- Introduction
- About London Stadium: the essentials
- How to get to the London Stadium by train?
- What to do at the London Stadium?
- Travel tips for visiting the London Stadium
- Conclusion
- Explore more stadium guides
Introduction
The London Stadium began life as the Olympic Stadium, when it was expressly built for the 2012 London Olympic Games and Paralympics, serving as the athletics venue and the site of the famous opening and closing ceremonies. Nowadays, West Ham United play at the stadium.
If you’re travelling from outside London, then it’s probably easiest to reach the stadium by train. Travelling by train is quick, convenient, and reliable, helping you get to your event easily.
In this article, we’ll reveal some more information about the London Stadium, how to get there by train, and provide some valuable tips for getting there smoothly.
About London Stadium: the essentials
After its tenancy as a venue for the Olympic Games, the London Stadium has hosted a tremendous number of events, sporting and non-sporting events alike. For instance, it has hosted athletics events, football, baseball, rugby union, and even motorsport. Outside of sports, it has hosted enormous concerts by the likes of Beyoncé & Jay-Z, Green Day, The Weeknd, Iron Maiden, and Foo Fighters, and continues to host concerts during the football off-season.
These days, West Ham United call the stadium home, having moved from their former stadium in 2016. The stadium also hosts charity football matches, including Soccer Aid in 2022 and the Sidemen Charity Match in 2023.
How to get to the London Stadium by train?
The nearest stations to the London Stadium are Stratford and Stratford International. It’s about a twenty-minute walk from both to the stadium.
Stratford Station is an interchange station, serving a variety of destinations, and also features a London Underground station that operates on the Central and Jubilee lines. Additionally, it also has a stop on the London Overground from Richmond and Clapham Junction. Meanwhile, Stratford International runs services to St Pancras International, Dover Priory, and Ashford International.
The leading train operators from Stratford Station are C2C and Greater Anglia, while the sole operator from Stratford International is Southeastern. Here are some popular routes to these stations:
1: London St Pancras International to Stratford International
It takes only seven minutes to get from London St Pancras International to Stratford International with Southeastern.
2: London Liverpool Street to Stratford
The train from London Liverpool Street to Stratford takes only seven minutes when travelling with Greater Anglia.
3: Norwich to Stratford
Travelling from Norwich to Stratford takes approximately one hour and thirty-nine minutes with Greater Anglia.
4: Ipswich to Stratford
Getting from Ipswich to Stratford takes, on average, between fifty-eight minutes and one hour and thirteen minutes with Greater Anglia.
What to do at the London Stadium?
For West Ham fans, the London Stadium tour is a must-see. You can go behind the scenes of West Ham, take a seat in the stands, hang around the pitch side and visit the team dugout, and see how the stadium operates on match days. Given the stadium’s history and its current flexibility as a multi-purpose venue, you can also warm up on the original track from the 2012 Olympic Games and walk in the footsteps of all kinds of sporting legends.
If you’re visiting for other events, such as concerts or athletics, then Olympic Park is right on your doorstep. From there, you can see the Olympic swimming pool, the Olympic Village, and multiple other sporting venues. It truly is a paradise for sports enthusiasts, especially if you’re an Olympic fan. Moreover, the park is watched over by the ArcelorMittal Orbit, an observation tower as well as the UK’s largest public art installation.
Travel tips for visiting the London Stadium
Whether you’re at the London Stadium to see West Ham play, attend a concert, or watch athletics or another sport or event, London is a busy city, and that becomes even truer when there are large events. Even ordinarily, it’s not uncommon for multiple large events to be happening in London at the same time.
That makes preparation key so that your trip runs smoothly. The best way to plan ahead is, of course, booking your train tickets in advance. That way, you already have your tickets paid for and can’t get any nasty surprises when the date draws nearer and prices spiral. If you have a bit of extra time on hand, then booking off-peak train tickets can also save you some money.
Of course, mistakes and delays do happen. It’s best to give yourself plenty of time to reach the event in case you’re delayed or have to wait in large queues. It’s also recommended that you get to the venue one to two hours before the event begins, so it’s worth factoring this into your travel time before you book your train tickets.
Conclusion
This guide equips you with essential information for travelling to the London Stadium, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable journey. By exploring various travel options and providing strategic advice, the blog helps you plan effectively, avoid common pitfalls, and make the most of your visit. Whether you're attending a thrilling sports event or a spectacular concert, understanding how to navigate the transport network enhances your overall experience. With this comprehensive guide, you can focus on the excitement and energy of the London Stadium, knowing your travel plans are well in hand.
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