Bankside Hotel
Chic boutique hotel with an impressive contemporary art collection
Travel & Stay
From budget to boutique, Business Class facilities and 5-star luxury, South Bank has a hotel for every traveller. A wide choice of tube, train, bus and boat connections also mean South Bank is connected to everywhere you need to be.
Staying in South Bank
Sitting in the heart of London’s cultural district and surrounded by iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye, South Bank is perfectly located for visitors to London planning an overnight stay.
From mid-range to luxury and conferencing to holidaying, South Bank has a broad range of hotel options with several international hotels located here.
Whether you're staying for business or pleasure, for two nights or two weeks, here’s our guide to where to stay in South Bank.
Getting to South Bank
We’re easily reached by tube, train, cycle, boat or taxi, but the best way to discover all that South Bank has to offer is on foot!
The South Bank is predominantly pedestrianised, allowing you to walk freely and safely, all the way along the edge of the river, as well as off the beaten track into the side roads, wharves, gardens and tunnels to encounter its hidden gems.
Train Stations: How to travel to South Bank by train?
South Bank is connected to three major rail stations:
Waterloo Station
A hub for commuter services to south-west London and beyond into south-west England and the South Coast. One of the UK's busiest stations, there are dozens of shops, cafes, bars and takeaway fast food options. There is a Left Luggage service near platforms 20–24 (next to the Victory Arch), open 7am–11pm.
Waterloo East Station
Serving commuter services to south-east London and destinations in Kent. Step-free access to this station is via the balcony in Waterloo Station.
Blackfriars Station
Primarily serving high-speed Thameslink routes to Bedford, Peterborough, Brighton, Cambridge, Luton and Gatwick, and destinations in south-east and north-east London.
To plan your journey, visit National Rail Enquiries.
London Underground: How to travel to South Bank by Tube?
The most central Tube station in South Bank is Waterloo, located just a 5-minute walk from the London Eye. Alternatively, you can walk across one of the bridges crossing the river to South Bank from Westminster, Blackfriars or Embankment tube stations. Southwark station on The Cut in Waterloo is also a short walk from the river.
Waterloo Station: Bakerloo Line, Jubilee Line, Northern Line via Charing Cross, Waterloo & City Line*
Embankment Station: District and Circle Lines
Westminster Station: Jubilee Line, District and Circle Lines
Southwark Station: Jubilee Line
Use tfl.gov.uk to plan your journey. * Note that Waterloo & City Line only operates Mon-Fri.
Cycling: How to travel to South Bank by bike?
BIKE PARKING
There are hundreds of bicycle parking stands located across the area, including a huge bicycle park with space for 500+ bikes in front of Waterloo Station (follow the ramp up the side of the station from the Victory Arch entrance).
BIKE & E-BIKE RENTAL
You can find Santander bike docking stations outside Waterloo Station (Victory Arch entrance), behind the BFI Southbank and behind the London Eye. You can end your trip on Lime, Forest or other e-bike rentals at one of the designated parking "e-bays" – locations include behind National Theatre and next to St John's Waterloo Church (opposite Waterloo Station).
CYCLEWAYS
Note that it is not allowed to cycle along the pedestrianised riverfront Queen's Walk (nor is it even practical given the large amounts of slow-moving pedestrians!). Cyclists following the river are recommended to cycle along Upper Ground / Belvedere Road, which runs parallel to the Queen's Walk.
Check out TfL's cycling route map here for the safest and most cyclist-friendly routes in South Bank.
Buses: Travelling to South Bank by bus
South Bank is very well connected to a wide variety of TfL bus routes, most cross the area in north-south direction, stopping at Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Waterloo Station and Blackfriars Bridge.
Many night buses and 24hr services can be joined from next to Waterloo Station (from stops along Waterloo Road), including:
- Heading south: N68 East Croydon, 176 Penge, N343 New Cross Gate, N171 Hither Green, N381 Peckham, N1 Thamesmead
- Heading north: 139 Golders Green, 341 Meridian Water, 76 Tottenham Hale, 243 Wood Green
- To Tottenham Court Road (for connections to other night bus services): 176, 188, N171, N68, N1
South Bank is a stop on all major hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus routes, including TootBus, Golden Tours and City Sightseeing. Most buses have stops next to Jubilee Gardens (behind the London Eye) or one street behind this on York Road.
By River: Travelling to South Bank with the Uber Boat
One of the most picturesque ways to get across London is by boat. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers operates from the London Eye (Waterloo) Pier with boats running east out to North Greenwich via stops including London Bridge, Tower of London and Canary Wharf, and west to Battersea Power Station.
You can also join Uber Boat services from the Westminster Pier on the opposite side of the river.
Departures vary by time of day, and not all boats stop at every pier, so pay close attention to the timetables to plan your journey. During peak seasons (such as in the summer or during school holidays), it is worth arriving at the pier early as queues for departures in central London can be quite long.
For more information and to view timetables, visit thamesclippers.com
Airports: How to get to the airport from South Bank?
Allow at least one hour to or from South Bank and Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton or City airports – and at least 1.5 hours for Stansted. Check for the latest transport updates before departing on your journey.
There is a LEFT LUGGAGE office inside Waterloo Station, open daily from 7am–11pm.
GATWICK AIRPORT
Serviced by Thameslink trains from Blackfriars Station or via Thameslink and Southern services from London Bridge Station (2 Tube stops from Waterloo). Alternatively, get a Gatwick Express train from Victoria Station (20 minutes by Tube or bus from Waterloo).
HEATHROW AIRPORT
The quickest way to get to Heathrow from South Bank is via the Elizabeth Line. Take the Northern Line from Waterloo to Tottenham Court Road (4 stops) and change to the Elizabeth Line. Alternatively, take the Bakerloo Line to Paddington station (9 stops) and catch a Heathrow Express train.
LUTON AIRPORT
There are regular Thameslink trains to Luton Airport Parkway departing from Blackfriars Station.
LONDON CITY AIRPORT
Take the Jubilee line from Waterloo to Canning Town and change to the DLR.
STANSTED AIRPORT
Stansted Express trains take 48 minutes to reach the airport, departing from Liverpool Street station (the station is about 25 minutes by Tube from Waterloo).
Access and accessibility in South Bank
Collectively, venues and attractions across South Bank are working hard to ensure this is one of London's most accessible destinations for visitors of all abilities.
You can explore a comprehensive accessibility guide created by Accessable to South Bank's cultural venues, attractions, venues, bars, restaurants and transportation options – including full details on step-free access across the area – HERE.
