Alexandra Palace
Travel Guide
Wood Green tube is everyone's instinct — but it's a long uphill walk in the dark. The National Rail option from Moorgate drops you five minutes from the door. Here's what you actually need to know.
5 min
walk from Alexandra Palace NR station — the route most people miss
20 min
uphill walk from Wood Green tube — pleasant in daylight, less so at 1am
18 min
on the train from Moorgate to Alexandra Palace NR
24/7
Night Tube on Piccadilly line Fri/Sat — Wood Green is on it
Getting there
Three ways to Alexandra Palace
National Rail from Moorgate (recommended)
Alexandra Palace NR station is a 5-minute flat walk from the venue entrance. Trains from Moorgate take 18 minutes. This is the best option most people don't know about. Check the timetable carefully — late evening services are infrequent.
5 min walk · easiest routePiccadilly Line to Wood Green
Wood Green is the tube option — trains from King's Cross take 8 minutes. But the walk from Wood Green to Ally Pally is 20 minutes, uphill, with a stretch through a residential park. Fine in daytime. Less appealing at midnight in the rain.
20 min walk — mostly uphillBus from Wood Green (W3)
The W3 bus runs between Wood Green station and Alexandra Palace — saving the uphill walk entirely. A smart option if you're combining tube and bus. The 184 also serves the area from Muswell Hill and Finsbury Park.
Check last bus times carefullyNational Rail from Finsbury Park
Great Northern trains also stop at Alexandra Palace from Finsbury Park — useful if you're coming via the Victoria line (Seven Sisters direction). Finsbury Park is a major interchange with Piccadilly and Victoria line connections.
Via Finsbury Park interchangeTiming & tactics
The bit everyone gets wrong
Getting there
- Train from Moorgate (best): 18 min, 5 min walk to venue — by far the nicest arrival
- Tube to Wood Green + bus W3: Comfortable — avoids the hill entirely
- Tube to Wood Green + walk: Fine in daylight, doable at night — just allow 25 min
- Drive: Surprisingly reasonable — car park on site, quieter roads than central London
Getting home
- Check NR timetable first: Alexandra Palace NR station may not run after midnight — verify before the show
- Night Tube (Fri/Sat): Walk/bus to Wood Green, Piccadilly Night Tube runs all night
- W3 bus to Wood Green: Then Night Tube or taxi from there
- ⚠ Don't assume: Last NR train can be surprisingly early — check before you go
The move nobody makes
Train from Moorgate in, taxi home. Costs a bit more but Moorgate is dead easy from the City, the walk to Ally Pally is flat and short, and you skip the Wood Green crush entirely.
Late-night train warning
Alexandra Palace NR station is not all-night. The last train back towards Moorgate and London can be as early as 23:30 on some nights. Always check National Rail timetables for your specific event night — don't assume.
Station by station
Which station to use and when
Alexandra Palace (NR)
National RailWood Green (Piccadilly)
PiccadillyFinsbury Park
PiccadillyVictoriaBefore & after
Food & drink near Ally Pally
Pubs near Wood Green
- The Noel Coward (Wood Green) — Wetherspoons, popular pre-gig stop, close to the tube
- Maid of Muswell — Muswell Hill — charming local pub, worth the extra walk
- The Alexandra — Traditional pub on Alexandra Park Road, local favourite
Inside the Palace
- The Palm Court — Inside Ally Pally — great atmosphere, stunning views
- Banqueting Suite bar — Pre-show drinks inside the venue, look out over London
- Event food stalls — Various vendors inside depending on the event
Muswell Hill options
- Tusk — Good pizza, 10 min walk from the Palace
- Pipers Coffee — Relaxed café, Muswell Hill Broadway
- Various Wood Green high street — Plenty of options right by the tube
Views on the way out
- Ally Pally terrace — Best views of London — grab a drink and look out before you go in
- Alexandra Park — The walk through the park on a summer evening is genuinely lovely
- Prosecco bar (events) — Usually available inside for most large events
Ask Roamer
AIGet a personalised travel plan for your Ally Pally event, check last train times, or ask anything about getting there and home.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is Wood Green the best station for Alexandra Palace?
Wood Green (Piccadilly line) is what everyone defaults to — but it's a 20-minute walk, the last section is uphill, and it's not particularly well-lit or pleasant at midnight. Alexandra Palace National Rail station (Moorgate/Finsbury Park) is only a 5-minute walk and far more pleasant. Check the timetable before you go.
Which National Rail services go to Alexandra Palace station?
Great Northern trains from Moorgate and Finsbury Park call at Alexandra Palace station. From Moorgate it's around 18 minutes. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes during the day, but check the specific timetable for late evening services as they can be infrequent after midnight.
How do I get home late at night from Alexandra Palace?
This is the tricky bit. Alexandra Palace NR station stops running trains before most events finish. Your options are: walk down to Wood Green and catch the Night Tube (Piccadilly line runs all night Fri/Sat), get a bus (the W3 runs through), or get a taxi/Uber from the car park. Plan this before you go — don't assume trains will be running.
Is there a bus to Alexandra Palace?
Yes — the W3 bus runs between Wood Green station and Alexandra Palace. It's a much easier option than walking if you're coming from Wood Green. The 184 and 144 also serve the area. Buses can get packed after events though — check for the last services.
Is Alexandra Palace accessible?
The Great Hall and main event spaces have good accessibility including level access and lifts. Alexandra Palace NR station has step-free access. Wood Green tube station also has step-free access from street to platform. Pre-book accessible tickets through the venue for specific seating.
Can I drive and park at Alexandra Palace?
There is parking at Alexandra Palace — the Palace has its own car park. Driving is actually a reasonable option here compared to many London venues, as the surrounding roads are quieter than central London venues. Leave promptly after events as the car park can queue on the way out.
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