Overview

Although run by Transport for London, this is an integral part of the mainline station, though there is direct access to/from the Underground concourse.

Trains leave northwest before turning right towards Bank. There are two separate platforms, which we'll call the arrival and departure platform. There's a turning space southeast of these platforms.

A bridge at the southeast end of the platforms provides an exit route to the mainline station, whilst the exit towards the rear (northwest) end of the arrival platform provides stairs access to the Underground concourse.

This section of the station contains two principal passages, which we'll call the upper and lower passages. The upper passage is the subway which runs northwest/southeast under all island platforms of the mainline station, sometimes referred to as "the drain". The lower passage runs southeast, past the entrance steps from the Underground concourse to the southeast, past two sets of steps from the upper passage from the southwest and two ramp entrances to the departure platform to the southeast. The passage turns left (southeast) over the bridge and continues past the exit from the arrival platform and exit 7, then to exit 2 of the mainline station.

Note that the upper passage is only open during peak hours Monday to Friday 06:30 to 10:30 and 15:30 to 21:30. Outside these times, the line can be accessed via the Underground concourse or from exit 2 or 7 of the mainline station.

According to a sign on the departure platform, there's a train every three to six minutes.

The Upper Passage

This runs northwest/southeast beneath the mainline platforms. Steps leave from the southwest side to each island platform, note that the number of steps, even the number of flights of steps between this passage and the platforms is not consistent, see below for details.

There are two routes between here and the lower passage. Steps leave from the northeast side, opposite the steps from platforms 13 - 14 (the northwest entrance) and opposite the steps to platforms 7 - 8 (the southeast entrance).

The Passage, from the Southeast End

Left-hand (southwest) Side

Right-hand, Northeast Side

You go down a slight slope, then down 17 steps, going northeast into the lower passage, continue forward then turn left down the ramp and turn right onto the departure platform.

The Lower Passage

This leaves the Underground concourse and runs between the upper passage and departure platform, before turning left over the bridge. The passage then continues, up steps, past the steps to exit 7 then continues viaa right and left turn, down steps to exit 2.

Southeast from the Underground Concourse

See our guide to Waterloo Underground Station for details of the Underground concourse.

Left-Hand (Northeast Side

Turn left (180 degrees, Northwest) at each ramp entrance and go down to platform level then turn right onto the platform. There's an Oyster card reader to either side at the top of each ramp.

Right-hand (southwest) Side

Going Northeast, Over the Bridge

This passage is now identified as exit to Waterloo Road and Jubilee Line.

To Reach

From the Underground Concourse

In peak hours you can continue forward from the top of the escalators from the intermediate level, through the exit gates. Otherwise, you enter the recess off the southwest side of the Underground concourse, then follow the left-hand side to locate the steps down. See our guide to Waterloo Underground Station for more details.

There’s an Oyster card reader at each side at the top of the steps. The steps are divided into two sets by a central rail. You go down 14 then 14 steps, going southeast before turning left onto the departure platform, near the front of the train. The upward ramp, opposite the foot of these steps is the northwest entrance from the lower passage.

From the Mainline Station

During Peak Hours

You can go down the steps from your platform into the upper passage. There are two routes from here to the lower passage, opposite the steps from platforms 7 - 8 and 13 - 14. You go down a slope then down 17 steps, going northeast, continue across the lower passage into either entrance then turn left, down the ramp then right onto the platform. The steps opposite platforms 13 - 14 bring you near the front of the train, whilst the others bring you near the rear.

Outside Peak Hours

From Exit 2

Go up the 16 steps from exit 2, follow the passage which turns right then left and continue, past the steps from exit 7 on your left.

From Exit 7

Go down 13 then 13 steps, going northwest from the mainline concourse, opposite platforms 7 - 8 then turn left.

Continue, down 13 then 13 steps, going southwest and continue, past the steps from the arrival platform (on your right) then take the next turning right. Follow the right-hand side to locate the top of the ramp, then go down the ramp and turn right onto the departure platform. You're near the rear of the train.

To Leave

There are two exits from the arrival platform. The exit nearer the front of the train, although signed towards Bakerloo and Northern Line, is actually more appropriate for the mainline station, whilst the one towards the rear actually brings you into the Underground concourse.

The doors will open on your left as you face the front of the train. There is no tactile paving along the edge of the platform.

Near the Front of the Train

You go up five steps, going away from the platform (northeast), turn right (southeast) and go up ten then 11 steps, going southeast into the lower passage. Turn left (northeast) for exit 7 or exit 2, during peak hours you can turn right and go via the upper passage directly to your platform.

During Peak Hours

turn right at the top of the steps and continue to the wall at the end. Turn right then take the turning left, up 17 steps, going southwest into the upper passage. You should now be at the foot of the steps up to platforms 7 - 8. Turn left for lower numbered platforms, right for higher.

Outside Peak Hours

Turn left at the top of the steps and continue up 13 then 13 steps, going northeast. For exit 7, take the turning right and go up 13 then 13 steps, going southeast into the mainline concourse, the platforms are to your right, you're beside platform 7 - 8.

Otherwise, for exit 2, continue along a wider passage with pillars along the middle, take the turning right then left and go down 16 steps, going northeast to exit 2.

Near the Rear of the Train

You go up five steps, going away from the platform (northeast), turn left (northwest), go up 12 then 13 steps going northwest into the Underground concourse. There’s an Oyster card reader to each side just beyond the top of the steps.

The Departure Platform, from the Southeast End

There are seats along the length of the platform.

The Arrival Platform, from the Southeast

There are seats along the length of the platform.

Back Links

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

WATERLOO STATION

© 2008, Terry Robinson