Paddington Station

The basics

The grand, Victorian-era building was designed by the great civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Paddington Station is the starting point for the Paddington Bear Walking Tour. Many tourists arrive early to do self-guided Paddington Station tours and snap photos with Marcus Cornish’s Paddington Bear statue or shop for official toys and merchandise at the Paddington Bear shop. The Secrets of the London Underground Small Group Walking Tour delves into the history of London’s tube network and if a walking tour isn’t for you, The Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & River Cruise stops at the station and is great for going at your own pace.

Things to know before you go

• Paddington Station is near many major tourist attractions including Hyde Park, Regent’s Canal, and the Serpentine.

• Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the station.

• Public restrooms with baby changing facilities are available at a small charge.

• Paddington has an information center to help visitors with travel plans.

• Passengers with disabilities and travelers with strollers can access all areas of the station via elevators and escalators.

How to get there

Paddington Station is located in Paddington, west London, and is served by National Rail, London Underground (Hammersmith and City, Bakerloo, District, and Circle lines) and Heathrow Express trains. There is a taxi rank by Platform 1, behind which you’ll find local bus stops with routes that pass through central London.

When to get there

The railway station and its ticket office are open 24 hours a day. Opening hours for facilities such as shops and restaurants vary. Paddington Station is at its busiest during weekday rush hours, which span the hours between 7am and 9am, and 4pm and 6pm.

There’s more to Paddington than Paddington

Paddington Bear is not the sole fictional figure associated with Paddington Station. The station has also appeared in the Sherlock Holmes novel The Hound of the Baskervilles; Agatha Christie’s mystery novel 4.50 from Paddington; and in the movies Layer Cake and The Bank Job. The Sherlock Holmes Museum, located at the exact address of the fictional detective, is only a 20-minute walk from the station.

Ways to explore

While the fact that this grand, Victorian-era building was designed by the great civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel will appeal to architecture buffs, most travelers come here to snap photos with Marcus Cornish’s Paddington Bear statue on Platform 1. The station is the starting point for Paddington Bear–themed walking tours, an ideal choice for kids; some tours also take you to London filming locations featured in the movies. Just behind Paddington Station, you’ll find Paddington Central, a cluster of bars, restaurants, offices, and green spaces on the banks of the Regent’s Canal.

Accessibility

Paddington Station is mostly accessible, with step-free access to the main station and all platforms. Platforms 1 and 12 have accessible restrooms, as well as elevators to the taxi stand.

Age limits

None

What to pack

The station has a traditional British M&S store where you can stock up on gourmet snacks for your train trip

What to wear

Sneakers in case you have to run for your train

Not allowed

Smoking, gathering in large groups in busy areas

Amenities

Restrooms, lost and found, showers, Wi-Fi, water fountain, waiting rooms, stores, fast-food kiosks

Address

Paddington Station is in west London, within easy reach of the charming neighborhood of Little Venice at the confluence of the Grand Union and Regent’s canals. You can walk from Paddington Station along the water and reach this literary hot spot in just 15 minutes.

Driving

Driving around the station isn’t recommended, due to limited access and all-day traffic. The taxi stand is on the east side; you can take a black cab or meet your prebooked rideshare here.

Public transportation

Paddington Station is served by National Rail and the Hammersmith and City, Bakerloo, District & Circle London Underground lines, plus the Elizabeth Line. Heathrow Express trains also depart from here and whisk you to the airport in 15 minutes.

Best times to visit

Paddington Station is busiest during London’s morning and evening rush hours, so try to avoid it from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm, when peak ticket prices are also higher.

Best days to visit

For the best chance of crowd-free photos beside the Paddington statue, visit Tuesday–Thursday in the middle of the day.

Best months to visit

The canals surrounding Paddington Station are loveliest in the summer, when typically sunny weather allows for alfresco drinking and dining on the water.

Special events

Every year in July, you can see the Dragon Boat Race in Paddington Basin just outside the station.