Ealing Broadway Station, London
Ealing Broadway Station is a major railway and underground interchange in west London, located in the London Borough of Ealing. It serves both the London Underground and the Elizabeth Line, making it a key gateway between the suburbs and central London.
Location and Layout
The station is situated on The Broadway (part of the A4020), at the western end of Ealing town centre. It features a ground-level ticket hall with entrances on The Broadway and Haven Green. The main entrance building houses ticket machines, a newsagent, and other retail units. The station opens out onto the green space of Haven Green, a popular local landmark.
History and Naming
Ealing Broadway Station opened on 1 October 1838 as part of the Great Western Railway (GWR) network. It was initially a terminus until extensions pushed further west. The Central Line services were introduced in 1920, followed by the District Line. The name “Ealing Broadway” has been used from the start, named after the local area and the high street it sits on. The term “Broadway” refers to the wide street and commercial centre at the heart of Ealing.
Distance to Charing Cross
By road, Ealing Broadway Station is approximately 9 miles (14.5 km) west of Charing Cross, often considered the central point of London.
Services and Connectivity
London Underground
Ealing Broadway is one of the western termini of the Central Line, and it is also served by the District Line.
- On the Central Line, the next station eastbound is West Acton.
- On the District Line, the next eastbound station is Ealing Common.
Though not served directly by other lines, connections from Ealing Broadway enable easy interchanges to the Bakerloo Line, Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line, Jubilee Line, Metropolitan Line, Northern Line, Piccadilly Line, Victoria Line, and Waterloo & City Line at interconnecting stations.
Elizabeth Line
Since May 2022, Ealing Broadway is also served by the high-capacity Elizabeth Line. It connects London from west to east through the City, offering rapid journeys.
- Westbound, the next station is West Ealing.
- Eastbound, the next station is Acton Main Line.
Passengers can travel directly to key destinations such as Paddington, Liverpool Street, and Canary Wharf without changing trains.
National Rail
The station is also part of the National Rail network, served by Great Western Railway (GWR), with trains heading to destinations such as Reading, Oxford, and Heathrow (via the Elizabeth Line).
Fares and Journey Times
To Reading Station (Elizabeth Line)
- Single fare: £17.90 (paper ticket), £11.90 (Oyster/contactless peak), £9.70 (off-peak)
- Estimated journey time: 45 minutes
To Abbey Wood Station (Elizabeth Line)
- Single fare: £12.90 (paper ticket), £7.60 (Oyster/contactless peak), £5.60 (off-peak)
- Estimated journey time: 60 minutes
To Charing Cross Station
- Single fare: £6.70 (paper ticket), £3.60 (Oyster/contactless peak), £2.80 (off-peak)
- Suggested route: Central Line to Oxford Circus, transfer to Bakerloo Line, then travel to Charing Cross
- Estimated journey time: 35 minutes
Fun Fact
The original GWR building at Ealing Broadway was designed by famed engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Though later replaced, its legacy lives on in the route’s engineering heritage. In the 1980s, the station became well known for a unique mosaic mural inside the ticket hall, depicting local scenes—a visual celebration of Ealing’s community spirit.
Quick Facts
- Opened: 1838 (Great Western Railway)
- Lines Served: Central Line, District Line, Elizabeth Line, National Rail (GWR)
- Location: The Broadway, Ealing, W5
- Zone: Travelcard Zone 3
- Distance from Charing Cross: Approx. 9 miles by road
- Next Stations: West Acton (Central), Ealing Common (District), West Ealing / Acton Main Line (Elizabeth)
- Fare to Reading: £11.90 (peak Oyster), ~45 mins
- Fare to Abbey Wood: £7.60 (peak Oyster), ~60 mins
- Fare to Charing Cross: £3.60 (peak Oyster), ~35 mins with interchange
- Entrances: The Broadway, Haven Green
- Facilities: Ticket machines, shops, step-free access, toilets
- Fun Fact: Once featured a community mosaic mural in the ticket hall
References
Ealing Broadway Station is 
on the Map of London Underground
Painting of Ealing Broadway Station, London (View image in full size)
