury & Islington is in Travelcard Zone 2 and serves the London Underground, London Overground, and National Rail services.
The station has multiple concourse areas, with separate concourses for the Victoria line and the Overground/National Rail platforms. Most passenger facilities are located within the ticket hall, with additional facilities distributed throughout the station to support high passenger volumes.
Station Details and Facilities
Station Accessibility
Step-Free Access
Category B Station
Step-free access is available from street level to all platforms via lifts, connecting Underground, Overground, and National Rail services.
Ramps For Train Access
Ramps or level boarding are provided where needed, with staff available to assist.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchair assistance is available on request—passengers should contact station staff.
Induction Loop
Induction loops are installed at the ticket office and selected help points for deaf passengers.
Accessible Ticket Machines
Accessible machines sell Underground, Overground, and National Rail tickets. Staff at the ticket office can assist if National Rail tickets are unavailable.
Accessible Booking Office Counter
Available for wheelchair users and passengers with reduced mobility.
Accessible Taxis
Wheelchair-accessible taxis are available near station entrances on Highbury Corner, Holloway Road, and Upper Street. Drivers must assist.
Accessible Toilets
Accessible toilets are provided and may require staff assistance during opening hours.
Impaired Mobility Set Down
Set-down points for passengers with impaired mobility are near the station entrances.
Assistance Meeting Point
Passengers requiring assistance can meet station staff at the main concourses or entrances around Highbury Corner, Upper Street, or Holloway Road.
Getting To And From The Station
Bus
Numerous routes stop at Highbury Corner, Holloway Road, and Upper Street, providing frequent connections across North and Central London, including night services.
Airport
Connections to major airports are available via the Victoria line and National Rail. King's Cross St Pancras links to Heathrow, Luton, Stansted (via Tottenham Hale), and Gatwick.
Taxis
London black cabs are available near station entrances and are wheelchair accessible, with drivers required to assist. Private hire vehicles can also pick up/drop off nearby.
Location For Rail Replacement Services
Bus stops for rail replacement services are located on Upper Street and Holloway Road near the station entrances, providing easy access when rail services are suspended.
Staff Help
Staffing Level
Full time
Staff Help Available
Station staff are available on-site during operating hours to provide assistance with tickets, directions, and general travel enquiries. Staff can also help passengers who require additional support when using the station or changing between services.
Assisted Travel
Assisted Travel services are available for passengers who need extra help when travelling. This includes assistance for wheelchair users, passengers with reduced mobility, passengers with visual or hearing impairments, or passengers travelling with luggage. Assistance can be arranged in advance or requested from station staff on arrival, subject to availability.
Helpline Contact
Passengers can contact the National Rail Assisted Travel Helpline for help planning journeys and arranging assistance:
Telephone: 0800 022 3720
Textphone: 0800 022 3719
Helpline Opening Hours
The Assisted Travel Helpline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including public holidays.
Accessible Public Telephones
Accessible public telephones are available within the station concourse areas, designed for use by wheelchair users and passengers with hearing impairments. Staff can also assist passengers who are unable to use the public telephones.
Station Facilities
Shops
No shops inside the station. Nearby on Upper Street: Tesco Express, Sainsbury's Local, Boots, cafés, restaurants, and independent shops.
Postbox
No postbox at the station; nearest on Upper Street or surrounding side streets (1–3 min walk).
Telephones
Public phones are not available; phone services are available at nearby shops.
ATM
ATMs are nearby at banks, supermarkets, and convenience stores.
Bureau De Change
No bureau de change; currency exchange services available nearby (Angel, King's Cross).
Tourist Information Office
None at the station; use Victoria Coach Station or central London centres.
Nearest Station With More Facilities
King's Cross, St Pancras, or Angel for shops, toilets, and services.
Toilets
No public toilets; nearest in cafés, shopping areas, or larger stations.
Showers
None available.
Baby Change
No facilities at the station; nearby cafés or shopping centres may provide them.
Wi-Fi
Free TfL Wi-Fi available.
Web Kiosk
None available.
Refreshments
No outlets inside the station; cafés, takeaways, and restaurants nearby on Upper Street.
Waiting Room
None; passengers wait on platforms or concourses.
CCTV
CCTV covers entrances, concourses, platforms, and surrounding areas for safety.
Ticket Buying And Collection
Ticket Office Opening Hours
09:30 – 16:30, Monday to Sunday
Ticket Machines
Ticket machines are in the main concourses near the entrances at Highbury Corner, Upper Street, and Holloway Road, close to the ticket barriers and office. They sell tickets for London Underground Services, London Overground, and National Rail tickets.
Smartcards & Oyster Cards
Smartcard Issued
Available
Smartcard Validator
Available
Smartcard Topup
Available
Oyster Prepay
Available
Oyster Top Up
Available
Oyster Validator
Available
Pre-Purchase Collection
You can collect pre-purchased National Rail tickets from the ticket machines at the station.
Travelcard Zone
Travelcard Zone 2
Passenger Services
Ticket Gates
Ticket gates operate at all entrances. Oyster, contactless, and paper tickets are accepted.
Lost Property
Phone: 0343 222 1234
Website: lostproperty.nationalrail.co.uk
Customer Services
Help points are located at entrances and platforms for travel, ticketing, and accessibility assistance, including induction loops for deaf passengers.
Car Parking
Car Parking
No dedicated car park at the station. On-street parking is available nearby on surrounding streets, subject to local restrictions and pay-and-display rules.
Cycling
Cycle Storage Availability
Cycle racks and secure storage are available near the station entrances for passenger use.
Cycle Storage CCTV
CCTV monitors the cycle storage areas to help keep bicycles secure.
General Information
Station Operator
The station is managed by Transport for London (TfL) for Underground and Overground services, with National Rail services operated by Great Northern.
Station Code
Highbury & Islington National Rail station code: HHY
Frequently Asked Questions
What tube line is Highbury and Islington on?
Highbury & Islington is on the Victoria line of the London Underground.
What train lines go to Highbury and Islington?
Highbury & Islington is served on National Rail by Great Northern trains, which run between Moorgate in central London and destinations in North London and Hertfordshire, including:
- Finsbury Park
- Alexandra Palace
- Harringay
- Hertford North
- Welwyn Garden City
These services operate alongside London Overground (North London Line) trains, which are separate from National Rail but use the same station.
What shops are at Highbury & Islington station?
Highbury & Islington has no shops inside the station itself.
Nearby, along Upper Street and close to the entrances, you can find:
- Tesco Express – snacks, drinks, and essentials
- Sainsbury's Local – groceries and convenience items
- Boots – pharmacy and health & beauty products
- Cafés and independent shops – for food, drink, and retail
Where do trains from Highbury and Islington go?
Trains from Highbury & Islington go to the following key destinations:
London Underground (Victoria line):
- Northbound: Walthamstow Central
- Southbound: Brixton
London Overground (North London Line):
- Westbound: Richmond, Clapham Junction
- Eastbound: Stratford
National Rail (Great Northern):
- Southbound: Moorgate
- Northbound: Finsbury Park, Alexandra Palace, Hertford North, Welwyn Garden City