How to get to Hampton Court Palace

Transportation Options

Hampton Court Palace’s grand Tudor facade sits just 13.5 miles southwest of central London ¹. For theater and musicals fans visiting London, adding a stop at this historic royal palace is easy with London’s transport network. Trains from Waterloo, frequent local buses and even a summer river cruise can bring you here efficiently. Read on to see how to reach Hampton Court by train, bus, river or car – each option offers a comfortable journey and a chance to enjoy London’s sights along the way.

By Train

Trains from London Waterloo run directly to Hampton Court station about every 30 minutes ². The journey takes roughly 35–40 minutes ³, making the palace an easy day trip from the West End or city centre. The line calls at major stops like Surbiton and Wimbledon before ending at Hampton Court. Notably, Hampton Court station is in Travelcard Zone 6, so Oyster cards and Travelcards covering Zone 6 are valid here ⁴. When you arrive, the palace entrance is only a five-minute walk away ⁵, so you can transfer from train to historic courtyard almost immediately.

By Bus & Tube

Although there is no Tube line to Hampton Court ⁶, London’s buses provide good links. For example, routes 111, 216, 411, 461 and 513 run from Kingston, and the R68 runs from Richmond toward Hampton Court ⁷. Some routes even start further afield (e.g. the 111 from Heathrow or 216 from Hammersmith) ⁸. All these London buses accept Oyster and Travelcards, like most city buses ⁹. If you prefer the Underground, take the District Line to Wimbledon or Richmond and then transfer to a bus or a short train ride – a little extra planning connects you to the palace. In practice, most visitors simply take the direct Waterloo train instead, since no Tube station serves Hampton Court ¹⁰.

By River

For a scenic journey, consider the River Thames route in summer. Thames River Boats offer cruises from central London (Westminster Pier) to Hampton Court ¹¹, stopping at Kew Gardens and Richmond along the way. This leisurely cruise takes about 3 to 3.5 hours ¹², passing through some of the Thames’s most picturesque stretches before arriving at Hampton Court Landing Stage. From the landing stage, it’s just a short walk to the palace entrance. The boat is a relaxing alternative – especially in fine weather – allowing you to see London’s famous riverside landmarks on the trip out.

By Car

If you drive, the palace’s postcode for GPS is KT8 9AU (East Molesey, Surrey) ¹³. Hampton Court Palace is on the A308; look for the brown tourist attraction signs. From the M25 use exit 10 (A307) or exit 12 (A308), and from the A3 follow signs via the A309 ¹⁴. Limited on-site parking is available (first-come, first-served; £1.80/hr) ¹⁵, so during busy times it may be wiser to use public transit. A large pay car park (Hampton Court Green) is 500m from the palace and also charges about £1.80 per hour ¹⁶. Motorhomes and cyclists have dedicated parking areas nearby, and drop-off points exist at the palace entrance for coaches.

Whether you travel by train, bus, boat or car, it’s straightforward to reach this celebrated landmark. For theatre-goers and history buffs alike, the journey becomes part of the fun – you can even combine it with a West End show or a concert at the palace. For instance, Hampton Court hosts an annual courtyard concert series each summer ¹⁷, so you might arrive by train in the morning, enjoy the palace all day and then hear live music by evening. No matter your mode of transport, you’ll find Hampton Court Palace a rewarding and easily accessible destination from London.