Charing Cross

Charing Cross was opened in 1864 and was the product of the Southern Eastern Railway's need to extend westward from London Bridge to get its passengers from Kent right into the heart of London.

Now, over 37 million people pass through Charing Cross every year. Situated on the forecourt of the stations is the Eleanor Cross, from which point road distances from London are measured. Queen Eleanor was the wife of Edward 1 and the cross is one of many erected at points on the journey where her body was rested on its way from Lincoln to Westminster for burial.

Please use the following links to find out more about the station and the local area.

A - Passenger Access
B - Maps
C - Facilities & services
D - Transport links
E - Local attractions
F - History
G - Contact us

A - Passenger Access

Getting to and from the station.

B - Maps

Station services (shopping, eating, etc.)

C - Facilities and services

Tickets and information

The ticket office is situated on the concourse and is open from Monday to Saturday between 04.30 and 00.48 and on Sunday between 06.45 and 00.48.

National Rail enquiry service – 08457 48 49 50

Telephones

Payphones are on the main concourse and in the passageway to the front of the station.

Taxis

The taxi rank is at the front of the station.

Alternatively, please visit traintaxi ltd for further information.

Buses

Buses stop outside the front of the station in the Strand. For more information click here.

British Transport Police

The British Transport Police can be contacted on 0800 40 50 40. Click here for further details.

First aid

First aid facilities on site and Network Rail staff are first aid trained. If you require first aid, please ask a member of staff for assistance.

Toilets

Gentlemen's toilets are on the far side of the trading unit in the centre of the concourse. Ladies' toilets are near the right-hand exit to the front of the station.

Additional assistance

Assistance is available to and from platforms, though we can help more effectively if you call us in advance. Contact the relevant train operator:

Southern Trains – 0845 123 7770
Southeastern – 08706 030405

Underground

The Underground is on the left of the ticket office down the stairs or the escalator. Northern and Bakerloo lines serve this station and nearby Embankment station is served by District, Circle, Bakerloo and Northern lines.

Bureau de change

Bureau de change is located on the main concourse beside the centre passageways.To pre-order foreign currency on-line, for collection at the station click here.

Photo Booths

There are a number of photo booths at the station where photos for passports, travel passes and other identity documents can be obtained.

Cash

Cash dispensers are located throughout the station. See map for details.

Left luggage

Left Luggage is a secure place where you can leave items of luggage for collection later. The left luggage office is just outside the glass doors at the main station entrance. Please call 020 7930 5444 or click here for more details. Excess Baggage 020 7930 5444.

Network Rail customer reception

If you need assistance in any way during your visit, please ask a member of staff or visit Network Rail customer reception – click here for a map.

WiFi Coverage

www.thecloud.co.uk

www.btopenzone.com

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/hotspot

D - Transport links

Use the following links to access more information about trains from the station and other transport links:

National Rail enquires
Local transport services in London
London Underground

E - Local attractions

Discover more about London, including what there is to see and do there.

F - History

Some interesting facts and figures about the history of Charing Cross station.

Chronology

The original station at Charing Cross was opened on 11 January 1864 by the South East Railway (SER), which subsequently became the South East and Chatham Railway (SECR).
The Charing Cross Hotel opened on 15 May 1865 and was later extended in 1878. Two further top floors were added in 1952.
Queen Eleanor's Cross was completed in 1865.
The original station roof collapsed on 5 December 1905 and was rebuilt two years later.
Embankment Place offices were completed in 1992.
The concourse roof was reglazed in 1998.
The forecourt wall, railings and gates were reintroduced in the 1990s and were sponsored by Westminster City Council. This formed a part of the major upgrading of the Strand.

Station design

The original roof was designed by Sir John Hawkshaw and comprises a single span, trussed arch with wrought iron tie rods. The roof was 164ft wide by 510ft long.
During maintenance work, this roof collapsed on 5 December 1905 and was rebuilt in 1907 of tranverse ridge and furrow construction, and is the same size as the original.
Embankment Place was designed by Terry Farrell and Partners.
The Charing Cross Hotel was designed by Edward Middleton Barry.
The Eleanor Cross was commissioned by the Charing Cross Hotel Company and designed by E. M. Barry. It is a replica of the original Whitehall Cross which was erected in 1291 and demolished by order of Parliament in 1647. It stands 70ft high and was constructed by Thomas Earp of Lambeth from Portland stone, Mansfield stone and Aberdeen granite.

G - Contact us

Station reception

The station reception can provide you with information about disabled access, local transport links, parking and station facilities (including left luggage, public toilets, bicycle racks, shops and restaurants).

Contact
Address:
Station Manager's office
Charing Cross station
The Strand
London, WC2 5HS
Tel: 0207 8392576

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 04:30 to 00:48
Sunday 06:30 to 00:48

Train times, tickets & ticket refunds

Two train operators provide services into Charing Cross - South Eastern Trains and Southern Trains. For train & ticket refund information please contact 08706 030405 and 0845 123 7770 respectively.

For train timetables & real-time running times, please contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.