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How to visit the London Transport Museum

How to visit London Transport Museum

London Transport Museum explores how London grew through its transport system—buses, the Underground, trams, and iconic design. Spread across two main floors with immersive galleries, it’s engaging rather than overwhelming, but interactive zones and family areas can get busy. Planning when to visit London Transport Museum and how to move through the galleries helps you enjoy both the historic vehicles and hands-on exhibits without rushing.

Navigating your way

Orientation verdict: The museum is compact but interactive-heavy—crowds cluster around simulators and family zones.

The London Transport Museum is housed in a former Victorian market building in Covent Garden. Entry leads directly into the ground-floor galleries, with a natural upward flow to the first floor. Most visitors start on the ground level, then work upward through the chronological story of London’s transport evolution.

Flow

  • Ground Floor → Early transport history, buses & Tube origins
  • First Floor → Design, modern London transport, interactive zones

Entrances

  • Main entrance (Covent Garden Piazza) – single public entry point

Tools

  • Free printed map at entry
  • On-gallery signage is clear and chronological

How can I make the most of my time?

Snapshot visit

Duration: 1–1.5 hrs

Route: Ground Floor highlights → Historic buses → Early Tube galleries

What you get: A concise overview of how London’s transport system shaped the city.

Standard visit

Duration: 2–3 hrs

Route: Ground Floor → Interactive displays → Design & poster gallery (First Floor)

What you get: A balanced experience with time for hands-on exhibits and design history.

Family-focused visit

Duration: 3+ hrs

Route: All galleries → Children’s interactive zones → All Aboard play area

What you get: A slower, hands-on visit with space for kids to explore and play.

Handy tips

  • Reserve ahead: Weekends and school holidays can see entry queues of 20–40 minutes without pre-booking.
  • Pick calmer windows: Weekday mornings before 11am are best to visit London Transport Museum quietly.
  • Family zones peak: Interactive areas are busiest from 12pm–3pm.
  • Photography rules: Allowed without flash; tripods are not permitted.
  • Bag checks: Security screening is in place; large suitcases may be refused entry.

Explore the London Transport Museum

Inside the museum, you’ll move through immersive galleries that combine historic vehicles, graphic design, and interactive storytelling.

Heritage Vehicles Gallery

Historic buses, trams, and carriages that trace London’s public transport roots.

What to look out for: 19th-century horse-drawn omnibus, early electric trams.

London Underground history

The story of the world’s first underground railway.

What to look out for: Original Tube signage, early tunnel designs.

Poster & design collection

Iconic graphic design that shaped London’s visual identity.

What to look out for: Classic London Underground posters.

All Aboard Play Zone

Hands-on roleplay space designed for younger visitors.

What to look out for: Mini Tube trains, bus-driving simulators.

Before you get there

Timings

See opening hours and last entry times

Location

Find the museum in Covent Garden

Before you book your London Transport Museum tickets

  • Choosing the right ticket depends on whether you want a standalone visit or to combine attractions nearby. Standard London Transport Museum tickets include full access to all permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions running on the day of your visit.
  • Combo tickets are ideal if you want to extend your day. Pairing your visit to the London Transport Museum experience with the London Eye adds skyline views to your cultural visit, while combinations with the Tower of London or a Thames River cruise help you connect transport history with the city’s landmarks and waterways.
  • If you’re visiting during peak periods (summer holidays, half-term weeks), booking online helps you avoid queues and guarantees entry at your preferred time.

Compare your ticket options

Ticket typeWhat’s includedBest for
Entry ticket

Full museum access

Exploring at your own pace

Museum + London Eye

Museum + Eye entry

Culture + views

Museum + Tower

Museum + historic landmark

History-focused days

Museum + Thames cruise

Museum + flexible river cruise

Relaxed sightseeing

London Transport Museum timings & best time to visit

Daily: 10am–6pm
Last entry: 5:15pm
Closed on: December 24-26

Best time to visit

Weekday vs weekend

Weekdays, especially Tuesday to Thursday before noon, are the calmest. Weekends and school holidays see heavier family crowds, particularly midday.

Peak vs low season

July–August and school breaks are busiest. January–March is quieter, making it easier to visit London Transport Museum without queues.

Takeaway: Visit on a weekday morning for the smoothest experience.

​Detailed timings

Where is London Transport Museum located?

London Transport Museum is located in Covent Garden, central London, right on the historic piazza.

Address: Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 7BB | Find on Maps

Closest landmark: Covent Garden Market, <100 m away

How to get there

By public transport

  • Tube: Piccadilly Line to Covent Garden (2-min walk); Leicester Square (Northern/Piccadilly) ~7-min walk
  • Bus: Routes 1, 5, 11, 139, 168 stop nearby

By car

Driving is not recommended due to congestion charges.

Nearby public car parks are available around Covent Garden (~5–10 min walk).

​See full directions

Entrances

Entrance: Main Entrance

Location: Covent Garden Piazza

Who it’s for: All visitors

Crowds & wait times: Short queues weekdays; 20–40 mins peak

  Facilities

  • Audio content – Gallery interpretation panels throughout
  • Cloakroom – Limited; large luggage may be refused
  • Restrooms – Available on all public levels
  • Museum shop – Transport-themed gifts and books
  • Café – Light meals and snacks on-site

Accessibility

General facilities

  • Step-free access is available throughout the museum.
  • Lifts connect all public floors.

Physical disabilities

  • Wheelchairs are available on request.
  • Adapted toilets are available.

Hearing impairments

  • Induction loops are available at help desks and ticket counters.

Visual impairments

  • Large-print guides and staff assistance is available.

Visiting with family

The museum is highly family-friendly, with dedicated play zones, stroller access throughout, baby-changing facilities, and kid-focused galleries. Allow extra time if visiting with children.

Rules and restrictions

  • A valid ticket is required for museum entry and security checks apply to all visitors.
  • Large bags and suitcases may be refused entry.
  • Photography is allowed without flash or tripods.
  • Food and drink is restricted to the café areas.

Where to shop

London Transport Museum Shop (Ground floor):

Posters, books, Tube-themed gifts, children’s toys, and exclusive design merchandise are available for purchase.

Where to eat

On-site cafés

Both the Museum café and the Tuk Tuk café are casual cafés offering sandwiches, hot drinks, and light meals—ideal for a short break mid-visit.

Where to stay

Covent Garden is central, lively, and ideal if you plan to visit London Transport Museum alongside West End attractions, though accommodation is premium-priced.

  • Henrietta Hotel (2-min walk) – Boutique luxury [View on Maps]
  • The Z Hotel Covent Garden (4-min walk) – Mid-range [View on Maps]
  • Smart Russell Square: (20-min walk) – Budget-friendly [View on Maps]

On a budget? Stay near Holborn or Bloomsbury for better value and quick Tube access.

Insider tips

  • Queues form fastest between 12pm and 2pm. Arriving before 11am can save 30 minutes.
  • Families report the All Aboard zone fills up quickly; visiting it first avoids waits later.
  • Pairing the museum with a Thames cruise offers a relaxed contrast after an indoor visit.
  • Design lovers should linger on the first floor as the crowds thin there after mid-afternoon.

Frequently asked questions about visiting the London Transport Museum

Yes, it is an excellent introduction to the city, as it explains how London’s transport system shaped the city’s growth and daily life.

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