It is split between two postcode areas - EC4N and EC4R.

The thoroughfares of Queen Street and King Street (a northward continuation of Queen Street beyond Cheapside) were newly laid out, cutting across more ancient routes in the City, following the Great Fire of London in 1666; they were the only notable new streets following the fire’s destruction of much of the City.

At the lower (southern) end of Queen Street is Southwark Bridge. The London Chamber of Commerce & Industry is located at No. 33. At the upper (northern) end the street crosses Cheapside and becomes King Street, which leads to Gresham Street and the Guildhall. This creates a direct route from the River Thames at Southwark Bridge up to the Guildhall. Queen Street meets the newer Queen Victoria Street as well as Cannon Street. Minor roads off the street include Skinners Lane (the home of the Worshipful Company of Skinners) and Cloak Lane.

Two short sections of the street are pedestrianised, which together with a pedestrian-priority crossing of Cannon Street, forms a "Central Plaza" area. This was part of an award-winning public realm improvement scheme undertaken in 2006. This pedestrianised part of Queen Street has been used as a location for a number of art events organised by the City of London Festival and the London Architectural Biennale.

Queen Street and King Street together form part of an important route on the London Cycle Network which continues south over Southwark Bridge and north towards Moorgate.