Southall Station, London
Southall Station is a busy and well-connected railway station located in the suburban district of Southall in West London, within the London Borough of Ealing. It is served by the modern Elizabeth Line, making it an important commuter hub for passengers traveling into central London and beyond.
Location and Overview
The station lies along South Road (A3005), a key local thoroughfare, with its main entrance located near the intersection with Station Approach. A ground-level station building provides access to the platforms via lifts, escalators, and stairways. This building also contains a ticket hall and retail space for local convenience stores and cafés.
By road, Southall Station is approximately 12.5 miles west of Charing Cross, the traditional centre of London. The journey by car or taxi usually takes around 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.
History of Southall Station
Southall Station was originally opened in 1839 by the Great Western Railway (GWR) as part of the pioneering line between Paddington and Maidenhead. It has been known by the name "Southall" since its inception, reflecting the name of the surrounding district, which derives from the Old English “Sūþ Healh,” meaning “south corner” or “nook.” Over the years, the station underwent numerous renovations and modernisations, especially in anticipation of its incorporation into the Elizabeth Line in the 21st century.
Rail Services
Today, Southall is served exclusively by the Elizabeth Line, providing frequent and fast connections to key destinations across Greater London and the South East. Although Southall is not served by any lines of the London Underground, easy interchanges at nearby Elizabeth Line stations offer access to the Underground network.
Elizabeth Line Routes
Elizabeth Line is between the Hayes & Harlington Station in the west and the Hanwell Station in the east. Trains from Southall run eastbound towards the City and beyond to Abbey Wood and Shenfield, and westbound to Heathrow Airport and Reading. The preceding station on the eastbound route is Hanwell, while the following station to the west is Hayes & Harlington.
Fares and Travel Times
To Reading Station
- Single Fare (Contactless/Oyster): £13.20 (Peak), £10.70 (Off-Peak)
- Paper Ticket: £16.90 (Anytime)
- Estimated Travel Time: Approx. 38 minutes
To Abbey Wood Station
- Single Fare (Contactless/Oyster): £6.60 (Peak), £4.30 (Off-Peak)
- Paper Ticket: £9.30 (Anytime)
- Estimated Travel Time: Approx. 65 minutes
To Charing Cross Station
Although the Elizabeth Line does not directly serve Charing Cross Station, passengers can interchange at Paddington (Elizabeth Line to Bakerloo Line) and then travel southbound on the Bakerloo Line to Charing Cross.
- Single Fare (Contactless/Oyster): £4.00 (Peak), £2.80 (Off-Peak)
- Paper Ticket: £6.40 (Anytime)
- Estimated Travel Time: Approx. 35–40 minutes, including interchange
Interchange Options
From Southall, passengers can easily access many London Underground stations by interchanging at major Elizabeth Line stops. Notable connections include:
- Paddington: interchange with Bakerloo Line, Circle Line, District Line, and Hammersmith & City Line
- Bond Street: interchange with Jubilee Line and Central Line
- Liverpool Street: interchange with Metropolitan Line, Central Line, Circle Line, and Hammersmith & City Line
Fun Fact
Southall Station proudly displays bilingual signage in both English and Gurmukhi script, reflecting the large Punjabi-speaking community in the area. It is one of the few stations in London to offer such multilingual support, making it a point of cultural interest for visitors.
Quick Facts
- Station Name: Southall
- Located in: London Borough of Ealing
- Served by: Elizabeth Line
- Underground Services: None directly, but accessible via interchanges
- Opened: 1839 by Great Western Railway
- Named after: The Southall district (“south corner” in Old English)
- Main Entrance: South Road (A3005)
- Distance from Charing Cross: Approx. 12.5 miles by road
- To Reading: £13.20 (Peak, Oyster), ~38 mins
- To Abbey Wood: £6.60 (Peak, Oyster), ~65 mins
- To Charing Cross: £4.00 (Peak, Oyster), ~35–40 mins with interchange
- Notable Feature: Bilingual signage in English and Gurmukhi
Southall Station is 
on the Map of London Underground
Painting of Southall Station, London (View image in full size)
