Skip to main content

Leicester Square Underground Station - Alighting and Transferring from the Northern Line

Cranbourn Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 0AP

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Summary - Alighting/Transferring (the Northern Line)

  • Exit Route Summary View
    • This access guide details the route from the Northern line platforms to the ticket hall.
    • Route 1 sections in this access guide describe the journey from the Northern line to the station exits.
      The approximate distance of this route is 60 metres (not including steps and escalators).
      There is stepped access from both Northern line platforms to the lower concourse.
      There is then escalator access up to the ticket hall.
      There are then 4 exits from the ticket hall up to street level, all of which have stepped access.
    • This access guide also details the transfer routes to the Piccadilly line platforms.
      Northern line southbound platform 3 has a link passage to Piccadilly westbound platform 2.
      This is described in the route 2 section below.
      Northern line northbound platform 4 has a link passage to Piccadilly line westbound platform 1.
      This is described in the route 3 section below.
    • The link passages between the Northern line platforms and the Piccadilly line platforms have steps at both ends.
  • Distance(s) for Exiting and Transferring View
    • The shortest distance (via steps and escalators) to all station exits from the Northern line platforms is approximately 60m.
    • The shortest distance (via steps) to the Piccadilly line from the Northern line is approximately 50m.

Platform(s) (Route 1 - Exiting the Station - Alight Train onto Platform)

  • Platform Information View
    • This is a curved platform.
    • The platform is flat throughout its length.
    • There are tactile markings along the platform edge, throughout its length.
    • The edge of the platform is clearly marked.
    • The maximum gap between the platform and train when boarding/alighting is 24cm.
    • There are tube maps, Northern line maps and digital display(s) for train times on this platform.
    • Signage on this platform includes; directional to other lines and directional to way out.
    • Announcements on this platform are audio and visual.
    • There are 3 help points on this platform.
    • The help points are fitted with hearing loop systems.
    • The height of the buttons at the help point(s) are; 102cm (emergency) and 110cm (information).
    • There is fixed bench seating with armrests on this platform.
    • The height of the seating is 41cm.
    • The width of the majority of seats is 48cm.
    • The colour contrast for the seating is good.
    • Perch seating is not available on this platform.
    • The colour contrast between the wall and platform is fair.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Access from the Platform View
    • There is/are 6 exit point(s) from this platform.

Platform Exit (Route 1 - Exiting the Station - Leave Platform, Follow Steps and Passage to Lower Concourse)

  • Exit View
    • The information in this section is for the northbound platform 4.
      If alighting on the southbound platform use the exit 3rd from the left as you alight the train as it joins with this one at the foot of the steps.
      At the top of the steps turn left and follow the passage until you reach the lower concourse area.
      All exits from this platform have stepped access.
    • This information is for the exit located 3rd from the right as you alight the train.
    • This exit is signed with 'Way out'.
    • There is stepped access at this exit.
    • There is an open gap to exit.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located immediately beyond the exit, to the right.
    • There is/are 20 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.

Concourse (Route 1 - Exiting the Station - Reach the Concourse and Turn Right Towards Escalators)

  • Access View
    • There is level access throughout this concourse area.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • There are Northern line maps and Piccadilly line maps in this concourse area.
    • Signage in this concourse area includes; TFL/tourist directional, directional to exits and directional to lines .
  • Other Features and Facilities View
    • There is 1 help point in this concourse area.
    • The help point is fitted with a hearing loop system.
    • The height of the buttons at the help point(s) are; 110cm (emergency) and 100cm (information).
    • Announcements in this concourse area are audio.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor in this concourse area is poor.
    • Seating is not available in this concourse area.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Escalator(s) (Route 1 - Exiting the Station - Take the Escalator up to the Ticket Hall)

  • Escalator(s) View
    • Escalators can be used to access other floors.
    • The escalator(s) is/are located between the main station concourse and the Northern line concourse.
    • The escalator(s) is/are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The escalators have overhead signage for TFL Tourist Information and Way out.
    • The escalators go both up and down.
    • The escalator(s) steps are not clearly marked.
    • The foot and head of the escalator(s) are clearly marked.
    • The lighting levels at the escalator(s) are moderate to good.

Ticket Hall (Route 1 - Exiting the Station - Pass Through the Barriers into the Ticket Hall)

  • Ticket Hall Access and Barriers View
    • The ticket hall is located at the top of the escalators, after the barriers.
    • There is level access throughout the ticket hall.
    • There are fixed columns throughout the ticket hall.
      The flooring is tiled.
      There are several retail outlets on the concourse; Theatre Ticket Office, Sandwich Bar, Costa Takeaway and Lola's Cupcakes.
    • The width of the standard barriers is 50cm.
    • The ticket slot heights for the standard barriers are 94cm (insert ticket) and 100cm (remove ticket).
    • The Oyster card reader height is 104cm for the standard barriers.
    • The width of the wider access barriers is 110cm.
    • The ticket slot heights for the wider access barriers are 91cm (insert ticket) and 103cm (remove ticket).
    • The Oyster card reader height is 100cm for the wider access barriers.
    • Staff are available to provide assistance at the barriers.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • There are tube maps, tube and rail maps, TFL maps, service update screens, digital display(s) for train times and bus route maps in the ticket hall.
    • Signage in the ticket hall includes; directional to lines, directional to exits and TFL/tourist directional.
  • Other Features and Facilities View
    • There is 1 help point in this concourse area.
    • The help point is fitted with a hearing loop system.
    • The height of the buttons at the help point(s) are; 110cm (emergency) and 102cm (information).
    • The Oyster machine controls/screen heights vary between 80cm and 130cm.
    • The ATM controls/screen heights vary between 95cm and 130cm.
    • Announcements in the ticket hall are audio.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor in the ticket hall fair.
    • Seating is not available in this ticket hall.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Station Exit Summary (Route 1 - Exiting the Station - Take an Exit up to Street Level)

Route 2 - Transfer - Northern Line Southbound Platform 3 to Piccadilly Eastbound Platform 2

  • The approximate distance of this route is 50 metres (not including steps).
  • This route includes; 20 steps and then 21 more steps.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • Step 1 - Alight the train, then leave the platform via the exit at the head of the platform which is signed for the Piccadilly line.
  • Step 2 – Go down the steps, turn left and follow the passage for approximately 24 metres.
  • Step 3 – Turn left and go down the steps to the platform.
  • If you need the Piccadilly westbound platform 1 there is a short link passage on the right-hand side after 3 metres.

Route 3 - Transfer - Northern Line Northbound Platform 4 to Piccadilly Westbound Platform 1

  • The approximate distance of this route is 65 metres (not including steps).
  • This route includes; 20 steps and then a slight to steep slope and 14 more steps.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The sloped corridor has handrails on both sides.
  • Step 1 - Alight the train, then leave the platform via the exit at the tail end of the platform which is signed for the Piccadilly line.
  • Step 2 – Go down the steps, turn left and follow the passage.
  • Step 3 – Turn right and then left down the sloped corridor.
  • Step 4 – Go down the steps to the platform.
  • If you need the Piccadilly eastbound platform 2 there is a short link passage on the left-hand side after 15 metres.

Station Exit (Exit 1 - Charing Cross Road, National Galleries)

  • Exit Point View
    • This information is for the exit located off the ticket hall.
    • This exit is signed with 'Way Out, Exit 1, Charing Cross Road, National Galleries'.
    • There is stepped access at this exit.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located off the main station concourse.
    • There is/are 29 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides and in the centre.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • The staircase is split into two sets of 11 steps and 18 steps.
    • There is a landing between the two flights of stairs.

Station Exit (Exit 2 - Leicester Square, Chinatown)

  • Exit Point View
    • This information is for the exit located off the ticket hall.
    • This exit is signed with 'Way Out, Exit 2, Leicester Square, Chinatown'.
    • There is stepped access at this exit.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located off the ticket hall, leading up to the exit.
    • There is/are 31 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides and in the centre.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • The staircase is split into two sets of 24 steps and 7 steps.
    • There is a landing between the two flights of stairs.

Station Exit (Exit 3 - Cambridge Circus)

  • Exit Point View
    • This information is for the exit located off the ticket hall.
    • This exit is signed with 'Cambridge Circus, Way Out, Exits 3 and 4, Cranbourn Street, Covent Garden'.
    • There is stepped access at this exit.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located off the main station concourse.
    • There is/are 32 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides and in the centre.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • The staircase is split into two sets of 20 steps and 12 steps.
    • There is a landing between the two flights of stairs.

Station Exit (Exit 4 - Cranbourn Street)

  • Exit Point View
    • This information is for the exit located off the ticket hall.
    • This exit is signed with 'Cambridge Circus, Way Out, Exits 3 and 4, Cranbourn Street, Covent Garden'.
    • There is stepped access at this exit.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located off the main station concourse.
    • There is/are 30 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides and in the centre.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • The staircase is split into two sets of 18 steps and 12 steps.
    • There is a landing between the two flights of stairs.