London Liverpool Street(LST)
About London Liverpool Street
Liverpool Street station is one of London’s busiest rail hubs. It sits in the City of London and connects with the Underground, buses, and nearby stations. Services run on the Great Eastern Main Line to Norwich, the West Anglia route to Cambridge and Stansted, and commuter lines across Essex, Hertfordshire and East Anglia. The Elizabeth Line also runs through Liverpool Street, linking it with Heathrow, Reading, and other key destinations. The station handles millions of passengers each year and is a key gateway to both London and the wider region.
The layout includes a large concourse with shops, ticket facilities, and direct links to other transport. In 2023–24, passenger numbers reached around 94 million, the highest of any station in Britain. Plans are in place to expand the concourse, improve access with more lifts and escalators, and add new public spaces, while keeping the station’s historic structure in place.
Explore London Liverpool Street station
Discover everything there is to know about London Liverpool Street with our comprehensive toolbox
History
The station opened in 1874–75 as the new London terminus for the Great Eastern Railway. It was built on the site of the old Bethlem Hospital and designed with a large glass and iron roof over its main shed. The station soon became the centre for services to East Anglia and beyond. As demand grew, more platforms were added, including an eastern extension in 1894.
By the late 20th century, the station was overcrowded. A major rebuild in the 1980s and early 1990s created a single, larger concourse. Queen Elizabeth II opened the completed redevelopment in 1991. The work improved passenger flow while keeping key parts of the original design.
The arrival of the Elizabeth Line in 2022 increased traffic further. By 2023–24 Liverpool Street was Britain’s busiest station. Network Rail has proposed a major upgrade to meet future demand, with more space, new lifts, and better access, while preserving its historic features.
Ready to travel smarter?
Use our live tools to plan, track and adapt—before you set off and while you’re on the move.