Olympia London, on Hammersmith Road in Kensington (W14), is the capital's other big exhibition venue. Exhibitors and organisers who work both venues – or visitors doing two shows in one trip – regularly need to cross London between them, with cases and stand materials.
The route from Olympia London to ExCeL London
From Olympia the driver heads east on the A4 and Cromwell Road towards the Embankment, then through the Limehouse Link (A1203) and onto the A13 for the Royal Docks.
Leaving Olympia
After a show at Olympia, Hammersmith Road and the Cromwell Road get busy quickly. Your driver waits at an agreed point near the Hammersmith Road entrance and messages you on arrival, so you are not hunting for a cab in the crowd. If you are going to a Royal Docks hotel rather than the venue, give us the hotel and we drive straight there.
Arriving at ExCeL
Tell us the hall or event when you book and we drop you at the nearest entrance.
| Entrance | Nearest halls and stations | How we drop you |
|---|---|---|
| West entrance – Western Gateway, E16 1XL | Low-numbered halls (S1/N1 upwards), Custom House station (Elizabeth line and DLR) about 200 m away, the Western Gateway hotels | At the West drop-off and pick-up zone beside the taxi rank – the point ExCeL itself recommends for groups and anyone with reduced mobility |
| East entrance & ICC London – E16 1FR | High-numbered halls (up to S11/N11), ICC London, Prince Regent DLR about 200 m away, Aloft and Premier Inn | At the East drop-off and pick-up point; tell us the hall or ICC suite when you book |
The two entrances are about 600 m apart along the boulevard inside the venue, so the right one saves a long walk with cases. Free cloakrooms run during event hours on Level 0 (between N4 and S4, and at the east end); there is no overnight storage.
Good to know
By public transport instead?
By public transport, the trip usually means the District or Overground to a central interchange and the Elizabeth line out to Custom House – well over an hour with changes. A pre-booked car is the better choice with luggage, stand kit, a group, or an early start or late finish; it takes 40–50 min off-peak and 60–80 min at peak.
Price
Enter the two addresses in the quote form above for an instant fixed price for every vehicle size, from a saloon to a 9-seater. See what every ExCeL fare includes.
Related transfers
- Return journey
- ExCeL exhibition & conference transfers
- Hotels near ExCeL
- Heathrow to ExCeL
- London City Airport to ExCeL
- ExCeL London visitor guide
What travellers ask: Olympia London to ExCeL London Transfers
We read the busiest recent threads on TripAdvisor, Mumsnet and the Rick Steves travel forum about this journey. Below is what comes up most, in our own words, with how we handle it. Prices and timetables quoted in forum posts go out of date, so we have left them out.
Opposite ends of London
Posters point out that Kensington Olympia has very limited Underground service and that Olympia and ExCeL sit at opposite ends of London, so rail trips between them need several changes.
How we handle it: Exhibitors moving between two shows can book one car that waits while you load your kit.
Source: TripAdvisor London forum – Limited tubes from Kensington Olympia station?
Planners pick "fastest", not "fewest changes"
Older advice notes that journey planners may suggest the quickest route with more interchanges, which is hard with luggage.
How we handle it: One car means no interchanges between the two venues.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Olympia London to ExCeL London?
Typically 40–50 min outside the rush hours and 60–80 min on a weekday peak, for a distance of about 11–12 miles.
Is the price fixed if the traffic is bad?
Yes. The fare is agreed when you book; there is no meter and no surge pricing.
Can you take a group with stand materials?
Yes – choose an MPV, V Class or 9-seater, or several vehicles for larger teams.
Can I book by the hour instead?
Yes. For a day of meetings or several venues, an hourly booking keeps the same driver and car with you.
Can I visit ExCeL and Olympia on the same day?
Yes, if you allow for traffic: the drive is typically 40–50 minutes off-peak but can be 60–80 minutes at busy times, as the route crosses central London.
More ExCeL London transfer guides
Airports to ExCeL: Gatwick Airport to ExCeL London Transfers · Heathrow Airport to ExCeL London Transfers · London City Airport to ExCeL London Transfers · Luton Airport to ExCeL London Transfers · Southend Airport to ExCeL London Transfers · Stansted Airport to ExCeL London Transfers
ExCeL to airports: ExCeL London to Gatwick Airport Transfers · ExCeL London to Heathrow Airport Transfers · ExCeL London to London City Airport Transfers · ExCeL London to Luton Airport Transfers · ExCeL London to Southend Airport Transfers · ExCeL London to Stansted Airport Transfers
Venues and stations: Canary Wharf to ExCeL London Transfers · Central London to ExCeL London Transfers · ExCeL London to Canary Wharf Transfers · ExCeL London to Central London Transfers · ExCeL London to Olympia London Transfers · ExCeL London to St Pancras International Transfers · St Pancras International to ExCeL London Transfers
Hotels near ExCeL: Hotels Near ExCeL London: Transfer Guide · ibis London ExCeL Docklands Transfers · Moxy London ExCeL Transfers · Novotel London ExCeL Transfers · Premier Inn London Docklands (ExCeL) Transfers
Guides: ExCeL London Exhibition & Conference Transfers · How a Pre-Booked London Airport Transfer Works · TfL-Licensed Private Hire Explained
Updated 2 October 2026. Journey times are typical door-to-door ranges; your driver checks live traffic before setting off.