Cheap train tickets to London

The capital city of the UK (though surprisingly by convention as opposed to statute), London is one of the most popular cities to visit in the world. Its size, connectivity, amount of things to do, contributions to sport, history, culture, and so much more make it an ideal destination for so many people. When it comes to London, most people will think 'Where on earth do I begin?', and the first step is to work out how to get there. Given its size, it's easy to find cheap train tickets to get to & from London on our website and app.

London's size and prominence make it easily accessible for vast swathes of the country. It's also accessible by rail from mainland Europe, with direct services from Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam on the Eurostar to London St Pancras via the Channel Tunnel. Eurostar has run services from London to Europe since 1994, with services initially running into London Waterloo until the move to London St Pancras in 2007.

Cheap train tickets to London

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London is also well-served by airports - Heathrow to the west and Gatwick to the south are the two most well-known. London Luton and London Stansted (to the north and north-east respectively) are popular with budget airlines, London City in the east is popular with business travellers, and London Southend out to the east in Essex is also a possible option. All six mentioned airports have direct rail links to London in one form or another.


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Getting around London

So how does one get around London? There are of course plenty of options, and we've covered the main ones below.

  • Walk. London is of course a big city, but central London itself is surprisingly walkable As ever, it's a great option if you're on a bit more of a budget or want to get some exercise in. Why not just go for a wander and see where you end up? You never know what interesting things you may find, though please do make sure to stay safe. There are a good number of parks in central London as well, many of which are run by The Royal Parks, and further information can be found on their website HERE.
  • Cycle. Cycling is also an option if you want to get some exercise and see London from a slightly different angle. One of the more well-known options is the Santander Cycles scheme run by TfL, with many docking stations available at various locations across the capital. Further information on the scheme can be found HERE, with some routes available if you want to take in some tourist attractions while you're at it.
  • Bus. London's bus network is one of the largest in the country, with services going across the capital and into the suburbs. It's a great option if other methods of transport aren't suitable, and is also ideal if you want to see more of the city. Further information about London Buses can be found HERE. If you want to go on a guided bus tour, there are plenty of options here as well.
  • Rail. For those who want to explore the suburbs a bit more or attend an event at one of London's stadia or arenas, the rail network in London itself is quite extensive. For suburban services avoiding central London, the Overground is a popular option, and the Elizabeth line is a very convenient way of quickly crossing the city. If you're out in the Docklands, then the Docklands Light Railway is a common way of getting around. There is, of course, perhaps the single most iconic transport method in London...
  • London Underground. With 272 stations and 250 miles of track, the London Underground is the oldest rapid transit system, first opening between what are now Paddington and Baker Street stations on 10th January 1863. The Underground has so much to it that there is a dedicated section further down on this page with more detail, though it's worth noting that the famous typeface (first introduced in 1916 by Edward Johnston) and the Tube map (the current design is based on a famous one from Harry Beck that was first introduced in 1933) are both design icons in of themselves. Further information on the Underground can be found HERE.
  • Taxis. London's famous black cabs are a common sight across the capital, and are highly useful if you want to get somewhere specific that perhaps isn't served quite as easily by public transport. They're also a great option if you have mobility issues or a sizeable amount of luggage with you. They can cost a bit if you plan on taking multiple taxi journeys, so this is worth bearing in mind. Additional information on taxis in London can be found HERE. It's well-known that the training to become a licensed London black cab driver - known as 'The Knowledge' - is one of the toughest training courses for taxi drivers in the world due to the sheer amount of information that needs to be learned. If you're interested, some further information on 'The Knowledge' and what it entails can be found HERE.
  • River Thames. The famous river through the capital is well-used by a variety of craft, and is perhaps an underrated way of seeing London. There are numerous boat-based tours, and also some fast boat experiences for those who want something with a bit more adrenaline. The Thames Clippers are also an option, and some further information on these can be found HERE.

Cheap train tickets to London

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There is so much to do in London that this page will only cover just a small amount, but we very much hope that it'll be a source of inspiration for you on your trip to this world-famous city. Don't forget to get even more value out of your trip to London by purchasing cheap train tickets from our website or app!

Sport

It's the capital city, so it's perhaps not surprising that London has such a rich sporting heritage. In 2012, it became the first city to host the Olympic Games on three occasions (the previous events were in 1908 and 1948), and the Games were widely considered to be a huge success. Football is big in London, with Wembley Stadium  being the home of the England national team for many years. It's the largest stadium in the country, and also hosts other sporting events and concerts. Seven teams in the 2024/25 Premier League season call London home - these teams are Arsenal, Brentford, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United.

Cheap train tickets to London

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Rugby union is also popular, with Twickenham Stadium in the south-west of the city being the home to both the England mens' and womens' teams. Cricket is also an option, with two Test ground being at Lord's and the Oval. These grounds have been the venues for Ashes tests on many occasions. Tennis is popular in the summer months, with two famous locations being found in the capital. There's the Queen's Club in West Kensington, and also the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. This is known worldwide by a much more familiar name - Wimbledon - and the prestigious tournament here every summer is one of the four Tennis Grand Slams (the others being the Australian Open in Melbourne, the French Open in Paris, and the US Open in New York). For athletics events, these most commonly take place at either the London Stadium in the Olympic Park near Stratford or the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. The other permanent venues in the Olympic Park following the 2012 Games are the London Aquatics Centre, the Copper Box Arena, the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre (just to the north of the Olympic Park), and the Lee Valley VeloPark.

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History

Given its size and importance, there is a lot of history surrounding London. There's been evidence of settlements from many thousands of years ago, though the first significant settlement was the founding of Londinium in 47AD by the Romans. This was destroyed in about 60AD or 61AD by Queen Boudica of the Iceni Tribe, but it was subsequently rebuilt. The city then developed over the years, but the infamous Great Fire of London 1666 destroyed a sizeable amount of the City of London itself. Again, it was rebuilt. Suffering extensive damage during the Blitz in World War II, the city was once again rebuilt. Multiculturalism and immigration during the latter half of the 20th century have helped make London the thriving city it is today. But what of the historical attractions themselves? Arguably one of the most iconic landmarks in London is Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the reigining monarch since 1837. One of the other well-known former royal residences in London is Hampton Court Palace, famous for being the home of King Henry VIII, though it was originally built for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. There are a number of large and famous churches in London, with three of the most notable being St Paul's Cathedral (rebuilt after the Great Fire of London by Sir Christopher Wren), Westminster Abbey (the site of many coronations and royal weddings), and Westminster Cathedral (located near London Victoria station, this is a Catholic cathedral, and isn't to be confused with Westminster Abbey). There are so many other historic buildings in London, and one of the most popular is the Tower of London. The Tower has been used for many things over the years, but became notorious in the Tudor period as a prison of sorts for particularly high-profile individuals, including Anne Boleyn (who was also executed at the Tower on 17th May 1536) and Guy Fawkes (who was brought to the Tower for torture on 6th November 1605 and subsequently signed a confession to the Gunpowder Plot). These days, the Tower of London is a popular tourist attraction, and is the home of the famous Crown Jewels. It's also home to at least six ravens, and their presence is traditionally believed to protect the Kingdom.

Cheap train tickets to London

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It would be remiss of us to not mention the Houses of Parliament, the home of the UK Government, comprising the House of Commons and the House of Lords, plus other additional facilities. Over in Greenwich, you'll find the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park. Its importance cannot be understated, as the Prime Meridian passes through it, and this is the basis for Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which has now been succeeded by Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Near to the Observatory is the famed Cutty Sark, a tea clipper from the 1860s, which is on the banks of the Thames and close to the Old Royal Naval College. The College is part of Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the College was used as the filming location for the iconic barricade scenes in the 2012 musical film Les Misérables.

Culture, entertainment, and tourism

London's size lends itself to culture and entertainment on a varied scale. The theatres of the West End are renowned for hosting a huge variety of shows, and some of them have been running for a very long time. The Mousetrap, at St Martin's Theatre on West Street, has been running since 1952. In addition, Les Misérables, at the Sondheim Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, has been running since 1985. If you do want to see a West End show, the variety on offer reinforces our belief you'll find something to see that you enjoy. The Royal Albert Hall near Hyde Park is world-renowned for its events, including the 'Films In Concert' series (films on screen with the music performed by a live orchestra), the annual Proms concerts, and the 'Festival of Remembrance' each November. You can also book tours of this iconic venue. It was also the venue for the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest.

Cheap train tickets to London

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London is home to the Royal Opera House near Covent Garden, and the city is also home to many renownd orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. There is a plethora of other music venues as well, and the city's two largest indoor arenas - the O2 Arena in North Greenwich and Wembley Arena near the famed stadium in north-west London - host music, stand-up comedy, and so much more. The O2 Arena is noted as having been originally built as the Millennium Dome for the year 2000, and has now been transformed into one of the UK's largest indoor arenas. Every August Bank Holiday weekend, the world-renowned Notting Hill Carnival takes place, and is a celebration of Caribbean culture. It's often cited as the second-largest carnival in the world, with the largest being Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. London has frequently been used as an inspiration and setting for countless works in literature and film. Probably one of the most famous is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, and the character's famous address was 221b Baker Street, which is the address of the Sherlock Holmes Museum. On the subject of museums, you can find three of the country's most famous museums in South Kensington - these being the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. There is also the British Museum near Russell Square, which has one of the largest collections of exhibits in the world. For military history fans, there is the Imperial War Museum in Southwark. There are countless art galleries in London, and three of the most well-known are the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, Tate Britain on Millbank, and the Tate Modern in the former Bankside Power Station near Blackfriars station. There's also the National Portrait Gallery on St Martin's Place, just off Trafalgar Square, and it adjoins the National Gallery. For iconic views of London, why not pay a visit to the London Eye, one of the largest observation wheels in the world?

Cheap train tickets to London

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The city's large LGBTQ+ community and their contributions to culture cannot be ignored, with most of the life centred around Old Compton Street. There are also LGBTQ+ venues in Haggerston, Dalston, and Vauxhall. The UK's first gay and lesbian bookshop, Gay's The Word, opened in 1979 on Marchmont Street in Bloomsbury. In the 1980s, it was used by the campaign group 'Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners' (LGSM) as a fundraising base during the miners' strike, and was featured in the 2014 film Pride. Of particular note to many members of the LGBTQ+ community is the annual 'Pride in London' event, held every summer.

London Underground

It would be remiss of us to not mention the London Underground, frequently referred to as 'The Tube', which is one of the most iconic things about London. Opening on 10th January 1863 between Paddington and Farringdon, the system now encompasses 11 lines, 272 stations, and 250 miles (400km) of track. Each year, it often sees over a billion journeys, and is the oldest metro system in the world. It originally developed with separate railway companies constructing their own lines, with most of them merging into the London Passenger Transport Board in 1933 (the Waterloo & City line was operated as part of the National Rail system until 1994). The history is fascinating, with so many names being of particular note. One of the most well-known is Harry Beck, whose map in 1933 has been the basis for London Underground maps ever since. Also of note are the station designers Charles Holden and Leslie Green. Holden's work was mainly on the Piccadilly and Northern lines, and he also designed the former home of TfL at 55 Broadway. Green's work was mainly on the Bakerloo, Northern, and Piccadilly lines, and are frequently identifiable due to the station buildings frequently featuring oxblood tiles at street level, along with the platforms having individual tiling designs. The system can be sorted into two separate divisions - the sub-surface lines built under the cut-and-cover method (Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan), and the deep-level lines (Bakerloo, Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Waterloo & City). The famous roundel was first introduced in 1908, and like the Tube map, has become a design icon in of itself. It's also essentially the brand icon for TfL itself. The Underground is known for its art as well, with mosaics at Tottenham Court Road by Eduardo Paolozzi being some of the most recent additions. There are many disused stations across London, and you can book tours of some of them through the London Transport Museum's 'Hidden London' programme.

Cheap train tickets to London

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The London Transport Museum itself is in Covent Garden, and offers a fascinating insight into the history of transport in London. It's perhaps unsurprising that the Underground is used as a filming location, with two of the most popular locations being the Waterloo & City line (frequently closed on Sundays), and Aldwych tube station on the Piccadilly line (closed in 1994). The Underground is also the subject of the Tube Challenge, where people attempt to visit all 272 stations on the network in one day. We do sell tickets that can be used on the London Underground, which can be particularly useful for any travel in and around London at the start and end of your time in London, and can be particularly useful when purchasing cheap train tickets through our website or app - get them before you arrive in London itself and save yourself a bit of hassle on the day.

Shopping

It will come as absolutely no surprise that London is a shopping haven. Probably the most popular area is Oxford Street in central London, between Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road stations on the Underground. Also of note is Regent Street, home to the famous toy shop Hamleys' flagship store. There's such a variety of shops in these two areas alone! For higher-end stuff, New Bond Street is home to brands such as Chanel, Breitling, Gucci, and many more. Three of London's most well-known department stores are Harrods on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, and Liberty on Great Marlborough Street, and are well worth visiting. If you're looking for something different, why not pay a visit to Carnaby Street in Soho? This is popular with many independent stores, and became particularly known in the 1960s for its fashion boutiques. If you're into vintage clothing and alternative culture, then Camden is perhaps the place for you, with Camden Market being of particular note. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of central London, then two of the most well-known options are Westfield London in White City near to the iconic Television Centre, and Westfield Stratford City in Stratford bordering the Olympic Park. For somewhere perhaps a little bit different, Leadenhall Market in the City of London is worth a visit, and was used as a filming location for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. It also formed part of the course of the marathon in the London 2012 Olympics. To tell the truth, there are so many places to go shopping in London - we're certain you'll find somewhere to get a bargain or a memento or two!

Cheap train tickets to London

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Green spaces

London is a city renowned for its balance of urban life and green spaces, offering residents and visitors an abundance of parks and tranquil spots to escape the hustle and bustle. The famous parks are a testament to the city’s commitment to preserving nature in the heart of the capital. Hyde Park, one of the largest and most iconic, spans over 350 acres and is perfect for leisurely walks, boating on the Serpentine, and relaxing under the shade of century-old trees. It's also home to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which takes place between November and January each year, featuring a mass of rides, shopping, food & drink, and entertainment.

Cheap train tickets to London

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Just next door, Kensington Gardens provides a more serene atmosphere with its elegant landscaping, the famous Albert Memorial, and the historic Kensington PalaceRegent’s Park is another must-visit, known for its beautifully manicured gardens, grand flowerbeds, and open spaces ideal for picnics and sports. For an elevated view of the city, visitors can head to Primrose Hill, located within the park, offering a stunning vista of London’s skyline. Found within Regent's Park is London Zoo, home to many different species, and known for its annual animal stocktake (and yes, even the ants have to be counted!). Close to Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park is a picturesque spot filled with flowerbeds and ornamental lakes. However, London’s green spaces are not limited to these well-known parks. Hidden gems like Lincoln’s Inn Fields in Holborn offer quieter, more peaceful environments. This historic park, surrounded by beautiful Georgian architecture, is one of the largest public squares in London, providing a calm retreat for workers and locals. The Fields are the largest public square in London, and take their name from the adjacent Lincoln's Inn, which is one of the four Inns of Court in London, which are professional associations for barristers in England and Wales, and all barristers have to belong to one of these four Inns of Court. In a city as dynamic as London, these green spaces - whether famous or hidden - offer residents and visitors much-needed respite and a reminder of nature’s beauty amidst urban life.

Dining recommendations

Given its size and multicultural nature, there is such a plethora of eating establishments in London that you won't struggle to find somewhere to eat, though it's arguable that deciding exactly what to choose will be the harder thing! We've chosen a few examples for all kinds of budgets to show just what London has to offer in terms of culinary options.

Cheap train tickets to London

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Cheap eats

O Tino
Address: 1 Plender Street, London NW1 0JS
Portuguese cuisine is perhaps not one people immediately think of, but it's well worth considering as a dining option. O Tino is one such example, located between Mornington Crescent and Camden Town Tube stations, with a variety of dishes available to whet your appetites. Starters here include croquette de carne (beef croquette), sopa de legumes (wholesome blend of garden-fresh veggies), and sardinhas na brasa (freshly grilled sardines). The main courses are varied, and include picadinho de porco (tender pork pieces with Portuguese spices & chips), robalo na grelha (grilled sea bass, poached potatoes, fresh vegetables, on a large slate plate), and vegetarian feijoada (a hearty meat-free stew inspired by the Portuguese classic - a blend of beans and fresh veggies served with rice). For dessert, you can choose from dishes including pastel de nata (traditional Portuguese custard tart), mousse de chocolate (decadent chocolate mousse made with rich, creamy chocolate), and bolo de bolacha (layers of buttery biscuits and a creamy condensed milk & coffee filling, topped with crushed biscuits).

Double J's Café
Address: 333 Euston Road, London NW1 3AD
If you want something with a bit more of a traditional feel, then why not think about Double J's Café on Euston Road between Warren Street and Goodge Street tube stations? Originally founded in 1967, the building was first used as a German bookstore in 1910, so it has a bit of history to the place. The food on the menu here is varied, with a particular focus on breakfast dishes. These can include the classic (free-range fried egg, dry-cured bacon, Cumberland sausage, Heinz® baked beans, and toast), shakshuka (two free-range fried eggs slowly cooked in a rich tomato sauce with peppers & mixed herbs, served with toast), and a meat omelette (dry-cured back bacon, Cumberland sausage, ham, cheese, onion, mushroom). If you fancy a spot of brunch, then you're covered here as well, with options including eggs benedict (toasted brioche bun topped with dry cured back bacon & two free-range poached eggs, drizzled with Hollandaise sauce, served with mixed salad), scramble royale (toasted sourdough topped with Scottish smoked salmon & free-range scrambled eggs, served with mixed salad), and smashed avocado (toasted sourdough topped with seasoned smashed avocado & two free-range poached eggs, served with mixed salad). If you'd prefer to have something else, there are other options to choose from here, including a falafel & halloumi wrap (falafel, grilled halloumi, hummus, home-made salsa, tomatoes, lettuce, and yoghurt mint sauce), chicken Caesar salad (grilled marinated chicken shish, fresh mixed leaves, cherry tomatoes & parmesan cheese topped with Caesar dressing), mixed grill kebab (a mixed grill of lamb shish, lamb kofta and chicken, all marinated specially & cooked to perfection, served with chips & rice or salad with Turkish flat bread), and the DJ Whopper burger (homemade 200g beef burger, topped with grilled halloumi, hash brown & dry cured back bacon, garnished with lettuce, tomatoes & fried onions inside a toasted brioche bun, served with chips).

Wolkite
Address: 82 Hornsey Road, London N7 7NN
London is quite arguably one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and you'll find all sorts of different cuisines here. This includes some which are perhaps a bit different, and one such example is the Ethiopian cuisine at Wolkite. This is admittedly not in central London itself, but is easily accessible from the Piccadilly line of the Underground (Holloway Road and Arsenal stations are the closest), and is very close to the Emirates Stadium, so is quite convenient if you're attending an event there. Ethiopian cuisine does often have a focus on vegetarian & vegan dishes, and so the menu at Wolkite is divided into vegan/vegetarian and meat sections - this is also arguably a good idea to help those who want to eat less meat or are following a vegan/vegetarian diet. The vegan dishes include fosolya (whole beans and baby carrots, cooked and fried with different spices) and shiro (finely ground roasted chickpeas, simmered in a combination of spices). For the vegetarians, the dishes include ruz batikelt (rice with a combination of vegetables with a touch of rosemary and other spices), misir wot (prepared from red lentil, berbere and other spices), atkilt (gomen, denech wot, and fossolia), and yesom beyaynetu (a mixed combination platter for one). For the meat eaters, the available options here include kitfo (lean minced beef, spiced butter and mitmita (chilli powder)), awaze tibs (cubes of lamb cooked with berbere (Ethiopian spice mix), onions, tomatoes, garlic and green pepper), and doro wat (one chicken drumstick cooked with a spicy stew, Served with boiled egg and cottage cheese).

Cheap train tickets to London

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Mid-range

The Zetland Arms
Address: 2 Bute Street, Kensington, London SW7 3EX
Located near to South Kensington underground station, the Zetland Arms is a pub run by Greene King within easy reach of London's museums in South Kensington (Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum) and the Royal Albert Hall. The pub dates from the 1840s, and it's claimed that the pub was purchased by the legendary actor Charlie Chaplin for his brother Sid. For all the diversity on show in London regarding cuisine, sometimes, a bit of pub grub can hit the spot. To start your meal off here, you can choose from dishes such as a beef rillette (with caramelised onion, warmed sourdough, truffle & thyme butter, golden beetroot piccalilli), crispy salt & pepper squid (with creamy garlic aioli), and butternut squash & sweet potato soup (with parsley oil and warmed sourdough). For your main courses, the options include panko chicken escalope (with garlic & herb butter, seasoned fried, and apple & fennel slaw), herb-crumbed halibut fillet (with smashed roasted new potatoes, smoky romesco, and green beans), and a Beyond Meat® burger (with melting Violife slice, chutney, seasoned figs, and a creamy garlic aioli dip). For dessert, why not go for the sticky toffee pudding (with crème anglaise), the espresso panna cotta (with orange sablé biscuits), or the peach melba tarte tatin (with vegan ice cream)?

Tower Tandoori
Address: 74-76 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 4TP
Indian cuisine is very popular in the UK, and one such example can be found at Tower Tandoori, named after the famous nearby Tower Bridge. It's existed since 1978, and is run by the third generation of the same family, so it has a good amount of history behind it. The starters here include smoky lamb chops (best end baby chops with spicy homemade mayo), tandoori king prawns (marinated with roasted spices and coriander, homemade green chutney), and Punjabi samosa (spiced potato and pea filling, with tamarind chutney). The main courses are varied, and include chicken jalfrezi (classic curry with chillies, peppers, and spices), jardaloo gosht (Parsi-inspired spicy lamb, coriander seed, fried potato topping, served with pulau rice), pan-seared salmon (subtly-spiced pan-seared salmon topped with caramelised peppers & onions, served with turmeric brown rice), and paneer lababdar (rich Punjabi curry with homemade paneer, served with jeera rice). There are plenty of side dishes and rice & bread to go along with the meal, including tarka dal (yellow lentil tempered with garlic and whole red chilli), pulau rice, garlic & coriander nan, and cucumber raitha. For dessert, the options here include gulabjamun (Indian milk doughnuts), gajar ka halwa (Indian carrot pudding served with ice-cream), and mango & pistachio kulfi.

Rudy's Pizza Napoletana
Address: 53-54 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 2EQ
If you're after a restaurant meal that won't take too long and tastes good, pizza is frequently a good option. Rudy's is a pizza chain that operates across the UK, and one such outlet can be found on Tottenham Court Road just a few minutes from Goodge Street tube station. The starters section is small, but contains dishes you'd arguably expect, including nocellara olives, burrata (whole burrata, vine tomatoes, wild rocket, and house-baked bread), and a sharing campana (bufala mozzarella, prosciutto crudo, finocchiona salame, salame piccante, wild rocket, oven-dried tomato, house bread). The pizzas are varied, and all pizzas (except the vegan options) have San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, Grana Padano (not vegetarian) and extra virgin olive oil to finish, unless stated otherwise. The options for the pizzas include doppia mozzarella (margherita with double fior di latte mozzarella), the carni (salame finocchiona, salame piccante, wild boar salame - fresh chilli can be added on the house), and the 'nduja ortolana (vegan 'nduja, roasted tenderstem broccoli, Kalamata olives, chestnut mushrooms, finished with rocket pesto - olives may contain stones). For dessert, the dishes here include tiramisu (made fresh every day), affogato (vanilla gelato with a shot of espresso to pour over - a shot of liqueur can also be added if you wish), and chocolate brownie (double chocolate brownie with vanilla gelato).

Ma La Sichuan
Address: 37 Monck Street, London SW1P 2BL
London's Chinatown is famed the world over, but there are of course other options if you want some Chinese cuisine while in London. One such example is 'Ma La Sichuan', situated on Monck Street near a number of London's famous landmarks, including Westminster Abbey and Tate Britain. The available appetisers include veg dumplings, classic crispy aromatic duck (served with steamed pancakes, shredded cucumber and spring onion, with hoi sin sauce), and blanched spinach with sesame sauce (roasted sesame seed paste poured over blanched spinach - served cold). Soups are also available, including chicken & sweetcorn soup and won ton soup (homemade chicken & vegetable dumplings served in a light broth). The main courses are widely varied, including sweet & sour king prawns (king prawns and pineapples coated in a treacly sweet & tangy sauce), dry wok potato slivers (stir-fried potato slivers with fresh garlic, mixed peppers, chilli and celery in spicy Sichuan sauce), lamb with ginger & spring onion, salt & pepper tofu (fried tofu in spicy salt with chilli & garlic), classic Sichuan Dan Dan Mian (wheat noodles in soup topped with finely chopped pork, a mixture of Sichuan pepper and vegetables), and many more. If you're in a group, why not order a few dishes to share between you? For dessert here, the options include sesame balls (deep-fried sesame balls with red bean filling), salted egg custard buns (steamed buns with salted egg custard filling), and a trio of mochi ice cream (coconut, mango, strawberry cheesecake).

Pick & Cheese
Address: Seven Dials Market, Short's Gardens, London WC2H 9AT
Do you like cheese? Well, have we got the place for you! Located in Seven Dials Market near to Covent Garden, Pick & Cheese is something of a different concept where you can pick plates of cheese from a conveyor belt, and each cheese has a matching accompaniment to it. If you've ever heard of the restaurant chain 'Yo Sushi', then it's a bit like that, but with cheese instead of sushi. There's a huge variety of cheese available here, and we're sure you'll be able to find something you like, as well as seeing it as an opportunity to try something new! Some of the options include Keen's Cheddar (paired with tomato chutney), Cenarth Brie (paired with tomato & chilli jam), Beauvale (paired with honeycomb), Cornish Kern (paired with brown sugar biscuit), Durrus (paired with bacon jam), Lucky Marcel (paired with apricot jam), St Ella (paired with rose Turkish Delight), Dazel Ash (paired with rosemary honey & shortbread), and many more. There's a good wine list here as well, which makes it a great idea for an evening with friends.

Cheap train tickets to London

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Fine dining

Plates
Address: 320 Old Street, London EC1V 9DR
Found on Old Street near the underground station of the same name is Plates. Founded by siblings Kirk & Keeley Haworth, the restaurant is focused on a plant-based menu to help with sustainability of the planet among other things. The menu here is a set menu, and can include dishes such as wild garlic soup & potato dumplings, sour apple & buckwheat truffle, barbecued tomato broth, barbecued Maitake mushroom (with black bean molé, kimchi, aioli, puffed rice), mung & urad bean lasagne (with miso & chive sauce), mint ice-cream (with chewy beets, sweet pea, and kombu), and raw cacao gateau (with sour cherry, coconut blossom ice cream, African pepper, toasted macadamia, and raw caramel sauce). The wine list is somewhat different to many, in that the wines are categorised according to the original environment in which they were found (deciduous forest, alpine & hillside shrub, and Mediterranean scrubland), which seems quite unique in terms of how wine lists are usually shown for customers.

Tokii
Address: 50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London W1H 7FD
Situated in the Prince Akatoki Hotel just north of Marble Arch and near to the famous Hyde Park is Tokii. The focus here is on Japanese cuisine, with the menu also taking international influences to help create an intriguing dining experience. The hot dishes here include shrimp/vegetable tempura (with dashi, mirin, and soy dip), roasted rack of lamb (with glazed baby vegetables, spicy green miso, and crispy noodles), and miso glazed black cod (with sweet corn fried rice). For the cold dishes, options include soba noodles (with grilled tender stem broccoli, sweet chilli, ginger, and soy), yellowtail carpaccio (with yuzu dressing and white truffle oil), and beef fillet tataki (with red onion salsa, ponzu, and garlic crisps). If you want to indulge in sushi, then there are a good number of choices here, with the sashimi & nagiri options including tuna, eel, and seared Japanese A5 wagyu  (with kizami wasabi and sweet soy). If maki roll interests you, then the choices include cucumber and avocado uramaki, spicy tuna hosomaki, and shrimp tempura futomaki. To end your meal on a sweet note here, the dessert dishes include an exotic fruit & pomegranate salad (with passion fruit & banana sorbet), yuzu & raspberry brûée, and a miso custard tart with crème fraîche sorbet.

The Ritz Restaurant
Address: The Ritz London, 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR
Right by Green Park underground station and at the northern corner of Green Park itself is the iconic Ritz London Hotel, famed for its afternoon tea. It's also home to the Ritz Restaurant, which gained a second Michelin star in the 2025 Guide. The focus here is a showcase of the finest British produce, with sustainability also being one of their core values. First courses here can include Dorset crab (with crème fraîche and imperial caviar), ballotine of duck liver (with damson and pistachio), and potato vichysoisse (with smoked bacon and wild garlic). For main courses, the options can include wild sea bass (with saffron and menton lemon), Suffolk lamb (with roscoff and mint), and roe deer (with smoked beetroot and juniper). For dessert, why not go for the Ritz chocolate soufflé (with vanilla chantilly), vanilla and almond praline (with dulcey and banana ice-cream), or the mille-feuille (with caramelised apple and mascarpone)? You can also make a choice from the selection of artisan cheeses if you wish to do so. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the wine list here is extensive, with bottles chosen from all corners of the world.

Cheap train tickets to London

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London has plenty of opportunity as a base for exploring the wider area. For example, Windsor is within easy reach, and is famed for its castle. Windsor Castle was originally built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion of England, and has been a key Royal residence for many years. Also nearby is Legoland Windsor, with its mix of rides, attractions, and Lego models sure to delight everybody. Within the M25, you'll also find Thorpe Park (nearest station: Staines) and Chessington World of Adventures (nearest station: Chessington South), with Thorpe being aimed more at thrillseekers - including Hyperia, the UK's tallest rollercoaster - and Chessington for families, with Chessington also having the bonus of a zoo. All of these are perfect opportunities to use our website or app for cheap train tickets to help maximise your days out.

Overnighting in London

Maximise your London experience by extending your stay in this city. Whether you're drawn to its location, its sporting sites, or something else, London provides diverse accommodation options for every preference and budget. Uncover the ideal place to unwind and rejuvenate for another day of exploration.

Looking to book your stay? Click here to explore the variety of accommodations for an overnight break. 

We very much hope that we've convinced you to book a trip to London. If we have, then fantastic! Our website is on hand to help you get cheap train tickets for your journey through the wonders of split ticketing, and our customer service team is on hand to assist you if you have any queries regarding your booking.

Getting the best-value rail tickets possible is something that we at TrainSplit are sure many people want to do. This can include booking in advance, using a Railcard if you have one, travelling outside peak times, and – of course – splitting tickets via our website. All these and more can help you get cheap train tickets for your journey to London. If you’d like further information on any of these, please get in touch, and we’ll do what we can to assist you. We do have a comprehensive booking guide here at TrainSplit on the booking process, which we hope will be very useful, and we’ve covered some of the main points below. 

Cheap train tickets to London

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Our top tips and ways to cut down train travel costs on your train tickets to London

Book Your Train Tickets Early

If you know when you are planning to travel, booking early can save you money through the purchase of cheap train tickets. With Advance fares becoming available up to 12 weeks ahead, this is a great way to save on your rail travel.

Use a Railcard

Teamed up with a railcard, you can get up to a third off the cost, saving you more money on your train tickets. If you make a lot of train journeys, a railcard will pay for itself in no time. 

 

Split Your Tickets

With TrainSplit’s unique journey planner, we search for the best-priced train tickets for your journey. You can easily discover the best split ticketing combinations that maximise your savings on train tickets, and best of all, TrainSplit will do all the work for you and doesn’t charge a booking fee.

Avoid Peak Times

If you don't need to travel early in the morning, consider traveling off-peak to save money on more expensive train tickets. Trains are also likely to be quieter during off-peak hours, which usually start from around 09:30 onwards.

Travelling with a group of 3-9 people

Take a look at GroupSave train tickets. These are a great way to get discounted train fares for groups of people traveling together.

Consider an alternative aoute

If you're travelling from Manchester, for example, then one possible alternative route could be to travel via Birmingham. Using TrainSplit’s journey planner, you can search for routes to London which use trains that can potentially save you money on your train tickets.

Claim Delay Repay

If your journey is delayed, you may be entitled to delay compensation on your train tickets.

By following these tips, along with using TrainSplit’s unique journey planner to find the best train ticket deals, now is the perfect time to explore new destinations.

Avoid Booking Fees

Many ticket retailers impose booking fees for each journey booked, adding unnecessary expenses to your travel costs. With TrainSplit, we don't charge a booking fee. Instead, we only charge a share of savings, which is a small percentage of the savings you made if we found a split for your journey. Rest assured, it will still work out cheaper than purchasing a through fare. If no splits are found, no share of savings will be charged.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book Cheap Train Tickets to London?

You can find the cheapest train tickets to London by booking in advance and considering split ticket options. Websites like TrainSplit offer tools to help you find the best deals.

What's the most cost-effective way to travel to Inverness?

The most economical way to travel to London is by booking cheap Advance Tickets and exploring split ticketing options, which can significantly reduce your travel expenses.

When should I book my train tickets to London for the best prices?

To secure the cheapest train tickets to London, it's advisable to book well in advance, as fares tend to increase closer to the travel date. Additionally, consider exploring split ticketing options for additional savings.

Can I save money by splitting my train tickets when travelling to London?

Yes - splitting your train tickets to London can often result in significant cost savings compared to purchasing a single through ticket. Services like TrainSplit can help you find the most advantageous split ticket combinations.

Are there any discounts available for frequent train travellers to London ?

Consider purchasing a digital railcard that offers discounts for frequent train travellers to Inverness and other destinations. A railcard can provide significant savings on train tickets, especially when combined with strategies such as split ticketing, to ensure you get great-value cheap train tickets for your journeys. Whether you're commuting regularly or planning occasional trips, a railcard is a valuable investment that can help you maximise your savings on train travel to Inverness and beyond.

Is it cheaper to book train tickets to London online or at the station?

When looking to secure cheap train tickets to London, booking online in advance typically provides the most cost-effective fares. Using train ticket booking platforms like TrainSplit can also help in finding split ticket options, further reducing your travel expenses. 

Remember, if you have any questions about train travel or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.

We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.

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