Kings Cross station footbridge

[8ace]

Is it possible to exit the station via this to provide a quicker route to St Pancras (Thameslink platforms)?
I'm on the 1E28 1900 EDB to KGX (coach B) https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y11866/2026-04-04/detailed and would ideally like to catch the 2354 to Brighton - any chance of an early arrival into The Cross?

 

[bramling]

Is it possible to exit the station via this to provide a quicker route to St Pancras (Thameslink platforms)?
I'm on the 1E28 1900 EDB to KGX (coach B) https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y11866/2026-04-04/detailed and would ideally like to catch the 2354 to Brighton - any chance of an early arrival into The Cross?

Yes it is, however only platforms 0/1 have stair access to the footbridge, for the others it would be necessary to use the lift - which could take some time unless you’re first off the train AND in the right place to be first in the lift.

 

[xotGD]

Yes it is, however only platforms 0/1 have stair access to the footbridge, for the others it would be necessary to use the lift - which could take some time unless you’re first off the train AND in the right place to be first in the lift.

Hardly anyone does this. I'm usually the only person using the lift and exiting this way.

A quicker route to Greggs too!

 

[bramling]

Hardly anyone does this. I'm usually the only person using the lift and exiting this way.

You must be lucky, I always find there’s a queue for the lift. Perhaps it happens more when coming off GTR trains whose users tend to be more familiar.

 

[xotGD]

You must be lucky, I always find there’s a queue for the lift. Perhaps it happens more when coming off GTR trains whose users tend to be more familiar.

The difference between switched-on commuters and once a year visitors from Yorkshire!

 

[8ace]

Ok thanks will give it go!

 

[8ace]

Which coach should I be in for optimal lift position (9 car Azuma I think)?

 

[swt_passenger]

In the build plans I remember seeing passenger flow diagrams which strongly suggested it was never intended to be used by arrivals, hence the one way escalators. Clearly it’s difficult to make a lift a one way device.

 

[edwin_m]

There's not room for a second escalator, but perhaps they could reverse the existing one when a train was arriving on one of the platforms it serves. However, the bridge is narrow enough that if a significant number of arriving passengers exited that way, the departing passengers would never get through.

 

[yorkie]

Is it possible to exit the station via this to provide a quicker route to St Pancras (Thameslink platforms)?
I'm on the 1E28 1900 EDB to KGX (coach B) https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y11866/2026-04-04/detailed and would ideally like to catch the 2354 to Brighton - any chance of an early arrival into The Cross?

I'd aim to be off at the optimal point for the lift (at a guess this would be the rear of Coach K, i.e. the first standard class door from the front), and if the lift is in, take it. Go down the first escalator on your right, then turn left and cross the road to St Pancras.

You must be lucky, I always find there’s a queue for the lift. Perhaps it happens more when coming off GTR trains whose users tend to be more familiar.

I've never seen a queue for the lift, but I guess we travel at different times. However, if someone has just called the lift from the top, that's another matter; if the lift has just departed, it is probably quicker to walk the longer way round.

There's not room for a second escalator, but perhaps they could reverse the existing one when a train was arriving on one of the platforms it serves. However, the bridge is narrow enough that if a significant number of arriving passengers exited that way, the departing passengers would never get through.

If anyone has any proposals to change the layout at KGX (or anywhere else), feel free to create a new thread.

At present, hardly anyone exits this way, and it's mostly used by departing/boarding passengers and I think it works well consistently being this way.

 

[8ace]

I'd aim to be off at the optimal point for the lift (at a guess this would be the rear of Coach K, i.e. the first standard class door from the front), and if the lift is in, take it. Go down the first escalator on your right, then turn left and cross the road to St Pancras.

I've never seen a queue for the lift, but I guess we travel at different times. However, if someone has just called the lift from the top, that's another matter; if the lift has just departed, it is probably quicker to walk the longer way round.


If anyone has any proposals to change the layout at KGX (or anywhere else), feel free to create a new thread.

At present, hardly anyone exits this way, and it's mostly used by departing/boarding passengers and I think it works well consistently being this way.

Not too late thanks mate

 

[bramling]

Which coach should I be in for optimal lift position (9 car Azuma I think)?

I’d say rear end of car 4 would be about right, unless anyone knows better.

 

[8ace]

I’d say rear end of car 4 would be about right, unless anyone knows better.

Thanks Bramling, already on my day trip to Glasgow so don’t want to make it any longer than needs be.
On another note could any kind soul with RTT+ check the history of 1E28 and see if it usually arrives a bit early? Please and thank you.

 

[yorkie]

I see your train was late, but you would have comfortably made the next Brighton train.

I had a look today and, depending on exact platform, rear of K or front of J does indeed seem to be best for these lifts.