Earl's Court

Earl's Court is one of the London Underground's most important junctions, and one that repays understanding before you arrive. The District line splits here into three separate branches: one heads west toward Richmond, one south-west toward Wimbledon, and a third runs the limited shuttle service toward Kensington Olympia. The Piccadilly line also stops here, giving access to its own western branches toward Heathrow and Uxbridge. Understanding which District line branch your train is on before boarding here is essential - checking the front of the train or the platform indicator is not optional at this station.

The station itself is an extensive, partly open-air complex - one of the largest on the network in terms of physical footprint, with overhead glass-canopied platforms and a complicated interchange layout between the District and Piccadilly line sections. It opened in 1871 and the Victorian bones of the station are still visible in some of its structure.

The Earl's Court area has changed significantly since the demolition of the exhibition centre in 2014. The 77-acre site that housed the Earl's Court Exhibition Centre is undergoing large-scale residential and commercial redevelopment. The surrounding neighbourhood retains a cosmopolitan character with a good range of hotels, independent restaurants and the Brompton Cemetery (one of the Magnificent Seven Victorian garden cemeteries) a short walk east.

Station Overview

Earl's Court opened in 1871 and sits on the boundary of Zones 1 and 2. It is served by the District and Piccadilly lines and is step-free on the District line platforms. It is the critical junction point where the District line splits into three western branches.

Lines and Connectivity

The District line (green) operates three branches from Earl's Court: westbound to Richmond (District line Richmond branch), south-west to Wimbledon (District line Wimbledon branch), and a limited shuttle service to Kensington Olympia. Eastbound District line trains head toward Fulham Broadway, Parsons Green and central London.

The Piccadilly line (dark blue) connects north toward Knightsbridge, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park and King's Cross, and west toward Heathrow Airport and Uxbridge. Journey to Heathrow Terminal 2/3 is approximately 40 minutes.

Facilities

Earl's Court has toilets, ATMs, shops and an information point. The surrounding area has hotels, cafes and restaurants within a short walk.

Accessibility

Step-free access is available on the District line platforms. The Piccadilly line section of the station has stairs. Check TfL accessibility maps for the specific platform access requirements for your journey.

Travel Tips

• Always check the destination indicator or front of the train at Earl's Court - Richmond, Wimbledon and Olympia are three separate District line branches heading in different directions
• For Heathrow Airport, the Piccadilly line from Earl's Court is a direct service with no change required - approximately 40 minutes to Terminal 2/3
• Brompton Cemetery (15 minutes walk east) is one of the Victorian "Magnificent Seven" garden cemeteries - free, peaceful and architecturally impressive
• Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge is a 15-minute walk or short bus ride east on the Fulham Road

Nearby Attractions

Brompton Cemetery - 15 minutes walk east. One of London's finest Victorian garden cemeteries, with notable graves and beautiful landscaping. Free entry.

Chelsea FC (Stamford Bridge) - 15 minutes walk east. Home stadium of Chelsea Football Club. Stadium tours available on non-match days.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Earl's Court is busy throughout the day as a two-line interchange. Rush hours 08:00-09:30 and 17:30-19:30 are the most congested, particularly at the District line platform interchange. Football match days at Stamford Bridge increase pressure on the station.