Ideal Home Show 2026: Trains, nearby stations & travel tips

The Ideal Home Show London will take place from 10 to 19 April 2026 this year in Olympia London. There’s plenty to see and do at the event, and you can expect the following:

• Shopping: Browse and buy from over 600 brands across various sectors, including interiors, home renovation, and gardens.
• Workshops: Tipsy Workshops give you a chance to let your crafty side shine, accompanied by some bubbly to get the creative juices flowing.
• Expert advice: Get inspiration and tips from leading architects, interior designers, stylists, and property experts – as well as celebrity guests!
• Live demonstrations: Watch live shows and demonstrations on everything from home technology to cooking. A DIY Live stage will show you how you can make plenty of home improvements yourself, while a BBQ Live stage will have you grilling up a storm in the garden!
• Eat & Drink Festival: Shop artisanal produce, watch TV chefs, and enjoy cocktail artistry. You’ll also find street food vendors offering culinary delights for you to sample.
• Innovation: Discover the latest smart home technology, eco-friendly solutions, and design trends.

The event takes place from 10:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and 10:00 to 18:00 on weekends. Olympia London is located in West Kensington and is easily accessible from all parts of the UK by train.

The nearest station to Olympia London is Kensington (Olympia), which is just across from the venue. To get the train to Olympia London, you have a number of options.

• London Overground for direct services from Clapham Junction, Stratford, and Shepherd’s Bush.
• Southern Rail for services from East Croydon and Milton Keynes (selected routes).
• London Underground District Line (on weekends and during special events).

Here’s an overview of some of the most popular routes to Olympia London:

• London Victoria → Kensington (Olympia): Takes 20–25 minutes on the London Overground via Clapham Junction.
• London Paddington → Kensington (Olympia): Journey time of approx. 25–40 minutes. Take the Circle or District Line to High Street Kensington, followed by a 20-minute walk or bus to the venue.
• London Waterloo → Kensington (Olympia): Take a South Western Railway service to Clapham Junction, where you’ll switch to the Overground to Kensington. Travel time is approx. 30 minutes.

Good to know: Trains and Tube services increase their frequency during major events like the Ideal Home Show. Follow special signage or ask staff for help to guide you in the right direction.

If you’re travelling from outside London to the Ideal Home Show 2026, taking the train to London will be your first port of call. Below are train details for the most popular routes:

• Manchester → London Euston: Trains depart from Manchester Piccadilly, with a journey time of approx. 2 hr 10 min. Direct trains are operated by Avanti West Coast. Fares from £14.
• Birmingham → London Euston: Trains depart from Birmingham New Street, taking about 1 hr 30 min on average. Operated by West Midlands Trains and Avanti West Coast. Tickets from £9. 
• Cardiff → London Paddington: Journey times are approx. 1 hr 50 min with Great Western Railway. Tickets cost approximately £43. 
• Leeds → London King’s Cross: Direct services from LNER take about 2 hr 15 min. Fares start at £25.
• Edinburgh → London King’s Cross: Trains depart from Edinburgh Waverley, with services operated by LNER and Lumo. Ticket prices range from £40 to £80 and the journey takes about 4 hr 30 minutes.

Once you arrive at your station in London, you can quickly transfer to the London Underground or Overground to reach Kensington (Olympia).

• Book in advance: Advance tickets offer significant reductions on fares, but they sell out first, typically released 12 weeks before travel. Book early on Trip.com for the cheap train tickets.
• Travel off-peak: Travelling during off-peak hours has the dual advantage of offering quieter trains, especially midweek, as well as usually being cheaper.
• Plan your travel times: Check event timings before setting out — first entry is usually around 10 am.
• Allow extra time for busy periods: If you plan on arriving or leaving close to opening and closing hours, make sure you plan for extra travel time, as these hours can be especially busy.
• Recheck your travel details: Sometimes journeys will experience changes in departure times or routes due to track works or incidents. Consult your train details a day or two in advance to make sure you are fully prepared.

Arriving by train or the Tube is the most reliable, sustainable choice for getting to the Ideal Home Show. However, if your train to Olympia London sells out, or you’re interested in a more budget-friendly option, there are alternatives. 

• Coach: You might consider taking a coach with National Express or Megabus, whose services terminate at Victoria Coach Station. From here, it’s about a 30-minute journey to Olympia.
• Car: Driving is an option, although you will have to contend with hectic London traffic and possible Congestion Charges. Parking at Olympia London is limited and should be pre-booked.
• London Bus options: Routes 9, 23, 27, 28, 49, and C1 all stop near the Ideal Home Show at Olympia, and can be an option for travelling from elsewhere in London.