London people - help with transport?

[HurdyGurdy19]

My grandson wants to go to the London Aquarium. We would get the train to King's Cross/St Pancras, and then have to navigate to the Aquarium.

He is autistic and absolutely would not cope with the underground, so does anyone know if there is a bus that might go direct from the station? Or will it involve multiple changes?

If push comes to shove, we can splash out on a black cab, but I think he'd like the bus (as would my purse 😅)

I think that number 1 or the 68. Download CityMapper and it'll walk you through it.

Heads up though, the London Aquarium is rubbish. It's not one of London's highlights. Expensive, cramped, crowded, gloomy. There are loads of other, better aquariums if he loves that sort of thing.

I've just looked on Google maps and apparently the 68 bus will take you there... although you have a 15 minute walk to the bus stop from kings cross and a fifteen minute walk at the other end from the bus stop to the aquarium.

You can look at the tfl website to get more info of what stop to get off and on at

How old is he? There's not a direct bus, you'd have to change which might or might not be a problem. Or the 68 goes from Euston to Waterloo- so a 10 min walk either end.
The South Bank gets insanely busy- I recommend getting there as early as possible.

Have you got Google maps?

You can walk to Euston (13 mins) and get the no 1 bus to Waterloo bridge and walk from there

You could get the Thameslink (train) from St Pancras to Blackfriars, then it is a 20 minute walk along the river to the Aquarium.

That or the 1 or the 68 seem to work, but neither stop directly outside so you'd need to navigate each end.

Get Citymapper and it'll guide you exactly where you need to go.

To be honest I would get a taxi.
London buses get insanely busy.
If it's a proper black cab that's quite exciting.

You could go over to St Prancras and get on the Thameslink to Blackfriars. Get off at the South exit and it's a 15 minute walk over to the Aquarium. I prefer it to getting on the bus but it's along the South Bank which does get very busy if GC doesn't like crowds.

Take the 91(the stop's literally over the road from Kings Cross on the Euston Road). Stay on to Trafalgar Square then two options. One is cross over the river at Charing Cross, then turn right along the Thames. That will take you no longer than 15 mins. Or walk straight down through Whitehall from Trafalgar Square and down to Westminster. You'd pass Downing Street as you go, see Big Ben/ Houses of Parliament, etc, then cross over the river there. That might be best as lots to see. There's really no need for a taxi. Depending on times of day the bus should be fine (ie rush hour crowded, rest of the time not too bad).

I'm thirding the Thameslink. The trains are spacious and Blackfriars is basically a glassed in bridge. Not at all like the Tube.

Thank you all so much for your input. I did look at a couple of apps, but it just kept showing me train/underground options.

@NuffSaidSam - thank you for the info about the Aquarium. That's quite sad to read. We will probably change our minds in that case. We're in Bedfordshire - is there any other Aquarium you would recommend?

Grandson lives not far from Liverpool, so is used to the Blue Planet. I don't know if anywhere else will come close 😅

Of we do go, then the Blackfriars option sounds best.

Thank you again. I really appreciate it - was getting a bit stressed trying to work it out myself 😄

Could you take an Uber? Cheaper than black cab! You could also walk part of the way to catch a direct bus?

London zoo is good op...it has an aquarium section I think. It's a really good day out and loads to see... slightly closer to kings cross too.

If you can drive then Whipsnade Zoo is superb, much nicer than London Zoo. London Zoo isn't great, but it's better than the aquarium.

The London Aquarium isn't better than any Sealife Centre, so maybe look for your nearest one, and combine with a trip to the beach.

If you just want the best aquarium and can travel then The Deep in Hull is fabulous.

Thank you @NuffSaidSam - Whipsnade is practically on our doorstep, and we renewed our annual passes on Monday 😄

Will keep the Deep in mind, thank you.

My grandson lives about 200 miles away, so contact between him and his dad (who lives with us) is in week long blocks during school holidays. However, the last three times, he has refused to come and stay. He cant articulate why, but was getting really upset whenever it was mentioned. So my son had been travelling there and staying in a hotel, and taking him out each day.

They went to Blue Planet each time, so I think he now associates dad with a visit to the Aquarium, which is why we thought about going to the London one as London is easily accessible by train.

We are having a rethink now 😄

I'm jealous of how close you are to Whipsnade!

I thought of something that might suit you. The Science Museum has an Under the Sea movie at the IMAX cinema (3D). It's absolutely spectacular. The 3D is great and it really feels like you're under the sea with all the animals swimming up to you. It'd be great for a aquarium loving kid (if he can cope with the 3D). The IMAX is always quiet as well, even if the museum is busy.

Thank you - that sounds amazing. He's gone back to his mum now, but is hopefully back at the end of August, so that is definitely on the agenda