Kew Gardens or the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew is one of the UK UNESCO World Heritage Sites housing over 50,000 and more than 7 million preserved specimens. This wild botanic garden is a popular UK attraction.
You can reach Kew Gardens from London by train, bus, taxi, car and boat. The road distance between London and Kew Gardens is 13 kilometres or 8.1 miles while the direct distance is 11.6 kilometres or 7.2 miles. It takes about 37 minutes to travel this distance by car.
You won’t have a hard time getting from London to Kew Gardens. They are well-connected with each other, so you have plenty of modes of transport to choose from.
KEW GARDENS ADMISSION TICKET
✅ Admission to Kew Gardens
✅ Free walking tours that take place at least twice daily, subject to availability
✅ Map and seasonal highlights guide
CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
How to get from London to Kew Gardens
OPTION 1: How to get from London to Kew Gardens by Train
- Travel Duration: about 25 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £7.62
Riding a train to Kew Gardens is among the most popular modes of transport that travellers from London utilise. The journey is both affordable and fast at the same time.
From London, here are the stations you can depart from when coming to Kew Gardens:
- London Waterloo Station
- London Euston Station
- London Victoria Station
All trains arrive at Kew Gardens Station. Keep in mind that the journey may require one or two transfers along the way.
Check out Trainline for deals a few weeks before your trip from London to Kew Gardens so that you get the best rate possible. Also, see if you are eligible for any of the Railcard discounts.
Train from London to Kew Gardens
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 12:03 am | 12:54 am | 51 minutes | £7.62 |
| Latest trip | 11:58 pm | 12:35 am | 37 minutes | £7.62 |
| Fastest trip | 6:20 am | 6:45 am | 25 minutes | £7.62 |
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend searching for the best train fares with Trainline. They have great options for various trains and schedules, to suit your budget.
OPTION 2: How to get from London to Kew Gardens by Bus
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 34 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £1.65
You can ride Bus 9 and/or Bus 110 if you are coming from central London. Just check which bus stop is nearest to where you’re staying.
Know that stopping at Kew Gardens Road requires you to walk for at least 11 minutes (718 meters,) so be ready.
Riding a bus from London is definitely the cheapest way to Kew Gardens, although it takes three times slower to get there compared to taking the train.
BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!
If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with Trainline. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the United Kingdom.
OPTION 3: How to get from London to Kew Gardens by Taxi
- Travel Duration: about 37 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £38.23
Riding a taxi to Kew Gardens from London is convenient but not necessarily cost-efficient. The fare, calculated at £38.23, is an approximation from TaxiFareFinder.
Consider this option if you would not like to drive on your own coming from London and/or if you would like to travel privately.
OPTION 4: How to get from London to Kew Gardens by Car
- Travel Duration: about 37 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £31.48
If you will choose to drive yourself to Kew Gardens from London, you can do so by driving for about 37 minutes for 8.2 miles via A4.
This option is great if you plan on maximising your itinerary by visiting Kew Gardens along with the other London landmarks along the route.
Have you driven in the UK before? If not, then you might want to read about my UK driving tips here. I am sure it will help you know what to expect from your journey from London to Kew Gardens.
Thinking of renting a car in London? Head over to Discover Cars or Europcar for the best rental rates.
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
OPTION 5: How to get from London to Kew Gardens by Boat
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £16.50
You can take a boat from central London if you are coming to Kew Gardens. The cruise from Westminster Pier to Kew Pier takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete.
This option is a great way to see other sites from another perspective. Some of the landmarks that you will pass by are the Westminster Bridge, the Palace of Westminster and the Lambeth Palace.
You will be riding a traditional River Thames passenger boat complete with amenities that are necessary for an enjoyable ride. There are two departure schedules from Westminster Pier: one in the morning at 11:00 and another in the afternoon at 2:30.
From the Kew Pier, the Kew Gardens is just a 13-minute walk (0.6 miles) away via Kew Road.
Westminster Pier Address: Westminster Millennium Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, SW1A 2JH
Kew Pier Address: Kew Pier, 1 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 3A
Read more: Canals in Britain: A Guide to Its Rich History and Scenic Routes
More About Kew Gardens, London, UK
- If you wish to explore Kew Gardens and beyond, Get Your Guide has the best deals so make sure to check them out.
- If you want to know more about the places to visit in London, you can check out this article that I wrote about Best Things to Do in London (UK).
- I included Kew Gardens in the 10 Best Botanical Gardens in the UK: A Blooming Wonderland in the British Isles. Feel free to read the article if you want to know more about the gorgeous botanical display around the country.
KEW GARDENS ADMISSION TICKET
✅ Admission to Kew Gardens
✅ Free walking tours that take place at least twice daily, subject to availability
✅ Map and seasonal highlights guide
CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
Map of Kew Gardens, London, UK:
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from London to Kew Gardens
What tube line goes to Kew Gardens?
Kew Gardens Station is serviced by the District Line (Richmond Branch.)
How do I get to Kew Gardens from London by train?
You can catch a train from London Waterloo, London Euston or London Victoria Stations and disembark at Kew Gardens Station. Be ready for transfers during your train ride.
Is there a direct train from London to Kew Gardens?
There is no direct train coming from London to Kew Gardens. There is at least one change required if you are coming there by train.
Can I get from London to Kew Gardens by boat?
Yes, you can ride a boat from London to Kew Gardens. From central London, take a River Thames passenger boat at Westminster Pier and stop at Kew Pier. From the pier, the Gardens is a 13-minute walk (0.6 miles) away via Kew Road.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Kew Gardens?
The cheapest way to get from London to Kew Gardens is by bus. Ticket fare starts at £1.65.
What is the fastest way to get from London to Kew Gardens?
The fastest way to get from London to Kew Gardens is by train. The total journey time is around 25 minutes,
What is the best way to get from London to Kew Gardens?
I believe the best way to get from London to Kew Gardens is by boat! At £16.50 per person, you get to cruise and pass by iconic bridges and London landmarks along the way. A travel time of 1 hour and 30 minutes is manageable, too, most especially if you have interesting sites to see along the way.
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for my UK trip?
YES – If you’re traveling to the UK, securing travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is essential for your peace of mind; I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance, which is renowned for its reliability. (READ MORE)
💧 Can I drink tap water in the UK?
YES – You can confidently drink tap water in the UK—just run it for a bit first—and use a Hydro Flask travel bottle, it is a great eco-friendly companion to keep you hydrated while touring the UK attractions.
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in the UK?
YES – Renting a car in the UK is one of the best ways to see the country. I recommend Discover Cars, to check for the best car rental deals that suit your budget. See my UK driving tips here.
📲 Will my phone work in the UK?
POSSIBLY. Always check with your home mobile provider. If it won’t work or is too expensive, I recommend using Airlo E-Sim for data packages to stay connected online.
🔌 What adapter should I use in the UK?
TYPE G – In the UK, you’ll need a type G plug travel adapter with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle to power your devices, and the electrical system runs on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. (READ MORE)
✈️ What is the best site to buy UK flights?
For finding affordable UK flights, I recommend using Skyscanner. You can always compare the prices that suit your budget.
🛏️ What is the best way to book accommodations in the UK?
My go-to for UK accommodations is Booking.com. I recommend to always check hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.
💷 What currency do I need for my UK trip?
Sterling Pounds – I suggest getting a Wise Travel Card for your hassle-free forex and contactless spending while in the UK. (READ MORE)
🧳 What do I pack for the UK trip?
Depending on the season – You can check my article about the best time to visit the UK.
🛂 Do I need a visa for the UK?
Likely Not – US, Canada, AU, NZ, and EU passport holders do not need a visit visa to the UK. If ever you need one, read more on how to apply for a UK visit visa. Visit iVisa.com to help you with your visa travel documentation needs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel BlogEverything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.