London Victoria

Written by Donna on August 17, 2009

easycar_victoria After Waterloo, London Victoria is the second busiest railway station in London; however Victoria is also the location of London City’s central coach station, a busy bus station and the London Underground.

Located in the City of Westminster and named after Queen Victoria, the London Victoria National Rail station sees hundreds of trains travelling to and from stations from all over London, Kent, Surrey and parts of Sussex. London Victoria Station provides some of the best facilities of any London station with multiple fast food outlets and restaurants, bars and coffee shops, cash points (ATMs), an upper floor shopping centre and public toilets/restrooms (current charge to use is 20p).

One of the most popular overland rail routes (National Rail) is between London and the coastal city of Brighton. This train also stops at the excellent shopping town of Croydon and at Gatwick Airport. The “Gatwick Express” is a direct train service between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria with a journey time of 30 minutes (35 mins on Sundays). Whilst the daily London to Gatwick service runs every 15 minutes from 5.00am to 11.45pm, there is a train at 3.30am and 4.30am, with the last services at 00.01am and 00.30am (correct as of 17 August 2009). Times are slightly different from Gatwick to London Victoria.

The London Underground or tube at Victoria lies a few steps away and to the north of the mainline/overland rail station. There are four platforms; two for the Circle and District lines, and two for the Victoria line. Victoria Coach Station (NOT bus station) is located on Buckingham Palace Road about half a mile from the mainline rail station and is used for long distance coach services.

Collecting car hire from London Victoria is popular due to its central location in the city, and because the drive between Gatwick and the city can be slow. There is a huge choice of cars to hire from London Victoria with easyCar.com and whilst driving can be slow during rush hour (as with any major city), the route to reach the M1 motorway in north west London is direct, with popular “A” roads leading all over the city from Victoria.

Remember that Central London is covered by a Congestion Charge and Victoria, as all the major London stations, is within the designated area; however there is a non-chargeable route alongside Victoria so ensure you view the www.tfl.gov.uk website for full details. In brief a charge of £8 is imposed on all those driving within the congestion zone from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, which MUST be paid on the day entry is made. There is no charge at weekends, English public holidays or between 6pm and 6am the following morning, Monday to Friday. All vehicles entering “the zone” are registered by a camera system (there are no tolls, barriers etc).