Using the Elizabeth line at Paddington
4
4
Date of visit: July 2026
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: disabled toilet, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
The Elizabeth line is separate from the National Rail part of Paddington and the other Underground lines. There are escalators and lifts that travel down to the ticket hall for the Elizabeth line and then there is another lift to travel down to the platform. The platforms themselves have floor-to-ceiling Platform Screen Doors, which means there is no open access at the edge of the platform. There are doors along the glass partitions which align with the train doors. This station offers step-free access on and off the train at the train stops level with the platform with a very minimal gap. There are always members of staff on the platform in case you require assistance at your destination and they can call ahead before you board the train.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
Access to the Elizabeth line is marked with large purple signage which makes it easy to distinguish. There are escalators and lifts that travel from street level down to the ticket hall. The ticket hall is very large with some ticket machines available and two lines of ticket barriers. There are wider ticket barriers for those that need the additional space, such as wheelchair users, or those with prams or luggage. The lift that travels between the ticket hall and the platform is clearly marked with some very large blue signage as well as overhead signs. The lifts are all fairly spacious and have tactile buttons. The platforms have floor-to-ceiling Platform Screen Doors which provide a full barrier at the edge of the platform. This means there is no open access to the edge of the platform. There are doors along the platforms which align with the train doors. The train stops level with the platform and there is a very minimal gap between the two, this means that you can board and disembark step-free without a boarding ramp. There are seats along the platform to sit on and there are digital displays over the doors at the edge of the platform which provide information about expected trains. There are help points on the platform which can be used in emergencies or to speak to a member of station staff if there are none on the platform. They are circular, white fixtures and in the centre is a red fire alarm. Below this is a large, green, circular button with "Emergency" next to it. Below that is a smaller, blue, circular button with "Information" next to it
Accessible facilities: Step-free entrance, Lift to some areas, Seating at regular intervals, Step-free access to most areas
Parking & Transport
Good
I travelled to this place by train
The Elizabeth line provides eastbound services to Shenfield and Abbey Wood and westbound services to Reading, Maidenhead and Heathrow. There is a small car park connected to the National Rail part of Paddington station. It is located on Bishop Bridge’s Road, and is a paid car park with seven accessible parking spaces. It is open 24/7 and has a height restriction of 2.6 metres. You can pay via machines in the car park with credit or debit card (no cash accepted) or you can pay via your smartphone. The station’s website says that “Where needed we can drop you off at the car park via a mobility buggy”. The National Rail part of the station provides services to Newbury, Bristol Temple Meads, Cardiff Central, Cheltenham Spa, Exeter St Davids, Oxford, Plymouth, Didcot Parkway, and Heathrow Airport terminals. There are also other Underground lines available. The Bakerloo line requires boarding ramps for those that need step-free and offers northbound services to Harrow & Wealdstone, Stonebridge Park and Queen’s Park, and southbound services to Elephant & Castle. The Circle and Hammersmith and City platforms provide step-free without boarding ramps and offer eastbound services to Aldgate, Edgware Road, and Barking and westbound services to Hammersmith. There is also another set of platforms where Circle and District services are available, however there is no step-free access to these services. Those platforms offer services to Edgware Road, Hammersmith, High Street Kensington, Ealing Broadway and Wimbledon.
Accessible facilities: Public or on street parking
Accessible Toilets
There are accessible toilets in the National Rail part of Paddington station
Staff
Excellent
There are always members of staff on the platform and they wear orange hi-vis vests to help identify them. They are able to call ahead to your next station to alert them of any assistance you may require. They are always very helpful.
