Walk, Don’t Tube: The Quickest Way to Travel Between Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus in London

If you’re exploring central London, you might be surprised at just how close many of the major attractions are to each other — especially around the West End. One of the best examples is the short distance between Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.

From Covent Garden tube station to Leicester Square, the walk takes only about 5 minutes. It’s a simple, direct route through lively streets filled with theatres, cafés and street performers. In fact, by the time you go down into the Underground, wait for a train and come back up again, you’d likely already be there if you had walked.

Continuing on, Leicester Square to Piccadilly Circus is also just a 5–7 minute walk. The route is busy and vibrant, taking you through the heart of London’s entertainment district, with shops, cinemas and restaurants lining the streets.

Even walking directly from Covent Garden to Piccadilly Circus only takes around 12–15 minutes in total.

Because these stations sit so close together, walking is usually quicker and much easier than using the Underground — especially during busy periods when platforms and trains can be crowded. You’ll also avoid stairs, escalators and waiting times, while getting to experience the atmosphere of central London at street level.

In short, if you’re travelling between these three famous spots, save time, enjoy the scenery and simply walk — it’s one of the easiest and most pleasant ways to explore the West End.