Since opening in May 2023, the Elizabeth Line has already transformed the way Londoners travel. The speedy service, connecting Abbey Wood, Heathrow Airport, Reading and Shenfield, has quickly become indispensable to many residents.
However, one common complaint among passengers is the lengthy interchanges between the beloved 'Lizzie' line and the Tube. Paddington station, for instance, is so vast it could fit The Shard laid sideways, resulting in one of the longest interchanges.
In some cases, the sheer size of the stations effectively merges two together, as seen at Liverpool Street where the western end of the Elizabeth Line platforms connect to Moorgate. There are also examples like Canary Wharf and Woolwich, where the Elizabeth line station isn't physically connected to stations of the same or similar name on different lines.
Don't panic - here are MyLondon's top tips for making the most efficient changes to cut down your journey time next time you're on the Elizabeth Line.
Circle, Metropolitan Hammersmith and City lines
For those switching from the Elizabeth line (central section) to the Circle/ Hammersmith and City lines at Paddington, the best bet is to follow the signs to the mainline station. Take a left at platform 1 instead of continuing straight across the concourse.
A footbridge located halfway along platform 1 can guide you to the Tube concourse, helping you avoid the busy main one.
If you're transitioning from the Elizabeth line to the Circle/Hammersmith and City/Metropolitan lines at Farringdon, consider following the signs to the National Rail ( Thameslink ) platform 4. Stroll along this platform until you reach the footbridge at the end, which will lead you directly to the Tube.
For those needing to touch in/out, Oyster readers are conveniently located near the footbridge. This route can help you bypass the need to exit the station and re-enter from across the street.
Northern line
When switching from the Elizabeth line to the Northern line, it's advised to change at Tottenham Court Road rather than Liverpool Street-Moorgate, unless you specifically require the Bank branch. This is due to the approximately five-minute walk from the Elizabeth line platforms to the Northern line platforms at Liverpool Street-Moorgate. By opting for Tottenham Court Road, you could save around two minutes - a seemingly small amount that can accumulate over time if you're a frequent commuter.
If you do need to transition from the Elizabeth line to the Northern line at Liverpool Street-Moorgate, make your way to the very westernmost end of the platform (front of train towards Paddington and rear of train towards Abbey Wood) and use the direct walkway to the Northern line platforms. Avoid using the middle or eastern ends of the platforms as these routes will lead you via the ticket halls.
Central line
For those hopping from the Elizabeth line to the Central line, it's worth considering a switch at Ealing Broadway or Stratford rather than Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road or Liverpool Street.
The advantage of this is that the former stations offer cross-platform interchange which takes just seconds, while the latter stations involve walks of up to seven minutes.
DLR
If you're planning to transition from the Elizabeth line to the DLR at Canary Wharf, even if you're at the very east end of the Elizabeth line platforms, make your way to the west end of the platforms (front of train towards Paddington, back of train towards Abbey Wood) and follow the exit signs for 'DLR and Crossrail Place'.
Once you reach the exit, turn right, cross the footbridge and then immediately left which will lead you directly to West India Quay DLR. This route is actually shorter than heading to Canary Wharf DLR, saving you precious time.
Thameslink or Southeastern
For those switching from the Elizabeth line to Thameslink or Southeastern services at Woolwich, it's recommended to use Abbey Wood instead, which is also in Zone 4 so there is no extra fare.
The reason being that changing at Woolwich involves exiting the station and then walking around six minutes to the other station. Changing trains at Abbey Wood is much simpler and takes just seconds thanks to a footbridge between platforms.
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