London Charing Cross Railway Station is between The Strand and Hungerford Bridge in the City of Westminster. Numerous attractions near the station include Big Ben, the London Eye, and The National Gallery.
Charing Cross is the 23rd busiest National Rail Station in the UK and the 17th busiest station in London, with 10.4 million entries and exits in 2023-24. Fenchurch Street Station has 6 Platforms.
Charing Cross Underground Station is across the street from Charing Cross and can be accessed directly from the station.
The train operator London Southeastern Railway opened Charing Cross in 1864. The station is named Charing Cross due to its proximity to the road junction, known as the centre of London, and from which distances from London are measured. Network Rail manages Charing Cross, and Southeastern operates all National Rail services.
Charing Cross is a significant transport interchange with a London Underground Station across the street and a bus station on The Strand with London buses serving Central London.
Station Area Map
Charing Cross has three main entrances on The Strand from the main concourse and two entrances on Villiers Street via stairs and an escalator. There are also stairs and an escalator at the station that has access to the underground station. However, there is no step-free access.
Charing Cross has 6 Platforms, and all National Rail Services call at Waterloo East and London Bridge.
Charing Cross Underground Station is in Zone 1 with Bakerloo Line and Northern Line Transport for London services. Charing Cross Underground Station was originally two separate stations, known as Trafalgar Square on the Bakerloo line and Strand on the Northern line).
Station Details and Facilities
Address
Charing Cross Station, The Strand, London, Greater London, WC2N 5HF
Station Staff Availability
Yes - from the rail information point.
Yes - from the help point.
Available Monday - Sunday.
Ticket Office Availability
Tickets Office Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: 04:30 to 00:50
Sunday: 06:45 to 00:46
The ticket office is located on the main concourse at the front of the station. There is no height-adjustable ticket office counter.
The train operator Southeastern Railway runs the ticket office and self-service ticket machine in the main concourse.
Station Accessibility
Accessible Booking Office Ticket Counters
There are no height-adjustable ticket counters.
Induction Loop
There is an induction loop available.
Wheelchairs Available
There are wheelchairs available at the station.
Ramp For Train Access
There is a ramp for train access available.
Accessible Ticket Machines
There are accessible ticket machines available.
Accessible Toilets
There are accessible toilets available for disabled passengers. You can access the accessible toilets with a radar key.
Step Free Access
There is step-free access to all platforms.
Station Impaired Mobility Set Down
There is an impaired mobility set-down and pick-up point available for disabled passengers.
Accessible Public telephones
There are accessible public telephones with an induction loop available.
Wide Ticket Gates
There are wide ticket gates for easier accessibility.
Getting to and from the station
Accessible Taxis
There are accessible taxis available at the taxi rank in the station forecourt. A member of station staff can assist in booking accessible taxis.
Accessible Car Park Equipment
Accessible car park equipment is not available.
Staff help
Staff Help Available
Staff help is available from the Rail Information Point in the Main Concourse besides Platforms 5 and 6 or from any member of station staff.
Assisted Travel
You can arrange mobility assistance by contacting the appropriate train operator, Southeastern on 0845 000222. It is preferred if this mobility assistance is requested 24 hours in advance/
Station Facilities
ATM Machine
There is an ATM machine available.
Baby Change
There are baby-changing facilities available in the toilets. The toilets are located on the central passage in the main concourse.
Shops
There are shops at the station.
Station Buffet
There is a station buffet available.
Telephones
There are telephones available.
Toilets
There are telephones available.
Waiting Room
Waiting Rooms are available, and all platforms are partially or fully covered with a canopy.
CCTV
There is CCTV at the station.
Seated Area
There is no seated area available.
Luggage Storage
You can pre-book storage for your heavy, awkward or high-value luggage. The Left Luggage office is located on the concourse near the Trafalgar Square exit.
Bikes for Hire
There are Santander hire cycles outside Charing Cross Station.
Smartcards
Smartcard Validator
Yes.
Travelcard
Zone 1.
Smartcard Issued
No.
Smartcard Topup
No.
Oyster Pay As You Go Information
Purchase Oyster Card Here
Yes.
Use Oyster Pay As You Go Here
Yes.
Oyster Topup
Load Oyster card at Ticket Machine
Pay As You Go Note
Oyster cards with a pre-loaded deposit only are available from the ticket office. Top-up only from self-service ticket machine(s)
Penalty Fares
Applicable Operators: Southeastern
Passenger Services
Ticket Gate
Available.
Customer Help Points
Staff help is available from the Rail Information Point in the Main Concourse beside Platforms 5 and 6 or from any member of station staff.
Lost Property Contact Available
Monday to Friday: 09:00 - 17:30
Car Parking
There is no Car Parking available.
Accessible Spaces
There are no accessible spaces.
Bicycle Storage
Cycle Storage Availability
There are 20 spaces available in stands.
Cycle Storage CCTV
Yes.
Sheltered
No.
Location
Within the car park and station forecourt
Other Transport
Location for Rail Replacement Services
Rail Replacement Services are located outside to the front of the station.
Taxi Rank
A taxi rank outside the front of the station is open 24 hours a day, Monday through Sunday.
Bus Service
Buses are available on the Strand outside the station. All Transport for London buses are accessible by step-free access.
General Information
Station Operator
Southeastern Railway
Staffing Level
Full Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charing Cross overground or underground?
Charing Cross has an Overground and Underground Station. You can reach the underground station by taking the stairs or the escalator to the left of the ticket office.
Why is Charing Cross station famous?
Charing Cross is famous as it is known as the centre of London, from which distances from London are measured.
Which tube line goes to Charing Cross station?
The Bakerloo and Northern Line tube lines go to Charing Cross Underground Station.
How many platforms are at Charing Cross station?
Charing Cross has 6 Platforms, and all trains call at Waterloo East and London Bridge.
Where is London Charing Cross train station?
Charing Cross Train Station is between The Strand and Hungerford Bridge in the City of Westminster.
Can I get from Charing Cross to Victoria train station?
You can quickly get from Charing Cross to Victoria Train Station by walking to Embankment and taking the Circle Line or District Line or the Bakerloo Line from Charing Cross and changing to the Victoria Line at Oxford Circus.
What is inside Charing Cross train station?
There are numerous facilities inside Charing Cross Train Station, including the ticket office, ticket machines, shops, cafes, and toilets.
What attractions are near London Charing Cross train station?
In the centre of London, numerous attractions are near London Charing Cross train station, including Big Ben, the London Eye, and The National Gallery.