The BFI IMAX has the largest cinema screen in the UK. It’s on the South Bank, in the Waterloo roundabout, and it’s a genuinely different experience to a standard multiplex. The scale of the screen and the quality of the sound make it worth planning a proper trip around rather than squeezing in as an afterthought.
The practical challenge is timing. Popular screenings sell out fast, and the best slots are often late evening. If you’re coming from outside London, a central overnight stay makes the whole trip easier. You’re not watching the clock through the credits, and you don’t have a last train to catch. Pairing a screening with a stay at one of our central London hotels turns a cinema visit into a proper London break.
Many guests find that a London staycation works well as a framework for this kind of trip. Book the IMAX first, then build the rest of the day around it.
Booking Tickets and Choosing Your Seat
BFI IMAX tickets can be booked directly through the BFI website. The booking window for major releases opens weeks in advance, and weekend evenings sell out quickly. Book as soon as you have a date confirmed.
Seating matters more here than at a standard cinema. The screen is so large that where you sit significantly affects how comfortable the experience is. Most regulars recommend the back third of the auditorium for a balanced view, though the front rows give a more immersive experience. Aim for the middle of your preferred block rather than the edges.
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Getting to the BFI IMAX
The BFI IMAX is in the Waterloo roundabout, accessed via pedestrian underpasses. Waterloo station is directly above, served by the Jubilee, Bakerloo, Northern and Waterloo and City lines, plus national rail from across the south. It’s one of the most accessible venues in London by public transport.
If you’re arriving via King’s Cross, the Mabledon Court Hotel is worth considering as a base. It’s eight minutes from King’s Cross on foot, with direct access to the Northern line for a straightforward journey to Waterloo. Our Hotels Near King’s Cross Station guide has the full breakdown of connections.
From most Crown Group hotels, you’re on the Northern line within a few minutes. Hotel Cavendish in Bloomsbury gives you a direct Northern line connection to Waterloo with no changes. Hatton Garden Hotel in Farringdon is served by the Elizabeth line, with a change at Tottenham Court Road or London Bridge onto the Northern line heading south.
The South Bank Before Your Screening
The South Bank is worth arriving early for. The stretch between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars has the National Theatre, the Tate Modern, the Southbank Centre, and the BFI itself, all within a ten-minute walk of each other.
The book market under Waterloo Bridge runs most days. The riverside walk is easy and free. If you want a meal before the film, there’s plenty of choice along the South Bank without needing to go far. The Southbank Centre runs its own events and exhibitions year-round, worth checking if you have an afternoon to fill before an evening screening.
Which Crown Group Hotel to Choose
The choice depends on where your other plans are.
For the South Bank specifically, the Northern line is the most direct route. Hotel Cavendish and Arran House Hotel in Bloomsbury both give you straightforward access via Goodge Street or Tottenham Court Road.
Bloomsbury Palace Hotel works well if you’re adding a British Museum visit the following morning. The museum is a short walk from the hotel and free to enter.
Great St Helen Hotel near Liverpool Street suits business travellers fitting in an evening screening. The Jubilee line from Liverpool Street gets you to Waterloo in a few stops. Hatton Garden Hotel in Farringdon is similarly well connected.
Rooms across all Crown Group hotels are compact and practical. You’re paying for the location and the connections, not floor space you’ll only use to sleep in. The team looks after the properties well. Our behind-the-scenes look at a day in housekeeping gives an honest sense of the standard we work to. If you’ve seen reviews from before any of our recent refurbishments, it’s worth reading how we handle guest feedback.
Book Your Stay
Book directly through whichever hotel suits your plans. If you’re not sure which works best for your trip, contact us and we’ll help you work it out. Crown Group is a UK-owned group with six central London hotels. For more background, we’ve written about who we are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the BFI IMAX? On the South Bank, in the Waterloo roundabout, a couple of minutes’ walk from Waterloo station. It’s accessed via pedestrian underpasses. Full address and directions are on the BFI website.
How do I get to the BFI IMAX by Tube? Waterloo station sits directly above the venue, served by the Jubilee, Bakerloo, Northern and Waterloo and City lines. From most Crown Group hotels, the Northern line is the most direct route. Full journey planning at tfl.gov.uk.
How early should I book BFI IMAX tickets? For major releases and weekend evenings, as early as possible. Popular slots sell out weeks in advance. Check the BFI IMAX listings as soon as your dates are confirmed.
Where should I sit at the BFI IMAX? Most people find the back third of the auditorium the most comfortable for a full showing. The front rows give a more immersive experience but can be tiring over a long film. The middle of your preferred block is generally a safe option.
Is the BFI IMAX accessible? Yes. The venue has lift access to the auditorium and dedicated spaces for wheelchair users. Full accessibility information is on the BFI website.
Which Crown Group hotel is best for a BFI IMAX visit? It depends on your wider plans. For a direct Tube route to Waterloo with no changes, Hotel Cavendish or Arran House Hotel in Bloomsbury are the most straightforward options on the Northern line. Journey time is around fifteen to twenty minutes.
What else is there to do on the South Bank? The National Theatre, Tate Modern, Southbank Centre, book market under Waterloo Bridge, and the riverside walk itself are all within easy reach. The Southbank Centre lists current exhibitions and events if you want to plan your afternoon before the screening.