Getting to The Savoy: the entrance, the stations and a flawless arrival

Opened in 1889 and still the most storied address in London hospitality, The Savoy sits on the Strand with one foot in the theatre district and the other on the banks of the Thames. Over more than 135 years it has welcomed prime ministers, film stars and royalty, and its Art Deco and Edwardian rooms, riverside views and legendary bars remain a byword for glamour. For all that grandeur, the practical question on arrival day is refreshingly ordinary: how do you actually get to the door — with luggage, on time, and without the stress of London traffic or a surge-priced app? This guide answers exactly that.

01 / LOCATIONWhere exactly is The Savoy?

The Savoy's address is Strand, London WC2R 0EZ, in the City of Westminster, on the north bank of the Thames between Covent Garden and the river. The hotel is set back from the Strand down its own short cul-de-sac, Savoy Court, which leads to the entrance and the celebrated forecourt. Somerset House is next door, the river and Waterloo Bridge are a moment away, and the West End's theatres, restaurants and galleries spread out from the front door. It is about as central as a London hotel can be — which is wonderful once you have arrived, and worth planning around on the way in.

02 / THE APPROACHSavoy Court — drive on the right

One quirk shapes every arrival here. Savoy Court is famously the only stretch of public road in the United Kingdom where vehicles drive on the right-hand side, a tradition tied to the old hansom cabs and the layout of the theatre entrance. It is exactly the kind of detail a local driver takes in their stride and a visitor would not expect. Pulling up correctly at the canopy, where the doormen are waiting, is part of the theatre of The Savoy — and a small reason that arriving with a driver who knows the address beats working it out yourself with a car full of cases.

03 / STATIONSNearest stations and getting around

Public transport access is excellent, which is the reward for such a central spot:

• Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines, plus mainline rail) is about a five-minute walk.
• Embankment (Circle, District, Bakerloo and Northern lines) is a similar short walk toward the river.
• Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) and Temple (Circle and District lines) are both close by.
• Mainline rail — Charing Cross is around the corner, with Waterloo a short walk across the river.

Buses run along the Strand in both directions too. For getting around the city day to day, the location is hard to better. The catch is the familiar one: superb when you are travelling light, considerably less so with luggage through busy interchanges after a long flight.

04 / AIRPORTSAirport transfer times to The Savoy

The Savoy is reachable from every London airport, but the journeys — and how relaxed they are with bags — vary. The board below gives realistic door-to-door driving times for a pre-booked private hire car. Treat them as a planning guide; London traffic has its own ideas.

From Heathrow

Heathrow is the gateway for most international guests. The rail option is the Heathrow Express into Paddington in about 15 minutes, then a taxi across to the Strand. A direct Heathrow airport transfer by car removes the change entirely — a welcome thing after a long-haul flight — with the driver meeting you in arrivals after baggage reclaim and taking you straight to Savoy Court.

From the other airports

From Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, the rail routes all mean a fast train into a London terminus followed by a final leg across town to the Strand. A door-to-door transfer keeps the whole thing to one car, one driver and one fixed price.

The Savoy turns arrival into theatre. The journey to its door 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 the Strand is quick and the stations nearby are excellent. 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.
• Your flight time is uncertain — a tracked driver simply adjusts and waits.

06 / NEARBYWhat's around The Savoy

Once your bags are with the porter, one of London's richest neighbourhoods is at the door:

• Somerset House — the neoclassical courtyard and riverside terrace, right next door.
• Covent Garden — the piazza, market and Royal Opera House a few minutes north.
• The South Bank — across Waterloo Bridge for the river walk and galleries.
• Trafalgar Square & the West End — theatres and the National Gallery a short stroll away.

07 / FAQFrequently asked questions