Victoria Coach Station Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

As the economic and political capital of the UK, London sits at the very heart of the nation’s transit network. As well as the famous London Underground, the city is also served by a multitude of train and bus lines. Many of these buses, or coaches as long-distance bus services are called in the UK, terminate at Victoria Coach Station.

Opened in 1932, Victoria Coach Station serves 14 million passengers per year. With connections to Victoria Train Station and Victoria Underground Station, it’s an integral part of the capital’s transit network and the gateway to the city for many visitors from throughout the UK and beyond. Drop off your bags at a luggage storage service near Victoria Coach Station and start enjoying your trip to London.

Victoria Coach Station bag policy

As a busy bus station, Victoria Coach Station welcomes lots of passengers with heavy bags. There are no strict limits on the size or number of bags you can carry with you, but you will find yourself limited by baggage rules on the train or bus that brought you to the station. Note that any bags left unattended will be scanned with x-ray equipment. Victoria Coach Station does have a lost and found for abandoned bags that have been determined to be safe, and you will be charged a storage fee before your bags will be released to you.

The best thing to do is drop off your bags at a suitcase storage near Victoria Station. That way, no matter how many bags you have or how long you need them looked after for, you can rest assured knowing they are safe.

Victoria Coach Station food policy

Victoria Coach Station doesn’t have a strict policy regarding food. In fact, the station is home to a variety of food outlets, many of which are based on take-out for people in a hurry to catch a train. As a result, you can eat in most places in the train station. Just make sure you don’t litter.

If you’re in a hurry, you’ll find grab-and-go food outlets such as Pret a Manger, Burger King, McDonald’s, and WH Smith inside the station. Upstairs, there’s also a pub where you can enjoy a more leisurely meal. Nearby, you’ll find restaurants such as Delice de France and Treats Cafe where you can get a sitdown meal.

Victoria Coach Station camera policy

Cameras are allowed in Victoria Coach Station. However, don’t try to set up a tripod in the middle of the busy station concourse, or you will be asked to remove it. Also, be mindful of photo etiquette. It’s best to ask people before taking their photo and be careful about taking photos of security personnel. If you have a lot of bulky camera equipment, the best thing to do is drop it off at a luggage locker near Victoria station. That way, it will stay safe until you pick it up again.

Victoria Coach Station rules

• Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside Victoria Coach Station.
• Although you can purchase alcohol in the station, public intoxication or offensive behavior can lead to you being thrown out.
• Observe lineup etiquette. British people are masters of the queue, and failing to wait your turn anywhere in the station will result in eye-rolling, irritated tutting, or worse.
• Victoria Train Station is attached to the coach station and operates trains throughout the South of the country. In particular, it is the home of the Gatwick Express, a train that runs to one of the UK’s main airports.
• Victoria Coach Station is also served by Victoria Underground Station, which is just across the street from the coach station. The Victoria line connects to the capital’s extensive subway system.

Victoria Coach Station lockers

For many people, Victoria Coach Station is their first glimpse of London. And just like much of the rest of the capital, it’s a big and bustling place. The station has lots of services to offer travelers, and it’s only a short walk to some of the capital’s most interesting sites, including the home of the Queen, Buckingham Palace.

From Victoria Coach Station, you can begin exploring what London has to offer right away. You won’t want to do that with heavy bags. Drop off anything you don’t need at a luggage storage near Victoria Coach Station, and the City of London will be yours to explore.