Sheet 1 of 11 Ref: 2016F0369 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust May 2016
Travelling to GOSH
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust: Information for Families
Contents
Help our patients to breathe better –––––2
PART 1: HOW TO GET HERE –––––––––––––––2
Walking ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2
Train –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 4
Bus –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5
Tube ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5
Accessibility –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5
Cycling –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5
Taxi ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5
Car –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 6
‘No idling vehicle zone’ at GOSH ––––––––– 6
The Congestion Charge ––––––––––––––––– 6
Parking –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 6
Non-emergency medical transport ––––––11
PART 2: TRAVEL FARES –––––––––––––––––––9
Public Transport in London –––––––––––––– 9
Contactless ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 9
Oyster ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 9
Discounts for children and young people – 9
Railcards ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––10
Disabled Persons Railcard –––––––––––––––10
Family and Friends Railcard –––––––––––––10
Taxicard ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––10
Getting help with travel costs ––––––––––– 10
PART 3: JOURNEY PLANNING TOOLS
AND USEFUL WEBSITES –––––––––––––––– 11
Tools –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––11
Useful telephone numbers and websites –11
This guide gives detailed advice on travelling to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).We
hope it will make it easy for you to work out which is the best way to get here. Part 1 of this
guide gives advice on how to get to the hospital, including advice for those with accessibility
requirements. Part 2 gives details of some of the fare options and reimbursements that can
be used to keep travel costs down. Part 3 lists some of the journey planning tools that are
available, and useful websites and phone numbers.
If you are reading this guide on a computer, you can click on the hyperlinks from the contents
page to take you to the section you need. Where one section references another section, you
can click on the links and it will take you to the relevant section.
Sheet 2 of 11 Ref: 2016F0369 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust May 2016
Help our patients to breathe better
GOSH is located in a very busy part of central London. Air pollution – much of it coming from
vehicle exhaust emissions – poses a health risk to many of our patients, especially those with
respiratory conditions. We therefore ask people to travel the final stage of their journey to
and from the hospital by walking or using public transport, if it is possible. Both of these
options are better for the health of our patients than using cars or taking a taxi, and they
can also be more fun. For those who find it difficult to walk or travel by public transport, we
recommend booking a hybrid minicab (see the section on taxis for telephone numbers for
booking minicabs).
PART 1: HOW TO GET HERE
Walking
Walking is the cheapest – and can be the most
pleasant and fun – way to travel in London.
Two London Underground stations are near
the hospital (Russell Square and Holborn),
and several mainline train stations are within
walking distance (Euston, Kings Cross, St
Pancras). See the maps below showing walking
routes between the stations and hospital
which can be downloaded and printed from
the GOSH website, at www.gosh.nhs.uk.
To find out how to walk to the hospital from
other locations around the city, you can use
the following tools:
Transport for London (TfL) journey planner
www.tfl.gov.uk
Google Maps
www.googlemaps.com
Or Walkit.com, an urban route planning
tool that allows you to search for the least
polluted, and least busy routes.
www.walkit.com
Walking map for Waterloo and
Charing Cross stations
Walking map for Kings Cross/St Pancras
and Euston stations
LEAVE THE CAR
AT HOME
CLEAN AIR HELPS OUR PATIENTS BREATHE BETTER
Sheet 3 of 11 Ref: 2016F0369 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust May 2016
STATION
WALKING
ONLY
TUBE BUS
Mins Route Mins Route Mins
CANNON
STREET
33 mins
Walk to Bank
Central Line to Holborn
Walk to GOSH
7 minutes
30 mins
521 to Holborn station.
Walk to GOSH 7 minutes
28 mins
CHARING
CROSS
24 mins
Northern Line to
Leicester Square
Picadilly Line to
Russell Square
Walk to GOSH 7 minutes
28 mins
91 to Southampton Row.
Walk to GOSH 3 minutes
28 mins
EUSTON 17 mins
Northern/Victoria line
to Kings Cross
Picadilly Line to
Russell Square
Walk to GOSH 7 minutes
26 mins
59/68/168 to
Southampton Row.
Walk to GOSH 3 minutes
20 mins
FARRINGDON 17 mins
Hammersmith & City/
Metropolitan/Circle line
to Kings Cross
Walk to GOSH 17 minutes
30 mins
63 to Mount Pleasant/
Farringdon Road. Change
to 63 to Grays Inn Road/
Theobald’s Road.
Walk to GOSH 3 minutes
34 mins
KING’S
CROSS/
ST PANCRAS
17 mins
Picadilly Line to
Russell Square
Walk to GOSH 7 minutes
22 mins
91 to Southampton Row.
Walk to GOSH 3 minutes
24 mins
LIVERPOOL
STREET
42 mins
Central Line
to Holborn.
Walk to GOSH 7 minutes
26 mins
8 to Holborn station.
Walk to GOSH 7 minutes
40 mins
LONDON
BRIDGE
47 mins
Northern Line to bank.
Central line to Holborn.
Walk to GOSH 7 minutes
33 mins
521 to Holborn station.
Walk to GOSH 7 minutes
39 mins
PADDINGTON 1 hr
Bakerloo to Oxford Circus
Central line to Holborn .
Walk to GOSH 7 minutes
36 mins
205 to Euston.
Walk to GOSH 17 minutes
51 mins
VICTORIA 51 mins
Victoria Line to
Oxford Circus
Central line to Holborn.
Walk to GOSH 7 minutes
31 mins
38 to Red Lion Square
Walk to GOSH 5 minutes
43 mins
WATERLOO 30 mins
Northern Line to
Leicester Square
Picadilly Line to
Russell Square.
Walk to GOSH 7 minutes
29 mins
59/188/68 to Theobald’s
Road/Southampton Row
Walk to GOSH 5 minutes
27 mins
521
91
59
63
91
8
521
205
38
59
Sheet 4 of 11 Ref: 2016F0369 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust May 2016
Train
The train is usually the fastest way to travel into central London.
Assistance for disabled passengers on trains
Rail services are now far more accessible than
they were in the past and many disabled
people are able to use the rail network
without assistance. However, assistance
at stations is still available for disabled
passengers. Train companies can arrange
to have a member of staff meet you at
the stations at either end of your journey,
help you on and off the train and carry any
baggage. It is best to give at least 24 hours’
notice so that they can make arrangements.
For more information and a list of train
operating companies and telephone numbers,
visit: www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_
destinations/disabled_passengers.aspx
Travelling from London mainline
stations to the hospital
The table on page 3 shows you how to get to
the hospital from the stations. The quickest
route from each station is highlighted in
blue. Many of the walking journey times are
comparable with public transport times. All
of the bus routes from the stations are direct
(except Farringdon which requires one change),
and are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
If you are travelling to the hospital from a
different mainline rail station, you can use
Transport for London’s (TfL) journey planner
website (www.tfl.gov.uk) to find out the best
route to the hospital.
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BLOOMSBURY
© Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 100035971/043
© Copyright Transport for London 2013
Sheet 5 of 11 Ref: 2016F0369 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust May 2016
Bus
To plan your journey to GOSH by bus, or to
download bus maps for central London, visit:
www.tfl.gov.uk/buses.
Tube
Two Tube stations are a short walk from
the hospital. Russell Square is the nearest (7
minutes walk) and is on the Piccadilly line,
which offers links with Kings Cross station.
Holborn (7 minutes walk) is on the Piccadilly
line and Central line, offering links with
Kings Cross and Liverpool Street stations.
See the section on walking in this guide for
information on getting from the Tube stations
to the hospital.
The best way to plan your journey using the
Tube is to go to the TfL website: www.tfl.gov.uk.
Accessibility
Russell Square and Holborn Tube stations
are not step-free. The TfL website
(www.tfl.gov.uk) allows you to add accessibility
requirements when searching
for routes to the hospital.
n TfL has also produced a ‘step-free Tube
map’, which highlights the stations on the
underground network that have step-free
access from the street to the platform. This
can be accessed at: https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/
static/cms/documents/step-free-tube-guide-
map.pdf.
Please note: Wheelchair users may still require
a ramp or assistance to get on the train, even
if the station is step-free.
Cycling
Many of our visitors choose to cycle to the
hospital. If you are planning to cycle to GOSH,
please visit the TfL website at www.tfl.gov.uk/
modes/cycling where you can plan your route.
There are cycle racks on Queen Square, Great
Ormond Street (Lamb’s Conduit end of the
street) and Guilford Street.
You can hire bikes in London from as little as
£2 per journey, using Santander Cycles. There
are docking stations all over central London,
and all you need is a bank card to get started.
You do not have to book in advance. The
nearest docking station to the hospital is on
Guilford Street. You can search for docking
stations on the TfL website, at www.tfl.gov.uk/
modes/cycling/santander-cycles?intcmp=2295.
Taxi
Why hybrid and electric taxis
are better for our patients
Petrol and diesel fuels release pollutants
that are harmful to many of our
patients, especially those with breathing
conditions. Hybrid minicabs have a
battery as well as an engine, so do not
release as much pollution as a regular
car or cab. When ordering a minicab to
bring you to the hospital, please ask for a
hybrid (they are the same price), and help
our patients to breathe better.
The following minicab companies in London
can send a hybrid or electric minicab to pick
you up or drop you off at the hospital.
n Thriev: 020 3388 8000
(www.thriev.com/book)
n Green Tomato Cars: 020 8568 0022
(www.greentomatocars.com/uk)
n Yellow Cars: 020 7700 1111
(www.yellowcarslondon.co.uk)
When leaving the hospital, minicabs can
be ordered from the Infopoint phone in
the hospital, which is located between the
reception and the main entrance doors.
A small number of electric black cabs (which
you can hail in the street) are now operating
in London, but most still have diesel or
petrol engines.
TAKE A LOW
EMISSION CAB
CLEAN AIR HELPS OUR PATIENTS BREATHE BETTER
Sheet 6 of 11 Ref: 2016F0369 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust May 2016
Car
Driving in central London can be stressful and
unreliable, and parking in nearby streets is
both scarce and expensive. You will also need
to pay the congestion charge to enter central
London. Please note there is no official drop-
off and pick-up area at the hospital.
Pollution levels (of nitrogen dioxide) in
Central London are worse than in any other
capital city in Europe. Petrol and diesel fuels
release pollutants that are harmful to many of
our patients – especially those with breathing
conditions. We therefore encourage patients
to travel to the hospital by public transport or
by walking where possible.
The address for the hospital is:
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street
London WC1N 3JH
‘Clean Air Zone’ at GOSH – helping
our patients to breathe better
Great Ormond Street is a Clean Air Zone. This
means that drivers should not leave their
engines running for longer than one minute
while waiting outside the hospital.
The Congestion Charge
If you come to GOSH by car, you will have
to pay a charge to drive within the central
London Congestion Charging zone between
7am and 6pm on weekdays (excluding bank
and public holidays). There are a number of
exemptions and discounts for certain vehicles
or vehicle users, for instance disabled badge
holders who are registered with Transport
for London and vehicles that are classified as
ultra low emission. See this website for more
information: www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/
congestion-charge/discounts-and-exemptions
To pay the Congestion Charge or to register
for a discount before you travel visit: www.tfl.
gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge
T: 0343 222 2222.
You can also use the infopoint free phone
near the main reception desk.
Parking
Parking is expensive in central London and
parking spaces near the hospital can be hard
to come by. Some of the options for parking
your car near GOSH:
n Use a pay and display machine to park on
the street;
n Park on the street if you have a disabled
badge;
DON’T LEAVE YOUR ENGINE RUNNING
OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL
CLEAN AIR HELPS OUR PATIENTS BREATHE BETTER
Sheet 7 of 11 Ref: 2016F0369 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust May 2016
n Park in one of the various commercial car
parks in the local area;
n Use a parking permit issued by GOSH if
eligible.
These options are explained in more detail in
the next sections.
Traffic wardens patrol the area around
the hospital regularly. Parking incorrectly
can lead to a parking ticket and possibly
the towing away of your car. The hospital
cannot be held liable for any problems or
expenses caused by incorrect parking.
Pay and display machines
There are pay and display bays on Great
Ormond Street, Queen Square and Boswell
Street, all of which allow a maximum stay of
two hours. They charge on a basis of a two-
minute period so can be quite expensive.
Please allow plenty of time to find a parking
space – spaces are few and far between, and
many of the streets in the area are one-way.
Disabled badge holders
If you have a disabled ‘Blue Badge’, you can
park in resident parking bays, pay and display
spaces or at parking meters free of charge
and without a time limit. You can also park
on single yellow lines for a maximum of three
hours (this only applies in the immediate area
of the hospital). Please put your disabled badge
clearly on your dashboard and, if parking on
a single yellow line, display the time of your
arrival. Please refer to the following website:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-
blue-badge-scheme-rights-and-responsibilities-
in-england for details of Blue Badge Scheme
rights and responsibilities in England.
Commercial car parks
There are three NCP car parks in the area
surrounding GOSH: at the Imperial Hotel on
Russell Square, under Bloomsbury Square and
under the Brunswick Centre. It is possible to
park there all day or for longer, although
parking is usually chargeable by the hour.
For details about these car parks and their
charges: www.ncp.co.uk
T: 0345 050 70 80.
GOSH parking permits
For parents travelling by car, we may be able
to provide a parking permit for a few hours for
the day of their child’s appointment, admission
or discharge. Parents of children in intensive
care are eligible for a parking permit for up
to three days in succession. The permit allows
you to park on a single yellow line on Guilford
Street only. Spaces are limited, are offered
on a first come first served basis, and we
cannot guarantee a space through issuing
a permit. Parking elsewhere will make
the permit invalid and put you at risk of
getting a parking ticket.
Please visit the main reception desk to
collect your parking permit. You will need to
bring your appointment or admission letter
and your car registration number. Once you
have the permit, please display it clearly on
your dashboard.
Parking tickets (penalty notice)
Please read the parking notices on the
street signs carefully when parking near the
hospital, to check whether you are allowed to
park there and for how long.
You are at risk of getting a parking ticket if:
n you do not move your car within the period
paid at the pay and display machine or you
have exceeded the two-hour maximum;
n you have displayed your disabled badge
and are parked on a single yellow line but
have stayed longer than the three hours
allowed;
n you have displayed a parking permit from
GOSH but have parked somewhere other
than on a single yellow line on Guilford
Street;
n you have not displayed your pay and display
ticket, disabled badge or parking permit
clearly on the dashboard.
If you receive a parking ticket, you can:
n accept that the ticket is issued correctly and
pay the fine; or
n dispute the issuing of the ticket and not pay
the fine until you receive a response from
the council.
Sheet 8 of 11 Ref: 2016F0369 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust May 2016
Please note that you cannot pay the fine and
then appeal against it afterwards. By paying
the fine you are accepting that it was issued
correctly. If you choose to appeal against the
parking ticket, you visit the London Borough
of Camden website at: www.camden.gov.uk/
ccm/content/transport-and-streets/parking/
penalty-charge-notices/challenge-a-pcn
Or write to:
Camden Parking Services
PO Box 2014
Pershore WR10 9BF
Non-emergency
patient transport
Some patients may be eligible for non-
emergency patient transport. If you are
eligible for non-emergency medical transport,
or if you have any questions about non-
emergency medical transport, please contact
the Transport Office at GOSH on 020 7405
9200 ext 1625 or read our Patient transport
explained information sheet available at
www.gosh.nhs.uk/parents-and-visitors/
directions-map-and-parking
Sheet 9 of 11 Ref: 2016F0369 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust May 2016
PART 2: TRAVEL FARES
Public Transport in London
The cheapest and easiest way to travel
on public transport in London is to use a
contactless payment card (issued by many
banks) or an Oyster card. Paying for a paper
ticket can be several times more expensive than
using these methods. Buses in London are now
entirely cash-free, so use of a contactless card,
Oyster card, or a previously-purchased paper
travelcard is necessary.
Contactless
You can use contactless payment cards
to travel on the Tube, tram, DLR, London
Overground and most National Rail services in
London, as well as on buses. There is no need
for a PIN or signature, just touch your card
on the yellow card reader at the barriers (for
the Underground), or near the driver (for the
bus). The correct amount will automatically
be deducted from your account. The most
you will be charged in one day is the cost of a
daily travel card.
For more information on using payment cards
see the TfL website: www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-
payments/contactless/what-is-contactless
Oyster
Oyster is a transport smartcard that is capable
of holding pay as you go credit. You must
purchase an Oyster card and top it up with
some credit before use. You can do this at
any London Underground ticket office, many
National Rail ticket offices and some local
shops. Oyster can be used to travel on bus,
Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and
most National Rail services.
Again, when you travel, just touch your card
on the yellow card reader at the barriers (for
the Underground), or near the driver (for the
bus). The correct amount will automatically
be deducted from your account, up to the
maximum cost of a daily travel card.
For more information, visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/
fares-and-payments/oyster
Discounts for children and young people
(under 16s)
There are various discounts for children and
young people using public transport within
the London area. Check this website for the
latest terms and conditions.
http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/help/travelling-
with-children
In brief, at the time of writing:
n Children under five years old travel free at
any time on the bus, the Tube, DLR and trams
as long as an adult with a valid ticket, Oyster
Card or Freedom Pass, accompanies them.
n Children aged between five and 11 years
old can travel free at any time on buses and
trams. They can also travel free on the Tube,
DLR or London Overground at any time as
long as an adult with a valid ticket, Visitor
Oyster Card, Travelcard ticket or Freedom
Pass, accompanies them.
n Children aged 11 to 15 years old can get
an 11-15 Oyster photocard and travel free
on buses and trams, and at the pay as
you go rate on the Tube, DLR and London
Overground.
More information about Oyster photocards is
available at www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/terms-
and-conditions/oyster/11-15-zip-oyster-card.
Sheet 10 of 11 Ref: 2016F0369 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust May 2016
Railcards
Disabled Persons Railcard
This card entitles you to one third off most
rail fares in the UK for you and one person
travelling with you. It costs £20 for 12 months
and £54 for three years.
You may qualify if you:
n Are registered as visually impaired;
n Are registered as deaf or use a hearing aid;
n Have epilepsy; or
n Receive disability-related benefits, including
Personal Independence Payments.
For more information:
www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk.
T: 0345 605 0525
Minicom/Textphone: 0345 601 0132
Family and Friends Railcard
Please note:
n This card enables you to buy discounted rail
tickets for up to 4 adults when travelling
with up to 4 children aged 5 to 15 when
travelling together;
n Discounts are 1/3 off for adults and 60% off
for kids on most rail fares;
n Time restrictions apply, so call 08457 48 49
50 before you travel; and
n The railcard costs £30 for a year.
Children under five travel free on all trains
when accompanied by an adult, and each
adult can take two under fives with them. If
the only child travelling is under five, you will
need to buy them a discounted ticket to get
the discount on the adult fare as well.
For full terms and conditions and to apply:
www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk
T: 0345 3000 250
Taxicard
Taxicard offers subsidised travel in licensed
taxis and private hire vehicles to London
residents with serious mobility impairments or
who are severely sight impaired.
For more details:
www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/taxicard
T: 020 7934 9791
E: [email protected].uk
Getting help
with travel costs
If you receive benefits such as income support,
you can get help with your costs to and from
hospital. This can be for admission, discharge
and appointments, for the patient and one
parent or carer only. Travel costs for another
adult will only be reimbursed if they are needed
to accompany the patient for medical reasons.
The benefits included are:
n Income support or pension credit;
n Income-based job seeker’s allowance;
n Working tax credit or child tax credit if you
earn less than £15,050 per year (HC1, HC2 or
HC3 certificates available from job centres
or social work departments); or
n Disability working allowance.
If you are unsure whether you are entitled to
help with travel costs, you should fill in the
HC1 form. NHS Business Services Authority will
assess your household income and you may
then be eligible for help with transport costs.
The amount we can reimburse depends on
how you travel:
n We can reimburse the cost of the least
expensive form of public transport (trains,
the Tube, buses and trams). Please buy your
tickets in advance where possible to get the
best value.
n We cannot reimburse you for taxi journeys.
n Please discuss air travel with the transport
office in advance.
n We will reimburse you for 14p per mile for
driving between your postcode and the
hospital.
Sheet 11 of 11 Ref: 2016F0369 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust May 2016
PART 3: JOURNEY PLANNING TOOLS
AND USEFUL WEBSITES
Tools
Walking to the hospital
www.walkit.com or www.google.co.uk/maps
Taking the train
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Using London public transport
www.tfl.gov.uk
Driving
www.googlemaps.com
Useful telephone numbers
and websites
Transport for London (TfL)
T: 0343 222 1234
Textphone: 0800 112 3456
www.tfl.gov.uk
National Rail Enquiries
T: 08457 48 49 50
Textphone: 0845 60 50 600
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Transport Office at GOSH
T: 020 7405 9200 ext 1625
National Car Parks
www.ncp.co.uk
T: 0345 050 70 80
London Congestion Charge
www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-
charge
T: 0343 222 2222.
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
NHS Trust
Great Ormond Street
London WC1N 3JH
Compiled by the Patient Advice and Liaison Service and Transport Office, in collaboration with the Child and
Family Information Group. This second edition was produced by Cool World Consulting C.I.C. as part of the
Cleaner Air for Great Ormond Street project.
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH
www.gosh.nhs.uk
