Emirates Stadium away guide

This is a domestic away day, so there is no flight to plan. From most of the UK the sensible route is a train to a central London terminal, then the Tube. From Manchester that means Euston in roughly two hours, then the Victoria line to Highbury & Islington, about ten minutes' walk from the ground. Away fans sit in the lower tier of the South East corner, entering through turnstiles K and L, with an allocation of just under 3,000 for league games.

Fast facts

Getting there from the UK

This is an English away game in central London, so the "fly to a hub and go overland" logic does not apply. From Manchester the real choice is speed against cost: the fast train to Euston, or the cheap coach to Victoria, then the Tube to finish either way. Flying from a UK city to a London airport and doubling back into the centre wastes both time and money.

All times and costs are estimates and vary with kick-off time, engineering works and how far ahead you book.

Getting there from the airports

If you are flying into London from abroad, the most direct route is from Heathrow. The Piccadilly line runs direct to Arsenal station in roughly 1 hour 10 minutes with no changes.

From Gatwick, take a train, either the Gatwick Express or Southern, to Victoria, then the Victoria line to Highbury & Islington, around 1 hour 15 minutes in total.

From Luton, take a train into King's Cross St Pancras and change onto the Piccadilly line for Arsenal, roughly an hour in total.

Nearest stations and walking times

Arsenal station is closest but not always the best choice. Arsenal (Piccadilly line) is about a three-minute walk, but it gets extremely busy on matchdays and has no step-free access.

For a less congested arrival, use Finsbury Park. Finsbury Park (Victoria and Piccadilly lines plus National Rail) is about a ten-minute walk, is step-free, and is usually less congested, making it a good alternative from central London.

Highbury & Islington is the other sensible option, especially coming from Victoria. Highbury & Islington (Victoria line and National Rail) is roughly a ten-minute walk with step-free access, and is reached direct from Victoria on the Victoria line.

Two nearby stations are not normal options on a matchday. Holloway Road is entry-only before matches and exit-only afterwards, and Drayton Park is closed on matchdays, so do not plan to use them.

Where to stay

North London and the routes into it give you plenty of choice. Staying around Angel, Islington or King's Cross keeps you a short Tube or Overground hop from the ground and close to Upper Street's bars and restaurants. King's Cross St Pancras is handy if you are arriving by train and want to drop bags before the match. Central options around Euston and the West End cost more but put you on the Victoria and Piccadilly lines that run straight to the away end.

Away section, turnstiles and entry

Away fans are in one corner of the ground. Away supporters are housed in the lower tier of the South East corner, entering via turnstiles K and L.

Get there in good time. Turnstiles open 120 minutes before kick-off, and queues can be substantial, so arrive early. Entry is by digital pass or PDF ticket only, so download your ticket to Apple or Google Wallet before travelling.

The away numbers vary by competition. The normal away allocation is just under 3,000 for Premier League games, rising to around 6,000 for cup ties. Sight lines from the section are generally good, though the back rows can be affected by the upper-tier overhang.

What you can bring in

Keep bags to a minimum, or leave them behind. Bags must be smaller than A4 (21cm x 29.7cm); anything larger, including rucksacks, handbags and wheeled luggage, is not permitted, and you are advised not to bring a bag unless essential.

Some items are allowed with conditions. Non-offensive flags of 2m x 1m or smaller are allowed, and essential medication and accessibility items are allowed but may need prior notice to the club.

Others are banned outright. Pyrotechnics, flares and smoke devices, weapons, and offensive or discriminatory flags, banners or clothing are prohibited. The stadium is cashless, so bring a card for anything you buy inside.

Driving and parking

Leaving the car at home is the sensible call. Driving is not recommended due to strict matchday parking restrictions around the ground. If you must drive, there are limited spaces at the Sobell Leisure Centre, roughly a ten-minute walk from the stadium. By bus, stops at Holloway Road, Nag's Head, Seven Sisters Road, Blackstock Road and Highbury Corner are all a 5 to 10 minute walk away.

Where to drink

Holloway Road is the away fans' spine on a matchday. Prices are typical for London, roughly £6 to £7 a pint, and it pays to check forums before you travel, as police or council decisions can occasionally restrict pub access.

• The Hercules, 504 Holloway Road: widely regarded as the best pub for away fans in the area, a laid-back Irish pub about a 17-minute walk from the ground.
• The Coronet, 338 Holloway Road: a Wetherspoons about a ten-minute walk away, cheaper pints and away-friendly.
• The Twelve Pins, Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park: primarily an Arsenal pub but often welcomes away fans of non-rival clubs, handy for Finsbury Park station.
• The Famous Cock Tavern, Upper Street by Highbury & Islington: a busy, mixed crowd about a 20-minute walk from the ground, a good pre-match stop coming in from Victoria.
• The Alwyne Castle, St Paul's Road: a relaxed pub near Highbury & Islington that tends to be welcoming to visiting supporters.

Avoid the dedicated home pubs closest to the ground, the Tollington Arms, The Plimsoll and The Gunners Pub, which are Arsenal-only and often require a valid ticket or membership on matchdays.

Where to eat

Holloway Road and the surrounding streets are one of North London's more diverse eating strips, running from quick takeaways to proper sit-down meals. The London dish to seek out is pie and mash with liquor, the old East and North London standby, alongside a solid fish and chips.

• Xi'an Impression, opposite the Emirates: regional Shaanxi cooking with hand-pulled noodles, quick and a short stagger from the away end.
• Chippy on the Corner, Caledonian Road: affordable fish and chips, homemade fishcakes and fried chicken for the traditional pre-match feed.
• Titanic Cafe, Holloway Road: traditional freshly cooked English breakfasts in massive portions, good if you are in early.
• Wolkite and Mesi's Kitchen, Hornsey Road and Holloway Road: Ethiopian and Eritrean cooking, injera with spiced stews, a North London speciality.
• Westerns Laundry, Highbury: a Michelin Bib Gourmand seafood and natural-wine spot if you want to make a sit-down meal of it.
• Upper Street, Islington: a 15-minute walk south, wall-to-wall restaurants and gastropubs if nothing near the ground appeals.

What to do

If you are making a day or two of it, North London and the centre are both within easy reach.

• Upper Street and Camden Passage, Islington: theatres, restaurants and a pedestrian antiques and flea market off Angel, all a short walk or Tube hop from the ground.
• Camden Market: one Tube ride west, a sprawling market for food, music and stalls, plus the canal at Camden Lock.
• Regent's Canal: walk the towpath from Islington through to Camden or King's Cross for a quieter side of the city.
• King's Cross and Coal Drops Yard: regenerated railway lands with bars, shops and Granary Square, a few minutes by Tube.
• The British Museum: free entry, about 15 minutes south towards Holborn, easy to fold into a matchday.
• The West End: Soho, Covent Garden and the theatres are all a straight run down the Piccadilly line.
• Emirates Stadium tour: on non-matchdays the stadium tour takes you through the tunnel, dressing rooms and pitch-side.

Common questions

How do I get from the airport to the Emirates?

From Heathrow the Piccadilly line runs direct to Arsenal station in about 1 hour 10 minutes with no changes. From Gatwick, take a train to Victoria then the Victoria line to Highbury & Islington, around 1 hour 15 minutes. From Luton, train to King's Cross St Pancras then the Piccadilly line to Arsenal, roughly an hour.

Which airport should I fly into for an Arsenal away game?

If you are within the UK, do not fly. A train to a central London terminal and a short Tube ride beats any airport combination for time and cost. Flying in from abroad, Heathrow is the best connected because the Piccadilly line runs direct to Arsenal station. Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and London City all work but need a train into town first.

Where do away fans sit at the Emirates?

Away supporters are housed in the lower tier of the South East corner of the ground, entering through turnstiles K and L in that corner. Sight lines are generally good across the section, although the back few rows can be affected by the overhang of the upper tier above.

How many tickets do away fans get?

The standard away allocation is just under 3,000 for Premier League games, which is the full lower tier of the South East corner. For cup ties the allocation rises to around 6,000, since visiting clubs can be given part of the tier above as well. Numbers for any specific match are confirmed by your own club.

What time should I arrive?

Turnstiles open 120 minutes before kick-off and queues into the away end can be substantial, so arrive early rather than rolling up at the last minute. The away concourse serves refreshments from two hours before kick-off. Getting a pint on Holloway Road and walking down in good time is the low-stress plan.

Can I drink in the ground?

Yes, alcohol is served on the away concourse but not in view of the pitch, in line with English football rules. The concourse opens two hours before kick-off. Note the ground is cashless, so you will need a payment card rather than notes and coins for anything inside.

How much is a pint?

Inside the Emirates a pint starts at around £6.35 to £7, among the dearest in the league, though a matchday "Fans First" offer drops Asahi and Guinness to about £4.40 for the first hour after the gates open. Local pubs on Holloway Road run roughly £6 to £7.

Is the area safe?

North London is a busy, well-policed part of the city and the matchday operation around the Emirates is well established. Treat it like any big-city away day: keep your ticket and phone secure in crowds, do not wear colours into dedicated home pubs, and be sensible on public transport after the match. There is nothing unusual to worry about beyond normal city awareness.

Which pubs are best for away fans?

Holloway Road is the away-friendly strip. The Hercules is widely rated the best for visiting supporters, with The Coronet Wetherspoons and, a little further out, The Twelve Pins also welcoming. Steer clear of the Tollington Arms, The Plimsoll and The Gunners Pub near the ground, which are home-only.

Does my match ticket include free travel?

No. Unlike some European clubs, an Arsenal match ticket does not cover local transport. You pay TfL fares separately, easiest by tapping in and out with a contactless card or an Oyster card. A single Tube fare across central London is only a few pounds, and daily contactless capping keeps a full day's travel affordable.

How far is the stadium from the city centre?

The Emirates sits in Holloway, North London, about three to four miles from the West End. It is 20 to 45 minutes by Tube from central London depending on where you start, on the Piccadilly and Victoria lines. From Euston, where Manchester trains arrive, it is a short hop on the Victoria line to Highbury & Islington.

Where should I stay?

Angel, Islington and King's Cross keep you a short Tube or Overground hop from the ground and near Upper Street's bars and restaurants. King's Cross St Pancras suits arrival by train and lets you drop bags before the game. Central options around Euston and the West End cost more but put you directly on the Victoria and Piccadilly lines that run to the away end.