The London Transport Museum documents over 200 years of the capital’s transport history. Step into the past and explore 19th-century London through the museum's fascinating collection of riverboats and trams. Marvel at the pioneering engineering and innovative designs that paved the way for electric-powered vehicles. Explore impressive displays showcasing the city’s role in bringing modern transport to the world.
The London Transport Museum offers a fun, educational day out for vehicle enthusiasts and lovers of London alike. Ready to embark on a journey? Read our guide for everything you need to know before visiting the London Transport Museum.
Where is London Transport Museum?
The London Transport Museum is north of the River Thames in Covent Garden Piazza, London’s West End. It’s a stone’s throw from hotspots like Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.
The London Transport Museum address is: The Piazza, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7BB.
How do I get to the London Transport Museum
Travelling through central London by car is a challenge at the best of times. You can save time and money when you take a train to London.
Using the South Western Railway Network, you can travel directly into London Waterloo from various locations. From the station, it’s just a 15-minute stroll across Waterloo Bridge to the museum. Or, cut the walking time in half by hopping on the Northern line from Waterloo tube station to Charing Cross. From there, it’s just a 7-minute stroll across Waterloo Bridge to the museum.
Travelling by train
Forget traffic, fuel and congestion charges. If you’re travelling from Woking, Basingstoke, Guildford, Winchester or Southampton Central, our services will take you directly to the heart of the city.
Browse our range of ticket types to find the right fare for your trip. Travel off-peak for discounts on your journey, and check your eligibility for Railcards and discounts for even further savings. Travelling in a group? You could pay even less for your train tickets thanks to GroupSave.
Travelling within London
Things to do at the London Transport Museum
Discover everything from yesteryear's horse-drawn and steam-powered vehicles to today’s electric trains, tubes and buses through the museum’s vast collection.
Collections
All aboard! The London Transport Museum offers unique access to its collection of heritage vehicles and interactive exhibits. Hop into the Elizabeth line train simulator for a driver’s-eye view of the city’s newest tube line or board the iconic red Routemaster bus.
The museum’s collection also boasts the only surviving steam engine from the world’s first Underground, the Metropolitan Railway locomotive. You can also view the City & South London Railway locomotive, the world’s first electric underground train.
Galleries and exhibitions
The museum tells the story of London through its transport history. Celebrate the symbols of the capital’s world-renowned Underground, including its iconic roundel logo, in ‘London by Design’. Then, in ‘The growth of London’, chart the city’s booming business and population explosion through the 19th century with the creation of ‘Metro-land’ and its first suburbs.
In addition to its permanent collections, the Transport Museum offers an ever-changing schedule of temporary exhibitions that you can take advantage of with your annual pass. Recent exhibitions include ‘Hidden London’, taking you on a journey through London’s abandoned tube stations and their secrets.
Tickets
A standard adult ticket is £24. The museum only offers annual passes, so you’ll get unlimited entry for a year once you’ve paid the initial price. Passes are also available at the discounted price of £22 for off-peak entry (Monday-Friday after 14:00). Local residents pay the reduced rate of £18, and groups of 10+ pay £22.
A limited ticket supply is available on the door on a first come, first served basis. We recommend booking a timed entry slot to avoid disappointment.
Under-18s go free but do need to book a free entry ticket online. Get 2-for-1 when you travel with South Western Railway. Just show your valid train ticket upon arrival for a fun family day out.
For more information, visit the London Transport Museum’s ticketing site.
Museum Lates
Looking for something different to do with your evening? The museum has introduced a new Museum Lates night. Each unique event will be themed around one of its special exhibitions. It’ll feature fun games, creative workshops and even scavenger hunts. What’s not to love?
You’ll have the chance to enjoy a drink while touring the museum after hours, guided by experts and guest speakers. Recent themes have included ‘Voices of London: the Making of Black Britain’ and ‘London Calling: the story of London’.
For more information, visit the Transport Museum’s website.
Depot open days
Unfortunately, you can’t store over 500,000 objects (including hundreds of bulky buses and trains!) in Covent Garden. That’s why the Transport Museum has two locations.
Its working depot in Acton opens to visitors three times a year. In April, July and September, the depot welcomes thousands of transport enthusiasts for talks, tours and activities.
The depot houses most of the museum’s heritage vehicles, including a horse bus from 1880 capable of carrying 28 people at almost 8mph, and the RM1, the first-ever prototype for London’s iconic red Routemaster bus.
Travelling to Acton is easy. It’s just a short 20-minute Overground ride from Richmond station.
Things to do near the London Transport Museum
Looking to make it a day out? You’re in the perfect place to enjoy the best of London’s offerings.
The British Museum is just a 10-minute stroll away, home to one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of artefacts.
Exhausted your fill of museums for the day? Why not catch an evening show on your way back to the station? The National Theatre fronts the southside of the Thames. Right beside Waterloo Bridge, it’s just a 12-minute walk from the Transport Museum and less than a 10-minute walk from London Waterloo.
Tips for enjoying the London Transport Museum
Avoid a bumpy ride with these tips:
• The London Transport Museum is open 10:00-18:00 daily. Last entry is at 17:00.
• Water bottles can be refilled at the ground floor water fountain.
• Coats, bags and buggies can be stored in the museum’s free cloakroom near the entrance.
Food and drink
After hours exploring the museum, you’ll have worked up an appetite. Thankfully, it has two cafes for you to choose from.
Canteen, the museum’s café bar, serves a range of tasty meals and hot and cold drinks in a casual atmosphere with views over the Piazza. Enjoy a selection of sandwiches and burgers or tuck into British classics like quiche or fish and chips.
The quirky transport-themed café has furniture upholstered with the iconic ‘moquette’ patterned fabric seen on London’s trains, tubes and buses, as well as reclaimed tiles, seats and signs.
Canteen is family-friendly and serves children’s meals for little ones to enjoy. It’s open daily from 10:00-17:00.
The museum’s second café is the Lower Deck Café on the ground floor. It’s an ice cream café offering snacks, hot and cold drinks and sweet treats like homemade English gelato.
If neither of those tickle your fancy, you’re welcome to bring your own picnic to eat in the Lower Deck Café.
Places to stay near the London Transport Museum
You’re never far from top accommodation in central London.
Travelodge London Covent Garden is ideal for a family-friendly budget stay. Hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden offers comfort without the cost in a convenient location steps away from the Transport Museum.
Meanwhile, the five-star Montague on the Gardens offers a truly memorable stay, just a 15-minute stroll from Covent Garden and next to the British Museum. Plus, you’ll enjoy an exclusive discount when you book through SWR Rewards.
London Transport Museum accessibility
The London Transport Museum strives to ensure that it’s accessible to all. Wheelchairs are available to borrow at the Ticket Desk, and accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available on the ground floor. Lifts service all floors, and disabled visitors qualify for concessionary £23 tickets and a free carer/companion ticket.
Those with Special Educational Needs can visit outside of standard opening times on select days to enjoy the museum during quieter hours. Induction loops are fitted in the Ticket Desk, Library, Cloakroom and Information Desk.
Assistance dogs are welcome, and those with visual impairments can request large prints and magnifiers.
For more information, check the museum’s accessibility page.
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