Hints and tips:
- NEW: You can now download or print a summary travel guide including map for this venue
- Make sure you allow plenty of time to get to the venue and arrive early
- FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2015: If you are travelling to the Opening Ceremony and first match by train this day please note that services from London Waterloo to Twickenham are expected to be exceptionally busy from 16:00. Please consider travelling earlier in the day and enjoying what the area has to offer
- We recommend arriving at least 90 minutes before kick-off and the start of the Opening Ceremony on 18 September, 2015. The Opening Ceremony starts at 18.45, don't miss this spectacular show be in your seats by 18:30
- Visit the Fanzone at Old Deer Park, keep entertained but remember it is a 20 minute walk from the stadium. There is also a spectator plaza at the stadium. Visit these places after the afternoon matches to allow time for crowds to disperse
- If you are travelling longer distances please consider using coach or rail services. National Express coaches and South West Trains are running additional services to Twickenham. Please book your travel ticket as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as services are expected to be very busy. Also try to collect your ticket in advance to save time on the day
- SPECIAL BUS SERVICES: There are other options for getting back into London after a match. Using a shuttle bus to get to Hounslow Central Station where you can pick up the London Underground Piccadilly Line into the heart of central London. There is also a free shuttle bus in operation after each match that goes directly back to London Waterloo station. These may be quicker options than queuing to enter Twickenham Station
- There is no spectator parking at or near the stadium except for blue badge holders so please use the Park & Ride sites available at Kempton Park and Hounslow Civic Centre
- Buy an Oyster card or use your contactless payment card that can be used on most transport options in London and can be used to get to Twickenham station. It is also cheaper than a paper ticket. Remember that London’s buses do not accept cash so please use your Oyster card or other contactless payment card. You will still require a standard train ticket for journeys originating or ending outside of the London zone network. Please check with station staff if you are unsure
- If you live in the area, or are staying locally, then please use walk, cycle or use local buses to get to the stadium
- If you’ve been to the stadium before please double-check your travel arrangements as these are different to a normal event day at the stadium. Remember, the rail service from Waterloo will be busier than for a normal Twickenham match day and it could be difficult to get on trains at other stations such as Vauxhall, Clapham Junction, Putney and Richmond
- Make sure you have any medication you require with you and remember that buggies/prams or large are not permitted into the stadium, and there is no storage facilities at the venue
- Whether you are going to the match, the Fanzone or elsewhere in the area please use our Spectator Journey Planner to find out your best way of getting there. You can also follow us on Twitter @RWC2015Travel for the latest travel advice
- Further information on parking for blue badge holders and other options for those with restricted mobility is available here.
- You can download a map of the local transport arrangements here
How are you getting there?
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Train |
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Car (Park & Ride/Walk) |
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Coach |
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Walking |
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Bicycle |
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Bus |
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Taxi |
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Motorhome / Caravan |
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Air |
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Accessible Transport |
Train
- Nearest Station: Twickenham Station
- Other nearby stations: Richmond, Hounslow Central and Hounslow East Stations. See map for locations
- Trains will be busy on match days so book your tickets as soon as you can and travel early to avoid disappointment. Also try to collect your ticket in advance from a local station to save time on the day
- FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2015: If you are travelling to the Opening Ceremony and first match by train this day please note that services from London Waterloo to Twickenham are expected to be exceptionally busy from 16:00. Please consider travelling earlier in the day and enjoying what the area has to offer. Be in your seats by 18:30 for the Opening Ceremony
- If you are visiting from outside the UK you may find the BritRail pass a great value deal if you are travelling by train over a few days. Further details here
New or special travel arrangements:
- Shuttle buses will run from Richmond Station before the match with a limited service after the match for Richmond residents only. This is due to Richmond Station expected to be exceptionally busy with the Fanzone visitors
- Shuttle buses will run from Hounslow Central station – Piccadilly Line, both before and after the match
- Piccadilly Line shuttle bus: After the match, Twickenham station will be very busy, particularly after those matches with a 20:00 kick-off. Your quickest way to central London could be getting to Hounslow Central station on the free shuttle bus running every five minutes with a journey time of 15 minutes or you could walk (approximately 25 minutes). The Piccadilly Underground Line (running for 3 hours after the match) takes you into central London
- Waterloo shuttle bus: A free shuttle bus from the stadium (to the left of Curries roundabout as you come out of the stadium) direct to London Waterloo takes about 40 minutes so will be quicker overall than using Twickenham station. ONLY available after each match
- Alternatively, when you’re leaving one of the afternoon matches, why not hang out at the Spectator Plaza (at the stadium) or the Old Deer Park Fanzone to let crowds disperse
Extra train services
- Twickenham Station is a 15 minute walk from the stadium and offers services to/from London Waterloo Station (typically 20-50 minute journey time) and other stations such as Reading/Windsor and Eton
- The station will be particularly busy after each match and it could take up to two hours to get onto a train. A queuing system will be in operation after each match and your patience is appreciated while staff work hard to get you on your way
- Richmond Station, with its rail services and London Underground District Line services to central London, is the best option for getting access to the Fanzone at Old Deer Park. It is a five-minute walk away and from there, the stadium is a 30-minute walk away. There will also be a free shuttle bus service from Richmond Station to the stadium three hours BEFORE each match (except for Friday September 18 where it will operate four hours before) and a limited service will run after the match for Richmond residents or those wishing to access Richmond Town Centre and not the station only
- If you are in the area for a few days, remember to buy an Oyster card or use contactless payment card that can be used on most transport options in London. Remember to touch in and out with the same card. Using these types of tickets is cheaper than a paper ticket
- Remember that London buses do not accept cash. You will still require a standard train ticket for journeys originating or ending outside the London zone network
Car (Park & Ride/Walk)
- There is no dedicated spectator car parking at or anywhere near the stadium except for blue badge holders.
- Please don't try to find parking locally, as a permit system will be in place and roads around the stadium will be closed including the A316 between London Road and Hospital Bridge Road
- If you intend to drive, please use these Park & Ride sites:
- Kempton Park Racecourse (postcode TW16 5AQ)
- Hounslow Civic Centre (postcode TW3 4EB) - Park & Ride spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. Please book your space now to avoid disappointment
- Both Park & Rides open five hours before the match (or start of Opening Ceremony) and for three hours after the final whistle. It costs £20 per vehicle
- The free shuttle bus to/from Kempton Park Racecourse runs every 10-20 minutes depending on time of arrival and takes 15- 20 minutes. An enhanced rail service from Kempton Park Station direct to Twickenham is also available and will be free for those using Park & Ride. Make sure you pick up your train ticket from the stewards to access the train when you arrive on the day
- The Hounslow Civic Centre Shuttle runs every five minutes and picks up and drops off at Hounslow Central Station and takes 10 minutes
- All shuttle buses are accessible, however there is a dedicated accessible shuttle for those with reduced mobility running from Kempton Park and dropping off at Palmerston Road only 250m from the stadium
- Several roads around the stadium, including a section of the A316 between London Road and Hospital Bridge Road, will be closed to general traffic for three hours before and during each match. It will remain closed after the event We expect this to be for around two hours however drivers are advised to avoid the area for up to three hours after the match as traffic congestion will take time to disperse
- Why not visit the Fanzone at Old Deer Park or the Spectator Park while you’re in the area. It would be a good way to spend time before the match. But if you do go later in the day don’t forget when the Park & Ride closes
- To save on petrol and reduce the number of cars attending the event have you thought about car sharing – there are a number of good car sharing sites such as www.blablacar.co.uk and www.liftshare.com. Search ‘car sharing’ on line to see which works best for you
Coach
- Please book your coach ticket as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. It’s a good transport alternative to rail and car
- National Express coaches are running direct services to/from Twickenham from a number of UK locations on match days. These services will drop you off a short walk from the stadium, the Spectator Plaza and the Fanzone in the A316 coach park
- Private charter coaches: There is space for charter coaches to park close to the stadium. For all matches except the Final, this is on the A316 (Chertsey Road) near the stadium (Postcode for SatNav is TW1 1ER). Coach parking for the Final is at Kempton Racecourse Park & Ride site (Postcode for SatNav is TW16 5AQ). Spaces are limited and require an access permit. It costs £75 per vehicle. Charter coaches that have not pre-booked will not be able to park nearby. Book here now
Walking
- If you live in or are staying in the area then walking to the stadium will be your best option, particularly after the match, as local transport is expected to be very busy.
- Take the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere including the Fanzone at Old Deer Park. It’s a 30 minute walk from the stadium.
- If you’re walking around the area on match day, look out for our signs to places like the stadium, the Fanzone and the station. The Pack, our friendly volunteers, will also be on hand to help you on your way.
- A walking route will be signed to Hounslow Central and Hounslow East for the Piccadilly Line into central London (approximately 25 minutes). This along with other marked walking routes is shown on the local area map.
Bicycle
- If you live in or are staying in area then cycling to the match could be one of your quickest options.
- Cycle parking is available at Gate F of the stadium.
Bus
- Free Spectator Shuttle Bus: a number of these will operate as on match days as follows:
- Richmond Station-Stadium - Richmond station (15 minutes). Three hours before the match (four hours before the match on Friday September 18) and after the match for Richmond residents and those wanting to access Richmond Town Centre Only. Richmond station is expected to be exceptionally busy with visitors from the nearby Fanzone. This service will be on loop
- Hounslow Central Station - Stadium - Hounslow Central Station (10 minutes). Before and after the match on loop
- Stadium-London Waterloo station (40 minutes). After the match only - Local buses: London has a comprehensive bus network. Local services will be affected by local road closures so check before you travel. Additional information on London buses is available from Transport for London
- If you are in the area for a few days remember to buy an Oyster card or use your contactless payment card. They can be used on most transport options in London. It is also cheaper than buying a paper ticket. Remember that London buses do not accept cash. Further information here
- Plan your journey now
Taxi
- Spectators should advise their drivers to use the dedicated drop off and pick up points for match days. They are a short walk from the stadium. The post-match pick-up point is new and includes a queuing system on London Road or Arragon Road – either side of Twickenham station
- The Taxi drop off and pick up on London Road is right near the accessible shuttle pick up point which will drop people off at Gate D for those requiring assistance to get to the stadium.
- The pick up and drop off locations for taxis are designed to get you to and from the station as quickly as possible. Dropping off/picking up elsewhere will cause delays
- Private Hire Vehicles – should drop passengers off at Cole Road via London Road.
- Several roads around the stadium, including a section of the A316 between London Road and Hospital Bridge Road, will be closed to general traffic for three hours and during each match. They will remain closed after the event. We expect this to be for around two hours however drivers are advised to avoid the area for up to three hours after the match as traffic congestion will take time to disperse
Motorhome / Caravan
- If you need match day parking, motorhomes and caravans can only be parked at the Kempton Park Park & Ride sites.
- There is strictly no overnight parking at these locations.
- If you are looking for a place to stay overnight with your motorhome or caravan, there are a few options for you.
Air
- Nearest Airport: London Heathrow (15 miles away) and London Gatwick (45 miles away)
- Getting between London Gatwick Airport and the stadium by train takes approximately two hours. The journey by taxi can take about 90 minutes
- London Heathrow airport is 20 minutes away by taxi and public transport (bus, train and underground) takes about 40 minutes
- Both airports offer flights to a diverse range of UK and international destinations.
- If you are arriving from outside the UK – make sure you read the helpful leaflet from UK Border Force to ensure your entry into the country is as easy as possible.
Accessible Transport
- There is limited blue badge parking close to the the stadium. Please phone 0800 458 4444 to book. Once booked you will be emailed a vehicle access parking permit which needs to be displayed on the dashboard upon arrival at the car park. The car park is located 10 minutes away from the stadium at Tesco’s car park, is on flat terrain and a wheelchair pushing service will be available to help people arrive at the stadium if required
- Parking is also available at Kempton Park. An accessible shuttle will be available providing transport directly to the stadium dropping off and picking up from Palmerston Road, close to the stadium. It is then less 5 minute walk or 250 metres to the stadium on flat terrain
- If you are travelling into the area by public transport and have restricted mobility please check your options with the relevant transport operator
- Dedicated accessible shuttles will be available from Richmond station (just outside the station) and Twickenham station (top of London road) directly to the Twickenham Stadium dropping and picking up from Gate D for those with restricted mobility
- Richmond station is fully accessible and should be used by wheelchair users for arrivals from Waterloo
- Wheelchair users arriving by train from the West, should use Twickenham station
- A shuttle bus will be available on demand along the A316 coach park to transport people with restricted mobility to and from the stadium
- The Hounslow Central Shuttle to the Piccadilly line is accessible (Hounslow Central station is not accessible)
- Richmond Council and Hounslow Council can also advise on other blue badge parking options around the local area
