Commuting to Waterloo

[Gatsby]

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone here commutes from Havant to London Waterloo and, if so, how they find the commute?

I may potentially be moving jobs to work in town and I wondered if anyone here did this commute.

Looking likely that I would catch the 7.32 each morning and aim to return on the 18.00 if possible.

[Mark.]

It's doable, especially at the 0732 - the 1800 back can be busy so you'd need to get there earlier, and one around that time stops at Haslemere to let a faster one through so you need to swap trains if you want to get back a bit quicker.

If I need to go to Waterloo now I drive believe it or not. I leave Hayling at 0800 and generally walking in the office on the Southbank by 1000, the time for the cheap day return is 0840 from Havant. So in fact it's cheaper for my company to pay me the mileage and congestion charge to drive in than to even buy a cheap day return (I get free parking right on the Southbank).

[Spare tyre]

I do it from time to time from Southampton. Once you work out timings and work how what time you need to be where to get a seat it's not too bad. Podcasts and iplayer on phone help, I usually fall asleep a dribble on my shoulder in the mornings

Parking at station costs a lot for me in soton parkway mind

[Futureologist]

I often make the journey but couldn't imagine doing it Mon-Fri. Its ok once a week although inconsiderate passengers always grates on me. Broadsheet and drinking tea 4 inches from my face does irritate me. I tend to get a table (if available) and spend the time prepping/working.
I prefer to drive but the time is wasted especially if i have work to do - plus traffic isn't a problem on the train.

[Spare tyre]

Futureologist said:

I often make the journey but couldn't imagine doing it Mon-Fri. Its ok once a week although inconsiderate passengers always grates on me. Broadsheet and drinking tea 4 inches from my face does irritate me. I tend to get a table (if available) and spend the time prepping/working.
I prefer to drive but the time is wasted especially if i have work to do - plus traffic isn't a problem on the train.

theres one fat heffer that usually comes and sits near me

coughs with mouth open
wipes he nose with the palm of her hand and wrist and then inspects it like a 2 year old, wipes on seat / table / window etc
always plonks bag on table with no consideration for anyone
ALWAYS gets on with smelly food, which flakes all over the place
ALWAYS buys extra food, then spends a minute checking her bag for money, then her coat, then her trousers, repeat for a minute of two
has stupid big headphones on with a stupid ipod, the lead is all over the person next to her
every morning her phone will ring and ring and ring, eventually someone will wave at her and give the phone signal
she'll take the phone out, look at who it was and then just put it back in her bag, headphones back on, and it happens all over again and again
Lots of other huffing and puffing, visits to the toilet bashing you in the face as she walks past with her fat arse

Then when she gets off the train, all of its ste is just left all over the place for some poor sod to clear up

She'll then buy some more cakes or whatever from the platform

I cant imagine who in London employs her, unless shes a student

I dont think we'll ever be friends

[Stone Cold]

I do it everyday from B'mth 06:25 out and aim for the 17:35 or 18:05 back home, it is an arse ache but plenty of people on the platform at 06:15 each morning and sadly you do get used to it but I am constantly looking for something closer to home

[Spare tyre]

Stone Cold said:

I do it everyday from B'mth 06:25 out and aim for the 17:35 or 18:05 back home, it is an arse ache but plenty of people on the platform at 06:15 each morning and sadly you do get used to it but I am constantly looking for something closer to home

same train as you

[Alex]

I catch the train from Witley to Waterloo every day. The trains have improved a lot over the last few years (although the cost has risen dramatically).

If you board before Guildford, you are guaranteed a seat, also on the way home, if you arrive at Waterloo early enough.

Havant is a bit too far out to commute regularly IMO.

[Dogwatch]

Alex said:

Havant is a bit too far out to commute regularly IMO.

Don't know if it still happens but people used to commute up from the Isle of Wight.

[eric twinge]

another one here, 05.55 from southampton central to waterloo and I aim for the 1735 or 1805 back.
Been doing it 11 years and I don't think I can take much more, it gets pretty soul destroying after a while!

[Fairbridge]

I join the Weymouth to Waterloo train at Winchester. It can be a bit crowded but if I stay at the back of the train which is normally 10 coaches long it isnt too bad. I even get a charger plug point if I'm really lucky.

[Gatsby]

Thanks all, some really good insights and I appreciate the help.

If I did take a role in London I would be looking for one that allowed me to work two days a week at home. I think with that element added in then commuting wouldn't be too bad.

However, I am looking down here as well as I think that would really be better. The money would be less but the work/life balance would be better for me I think.

[Paul.B]

See this thread. All very true!!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Lofty999]

Had a mate who commuted every day from salisbury to London and moaned about it constantly,as I said to him either move to London or get a job,and a life,locally!I do not understand anyone doing this every day,there's more to life than money and other ways of making it.