London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Aug 03, 2026

Queen Elizabeth II: Trains to London likely to be 'extremely busy'

Queen Elizabeth II: Trains to London likely to be 'extremely busy'

Mourners wanting to pay their respects to the Queen are being warned to plan their train journeys to London in advance.

The Rail Delivery Group said services to, and stations in, the capital will be "extremely busy".

The rail operator is asking people to leave plenty of time for travel during the official mourning period.

Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, are expected to travel to London to pay their respects to the Queen.

A period of national mourning is now in place and will last until the end of the day of the Queen's state funeral on Monday, 19 September.

The Queen, who died on Thursday aged 96, will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four full days before her funeral, meaning the public will be allowed to view her coffin.

On the day of the funeral, the Rail Delivery Group said it would not be possible to view both the funeral in London and then travel to Windsor where Her Majesty will be laid to rest.

The advice is to choose to view one or the other, and to leave plenty of time to get there.

The majority of tickets purchased before the Queen's death will be exchangeable or refundable until 18:00 the day before travel, with no administration charge. The advice is to check with your rail operator.

Jason Webb, the Rail Delivery Group's customer information director, said: "Understandably, many people wish to pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen during this period of national mourning.

"On the day of the funeral, Monday 19 September, people should plan carefully the timing of their journey home, as trains and stations are likely to be extremely busy."

"We half expected you to live forever": All On the Board dedicates its whiteboard to the Queen


West Midlands Trains and South Western Railway offered their condolences to the Royal Family, and told customers travelling to the capital or Windsor to be prepared for services that will be much busier than usual.

Transport for London also warned that roads and public transport in central London will be very busy and has advised travellers to allow "plenty of extra time" for their journeys and to avoid driving where possible.

Like many other firms to express their sympathy, Andy Byford, London's Transport Commissioner spoke on behalf of TfL and said: "Our thoughts are with His Majesty The King and all members of the Royal Family following the death of Her Majesty The Queen."

"We are working with our partners to keep our city moving smoothly and to ensure that everyone who is planning to attend the memorial events can do so safely," Andy Byford added.

He advised all Londoners and visitors to the capital over the coming days to check before they travel using the latest real-time travel information, which is available on the TfL Go app and on the website tfl.gov.uk.

On Thursday, black cabs lined The Mall leading up to Buckingham Palace


Elsewhere in the city, London bus stops have also paid tribute by showing portraits of Queen Elizabeth II. On Thursday, London black cabs lined The Mall leading up to Buckingham Palace to silently pay their respects.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
FIFA’s Retreat Leaves a Larger Question Over Who Guards the Game
Two Firefighting Crew Members Die in Helicopter Collision West of Athens
Ceuta Border Surge Recasts Europe’s Migration Debate
Burnham Promises a Harder Channel Response as Crossings Test His New Government
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games End With Organisers Defending Smaller Format as Sustainable Model
Reform UK Faces Labour Criticism Over Nigel Farage Leadership Return Discussions
Environment Agency Restricts River Thames Navigation as Low Water Levels Raise Concerns
UK Government Launches Free Bus Travel Scheme for Children During Summer Holidays
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Confirms October Budget Date and Plans Wider Regional Funding Shift
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Promises Tougher Action on Small Boat Crossings Amid European Migration Pressure
UK Economic Growth Forecast Raised Slightly as Inflation Expected to Remain Above Target Until 2029
National Farmers Union Warns of Food Shortage Risks as Drought and Heatwaves Damage UK Crops
Finland Deploys Commercial-Scale Thermal Batteries Using Crushed Rock to Store Renewable Grid Energy
Valued at $109 Million: F-35B Fighter Jet Crashes in Southern California
Sainsbury Agrees to Sell Argos in £120 Million Deal to Private Consortium
High Court Clears Way for Construction of Chinese Embassy at Royal Mint Court
UK Fuel Prices Climb to Multi-Month Highs as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Disrupt Oil Supplies
Severe Summer Drought and Record Heat Put UK Harvests at Risk
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Faces Labour Backbench Opposition Over Potential Support for New North Sea Oil and Gas Drilling
Bank of England Warns Inflation Will Stay Above 3% as Middle East Energy Shock Prolongs Cost-of-Living Pressures
Andy Burnham has Announces Plans to Redistribute Income Tax Revenue to English Mayors
Early-Release Scheme Faces Fresh Scrutiny as Reoffending and Prison Recalls Rise
Police Phone Checks Followed Report on Murder of MI5 Agent Inside Sinn Féin
Archbishop of Canterbury Reaffirms £100 Million Reparative Justice Fund During Ghana Visit
Charities Allege French Police Used Tear Gas Against Channel Migrants
Norwegian Teenager Convicted Over Iran-Linked Murder Plot in Britain
Christian Organisations File Charity Complaints Against Amnesty International UK
Ofgem Tightens Grid Connection Rules for New Data Centres
FTSE 100 Reaches Record High Despite Global Technology Sell-Off
Millions of UK Households Urged to Check Eligibility for Winter Energy Discount
Labour Restores Parliamentary Whips to Diane Abbott and Joani Reid
UK Supreme Court to Hear Challenge Over Palestine Action Ban
UK Commits More Than £8.4 Billion to Dreadnought Nuclear Submarine Programme
England Declares Severe Drought as Wildfire Burns Near Sizewell Nuclear Site
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75% as Middle East Tensions Fuel Inflation Risks
Drought Status Extended Across All of Wales as Heat and Dry Weather Deepen Environmental Strain
Record-Low Danube Exposes Probable Mammoth Remains in Bulgaria
UK Business Confidence Climbs to Four-Month High
Greater Manchester Gains Expanded Powers Under Regional Funding Reforms
UK Supreme Court to Hear Appeal Over Palestine Action Terror Ban
Shell's Quarterly Profit Doubles to Nearly $10 Billion on Higher Energy Prices
UK Government Removes VAT From Household Electricity Bills
Exceptional Drought Grips Half of England as Wildfire Threatens Sizewell
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75% as Inflation Risks Persist
US Says It Has Carried Out Heavy Strikes on Iran After Attempted Attacks on Its Forces
The chief executive of the popular gaming company laid off many employees and his pay rose to 38 million dollars
UK Employment Holds Steady as Wage Growth Remains Moderate
England to Introduce Artificial Intelligence into Secondary School Curriculum
Wales Launches £1.2 Billion Industrial Regeneration Programme
High Court Upholds UK Digital Surveillance Framework
×