If you prefer streets to tunnels, this guide helps. How to get to the British Museum without the Tube maps walking lines, buses, trains and bike hires. Start at Great Russell Street near the central courtyard. Practical timings and step free options appear below.
Where the British Museum Is, plus why skip the Tube
The museum is located in Grande Tremless Torussell, in the central part of Bloomsbury. Official postal code - WC1B 3DG. Many visitors missed calls to avoid elevators, crowds and unexpected closures. Walking often saves time during peak hours.
The quieter Montague Place entrance gives lift access and fewer queues. Locals choose buses to stop near the museum when lines are disrupted. If you have bags or mobility needs, these surface options are more predictable and gentler on your feet.
Exact address and entrancesThe British Museum lists its main entrance on Great Russell Street. The North entrance on Montague Place provides lift access for step free arrival. Check opening times on the official site before you travel.
Nearby areas: Bloomsbury, Holborn and Covent GardenCovent - Gelden, Horbol, Russell - Scare sits just a few minutes' walk from the museum. You can combine short walks with coffee stops. These neighborhoods have frequent buses and pleasant paths.
Travel time at a glanceFrom Covent Garden expect around ten to fifteen minutes on foot depending on your pace. From Tottenham Court Road allow roughly ten minutes. Bus rides vary with traffic but often match walking times for short hops.
Walk it, best routes from central hubs
Walking gives predictable travel time and clearer views of Bloomsbury. From Leicester Square the route takes you through lanes with fewer tourists. Streets are flat and signs help you find the museum quickly.
From Tottenham Court Road head down Tottenham Court Road, turn onto Gower Street and cross toward Great Russell Street. Choose side streets to avoid Oxford Street noise. Walking often beats tube transfers for short central trips.
From Covent Garden and Leicester SquareLeave Covent Garden plaza and walk north across Long Acre toward Great Russell Street. The route stays mostly pedestrian friendly with frequent crossings. It makes sense for light luggage.
From Tottenham Court Road and Oxford StreetFrom Tottenham Court Road walk east along Tottenham Court Road then cross at Gower Street. Take quieter side streets to avoid crowds. The museum entrance appears off Great Russell Street.
From Holborn and Russell Square and Bloomsbury hotelsIf you stay in Holborn or near Russell Square, stroll south west through Bloomsbury. The paths are short and often shaded by trees. Hotels here place you within easy walking time.
Buses to the British Museum
London buses often stop nearer the museum than the nearest Tube lines. Routes along New Oxford Street and Gower Street put you within a five minute walk. Use bus travel to avoid escalators and crowds.
Pay by contactless payment or Oyster card, and watch fare capping rules apply. The Hopper fare helps when you change buses within an hour. Keep the same card or device for transfers to avoid extra charges.
Bus routes table, nearest stops, walking time
| Bus number | Nearest stop | Typical walking time to museum |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, 98, 242 | New Oxford Street / Great Russell Street | 2 to 7 minutes |
| 14, 24, 29, 73, 134, 390 | Tottenham Court Road northbound | 5 to 10 minutes |
| 59, 68, X68, 91, 168, 188 | Southampton Row / Museum Street | 6 to 12 minutes |
Note: Data sourced from museum and TfL route lists. Check live times before travel.
Useful routes serving New Oxford Street and Holborn and Russell SquareRoutes on New Oxford Street bring you closest to the main entrance. Russell Square and Holborn stops also serve nearby streets. Buses run frequently through central corridors all day.
Closest stops to Great Russell Street and Montague PlaceDrop off at the stop on Great Russell Street to walk a minute to the gates. Use the Montague Place stops for quieter access and step free arrivals. Plan to disembark early when traffic is heavy.
Paying with contactless and Oyster, fare capsPay with contactless payment or Oyster card, the daily cap limits your spend. The Hopper fare covers unlimited bus hops within an hour. Keeps the same payment method to get correct capping?
Arriving by train, quick transfers without the Tube
Major rail stations sit within easy walking or short bus distances. From St Pancras or King’s Cross you can walk or take a quick bus to Bloomsbury. Trains often deliver you above ground and out into the city.
Use the Elizabeth line from Heathrow to Tottenham Court Road, then stroll. From Liverpool Street a single bus can take you across central London. Check National Rail timetables for real time updates before you set off. For a hassle-free option, book airport transfers with 2 Friends Minicabs
From St Pancreas and King’s Cross and EustonFrom St Pancreas walk southwest toward Euston Road then follow signs to Bloomsbury. Euston and King’s Cross put you a short taxi ride away. Trains serve many long distance routes for airport transfers.
From Charring Cross and Waterloo and VictoriaIf arriving at Charing Cross or Waterloo, cross into central streets and catch a direct bus toward Great Russell Street. Victoria offers coach links and local buses that drop closer to the museum than the Tube sometimes does.
From Liverpool Street and Farringdon, Elizabeth line optionsFrom Liverpool Street take a bus west toward Bloomsbury or change to the Elizabeth line at nearby hubs. Farringdon links Thameslink services for Gatwick and further south, making tube free transfers viable.
Cycle to the museum
Cycling can be the quickest door to door option in light traffic. London’s bike lanes and quieter Bloomsbury streets make for easy riding. Dock at nearby stations and lock securely.
Bring a simple D lock and a small light. Many short hires use Santander Cycles docks placed near the museum. Cycle parking exists inside the main gates but the museum asks cyclists to keep bikes secure.
Quiet streets and Cycle ways around BloomsburyChoose rear streets to avoid busier A roads. The local Cycle ways route through Bloomsbury links midtown attractions. Riding early avoids commuter traffic and crowded pavements.
Santander Cycles docks near the museumA docking station sits near the corner of Great Russell Street and Montague Street. Hire a bike for short trips, and then return it to any public dock. Payment uses card and app for quick access.
Bike parking and security tipsLock frame and wheels to a fixed rack with a strong D lock. Store lights and accessories before you leave the bike. The museum does not accept liability for theft or damage.
Taxis and ride-hail
A black cab can drop you by the main gates on Great Russell Street for straightforward entry. Taxis offer door to door access and step free arrival when needed. Drivers know the local drops.
Ride apps often ask you to meet at a nearby pickup point. Expect higher fares during peak times and events. Tip drivers as you prefer, and prebook a reliable mini cab when you travel with lots of luggage.
Black cab drop off pointsRequest the main entrance drop at Great Russell Street to avoid queues and backstreets. Black cabs can use taxi ranks when available. This gets you close to the security checks and museum doors.
Ride app pick up spots and typical costsSet app pickups on adjacent streets to avoid traffic queues blocking your driver. Costs vary by time of day. Prebooked minicabs are often cheaper but must be licensed and confirmed.
Step free arrivals and assistanceIf you need step free access, ask to be dropped at Montague Place or the museum’s taxi rank on Great Russell Street. Museum staff can assist with mobility needs on arrival.
Driving and parking, read this first
Driving central London brings charges and tight rules. The Congestion Charge and ULEZ apply in central zones during set hours. Expect to pay daily fees if you enter the inner city by car.
Street parking near the museum is limited. Short stay car parks exist but usually need prebooking. For most visitors, public transport or taxis avoid parking headaches and extra charges. View our fleet for comfortable alternatives to driving and skip the parking hassle.
Congestion Charge and ULEZ and timingsThe Congestion Charge currently applies on weekdays and some weekend hours. The ULEZ covers air quality rules for certain vehicles. Check TfL pages for the latest fees and hours before you drive.
Short stay car parks to prebookSeveral nearby car parks offer online prebooking for short stays. Prebooking secures spaces and often reduces cost. Always check height limits and access times, because central area rules change often.
Local restrictions and loading rulesLoading bays, resident permits and delivery windows restrict parking near the museum. Vans and deliveries follow specific hours. Ignoring local rules risks fines and delays to your visit.
Accessibility friendly routes
The museum offers lift access at the Montague Place entrance, and self-operable lifts by the main steps. Staff provide assistance at the front desk for visitors needing help. This makes step free visits manageable.
Plan your route from a bus stop or taxi rank with kerb cuts and ramps for smooth transfers. Blue Badge holders should check local rules for legal stopping and parking locations. Museum staff can advise on arrival.
Step free entrances on Great Russell Street and Montague PlaceThe main entrance has stairs with a wheelchair lift to the side. Montague Place is the recommended step free entrance with easier access to lifts and staff assistance. Check the museum accessibility page first.
Wheelchair friendly paths from nearby bus stopsSeveral bus stops around Great Russell Street have dropped kerbs and short ramped paths to the entrance. Choose the stop closest to Montague Place for the smoothest route.
Blue Badge parking guidanceBlue Badge holders should consult local council pages for exact on street or car park options nearby. Spaces are limited, so contact the museum if you need detailed guidance ahead of arrival.
From airports without the Tube
From Heathrow take the Elizabeth line into central London then walk or bus to the museum. The Elizabeth line reduces transfer time and often avoids tube escalators. Check timetables for weekend works. Opt for a direct minicab from Heathrow to London for a stress-free arrival.
From Gatwick use Thameslink to St Pancras then a short bus or walk. Stansted links to Liverpool Street where buses and taxis cover the last mile. Each airport route gives tube free options for arrivals. Arrange a minicab pickup for heathrow airport transfers for a direct route.
Heathrow via Elizabeth line then walk or busThe Elizabeth line drops near Tottenham Court Road for a short walk to Bloomsbury. It often beats a multi-step tube journey with luggage. Always check service updates before you travel.
Gatwick via Thameslink to St Pancras then bus or walkThameslink trains serve Gatwick and stop at St Pancras for easy connections. From St Pancras you can catch short buses or walk through central streets to the museum gates.
Stansted via Liverpool Street then bus or walkFrom Stansted take the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street and then a bus west toward Great Russell Street. Taxi or ride apps can also finish this route if you prefer.
Smart planning tips
Try to come until noon to avoid the biggest crowd. Main morning of the week. Time can change plans, so move a compact umbrella for sudden rain. Download TFL Go or City Mapper and check the live and walking bus numbers. If data is restricted, store autonomous rows. Have a backup taxi plan for late finishes.
Peak times and weather checks and backupsPeak tourist times cluster around late morning and early afternoon. Rain pushes more people inside galleries. If your first plan fails, use a short bus or taxi to keep your schedule intact. Set up a backup mini booking from the app.
Handy apps and offline mapsApps like TfL Go and City mapper give live routes for buses and National Rail links. Download offline maps and a screenshot of a walking route to avoid delays if your signal drops.
Safety, luggage, coffee stops nearbyLeft luggage services sit near major stations, and many cafes line Great Russell Street for a pre museum coffee. Keep bags light and secure, and use staffed storage for peace of mind.
Final notes, quick checklist before you leave
Carry an Oyster or contactless card. Prefer walking when distances are short. Use buses if you want to avoid Tube stairs and escalators. Prebook taxis when you travel with large luggage. Check Congestion Charge and ULEZ if you plan to drive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Walk, take a bus, hire a Santander Cycle, or use a taxi to Great Russell Street.
New Oxford Street and stops on Great Russell Street and Montague Place are the nearest. Check live bus numbers before you travel.
Yes, use contactless payment or an Oyster card and benefit from fare capping and Hopper fares.
Yes, use the Montague Place entrance for lift access and lower queues on arrival.
Docking stations sit close by, notably near the corner of Great Russell Street and Montague Street. Hire and return where convenient.