IQSA Arrival Guide

This is a brief guide for how to get from the London Airports to the King’s Cross Area.

A rough guide of prices has also been added (although these may be subject to change). Note that the two prices given for London Underground tickets are because there are different prices for contactless or oyster payment vs. physical tickets, with contactless/oyster being significantly cheaper.

Main line rail services are run by a range of different companies. Physical tickets need to be bought before boarding, with ticket machines or staffed ticket offices located at the entrances to stations. Most companies also have apps where you can buy tickets electronically.

Prices are given for a single adult fare and are only a rough guide. For those using a main line service (e.g. travelling form Stanstead, Gatwick, or Luton), it will also be possible to purchase an Open Return Ticket, which will cover your return back to the airport at the end of the conference (N.B. A “return ticket” is for a return on the same day, an “open return ticket” is for a return within one calendar month).

TfL operates a capping system, with all travel on the TfL network (Busses, Underground, Elizabeth Line) within Zones 1 & 2 being capped at £8.70 per day. (The cap increases for journeys outside Zones 1 & 2). If you are travelling around London ensure you use the same card. It is also possible to buy tickets to cover a number of days, but these will need to be purchased in a ticket office or from a ticket machine.

If you wish to use the bus, use the TfL journey planner (link below) or Google Maps. Travel on a bus requires a contactless card or an oyster card, and you will need to tap in as you board the bus. Bus fares are £1.75 per trip, capped at £5.25 per day, if only busses are used (or £8.70 if the underground is also used).

From London Heathrow Airport

Options:

Piccadilly Line (Underground) direct to King’s Cross-St Pancras [£5.60/£6.70]
Elizabeth Line to Farringdon; Thameslink Service to London St. Pancras International [£5.60/£6.70]
Elizabeth Line to Farringdon; Circle/Hammersmith and City/Metropolitan Line (Underground) to King’s Cross-St Pancras [£5.60/£6.70]
Heathrow Express to Paddington; Circle/Hammersmith and City Line (Underground) to King’s Cross-St Pancras [£25 + £2.80/£6.70]

From London Gatwick Airport

Options:

Gatwick Express to Victoria; Victoria Line (Underground) to King’s Cross-St Pancras [£21 + £2.80/£6.70]
Thameslink Service direct to St Pancras International [£15]

From London Luton Airport

Luton Airport Express; then Thameslink Service to St Pancras International [£24]

From London Stanstead Airport

Options:

CrossCountry Service to Liverpool Street; Circle/Hammersmith and City/Metropolitan Line (Underground) to King’s Cross-St Pancras [£23 + £2.80/£6.70]
Stanstead Express to Liverpool Street; Circle/Hammersmith and City/Metropolitan Line (Underground) to King’s Cross-St Pancras [£23 + £2.80/£6.70]

From London City Airport

Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Bank; Northern Line (Underground) to King’s Cross-St Pancras [£3.70/£6.70]

Other useful information

Maps from Transport for London (TfL)

https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/getting-around-london/visitor-maps

Journey Planner from TfL

https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/

Journal Planner from National Rail Enquiries

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Gatwick Express

https://www.gatwickexpress.com/

Stanstead Express

https://www.stanstedexpress.com/

Thameslink

https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/

CrossCountry

https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/

Luton Airport Express

https://www.lutonairportexpress.co.uk/