National Gallery (London): a rainy-day route flow from King’s Cross

If you want the simplest rainy-day plan, take the Underground to a nearby central station and keep the final walk short and direct. This suits first-timers who want an indoor, signposted route with predictable steps. Your best backup is a taxi/ride-hail from a major station if the weather turns or you’re running late.

For a rainy day, aim for fewer street crossings and a shorter “outside” stretch, even if it costs a little more.

Azuki the Traveling Rabbit: If you’re choosing between two stations, pick the one with the shorter final walk.

Choose your route in 30 seconds

If you are landing at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), choose Heathrow Express + Underground for the simplest “in-then-out” flow.
If you are starting from London King’s Cross Station, choose Northern line southbound and keep the transfer count low.
If you are already in central London, choose the Underground to a nearby station and then a short, direct walk.
If you are carrying bags or the weather is messy, choose taxi / ride-hailing from a major station and skip the last-mile guessing.
If you are on a tight budget, choose Underground all the way rather than premium airport rail.
If you are arriving late, choose Underground first, then switch to taxi only for the final stretch if needed.

Nearest metro station to National Gallery (London)

A practical nearby option is Charing Cross (Underground), which is well-signed and usually straightforward to navigate.

You’re on the right track when…

you’re following signs for the Bakerloo or Northern lines and moving toward the main exits (not small side corridors).
you step outside into a broad, open area and can make a short, simple approach on foot.

If you see multiple “Exit” arrows, choose the one that leads to the main concourse exit rather than a narrow side passage.

Closest train station to National Gallery (London)

For national-rail arrivals, a practical anchor is London King’s Cross Station, because it’s a major hub with clear Underground links and lots of staff and signage.

You’re on the right track when…

you’re following signs for the Underground inside the station (you should see the roundel and line names).
you reach a ticket gates area for the Tube with clear overhead boards and multiple line options.

If you see “Northern line” and “Piccadilly line”, choose Northern line southbound for a clean, central drop-off.

Route comparison at a glance

Route	Time	Cost level	Transfers	Walking difficulty	Navigation ease	Rainy-day friendly	Best for
Underground from central London to a nearby station	10–25 min	Low–Medium	0–1	Easy	High	High	Simple city travel
From King’s Cross by Underground	15–30 min	Low–Medium	0–1	Easy	High	High	First-timers from the main rail hub
From Heathrow: Heathrow Express + Underground	45–70 min	Medium–High	1–2	Easy	High	High	Smooth, predictable flow
From Heathrow: Underground all the way	55–90 min	Low–Medium	0–1	Easy–Moderate	Medium	High	Budget + simplicity
Bus to central area + short walk	40–90 min	Low	0–1	Moderate	Medium	Medium	Views + low cost
Taxi / ride-hailing	25–70 min	High	0	Very easy	High	High	Door-to-door comfort

By metro

Head to the nearest Underground station where you are staying.
Follow signs to a central-bound platform (you want the direction that takes you into central London).
Ride to Charing Cross (Underground) if it fits your line, or pick another central station with a short walk.
Step out through the main exit and take a short walk toward the gallery entrance area.
Continue along the widest, most direct pedestrian path; keep your route simple and avoid weaving through smaller lanes on a rainy day.

You’re on the right track when you’re moving with steady foot traffic toward a broad open approach, not down a tight backstreet.

If you see two exits labeled for different streets, choose the main exit with the larger flow of people.

From the airport

This section assumes London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

After landing, follow signs to rail / trains if you want the simplest first step.
Choose Heathrow Express to Paddington if you want a fast, easy airport-to-city backbone (then switch to the Underground).
At Paddington, follow signs to the Underground, enter through the ticket gates, and choose a route to Charing Cross (Underground) (or another nearby central station with a short final walk).
If you prefer fewer moving parts, choose the Underground from Heathrow directly into central London, then step out at a nearby station and walk.
Keep your final walk short and direct; on rainy days, it’s often worth choosing the station that drops you closest, even if it adds one extra stop underground.

You’re on the right track when you’ve reached an Underground platform with clear line signs and you can confirm the station name on the electronic boards.

If you see both “Underground” and “National Rail” signs, choose Underground once you’re already in central London for the cleanest last step.

From London King’s Cross Station

Inside London King’s Cross Station, follow signs to the Underground (look for the roundel and “Underground” text).
Go through the ticket gates and look for the Northern line.
Take the southbound direction for central London, then ride to Charing Cross (Underground) if it matches your route plan.
Exit via the main concourse route and step outside into an open area where it’s easy to orient yourself.
Walk on using the most direct, wide pedestrian paths until you reach the gallery entrance area.

You’re on the right track when you’re on a southbound platform and the next-train screens list central stations, not outer ones.

If you see two Northern line platforms, choose the one marked southbound.

By bus

Find a bus stop with routes heading toward central London (use the route map at the stop or a journey planner).
Board and stay on until you reach the most central stop that leaves you with the shortest, simplest walk.
Step off, take a moment to face the direction of travel you were just going, then turn around and set up your walking route calmly.
Walk on along the widest pavements and pick straight roads over small cut-throughs—this keeps you oriented even when it’s busy.
If it’s raining, keep your umbrella or hood ready and aim for the shortest outside segment rather than the “scenic” option.

You’re on the right track when the bus stop area has frequent service and you can see clear onward walking paths instead of confusing multi-road junctions.

If you see two bus stops with similar route numbers, choose the stop that has more frequent arrivals posted.

Taxi / ride-hailing

Decide your pickup point first: a major station forecourt is often simplest.
Enter National Gallery (London) as the destination and confirm the pin looks central (not on a side road).
When the car arrives, confirm the plate/driver details, then settle in and keep your luggage close.
Ask to be dropped at the most convenient safe curb near the main approach area; drivers may use the nearest lawful stopping point.
Step out, pause for 10 seconds to orient yourself, then walk the final short stretch.

You’re on the right track when your drop-off point leaves you with a single, direct approach rather than multiple crossings.

If you see two possible drop-off sides, choose the side with the wider pavement and fewer crossings.

Walk (only if you’re already nearby)

Confirm you’re within a comfortable walking distance (roughly 10–25 minutes on foot).
Head to the widest main road first, then use one or two simple turns rather than a maze of side streets.
Keep your map zoomed out enough to see your direction of travel, then zoom in for the final approach.
On wet days, choose the route with fewer tight corners and fewer crossings—less stop-and-start.
As you get close, look for the main entrance approach rather than smaller side doors.

You’re on the right track when your route stays on broad streets and you’re not making constant tiny turns.

If you see a shortcut through small lanes, choose the main road route for easier orientation.

FAQ

Q: What’s the easiest route from Heathrow for a first-timer?
A: Heathrow Express to Paddington, then the Underground to a nearby central station, then a short final walk.
Q: What’s the best route for a rainy day?
A: Use the Underground to a nearby station so the “outside” part is brief and direct.
Q: Is London King’s Cross Station a good starting point?
A: Yes. It’s a major hub with clear Underground signs and plenty of staff, which makes the first steps calmer.
Q: Should I use the bus instead of the Tube?
A: Buses can be a good low-cost option, but the Underground usually keeps the route simpler when you’re new to the city.
Q: Taxi or Underground—what’s better with bags?
A: If you have luggage, taxi/ride-hailing from a major station can remove the last-walk complexity.
Q: How early should I leave?
A: Add a small buffer if you have a timed plan later—London transfers can run a bit slower at busy hours.

Quick checklist

Plan your anchor station before you leave (nearest Underground vs. King’s Cross).
Save your destination pin offline and keep one backup route ready.
Check service status for your line before you enter the gates.
Leave a little time for a calm transfer and a short final walk.
Follow the biggest, clearest exits and keep the last steps simple.

Sources checked

(Verification scope used for this article)

Confirmed airport-to-city backbone options (rail/bus/taxi availability and general wayfinding).
Confirmed the main rail anchors used (central station naming and services at a high level).
Confirmed the city public transport network coverage (lines/modes at a network level, not stop-by-stop).
Used map references only to sanity-check general direction and street layout (no copied turn-by-turn).
Used the destination’s official page only for high-level access notes where available.

Heathrow Airport — rail/Underground access and passenger transport options — https://www.heathrow.com
National Rail Enquiries — station naming and rail network overview — https://www.nationalrail.co.uk
Transport for London — Tube/bus network and journey planning tools — https://tfl.gov.uk (Transport for London)
Visit London — city “getting around” guidance at a high level — https://www.visitlondon.com (visitlondon.com)
The National Gallery — official visitor information and location context — https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk (nationalgallery.org.uk)
OpenStreetMap — map reference for general layout — https://www.openstreetmap.org
UK Government — public travel/transport information hub — https://www.gov.uk