How to Reach the LIYSF Halls in London: Airport and Underground Travel Guide for Students

After a long flight, the last thing a student wants is to get lost in a big, unfamiliar city. For the hundreds of young people who travel to London each summer for the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF), a little planning goes a long way.

This guide explains how to reach the LIYSF Halls of residence in South Kensington: the nearest Underground stations, the best ways to travel from Heathrow and other airports, and simple walking directions to each Hall.

Quick Overview: The Three Halls

The main LIYSF events take place at Imperial College London and the Royal Geographical Society, both close to South Kensington station.

Arriving at Heathrow Airport

Most international students fly into Heathrow. On arrival day, an LIYSF staff member waits in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall to help students. There are several ways to get from Heathrow to the Halls:

Option 1: Piccadilly Line (cheapest and easiest)

• Follow the signs to the Underground and take the Piccadilly Line towards central London.
• Stay on the train until South Kensington or Gloucester Road, depending on your Hall.
• The journey is about 15 stops and takes around 40 to 45 minutes. Trains run every 5 to 10 minutes.
• A single fare to central London is about £6. Simply tap in and out with the same contactless card, or buy a ticket at the station.
• Heathrow has three Underground stations (Terminals 1–3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5), all in Travelcard Zone 6.

Tip: LIYSF advises students not to take a regular overground train or the Heathrow Express (about £25 single at peak times) when heading to the Halls.

Getting from Terminal 3 to the Underground

Leave the building and follow the train signs to the right. Cross the open area towards the Virgin Atlantic side without going back inside. Take the outdoor lifts marked “trains” down to level -1, then follow the signs and tunnels to the Underground. Keep going straight and do not turn off towards the Heathrow Express.

Option 2: Elizabeth Line

The Elizabeth Line is fast, but you have to change at Paddington onto the Circle Line. The total cost is about £15, and there are many stairs at Paddington, so LIYSF does not recommend it for first-time visitors to London.

Option 3: Uber or taxi

An Uber from Heathrow costs around £50, depending on the day and time. Sharing a ride with other LIYSF students can bring the cost down.

Option 4: LIYSF private transfer

• Book through LIYSF by 1 July and pay in advance.
• Cost: £110 per car from Heathrow or £155 per car from Gatwick.
• A driver holding a name board meets you at the arrivals meeting point and takes you straight to your Hall in South Kensington.
• For groups, LIYSF can also arrange MPVs, minibuses or full-size coaches.

Heathrow Underground times

• Heathrow to London: first train 05:12, last train 23:48
• London to Heathrow: first train 05:47, last train 00:32

Arriving at Other London Airports

If you land at Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, London City or Southend, check the Transport for London (TfL) route from your airport into central London. Then take the Underground to your Hall’s nearest station, such as High Street Kensington for the Yellow Halls.

Walking Directions to Each Hall

Blue Halls – from South Kensington station

1. After the ticket barriers, turn right into the museum subway and follow it for about 8 minutes.
2. At the exit, turn left and walk up Exhibition Road for about 3 minutes, passing Imperial College.
3. Turn left onto Prince Consort Road and walk about 3 minutes to the steps by the Royal Albert Hall.
4. Go up the steps and turn left. Queen Alexandra’s House is the large red-brick 19th-century building on the corner, with its entrance up a few steps on the left.

Red Halls – from Gloucester Road station

1. Leave the barriers and turn left onto Gloucester Road, passing Boots on your left.
2. Cross Cromwell Road carefully and keep walking for about 7 minutes.
3. Use the first zebra crossing to move to the right-hand side of the road.
4. Take the fourth right onto Queen’s Gate Terrace.
5. Metrogate House is the last building on the right, with steps up to the entrance just before the corner.

Yellow Halls – from High Street Kensington station (about 4 minutes)

1. Leave the station, turn left and take the first arcade exit before Boots.
2. Turn left and follow the path through a small park to the Copthorne Tara Hotel.
3. Alternative route: walk through the arcade, turn left onto Wrights Lane to the Holiday Inn, then left onto Scarsdale Place. The hotel entrance is on the right, under the glass atrium.

Yellow Halls – from Gloucester Road station (about 15 minutes)

1. Leave the station, turn left to Cromwell Road and turn left again.
2. Walk for about 8 minutes, passing Waitrose, the Marriott, Sainsbury’s and Argos.
3. Cross to the right-hand side of the road at a pedestrian crossing.
4. Pass the Bupa Cromwell Hospital on your right, then turn right onto Marloes Road by the building covered in green ivy.
5. Continue for about 5 minutes as the road curves right into Cheniston Gardens.
6. Keep straight on, passing the Holiday Inn on your right. The Copthorne Tara Hotel is just ahead.

Top Travel Tips for LIYSF Students

• Know your Hall and its nearest station before you fly.
• Use contactless for the Underground, and tap in and out with the same card.
• Look for the LIYSF staff member in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall if you arrive at Heathrow on arrival day.
• Book a private transfer by 1 July if you want to be driven straight to your Hall.
• Share a taxi with other LIYSF students to save money.
• Fares and times can change, so check the latest information from TfL and your airport before you travel.

Final Thoughts

Getting to the LIYSF Halls is easier than it looks. From Heathrow, the Piccadilly Line takes you almost to the door. Clear walking routes lead from South Kensington, Gloucester Road and High Street Kensington stations to each Hall. With a little preparation, students can arrive relaxed and ready to start two unforgettable weeks of science in London.

For the latest travel details, visit the official LIYSF Directions to Halls page.