Getting the train to University College London (UCL): Nearest station, routes & student travel guide

• Nearest train station: London Euston Station
• Station address: London Euston Station, Euston Road, London, Greater London, NW1 2RT
• Distance from UCL: 0.6 miles (from Bloomsbury Campus)
• Onward travel: 9-minute walk to UCL Bloomsbury – follow Everholt Street towards Euston Road, turn right and head towards Gower Street on the right, where the campus is located.
• Station facilities: Free Wi-Fi, ATMs, and a wide range of food and retail outlets. Accessible toilets, step-free access and lifts to platforms. Lost property office and bike racks. London Underground and a taxi rank outside.
• Alternative station(s): London St Pancras International, London Kings Cross, Stratford (London), Stratford International

From Manchester to UCL

• Departing station(s): Manchester Piccadilly
• Journey time: From 1 hr 59 min
• Cheapest ticket price: From £33.50
• First train to London Euston: 05:04
• Last train back to Manchester Piccadilly: 22:03
• Direct or indirect? Direct trains from Manchester to UCL are available.
• Connection to UCL: Walk 9 minutes to UCL Bloomsbury. For UCL East, take the Tube from London Euston to Stratford.
• Provider(s): Avanti West Coast
• Is First Class available? Yes

From Birmingham to UCL

• Departing station(s): Birmingham New Street
• Journey time: From 1 hr 19 min
• Cheapest ticket price: From £9
• First train to London Euston: 05:35
• Last train back to Birmingham New Street: 23:30
• Direct or indirect? Direct trains from Birmingham to UCL are available.
• Connection to UCL: Walk 9 minutes to UCL Bloomsbury. For UCL East, take the Tube from London Euston to Stratford. 
• Provider(s): Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Railway
• Is First Class available? Yes, on Avanti West Coast

From Edinburgh to UCL

• Departing station(s): Edinburgh Waverley
• Journey time: From 4 hr 10 min
• Cheapest ticket price: From £33.60
• First train to London Kings Cross: 05:37
• Last train back to Edinburgh Waverley: 23:30
• Direct or indirect? Direct trains from Edinburgh to UCL are available.
• Connection to UCL: Walk 9 minutes to UCL Bloomsbury from Euston (or take a 2-minute Tube from Kings Cross to Euston Square). For UCL East, take the Tube from London Euston/Kings Cross St. Pancras to Stratford. 
• Provider(s): Avanti West Coast, LNER, Caledonian Sleeper, Lumo
• Is First Class available? Yes, on Avanti West Coast, LNER and Caledonian Sleeper

From Leeds to UCL

• Departing station(s): Leeds
• Journey time: From 1 hr 59 min
• Cheapest ticket price: From £28.60
• First train to London Kings Cross: 05:00
• Last train back to Leeds: 23:33
• Direct or indirect? Direct trains from Leeds to UCL are available.
• Connection to UCL: Take the Tube to Euston Square from Kings Cross for UCL Bloomsbury. For UCL East, take the Tube from Kings Cross St Pancras to Stratford. 
• Provider(s): LNER
• Is First Class available? Yes

From Cardiff to UCL

• Departing station(s): Cardiff Central
• Journey time: From 2 hr 15 min
• Cheapest ticket price: From £35
• First train to London Paddington: 05:07
• Last train back to Cardiff: 22:49
• Direct or indirect? No direct trains from Cardiff to London Euston are available; a change is required at London Paddington.
• Connection to UCL: For UCL Bloomsbury, take the Tube from London Paddington to Euston Square and walk 2 minutes to campus. For UCL East, take the Elizabeth Line from London Paddington to Stratford.
• Provider(s): Great Western Railway
• Is First Class available? Yes

Heathrow Airport to UCL

• By London Underground: Piccadilly Line to Russell Square or Kings Cross/St Pancras (around 55 mins)
• By Train: Heathrow Express to Paddington (around 15 mins), followed by Tube from Paddington to Euston Square (around 10 mins).
• By Coach: National Express to Victoria Coach Station (1 hr 5 mins), followed by Victoria Line from Victoria to Warren Street, followed by a 7-minute walk (around 20 mins)

Gatwick Airport to UCL

• By Train: Gatwick Express to Victoria Station (around 30 mins) followed by the Tube to Warren Street (around 20 mins).

Stansted Airport to UCL

• By Train: Stansted Express to Liverpool Street Station (around 45 mins) followed by the Tube from Liverpool Street to Euston Square (around 10 mins).
• By Coach: National Express to London Baker Street Station (1 hr 35 mins) followed by the Tube from Baker Street to Euston Square (around 5 mins).

Luton Airport to UCL

• By Train: Shuttle bus from airport to Luton Airport Parkway station, followed by train to St Pancras (45 mins), followed by the Tube to Euston Square (5 mins).

London City Airport to UCL

• By Underground: Take the DLR from London City Airport Station to Canning Town and catch the Tube to Warren Street on the Jubilee Line, changing to the Victoria Line at Green Park (around 40 mins).

Saving your pounds is a top priority as a student – after academic performance, of course. That’s why we’ve compiled the best tips for saving on your train tickets to UCL as a student. 

• Book your train tickets in advance: Advance tickets offer the cheapest fares, but they sell out fast – they’re usually released 12 weeks in advance. You’ll need to travel on a specific train, but if you can afford to sacrifice flexibility, the savings are worth it.
• Purchase a Railcard: Student Railcards give you 1/3 off train fares. The 16–25 Railcard can be used for cheap train travel for both students and mature students. If you’re just visiting, a 26–30 Railcard is also a good choice. 
• Avoid peak travel times: Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares offer incredible savings on train tickets to UCL, while Peak times are usually the most expensive. Check out our train ticket type guide for all the details on different ticket types.
• Compare different departure times: Fares can rise and fall dramatically from one travel time to the next, so if you can be flexible, leaving slightly earlier or later can save you money.
• Consider flexible tickets: Your timetable might require you to travel at different times each day, so a flexible Anytime ticket may be the best choice. Season tickets (available in Weekly, Monthly or Flexi formats) are also a good option here for unlimited travel between two stations.
• Compare return vs single fares: Return tickets aren’t necessarily always the cheaper option – check return and single fares to ensure the best deal.
• Book with Trip.com: One single platform gives you a complete overview of all your route, operator and station options, with all the filters you might need to help you find the best train journey for you. Split Save fares are even automatically applied to find the cheapest train ticket to UCL.

Is UCL within walking distance of the train station?

Yes, UCL is just a short walk from Euston Station, which is the nearest train station. St Pancras International and King's Cross Station are also within walking distance of the main UCL campus. UCL East, on the other hand, is within walking distance of Stratford and Stratford International stations.

How long does it take to get from the station to campus?

The walk from Euston Station to UCL Bloomsbury (the main campus) is just 9 minutes. To get from Stratford Station to UCL East, the walk is about 15 minutes. 

Are there buses/Underground lines from the station to the university?

Yes, you can ride 1 stop on a local bus, such as the 18, 73 or 300, from Euston Station to Euston Square. If you arrive at King's Cross or St Pancras Stations, you can get the Underground to Euston Square on the Metropolitan, Circle or Hammersmith & City lines.

Which station is best for students?

London Euston is the best station to arrive at for UCL students – it’s just a short walk from the main UCL Bloomsbury campus and has connections to all over the UK.

How much does onward transport cost?

Taking the bus from the station to UCL costs £1.75 for a single journey regardless of the distance travelled – this includes unlimited bus transfers in one hour. There is also a daily cap of £5.75. If you’re taking the Tube, a single journey costs £3 or £3.10 during peak hours, with a daily cap of £8.90.

Is the journey accessible for students with mobility requirements?

Yes, all London buses are low-floor vehicles with kneeling capabilities and wheelchair ramps. Accessibility on the London Underground is mixed: many stations have step-free access, but some still require stairs or escalators. If you have additional mobility requirements, the bus is probably a safer bet.

Can I take luggage from the station to university accommodation?

You won’t find dedicated luggage space on London city buses or the London Underground, but small suitcases and bags are fine to take from the station to your university accommodation, and large suitcases shouldn’t pose a problem taking the Tube to and from step-free stations. You can check the TfL Journey Planner or the Step Free Access map to plan.

Which station is easiest for first-time visitors?

Euston Station is the easiest station to arrive at for first-time visitors. It is very close to the main UCL campus – just a 9-minute walk – and offers connections all around the UK.

Are there late trains back to major cities?

Yes, you’ll find late trains back from UCL to many major cities – the last train to Manchester leaves London Euston at 22:03, while the last train to Birmingham leaves at 23:30.

University College London (UCL) is widely regarded as a world-class university, located in one of the world’s most exciting cities. It consistently ranks in the global top 10 universities and is ranked No. 2 in the UK for research power. Students interested in studying architecture and education will benefit from the University's world-leading faculties, which frequently rank number one globally.

Where is UCL?

UCL’s main campus is located in the Bloomsbury District of Central London, right by Euston Square. You’ll find the UCL East Campus in Stratford.

Does UCL do clearing?

Is UCL Russel Group?

Yes, UCL is a founding member of the Russell Group, an association of 24 leading, research-intensive UK universities.

How many students are at UCL?

UCL has a student population of about 52,000 students, made up of around 26,000 undergraduates, 20,000 postgraduate taught students and 6,000 postgraduate research students. 

When was UCL founded?

University College London (UCL) was founded in 1826, originally established as London University before receiving its current name along with its royal charter in 1836.

There are plenty of reasons to visit UCL – whether you’re interested in academic history, you’re a parent attending a graduation or you’re a prospective student, it makes sense to make the most of your trip and stay in London for a few nights. We’ve got accommodation options for all tastes and budgets below.

Hotel Cavendish

Located just down the road from UCL on Gower Street, this 3-star hotel is about as close as you can get to the University. You’ll be at the main campus in just 4 minutes, while Euston station is about a 13-minute walk away. 

In addition to being close to key attractions like the British Museum and multiple transport hubs, guests will enjoy well-prepared breakfasts, clean rooms and garden views. This hotel is a fantastic option for visitors who prioritise being close to the UCL Bloomsbury campus. Rooms start at £81. 

Holiday Inn Express London – Stratford

For anyone visiting the UCL East campus, this Holiday Inn hotel in London is a great budget-friendly choice. Located in Stratford, it’s just an 8-minute walk from the UCL East Campus and 6 minutes from Stratford station, making it incredibly convenient to reach both on foot. 

You’ll find a bar and restaurant on site, with premium bedding and an excellent breakfast included in your stay (there’s even a pancake machine!). Rooms start at £59, making it an excellent budget-friendly hotel.

The Savoy

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious, once-in-a-lifetime stay while you’re visiting London, The Savoy is hard to beat. This 5-star hotel has it all: river views, an indoor heated pool, a butler service, piano performances and decadent, elegantly designed rooms.

The Savoy is located a short 5-minute train ride from Warren Street station, which is about a 7-minute walk from the UCL Main Campus. You’ll also be just a few hundred metres from many of London’s most iconic theatres on the West End. This is the perfect stay for anyone who wants a truly indulgent, authentic London stay. Rooms start at £760 per night.

The Wesley Euston

This 4-star hotel offers a clean, contemporary stay right by Euston station. You’ll reach UCL Main Campus in just 9 minutes on foot from here, while the station takes just 8 minutes. 

On site, you’ll find a 24-hour fitness centre and The Wesley Bar & Kitchen for fusion cuisine. You’ll also find dry cleaning/laundry services, and your private bathroom is equipped with rainfall showers. This is the perfect stay for anyone who wants to feel pampered on a budget and within walking distance of both UCL and Euston station. Rooms start at £99 a night.