Transferring to the Elizabeth Line at Farringdon

[Bozo]

Hi,

I wonder if someone could give me some advice please, in regards to transferring from the Circle/H&C line to the Elizabeth line at Farringdon.

I'm travelling from Kings Cross to Farringdon on the Circle/H&C line, then transferring to the Elizabeth line Eastbound to get to Customs House.

Previously when I've done this journey, I've followed the signs for the Elizabeth line, had to exit the station, cross the road, and re-enter the station on the other side of the road. However, to save me having to exit and re-enter the station, I've been lead to believe that if I instead follow the signs for the Thameslink, and get on to the Thameslink platforms, that there is another route from there to the Elizabeth line, that avoids having to exit the station.

Can anyone confirm if this is correct? and if so is there a particular Thameslink platform I need to be on to get to the Elizabeth line. I'm going to be travelling with luggage so I thought this would be easier than having to exit & re-enter the station.

Thanks.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There's a way down at the back end of the northbound Thameslink platform - exit the platform at platform level, turn left, and there's the escalators down.

 

[dastocks]

There are a number of ways to do the change without leaving the station but they tend to involve stairs. You could transfer to southbound Thameslink platform via the northbound Circle/H&C platform and there are a pair of lifts from there to the Elizabeth line.

It might be simpler to change at Liverpool Street or Moorgate instead.

 

[Dima]

Technically you can do it without exiting and re-entering the station. You will need to cross via the footbridge at the end of the tube platform (if arriving from King’s Cross), then walk along most of the length of the northbound Thameslink platform, and then you will get to the escalators to the Elizabeth line.

Though I don’t think that it will be easier or quicker than using the signposted route. Also as far as I remember the footbridge over the tube/Thameslink platforms has no lifts, in contrast to the “official” path, especially with luggage.

You can find the map of the station here: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations-and-destinations/stations-made-easy/farringdon-station-plan

 

[Chris Butler]

Hi,

I wonder if someone could give me some advice please, in regards to transferring from the Circle/H&C line to the Elizabeth line at Farringdon.

I'm travelling from Kings Cross to Farringdon on the Circle/H&C line, then transferring to the Elizabeth line Eastbound to get to Customs House.

Previously when I've done this journey, I've followed the signs for the Elizabeth line, had to exit the station, cross the road, and re-enter the station on the other side of the road. However, to save me having to exit and re-enter the station, I've been lead to believe that if I instead follow the signs for the Thameslink, and get on to the Thameslink platforms, that there is another route from there to the Elizabeth line, that avoids having to exit the station.

Can anyone confirm if this is correct? and if so is there a particular Thameslink platform I need to be on to get to the Elizabeth line. I'm going to be travelling with luggage so I thought this would be easier than having to exit & re-enter the station.

Thanks.

First, if you get into the second (or so) car from the front you will be next to the lift at Farringdon. When you get off the lift (Lift A) you will be facing back the way your train entered the station.

You need (as said above) to get to the Northbound Thameslink platform which means you have to cross all four tracks (2 x Thameslink, 2 x Circle/Met/H&C). There are two routes*.

The best route is to turn round on exiting the lift (so you are facing the way your train entered the station) and head for the main exit (on Cowcross St), which is the one you've used before. The exit and gate line area is where you will cross to the Nortbound Thameslink platform. There is a lift down to the platform (lift D), but I've never used it and I am not sure exactly where it is.
The exit from the Northbound Thameslink platform to the Elizabeth line escalators is unmissable, it's very wide.

NB: When you come out of the very first lift (Lift A), you will see (in the distance) the side exit from Farrington Underground. The exit is open only at rush hours. But next to it is a walkway that gives access to all four platforms. That is the second route mentioned above*. However there are no lifts, so don't go that way.

 

[Bozo]

Thanks for all the responses. I think as dastocks posted above, it's probably going to be easier for me to change at Moorgate with regards to using the lifts with my luggage. However, the whole layout of the lifts at Moorgate does seem to be overly complicated, so it might not be the quickest of transfers.

 

[Hadders]

There is a direct connection via a little signed lift from the southbound Thameslink platforms to the Elizabeth Line. It's not that well signed to stop it becoming overwhelmed. There is also an escalator link from the northbound Thameslink platform.

If your journey is starting at Kings Cross St Pancras then I'd be tempted to head for a southbound Thameslink service from St Pancras. Travel in the front coach and you'll align with the lifts upon exiting at Farringdon. Otherwise to cross from the Eastbound Circle/H&C to the soutbound Thameslink platform means walking to towards the rear of the underground train upon exit. You can cross to either Thameslink depending on whether you want to take the lift or escalator.

 

[Chris Butler]

Thanks for all the responses. I think as dastocks posted above, it's probably going to be easier for me to change at Moorgate with regards to using the lifts with my luggage. However, the whole layout of the lifts at Moorgate does seem to be overly complicated, so it might not be the quickest of transfers.

For what it's worth, Farringdon is my local station so I use it a lot although I don't often change there. I (at 66) travel with suitcase and dog very often.

You can make your transfer without going through a gateline by either the route I and others gave above (Northbound Thameslink) or the one Hadders gave (Southbound Thameslink). dastocks thought that those routes involved stairs, but actually neither requires stairs.

Which route is best depends on whether Thameslink or the Underground is more convenient at Kings Gross/St Pancras.

If Thameslink is most convenient at King Cross then I'd go hadders route (Southbound Thameslink).

If the Underground is most convenient at Kings Cross then I personally would take the the route you have before (i.e. across Cowcross St (pedestrianised) and then use the lift direct from the Thameslink/Elizabeth Line concourse to the Elizabeth Line platforms ... it's two lifts, two gatelines and no need to navigate platforms on which people are standing waiting.

If you prefer adventure then there is also step-free access to the Elizabeth Line at Barbican as well, but I'm not recommending that because the lift is as the wrong end of the wrong H&C/Circle/Met platform for you.

 

[Bozo]

I'm not that familiar with the Thameslink, I've only used it a couple of times, usually when there was a tube strike.

I'm coming into Kings Cross on LNER, what's the quickest route from there to the Thameslink platforms at St. Pancras? I know if I exit Kings Cross at the front, turn right and cross over Pancras Rd, there's a small entrance to St. Pancras, but I seem to think that entrance isn't anywhere near the Thameslink platforms. Do I need to exit King Cross and walk right to the bottom of Pancras Road and enter St. Pancras via the large entrance down there?

 

[ThameslinkUser]

See attached

 

[Bozo]

See attached

Excellent, thanks

 

[rebmcr]

I seem to think that entrance isn't anywhere near the Thameslink platforms.

The opposite is true, that's in fact the best entrance for KGX-Thameslink journeys.

 

[adamedwards]

Does your LNER train stop at Stevenage? You can then cross platform onto Thameslink and go direct to Farringdon.

 

[Bozo]

Does your LNER train stop at Stevenage? You can then cross platform onto Thameslink and go direct to Farringdon.

No it only stopped at Peterborough before London. But I'll keep this in mind for the future.

There is a direct connection via a little signed lift from the southbound Thameslink platforms to the Elizabeth Line. It's not that well signed to stop it becoming overwhelmed. There is also an escalator link from the northbound Thameslink platform.

If your journey is starting at Kings Cross St Pancras then I'd be tempted to head for a southbound Thameslink service from St Pancras. Travel in the front coach and you'll align with the lifts upon exiting at Farringdon. Otherwise to cross from the Eastbound Circle/H&C to the soutbound Thameslink platform means walking to towards the rear of the underground train upon exit. You can cross to either Thameslink depending on whether you want to take the lift or escalator.

The lift from the Southbound platform worked a treat, thanks.

 

[Magdalia]

You can make your transfer without going through a gateline by either the route I and others gave above (Northbound Thameslink) or the one Hadders gave (Southbound Thameslink). dastocks thought that those routes involved stairs, but actually neither requires stairs.

I'm puzzled by this. I use Farringdon frequently, and sometimes I want to go from platform 4 (northbound Thameslink) to platform 1 (eastbound H+C) without using stairs and without exiting and re-entering.

But, as far as I'm aware, the only lift up from platform 4 is to the Thameslink only exit/entrance on the south side of Cowcross Street, which requires exit and re-entrance to get to platform 1. The footbridges at the north end of the station are not step free. Where is the lift up from platform 4 that will allow me to get to platform 1 without going through the barriers?

I'm coming into Kings Cross on LNER, what's the quickest route from there to the Thameslink platforms at St. Pancras? I know if I exit Kings Cross at the front, turn right and cross over Pancras Rd, there's a small entrance to St. Pancras, but I seem to think that entrance isn't anywhere near the Thameslink platforms. Do I need to exit King Cross and walk right to the bottom of Pancras Road and enter St. Pancras via the large entrance down there?

If you are in the rear half of a train arriving in platforms 0-8 at Kings Cross, then the quickest way to Thameslink is over the footbridge that's halfway along the platforms, out of Kings Cross by the exit next to platform 10, across Pancras Road near to the German Gymnasium and into St Pancras by the entrance under the Javelin platforms. This saves having to go anywhere near Euston Road.

 

[rebmcr]

Does your LNER train stop at Stevenage? You can then cross platform onto Thameslink and go direct to Farringdon.

That would add significant time to such a journey.

 

[DavyCrocket]

I'm puzzled by this. I use Farringdon frequently, and sometimes I want to go from platform 4 (northbound Thameslink) to platform 1 (eastbound H+C) without using stairs and without exiting and re-entering.

But, as far as I'm aware, the only lift up from platform 4 is to the Thameslink only exit/entrance on the south side of Cowcross Street, which requires exit and re-entrance to get to platform 1. The footbridges at the north end of the station are not step free. Where is the lift up from platform 4 that will allow me to get to platform 1 without going through the barriers?

That is the only lift at platform four.

 

[Magdalia]

That is the only lift at platform four.

Thanks, that's what I remember.

 

[Ian79]

The route with the least walking/complication is probably to stay on the H&C for longer and change onto the Elizabeth Line at Whitechapel. From what I remember that's a single lift or direct (but very long) escalator at the eastern end of the H&C/District platforms straight down onto the Elizabeth Line.

 

[yorkie]

Does your LNER train stop at Stevenage? You can then cross platform onto Thameslink and go direct to Farringdon.

That would add significant time to such a journey.

Yes it may be quite a bit slower, depending on the timetable.

TOC websites probably won't show this route if it's both slower and has an additional change, however if anyone is keen to generate an itinerary that offers a cross-platform connection at Stevenage, this could be done by using the forum's site, using advanced options to specify a change at Stevenage. (There is also the option to add additional interchange time if anyone wants to do that).

 

[D365]

TOC websites probably won't show this route if it's both slower and has an additional change, however if anyone is keen to generate an itinerary that offers a cross-platform connection at Stevenage, this could be done by using the forum's site, using advanced options to specify a change at Stevenage. (There is also the option to add additional interchange time if anyone wants to do that).

What's the link please?

 

[Hadders]

I’m not convinced that changing at Stevenage is necessarily slower.

Typically there is a LNER southbound arrival at Stevenage at xx:58 which connects into the xx:02 Thameslink departure to Brighton. This is a cross-platform interchange and meets the 4-minute minimum connection time at Stevenage. The Thameslink train arrives at Farringdon at xx:34.

If you stayed on the LNER train it is scheduled to arrive at Kings across at xx:26, you’ve then got to get to Farringdon with the official minimum interchange time at Kings Cross being 15 minutes.

Admittedly this won’t necessarily work for every LNER train that calls at Stevenage, but there is a fast Thameslink train every 15 minutes from Stevenage to Farringdon.

 

[yorkie]

What's the link please?

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[Dstock7080]

From what I remember that's a single lift or direct (but very long) escalator at the eastern end of the H&C/District platforms straight down onto the Elizabeth Line.

Lifts and stairs go up from the District/H&C platform to a link bridge, a long escalator or other lift goes then down to the Elizabeth Line from this bridge.

 

[Mike99]

I've just used the TfL planner for a trip tomorrow afternoon from Ilford to Finsbury Park and the itinerary offers me, Elizabeth line to Farringdon, walk to Barbican Underground, Circle or Hammersmith & City to King's Cross and then Victoria line to Finsbury Park, 54 mins, so just shows there are lots of alternative for interchanging.

 

[Failed Unit]

I've just used the TfL planner for a trip tomorrow afternoon from Ilford to Finsbury Park and the itinerary offers me, Elizabeth line to Farringdon, walk to Barbican Underground, Circle or Hammersmith & City to King's Cross and then Victoria line to Finsbury Park, 54 mins, so just shows there are lots of alternative for interchanging.

Surprised Finsbury Park - Moorgate the Elizabeth line from there wasn't also offered.

 

[adamedwards]

That would add significant time to such a journey.

Yes, but the trade off for some poeple is often easier changing, especially if older, carrying large bags or simply to avoid large and confusing big terminal stations. So it's an option worth considering in some cirumstances.