
Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 31 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms worth booking?
Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms is a 1.4-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $63 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 31 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (31)
- Duration
- 1.4 hours
- From
- $63 per person
Join our expert guides to explore the disused areas of Holborn tube station, and uncover the secrets of this transport hub. This tour gives you the unique opportunity to explore secret areas of a busy London tube station, off limits to the travelling public for many years. Over the duration of the tour, two expert tour guides will tell you the history of the station, how it developed and the plans for its future. We'll tell you about some of the films and music videos which have been filmed at the station over the years and even show you some of the track leading down to Aldwych station.
What you get
About this experience
Join our expert guides to explore the disused areas of Holborn tube station, and uncover the secrets of this transport hub. This tour gives you the unique opportunity to explore secret areas of a busy London tube station, off limits to the travelling public for many years. Over the duration of the tour, two expert tour guides will tell you the history of the station, how it developed and the plans for its future. We'll tell you about some of the films and music videos which have been filmed at the station over the years and even show you some of the track leading down to Aldwych station.
What's included
Included
- 85 minute guided tour of Holborn tube station
Not included
- Transportation to and from the site.
What you'll see and do
London Transport Museum, the world's leading museum of urban transport, invites you to join us on an exclusive guided tour to uncover the secrets of Holborn station, a busy interchange at the heart of London with much more to explore than first meets the eye. Originally opened in 1906 as a complex of four platforms to serve the Piccadilly line, this station had a pivotal role in turning the surrounding area from a land of ill repute into a prime business district for London. Step behind concealed doors into the expansive disused areas that lay behind, some not seen by the public in nearly 30 years. Enjoy an unexpected view of the Piccadilly line and explore the two closed platforms of the former Aldwych branch, complete with vintage posters, original Leslie Green Edwardian design, and an original early 20th century signalling cabin. Along the way you’ll relive the twists and turns of the 20th century as you hear how these spaces came to be used in surprising ways over the years.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
The meeting point for this tour is on the corner of Gate Street and Kingsway, WC2B 6AA.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The meeting point for this tour is on the corner of Gate Street and Kingsway, WC2B 6AA.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 16 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- London Transport Museum
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Tours are not suitable for children under 10 years of age
- All guests must bring photo ID
- Open-toed shoes are not allowed
- No food or drinks allowed on the tour
- Please do not bring luggage or large bags - there is no cloakroom
- The tour involves a lot of walking, including areas of uneven ground and low lighting
- Tours are not suitable for guests with claustrophobia
- Tours are not step free and including walking up and down flights of stairs
- There's no elevator
- There is a maximum of four children (aged 10-15 yrs) allowed per adult
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 31 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
31 verified traveler reviews for Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
If you love the idea of exploring hidden tunnels (and who doesn't???)...
So fascinating and enjoyable, immediately after, I booked the Piccadilly one. (Charing Cross would have been my next choice, but it was fully booked. Next time I'm in London!)
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic tour, really informative !
Fantastic tour, really informative ! Really fascinating seeing the unused areas / track in Holborn Tube station. Can’t wait to book the next one !
via Tripadvisor
Holborn underground tour
Very informative staff,knowledgeable explained everything clear& precise. Started on time, around about hour & half just right. Gave us all time to take pictures & ask questions. Very good tour. Thank you
via Tripadvisor
Do it if you can
Had a great time exploring behind the scenes, seeing the old & the new(ish). Both guides were hugely knowledgeable & entertaining.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour of the hidden underground
What a fab tour this was. . The meet up was nice and easy and gave us comprehensive instructions before the tour. The tour was very informative and 3 members of staff on the tour were very attentive and humorous. Learnt so much about that part of the underground and great to see the disused platforms.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 11
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by London Transport Museum, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 66.3.
See everything London Transport Museum runsWhy this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms cost?
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Prices start at $63 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms take?
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Plan for about 1.4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 31 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms?
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Around 11 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 1.4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour, Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms?
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Included: 85 minute guided tour of Holborn tube station. Not included: Transportation to and from the site. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms?
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The meeting point for this tour is on the corner of Gate Street and Kingsway, WC2B 6AA. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in London. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Hidden Tube Walking Tour - Holborn: The Secret Platforms?
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Across 31 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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