Getting to Shangri-La The Shard: London Bridge and an arrival with a view

Set across floors 34 to 52 of The Shard, Shangri-La The Shard, London is the highest hotel in Western Europe — a place where the bedrooms look out over the whole sweep of the capital, the GŎNG bar pours cocktails among the clouds, and the sky-high infinity pool is one of the most photographed in the world. The practical question on arrival day is reassuringly down-to-earth: how do you reach the entrance calmly, with luggage, on time — rather than navigating the crowds at London Bridge or trusting a surge-priced app after a long flight? This guide answers exactly that.

01 / LOCATIONWhere exactly is Shangri-La The Shard?

The hotel's address is 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9QU, in the London Borough of Southwark, at the foot of The Shard right beside London Bridge station. The hotel entrance and lobby are at street level on St Thomas Street, from where guests are whisked up to the sky lobby high above. Borough Market, the river, Tower Bridge and the South Bank's galleries are all within a short walk, making it a wonderful base for exploring this historic, fast-changing quarter.

02 / THE SETTINGAt the foot of The Shard

The Shard rises directly above London Bridge station, so the streets at its base are some of the busiest in the city, threaded with bus routes, taxis and pedestrians. Finding the hotel's own entrance on St Thomas Street — distinct from the separate entrance for The View from The Shard observation deck — is exactly the kind of detail a local driver handles without hesitation, dropping you cleanly at the right door rather than the visitor queue.

03 / STATIONSNearest stations and getting around

Public transport access here is outstanding:

• London Bridge (Jubilee and Northern lines, plus extensive mainline rail) is right beside the hotel, around a two-minute walk.
• Borough (Northern line) is a short walk south, with the river piers nearby for boat services.
• Mainline rail — London Bridge connects to much of the south-east, including Gatwick services.

Frequent buses and riverboats serve the area too. For getting around day to day, the location is exceptional. The catch is the familiar one: London Bridge is a huge, busy interchange, easy to cross with a bag but trying with a luggage trolley after a flight.

04 / AIRPORTSAirport transfer times to Shangri-La The Shard

The hotel's south-of-the-river position keeps it well placed for several airports. The board below gives realistic door-to-door driving times for a pre-booked private hire car — a planning guide rather than a promise, since traffic varies.

From London City & Heathrow

London City, to the east, is the closest airport and often quick by car. From the west, a direct Heathrow airport transfer crosses the city to London Bridge in a single journey, with the driver meeting you in arrivals after baggage reclaim — far simpler than rail with a change and a walk to the right entrance.

From the other airports

From Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, the rail options all involve a train into a London terminus followed by a final leg to Southwark. A door-to-door transfer keeps it to one car, one driver and one fixed price.

London at your feet from fifty floors up. The journey to the entrance is the part worth getting right.

05 / THE EASY WAYArriving in style — train, Tube or private hire?

There is no single right answer. Travelling light and mid-morning? Public transport into London Bridge is quick and the station is on the doorstep. A pre-booked private hire transfer tends to win when arrival matters most:

• You are landing early or late, when changes and waits feel longer.
• You have real luggage, or are travelling as a family or group who would value an MPV.
• You want a fixed fare known before you travel — no surge, no meter ticking in traffic.
• You would rather be dropped at the right entrance than search for it among the crowds.

06 / NEARBYWhat's around Shangri-La The Shard

Once your bags are with the porter, one of London's most vibrant quarters is at the door:

• The View from The Shard — the observation deck high in the same building.
• Borough Market — the famous food market a few minutes' walk away.
• Tower Bridge & the river — the riverside walk east along the Thames.
• Tate Modern & Shakespeare's Globe — the South Bank's culture a short stroll west.

07 / FAQFrequently asked questions