Driving into the West End is rarely fun, and the casino hippodrome has limited on-site parking, so public transport is often the better option.
Getting There Without the Car
The Hippodrome sits on Cranbourn Street, right where Leicester Square meets Charing Cross Road. If you can avoid driving, do. Leicester Square Underground station (Piccadilly and Northern lines) is a two-minute walk, and Charing Cross mainline station is about eight minutes on foot. Numerous bus routes stop along Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue, including the 24, 29, 176 and night services.
For late-night visits, check the last Tube times. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Piccadilly and Northern lines run later than on weekdays, but they still stop before the casino closes. Night buses then become your friend, or a licensed black cab from the rank on Leicester Square.
Parking Options Near the Hippodrome
The Hippodrome itself has no public car park. That surprises some visitors, but it is typical for this dense part of London. Your realistic choices are nearby commercial car parks, all within a five- to twelve-minute walk.
- Q-Park Chinatown (20 Newport Place, WC2H 7PR) – about 5 minutes’ walk. Open 24 hours, but expensive during evenings and weekends.
- Q-Park Leicester Square (Whitcomb Street, WC2H 7DT) – roughly 6 minutes away. Often fills up on theatre nights.
- NCP Car Park London Soho (Poland Street, W1F 8QP) – 10 to 12 minutes on foot. Slightly cheaper if you book online in advance.
- Masterpark Trafalgar (Spring Gardens, SW1A 2TS) – about 12 minutes’ walk. Useful if you are coming from the south.
Expect to pay £25–£45 for a few hours, more on Saturdays. Pre-booking through apps like JustPark or Q-Park’s own site can save 20–30%. Blue Badge holders can park on single yellow lines in Westminster after 18:30 and on Sundays, subject to usual restrictions, so check signage carefully.
Facilities Around the Casino
Because the Hippodrome is in the heart of the West End, everything you might need is close by. ATMs line Cranbourn Street and Leicester Square. There are 24-hour convenience stores on Charing Cross Road. If you want a proper meal before or after gaming, Chinatown’s Gerrard Street is a three-minute walk, with restaurants open until midnight or later.
For a quieter drink, the bars around St Martin’s Court and Cecil Court offer a calmer alternative to the casino floor. Several hotels, including the Premier Inn Leicester Square and the Radisson Blu Edwardian, are within 200 metres if you plan to stay over.
Accessibility and Practical Tips
The Hippodrome has step-free access from Cranbourn Street, and staff can assist with lifts to the gaming floors. Nearby car parks have Blue Badge bays, but they are limited. If you rely on a vehicle, arrive early or book a bay in advance.
Finally, remember that the Congestion Charge applies Monday to Friday, 07:00–18:00, and Saturdays 12:00–18:00, plus the Ultra Low Emission Zone operates 24/7. Check your vehicle complies before setting out. For many visitors, a train into Charing Cross or a Tube to Leicester Square removes all these headaches and leaves you free to enjoy the tables.
