Getting to the University of Greenwich: the campuses, the stations and a smooth arrival

The University of Greenwich grew from Woolwich Polytechnic and became a university in 1992, and today it teaches across three campuses with strengths in architecture, business, computing, engineering, education, pharmacy, the sciences and the humanities. Its showpiece Greenwich Campus sits in Wren's riverside masterpiece between Greenwich Park and the Thames, alongside the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum — one of the great university settings anywhere. For students arriving for the first time and the families helping them settle, the location is a genuine thrill; the practical catch is three very different campuses and a riverside site with limited parking. Here's how to get to the right one without the friction.

01 / LOCATIONWhere exactly is the University of Greenwich?

The main Greenwich Campus is at the Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, London SE10 9LS, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich on the south bank of the Thames. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, with Greenwich Park rising just behind it and the river along its northern edge. Parking on the campus is limited to pay-and-display and permit spaces, and the surrounding streets are busy with visitors to Greenwich's attractions — so for arrivals, a drop-off is the sensible plan.

02 / CAMPUSESGreenwich, Avery Hill and Medway

Greenwich's three campuses are spread across south-east London and Kent, so confirm which your course or event uses before you set off:

• Greenwich (main) — Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, SE10 9LS; most subjects, on the riverside World Heritage site, with halls of residence within walking distance.
• Avery Hill — Avery Hill Road, Eltham, SE9 2UG; a greener campus around Avery Hill Park, with the student village, sports facilities and education and health courses, about 30 minutes from Greenwich.
• Medway — Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB; the shared Universities at Medway campus, home to engineering, science and the Medway School of Pharmacy, around an hour from Greenwich.

Your offer letter or timetable will name the campus — always check, as Greenwich, Avery Hill and Medway are entirely different journeys.

03 / STATIONSNearest stations and getting around

The Greenwich campus is well served by the DLR, rail and even the river:

• Cutty Sark (DLR) is right by the campus, with Greenwich (DLR and mainline) and Maze Hill (rail) both a short walk away and always handy.
• Direct DLR services run from Bank, Canary Wharf, Lewisham and Stratford, with easy connections from Tower Gateway and London City Airport.
• A Thames Clipper river boat stops at Greenwich Pier, a few minutes' walk away — a scenic route to and from central London.
• Avery Hill is nearest New Eltham station; Medway is served by Chatham and Gillingham with bus links. A university bus connects the campuses.

Day to day, the Greenwich campus is wonderfully connected. The familiar catch applies on arrival day: the DLR means stairs and changes, awkward with a term's luggage.

04 / AIRPORTSAirport transfer times to the University of Greenwich

Greenwich's geography gives it a clear winner: London City Airport is barely five miles away, just across the river to the east — ideal for international students who can fly via LCY. Heathrow, on the far west side of London, is the longer run. The board below gives realistic door-to-door driving times to the Greenwich campus for a pre-booked private hire car — a planning guide, since traffic varies.

From London City & Heathrow

London City Airport is the easy one — only about five miles away, with quick connections, so for students flying via LCY a transfer to Greenwich is short and simple. Heathrow is the longer haul across London; the rail route involves the Elizabeth line and the DLR with changes, so a direct Heathrow airport transfer by car is the gentle choice — the driver meets you in arrivals and takes you straight to the right campus.

From the other airports

From Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, rail means a train into a London terminus then the DLR out to Greenwich with bags. For a student with luggage or a family arriving together, one car and one fixed price is the simpler route — particularly out to Medway in Kent.

London City Airport just across the river is a real advantage — and for the longer runs, the door-to-door car saves the DLR changes.

05 / MOVE-IN DAYArriving with luggage on move-in day

Move-in day is where Greenwich's riverside setting and DLR-based access make a plan pay off. A pre-booked private hire transfer handles it cleanly: a car sized to the boxes and cases, a driver who knows whether you're heading to the Old Royal Naval College, Avery Hill or out to Medway, and a drop-off at the right hall or entrance rather than a haul up and down DLR steps. With limited campus parking, a drop-and-go beats trying to park — choose an MPV if the whole family is helping and everyone arrives together for one fixed fare.

06 / VISITSOpen days, offer-holder days and graduation

For open days, offer-holder days and graduation, families travel together and to a timetable — and Greenwich's riverside campus has little visitor parking, with the area busy with tourists. A pre-booked car means everyone arrives at the same time at the right campus, with no circling and no rush-hour stress on a day that matters. Graduation in the Old Royal Naval College, with its painted hall and chapel, is a grand occasion — and far more relaxed door-to-door, smart clothes and grandparents included, than via the DLR and a walk.

07 / NEARBYWhat's around the University of Greenwich

Maritime Greenwich is one of London's most rewarding neighbourhoods for visitors:

• Greenwich Park & the Royal Observatory — the Prime Meridian and sweeping views over London, just behind the campus.
• The Cutty Sark & National Maritime Museum — the famous clipper and world-class museums on the doorstep.
• Greenwich Market & the riverside — food, crafts and Thames-side walks; The O2 is a short hop away.
• Hotels — Greenwich and nearby Canary Wharf offer accommodation for visiting families, with central London 10 to 25 minutes by DLR or river.

08 / FAQFrequently asked questions