How Do You Travel to a London Clinic for a Scan?
ScanAlign at 19 Harley Street is in central London. It is a short walk from three major Underground (Tube) stations and has good rail links across the UK. The visit itself is short: most patients arrive, have their scan and leave the clinic on the same day. You do not need a referral, and the scan does not require an overnight stay.
Key takeaways
- You can walk to Harley Street from Regent's Park, Great Portland Street and Oxford Circus Tube stations.
- The scan itself takes around 15 to 20 minutes, so it fits easily into one day of your trip.
- You can book a scan and plan your visit in one step, with a free video consultation first.
- Your report and images can be sent digitally to you, your doctor or your specialist, wherever you are.
- The clinic is step-free and accessible for wheelchair users.
Where is ScanAlign in London?
ScanAlign is at 19 Harley Street, in the heart of London's medical district. Harley Street lies between Regent's Park and Oxford Street, in the borough of Westminster. Specialist clinics have been in this area for over two hundred years. So the streets around it are set up for patients coming to appointments.
How do I get to Harley Street by train?
Harley Street is one of the easiest medical areas to reach by rail. Three Tube stations are a few minutes' walk away. All the main London railway terminals are a short ride away.
Coming from outside central London
If you are coming by train from elsewhere in the UK, or from an airport, the main station you arrive at decides your quickest route onward.
- Euston (from Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow): Take the Victoria line southbound one stop to Warren Street, then walk 8 minutes, or take a short taxi.
- King's Cross / St Pancras (from Leeds, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Eurostar): Take the Hammersmith & City or Circle line westbound to Great Portland Street.
- Paddington (from Bristol, Cardiff, the West Country, Heathrow Express): Take the Bakerloo line to Regent's Park.
- Waterloo (from Southampton, Portsmouth, Surrey): Take the Bakerloo line northbound to Regent's Park.
- Liverpool Street (from East Anglia, Stansted): Take the Metropolitan line to Great Portland Street.
By Tube, the journey from station to clinic is rarely more than 20 minutes.
Can I drive to Harley Street for a scan?
Yes, you can drive, but it helps to know a few things first. Harley Street is inside London's Congestion Charge zone, which applies on weekdays. Street parking in Westminster is metered and limited. There are several NCP and Q-Park car parks a short walk away.
For many patients coming from outside London, the train is simpler and often quicker than driving and parking. But if driving suits you better, the appointment is short, so you will not need to park for long.
How do I plan the day of my appointment?
The scan itself is quick, so you do not need to set aside the whole day. Here is a typical timeline.
Start with a free video consultation from home, before you plan your trip. We confirm whether the scan is right for you, answer your questions and arrange a date. You can read more about what to expect at an alignment assessment.
Try to arrive about 15 minutes before your appointment. The clinic is easy to find from Regent's Park station. You do not need any special preparation.
The EOS scan takes around 15 to 20 minutes. You stand naturally in your everyday clothes (no gown needed). It uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less.
You are free to leave straight after. Your results and report are sent to you digitally, so you do not need to come back for a follow-up visit.
Combining appointments? Harley Street has hundreds of specialist clinics. If you have other medical appointments in London, you can book your scan on the same day to make the most of one trip.
Is the clinic accessible for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility?
Yes. The clinic at 19 Harley Street has step-free access. If you have particular mobility needs or use a wheelchair, please tell us when you book so we can have everything ready for you. Our patient support team is happy to answer any questions about access before your visit.
Oxford Circus is the nearest station with step-free access to the platforms. If you come by taxi or private car, you can be dropped off right outside the clinic on Harley Street.
How do I get my results if I live outside the UK?
Your report and images are sent to you digitally. You do not need to come back to London to collect anything. We can also send a copy to your doctor or the clinician who referred you, wherever they are. That way your own team has everything they need to plan your next steps.
Before you start a treatment, or change the one you are on, it is worth getting a detailed diagnosis. Knowing whether the cause lies in the pelvis, the legs or the spine changes what will actually help.
A note on soft-tissue problems. EOS imaging shows bones, joints and whole-body alignment while you stand. For soft tissue, discs or nerves, MRI is usually the better tool. If you need both, you can arrange an MRI near home and combine the results with your EOS alignment data for a fuller picture.
Common questions about travelling to London for a scan
No. ScanAlign is a self-pay clinic, so you can book directly without a referral. Your free video consultation replaces the need for a referral letter from your doctor.
The EOS scan itself takes around 15 to 20 minutes. With check-in and positioning, expect to be at the clinic for about 30 to 40 minutes.
Yes. The EOS system uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. It is one of the lowest-dose skeletal imaging options available.
The price for patients travelling from abroad is confirmed during the free video consultation. There is no obligation to go ahead.
Yes. Most patients from outside London treat the visit as a day trip. Nothing about the scan stops you from travelling straight afterwards.
Regent's Park on the Bakerloo line is about a 3 minute walk. Great Portland Street (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines) is about 5 minutes away.
Yes. Q-Park Harley Street and NCP Cavendish Square are both within a few minutes' walk. Metered street parking is also available but limited. Remember that Harley Street is inside the Congestion Charge zone.
Yes, if you would like that. We can send a copy of your report and images to your doctor or any other clinician you choose, wherever they are.
No. You can wear your everyday clothes. We will ask you to remove metal items such as belts, jewellery or coins from your pockets, but you do not need a hospital gown.
Absolutely. Harley Street has hundreds of specialist clinics. Many patients book their EOS scan alongside other appointments to make the most of one trip to London.
Ready to plan your visit?
Start with a free video consultation from home. We will confirm the scan is right for you and help you choose a date that fits your travel plans.
Book a free video consultationWritten by Abbas Dhami (Specialist Diagnostic Radiographer)
Sources
- Transport for London, "Congestion Charge" guidance: tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge
- Transport for London, "Step-free Tube guide": tfl.gov.uk/maps/step-free
- NHS, "Choosing where to go for treatment": nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/how-to-find-an-nhs-service
This page is general information and not a diagnosis.
ScanAlign is the trading name of CoreMed Solutions Ltd and operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence.