Hatfield (Herts) to London Trains From £12.70*

Direct Great Northern services from Hatfield (Herts) to London cover a distance of around 19 miles, with fastest journeys taking approximately 23 to 26 minutes. Trains run every 15 to 30 minutes during peak periods, with services arriving at London King’s Cross or Moorgate.

Is Great Northern First Class worth it?

First Class on Great Northern services from Hatfield to London offers a noticeably quieter carriage environment, with fewer passengers and more personal space. However, this is a short commuter route, typically under half an hour, so the added benefits are limited compared to long-distance travel. There are no complimentary refreshments in this section, meaning value comes mainly from comfort and guaranteed seating rather than additional services or amenities.

What is the onboard experience like?

The onboard experience across Great Northern services is functional, modern and designed for high-capacity commuter flow. Trains are air-conditioned with clear passenger information screens and generally clean interiors. Many services include free Wi-Fi and power sockets, though availability varies by rolling stock. Seating is upright and practical rather than luxurious, reflecting the short journey times and focus on efficient movement into central London.

How much luggage space is available?

Luggage provision is designed primarily for commuters rather than long-haul travellers. Overhead racks accommodate small bags, backpacks and laptops, while larger items can be placed in designated storage areas near carriage doors. Passengers with suitcases or pushchairs are advised to use vestibule areas near accessible doors where additional floor space is usually available.

Travelling from Hatfield into London is a well-established commuter route, heavily used by students, professionals and airport-bound passengers connecting via central London hubs.

Departure from Hatfield (Herts)

Hatfield station handles over 1.8 million passenger entries and exits annually, reflecting its importance as a Hertfordshire commuter hub.

Specific transport links

• Uno bus network: Direct university-focused services connecting Hatfield town centre and the University of Hertfordshire campus.
• Arriva bus routes: Local and regional services linking nearby towns such as St Albans, Welwyn Garden City and surrounding Hertfordshire villages.
• Route 614 and 644 services: Regular shuttle-style connections widely used by students and commuters travelling between campus sites and the station.

Station layout

• London-bound platforms: Platforms 2 and 3, used for fast southbound services towards London King’s Cross and Moorgate.
• Northbound services: Platform 1, serving routes towards Welwyn Garden City, Cambridge and Peterborough via the same main line.
• Ticket hall facilities: The main concourse includes ticket machines, a retail kiosk, and customer assistance points for journey support.

Pre-departure essentials

A small cafe on the platform provides hot drinks and breakfast options, while the main concourse newsagent stocks snacks, newspapers and standard travel essentials. Most passengers use contactless payment or Oyster-style PAYG options for seamless boarding.

Onboard trains from Hatfield (Herts) to London

Great Northern services on this route can reach speeds of up to 100 mph on fast sections, with more than 70 daily services connecting Hertfordshire to central London.

The scenic side

• Sit on the right-hand side facing London for open views of Hertfordshire countryside before entering the suburban rail corridors of North London.
• Sit on the left-hand side facing London for occasional glimpses of wooded estates and historic grounds shortly after departing Hatfield.

Key landmarks

• Hatfield House woodlands: Visible shortly after departure, surrounding the historic Jacobean estate linked to Queen Elizabeth I.
• Alexandra Palace: Iconic hilltop landmark with its distinctive Victorian structure and broadcast mast visible on the approach into London.
• Emirates Stadium: Located near Finsbury Park, visible on the right-hand side as trains enter inner London rail corridors.

Arriving in London

Arriving from Hatfield (Herts), services terminate at either London King’s Cross or Moorgate, depending on the operator and stopping pattern.

Arriving at London King’s Cross

King’s Cross is the most common arrival point for Great Northern services from Hatfield, placing you directly on the edge of central London. The station is one of the busiest in the UK, with millions of passengers passing through each month.

• Euston Road main exit: Leads directly to the front of the station for taxis, buses and immediate access to central London routes.
• Western concourse exit: Best for St Pancras International and Eurostar connections without crossing external roads.
• Regent’s Canal exit (Granary Square side): Ideal for King’s Cross redevelopment area, offices and leisure spaces.
• Platform 9¾ side exit: Convenient for quieter access towards Pancras Road and surrounding hotels.

• Underground connections: Victoria, northern, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines are all available within the same interchange.
• Bus services: Euston Road provides frequent buses towards Oxford Street, Waterloo and London Bridge.
• National Rail links: Direct interchange with St Pancras International for East Midlands Railway and Eurostar services.
• Taxi ranks: Located on the Euston Road side for fast point-to-point travel across central London.

King’s Cross is highly walkable and well-positioned for access to central London. The British Library is around five minutes away, while Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square are even closer. Walking towards Bloomsbury takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes, and Euston Station is also within easy reach. For many travellers, no further transport is needed if staying within central zones 1–2.

Arriving at London Moorgate

Moorgate is a key financial district station, often used by services running into the City of London. It is smaller and more compact than King’s Cross, but its location is extremely central for business districts, making it especially popular with commuters working in the Square Mile.

• Moorgate main street exit: Direct access to Moorgate Street and the surrounding office buildings in the City of London.
• London Wall exit: Best for reaching the Barbican Centre and nearby cultural venues.
• Moorfields exit: Most efficient route towards Liverpool Street and Shoreditch direction.
• Underground interchange exit: Keeps you within the station complex for quick Northern or Elizabeth line connections.

• Northern Line access: Fast southbound travel towards London Bridge and northbound towards Camden and High Barnet.
• Elizabeth Line (via Liverpool Street): High-speed cross-London travel to Canary Wharf, Paddington and Heathrow.
• Bus routes nearby: Services along Moorgate and London Wall connect to Bank, Shoreditch and Holborn.
• Rail interchange: Short walk to Liverpool Street station for Greater Anglia and Stansted Express services.

Moorgate is one of the most walkable stations in London due to its City location. The Bank of England, Guildhall and Barbican Centre are all within 10 minutes on foot. Liverpool Street is also nearby, making it easy to connect to wider rail services without additional transport. Streets are busy but well-signposted, and most key destinations in the Square Mile are reachable on foot.