Piccadilly & Leicester Square Travel Guide

Central London hotspot for shows, museums and late-night eating around Trafalgar Square.

• Best for: Theatre, galleries and short city hops
• Vibe: Bustling, theatrical, tourist-friendly
• Nearest station: Leicester Square / Piccadilly Circus (tube)
• Price level: Mid-range with both budget and luxury options
• To the main sights: 5-15 minute walk to Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and Chinatown
• Safety: Generally safe but busy; watch for pickpockets

Great for:

• First-time visitors who want museums and West End shows
• Travellers who like to walk to central attractions
• Food lovers seeking a wide choice of casual cuisine

Maybe skip it if:

• You want a quiet, residential neighbourhood
• You need cheap grocery shopping and local markets every day
• You dislike crowds or touristy areas at night

Between Trafalgar Square and Soho; a short walk from Covent Garden and Green Park. Piccadilly Circus sits at the northern edge of St James’s and the area spills into Leicester Square and Shaftesbury Avenue.

• Book theatre tickets in advance: Popular West End shows sell out; reserve seats online or via box offices.
• Use contactless for transport: Tube and buses accept contactless cards and Oyster for quickest fares.
• Watch your belongings: The area is busy with tourists; keep valuables secure, especially at night.
• Chinatown hours: Many restaurants in Chinatown stay open late, ideal after theatre.
• Quiet sleeps: Ask for a room facing away from major streets to avoid late-night noise.

• National Portrait Gallery: Portraits of famous British figures across centuries just off Trafalgar Square. Free entrance to the main displays makes it an easy cultural stop.
• National Gallery: Major collection of Western European paintings beside Trafalgar Square, only a short walk from Leicester Square.
• Trafalgar Square: Iconic public square with Nelson’s Column, frequent events and steps that make a handy meeting point.
• Leicester Square: Cinema premieres, street entertainment and a dense cluster of restaurants and bars.
• Piccadilly Circus: Famous neon junction and shopping streets radiating outwards, a central spot for people-watching.
• West End theatres: Catch musicals and plays on Shaftesbury Avenue and nearby streets; book in advance for popular shows.

• Heathrow Airport: Public transport: Piccadilly line direct to Piccadilly Circus/Leicester Square, about 50-60 minutes, moderate fare. Taxi/ride-hail: around 45-70 minutes depending on traffic, taxi is straightforward but pricier.
• Gatwick Airport: Public transport: Gatwick Express to London Victoria (30 minutes) then a short tube or bus ride and walk to Piccadilly/Leicester Square; overall 45-70 minutes. Taxi/ride-hail: 60-90 minutes depending on traffic, taxi is convenient with luggage.
• Stansted Airport: Public transport: Stansted Express to Liverpool Street then tube or a single-change tube journey into the West End, typically 60-90 minutes. Taxi/ride-hail: 75-120 minutes and can be costly.
• Luton Airport: Public transport: Shuttle rail to St Pancras then Piccadilly line from King’s Cross St Pancras to Leicester Square, around 60-80 minutes. Taxi/ride-hail: 60-90 minutes depending on traffic.
• London City Airport: Public transport: DLR into central London and a Jubilee or Victoria line change to reach Green Park/Piccadilly area, about 35-50 minutes; local fares apply. Taxi/ride-hail: 30-45 minutes, taxi is simplest if you have luggage.
• From the main sights: From Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery it’s a 5-10 minute walk to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus; most are best reached on foot.

• On foot: The area is very walkable; most theatres, galleries and Chinatown are a short stroll apart.
• Tube: Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines), Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo) and Covent Garden (Piccadilly) provide quick links across London.
• Buses and taxis: Plenty of central bus routes and black cabs; contactless and Oyster cards work on all services.

You’ll find everything from boutique five-star hotels to compact budget rooms. Hotels cluster around Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, so you can walk to theatres and galleries. Expect mid-range pricing to dominate, with both chains and independent properties.

Luxury

• Great Scotland Yard Hotel: A polished 5-star hotel near Whitehall with period details and easy access to Trafalgar Square.
• The Trafalgar St. James London, Curio Collection by Hilton: High-spec rooms and rooftop bar right by Trafalgar Square, popular with theatre-goers.
• Sofitel London St James: Elegant French-inspired luxury a short walk from Piccadilly Circus and Green Park.
• Ham Yard Hotel: Boutique luxury tucked between Piccadilly and Soho with stylish public areas.

Mid-range

• The Piccadilly London West End Hotel: Comfortable 4-star option close to Piccadilly Circus and Shaftesbury Avenue.
• Haymarket Hotel: Sought-after mid-range hotel with a convenient position for theatres and restaurants.
• Club Quarters Hotel: Functional mid-range rooms aimed at business and leisure travellers near the theatres.
• Moxy: A modern, compact hotel with upbeat public spaces close to Leicester Square.

Budget

• Z Hotel Piccadilly: Compact, no-frills rooms in the heart of the West End, good for short stays.
• Zedwell Capsule Hotel: Very compact capsule-style accommodation for solo travellers close to Leicester Square.
• hub by Premier Inn: Budget-friendly rooms in a reliable chain, convenient for theatre and shopping areas.

Dining here ranges from quick grab-and-go to established restaurants and late-night Chinatown stalls. Head for Chinatown, Rupert Street and the streets around Covent Garden for concentration of options. Prices vary from budget Asian eateries to mid-priced brasseries and a few higher-end choices; most cafes stay open late to serve theatre crowds.

• Dishoom: Indian cuisine, $$.
• Bone Daddies: Ramen, $$.
• J. Sheekey: Fish and seafood, $$$.
• Locatelli’s: Italian, $$$.
• Koya: Japanese udon, $$.
• Four Seasons: Chinese, $$.
• L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele: Pizza, $$.
• Burger & Lobster: Burger and seafood, $$.

The area is lively after dark with a mix of traditional pubs, cocktail bars and clubs. Soho’s streets, Frith Street, Dean Street and Old Compton Street, hold most of the late-night action, while Leicester Square and Piccadilly attract cinema crowds and casual bars. Expect busy evenings from about 7pm until late; dress and prices vary widely.

• Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club: Legendary jazz venue in Soho with live music most nights.
• The Harp: Popular traditional pub praised for real ales and a cosy atmosphere.
• Ku Bar: Late-night bar popular with a mixed crowd in Soho.
• G-A-Y: Longstanding LGBTQ+ club in the heart of the West End.
• All Bar One: Reliable central chain bar for cocktails and casual drinks.
• Opium: Basement bar with a clubby feel near the main drag.

Shopping here mixes tourist-focused stores with small markets and independent streets. Head to Piccadilly and Regent Street for flagship shops, and to Berwick Street and Piccadilly Market for market stalls and food traders. Several small markets operate on weekends, and bargains can be found in side streets.

• Piccadilly Market: Stalls around St James’s Church selling crafts, gifts and souvenirs.
• Berwick Street Market: Longstanding street market famous for food stalls and records.
• Soho Vegan Market: Weekend street-food market featuring plant-based vendors.
• TK Maxx: Discount department store for branded bargains not far from the theatres.
• Earlham Street Market: Local market with food and small retailers near Covent Garden.