Lido Festival

Getting to Tower Hamlets is easy by air or rail. London has several airports: the closest is London City Airport (just a few miles away and reachable by the Docklands Light Railway or local buses), which mainly serves European flights. Most international travellers use Heathrow or Gatwick – from Heathrow you can take the Elizabeth line and then a short Underground ride to reach East London, while Gatwick Express or trains connect to central London stations (like London Bridge or Victoria) to switch to the Tube. Stansted and Luton airports also offer frequent rail services into the city (Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, Thameslink trains from Luton), where you can connect onward by Tube or bus to Tower Hamlets.

Once in London, public transport is the best way to continue your journey. Tower Hamlets is well served by the London Underground and Overground networks. Key stations near Victoria Park include Mile End (Central, District and Hammersmith & City lines), Bethnal Green (Central and Hammersmith & City), and Bow Road (District and Hammersmith & City). The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) serves nearby areas like Bow Church and Stratford. London Overground trains stop at Cambridge Heath and Hackney Wick, and several bus routes pass through local streets. Night buses and river buses also run in East London. To travel around the city, visitors can use Oyster cards or contactless payment on all public transport for convenience.

Driving in central London is generally not recommended due to traffic congestion and limited parking, but if you do arrive by car you can access Tower Hamlets via the A11 or A12. Be aware that street parking may require permits and festival parking is likely restricted. Instead, it may be easier to park near larger transport hubs or stay at a hotel with parking and take public transit to Victoria Park.

London offers a wide range of accommodation options for visitors. In Tower Hamlets and nearby neighborhoods you'll find everything from budget hostels and friendly guesthouses to mid-range hotels and luxury chains. Areas like Shoreditch, Hoxton and Bethnal Green are conveniently close and full of boutique hotels, while Canary Wharf has modern high-rise hotels and serviced apartments. Booking well in advance is a good idea, especially during the summer festival season when demand is high. Many visitors choose to stay near an Underground or DLR station for easy travel back and forth to the festival grounds.