Matt wrote:
Hey guys. I'm currently planning a journey that takes me via London.
Basically I arrive in London Kings Cross, then ened to walk over to
St Pancreas to get a train to St. Albans. According to the Transport
Direct journey planner, this walk will take 31 minutes, but if I look
at any map, it looks like it shouldn't even take 5!

The short answer is "because that's the (generally pessimistic) time
specified in the 'Cross London Transfer Times' table in the National
Rail Timetable".

Were you wanting a Eurostar connection, it'd give you a minimum of 1
hour 5 minutes between arrival at Kings Cross and departure from St
Pancras (30 minutes transfer time, 35 minutes Eurostar allowance).

Other examples include Paddington - Marylebone (2 stops on the Bakerloo
Line, a short ride on the 205 bus or a 20 minute walk) at 32 minutes;
Euston - St Pancras at 38 minutes; and Euston - Kings Cross at 35 minutes.

Cheers,

Barry