London Stadium
Travel Guide
Stratford sounds simple until the Elizabeth line is rammed and you're on the wrong side of the Olympic Park. Live status, the routes that actually work and how to get out before the crush hits.
60,000
capacity at London Stadium on a matchday or concert
10 min
walk from Stratford station through Westfield
6
tube and rail lines serving Stratford station
15 min
from Liverpool Street via Central line direct
Getting there
Five ways to London Stadium
Central Line (fastest from the City)
The Central line runs direct to Stratford from Bank (6 min), St Paul's (8 min) and Liverpool Street (8 min). Fast, frequent and direct — no changes needed from Central London.
Trains every 2–3 minJubilee Line (from west and south)
The Jubilee line connects Waterloo (direct, ~18 min), London Bridge, Canary Wharf (5 min) and Green Park direct to Stratford. Excellent capacity and a smooth, fast ride.
Direct from Waterloo & Canary WharfElizabeth Line (from west London)
The Elizabeth line runs from Paddington to Stratford in around 15 minutes — a game-changer for fans from west London. Also calls at Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf and Whitechapel. Post-match, it's dramatically less crowded than the Central line.
Paddington → Stratford in 15 minDLR (from Bank & Tower Gateway)
DLR from Bank or Tower Gateway to Stratford runs via Pudding Mill Lane (5 min walk from the stadium — the closest station). Good pre-match, but DLR trains are small — avoid post-match as they fill instantly.
Avoid DLR post-match — low capacityOverground (from north and east London)
London Overground to Stratford connects Dalston Junction, Hackney Central, Richmond, Clapham Junction and Highbury & Islington — superb for fans across east, north-east and south-west London.
Great from Hackney & DalstonNational Rail via Maryland
Liverpool Street to Maryland (one stop, 4 min) is London Stadium's secret weapon — Maryland station is a 15-minute walk and virtually empty post-match. One of the best crowd-avoidance strategies at any London venue.
Maryland: ~5 min walk from West Ham areaTiming & tactics
Beat the match day crowds
Before kick-off
- 90+ min before: Relaxed — Westfield Stratford is an ideal pre-match destination
- 60 min before: Arrive now — Stratford gets very busy 30 min before kick-off
- 30 min before: Very busy — queuing outside Westfield entrances and on platforms
- 15 min before: Extremely congested — serious risk of missing kick-off
After full-time
- Option 1: Elizabeth line from Stratford to Paddington — fast and underused post-match
- Option 2: Jubilee toward Waterloo or London Bridge — great for south and west
- Option 3: Maryland NR (15 min walk) — empty trains, secret crowd escape route
- ⚠ Avoid: Central line — everyone defaults to it; expect long platform waits
Local tip: split the crowd
Stratford's six lines mean crowds naturally disperse. Walk an extra 2 minutes past the Central line platforms to the Elizabeth line concourse — it's often notably quieter immediately post-match.
Station by station
Which station to use and when
Stratford
CentralJubileeElizabethDLROvergroundWest Ham
JubileePudding Mill Lane
DLRMaryland
National RailAsk Roamer
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Popular questions
Before & after
Food & drink nearby
Westfield Stratford
- Westfield Stratford City — Massive mall, 200+ shops and restaurants on the walk to the stadium
- Nando's, Wagamama, Yo! Sushi — All inside Westfield — ideal for pre-match meals
- Westfield food court — Fast, cheap options — great for large groups
Coffee & quick bites
- Starbucks & Pret, Westfield — Multiple locations — expect queues 45 min before kick-off
- Thorntons Budgens — Good local supermarket for snacks and drinks near the stadium
- Stadium concourse kiosks — Pies, burgers, chips and hot drinks inside London Stadium
Sit-down restaurants
- East Village cafés — Coffee shops and eateries near Olympic Park — less busy than Westfield
- Here East — Media campus with cafés, bars and restaurants — 10 min from stadium
- Stratford Centre food stalls — Old Stratford Centre — local, diverse, cheap
Family options
- Westfield Stratford — Most family-friendly pre-match option — toilets, seating, range of food
- Olympic Park café — Nice setting in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park before events
- McDonald's, Stratford — Multiple nearby — fast, reliable, kid-approved
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What station is London Stadium?
Stratford is the main hub for London Stadium — a 10-minute walk through Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. Stratford is served by the Central line, Jubilee line, Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground and National Rail, making it one of the best-connected stations in east London.
How many tube lines serve London Stadium?
Six services stop at Stratford: the Central line, Jubilee line, Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground and National Rail. This exceptional connectivity means crowds spread across multiple services after events, making London Stadium one of the easiest major venues to leave post-event.
Is Stratford station step-free?
Yes — Stratford has excellent step-free access throughout, with lifts serving all main platforms. The Westfield Stratford route to the stadium is also fully accessible. It is one of east London's most accessible transport hubs.
How do I get to London Stadium from Canary Wharf?
Two easy options: the Jubilee line runs direct from Canary Wharf to Stratford in around 5 minutes, or take the DLR from Canary Wharf (Heron Quays) to Stratford in around 10 minutes. Both are fast and reliable — the Jubilee line has higher capacity.
What is the best post-match route from London Stadium?
The Elizabeth line from Stratford to Paddington (around 15 min) is fast and significantly less crowded than the Central line post-match — most fans default to Central, so Elizabeth line is a genuine advantage. The Jubilee line toward Waterloo and London Bridge is also excellent. For south London, take Jubilee to Canary Wharf then DLR. Maryland National Rail station (15 min walk) is a secret weapon for avoiding all crowds.
Is there parking at London Stadium?
There is no public matchday parking at London Stadium. The venue and surrounding Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park are a public-transport-only event destination. Plan your journey by TfL — you will not be allowed to park nearby on match and event days.
Quick journeys
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