In the bustling city of London, it’s not uncommon for a platform switch to take longer than your actual Tube journey. This is certainly the case at Charing Cross Underground station, which has a rather unique history.
Originally, Charing Cross was two separate stations – Trafalgar Square on the Bakerloo line and Strand on the Northern line. However, when the Jubilee line was introduced in the 1970s, the two were linked with new underground passages.
In 1979, the now unified station was rebranded as Charing Cross. Despite Jubilee line services ending in 1999 when the line extended to Stratford, the station’s legacy as a hub continues.
Strand station is no more these days
A change from the Bakerloo to the Northern line at Charing Cross takes a staggering 7 minutes, making it the seventh longest platform change across the entire London Underground network. The station also has six entrances, a nod to its origins as two separate stations.
These can be found in Trafalgar Square, Strand, Villiers Street, Adelaide Street, William IV Street and in the mainline station.
The then-Prince Charles visited Charing Cross Tube station ahead of its new opening in the late 70s
(Image: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Here are the 10 longest interchanges from the Tube:
Paddington – Bakerloo to Hammersmith and City – 15 minutes
Bank – Circle/District to Waterloo and City – 10 minutes
Euston – Northern to Overground – 10 minutes
Shepherds Bush – Central to Overground – 8 minutes
Baker Street – Bakerloo to Circle – 8 minutes
Kings Cross – Circle to Northern – 7 minutes 30 seconds
Charing Cross – Bakerloo to Northern – 7 minutes
Gloucester Road – Circle to Piccadilly – 7 minutes
Moorgate – Circle to Northern – 7 minutes.
Highbury and Islington – Overground to Victoria – 6 minutes
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