Does anyone commute from Surrey to The City by car? Easy?
Discussion
I've driven in from the Farnborough area for work several times. You have to leave seriously early to get in for 9am or at least to be guaranteed to get in then, really you'd want to be out the door at 5.15 - 5.30am imo, aim to be at work well before 9am. Leave at 6.30am and some days you'll make it in 8.30am, other days it'll be later. I went from Bracknell to Bedfont the other morning which is about 15 miles, 90 minutes and this is going from a bit west of london to west london. The train is realistically the only way to go.
Used to do it fairly often from Hampshire i.e. M3 or M4.
Good rule of thumb is that you have to be across the M25 at or before 6:45am to guarantee being in the City for 830 to 9.
However it's likely that 2 days in every 5 you'll get caught up on something crappy. It only takes one car to break down on one of the flyovers and it's gridlock for miles around...!
You could also consider driving part way in and parking on a residential street near the end of a tube line? Buy a paper because you'll always get a seat... I used to use Kew, but not sure if they've clamped down on the parking now?
Good rule of thumb is that you have to be across the M25 at or before 6:45am to guarantee being in the City for 830 to 9.
However it's likely that 2 days in every 5 you'll get caught up on something crappy. It only takes one car to break down on one of the flyovers and it's gridlock for miles around...!
You could also consider driving part way in and parking on a residential street near the end of a tube line? Buy a paper because you'll always get a seat... I used to use Kew, but not sure if they've clamped down on the parking now?
ffc said:
I knew people who did this in the 90's. They were at there desk at 6am and left at 7pm. They also had their own parking space at the bank I was working at. Most of us did the commute by train thing.
Me. had to stop in mid 90's for johnr's reason, there was never a day that didn't include roadworks somewhere, and it became impossible from about then, I'd say. The last route I tried was driving to Denham and getting the train to Marylebone, but this would only work with an extremely early start.hewlett said:
I've driven in from the Farnborough area for work several times. You have to leave seriously early to get in for 9am or at least to be guaranteed to get in then, really you'd want to be out the door at 5.15 - 5.30am imo, aim to be at work well before 9am. Leave at 6.30am and some days you'll make it in 8.30am, other days it'll be later. I went from Bracknell to Bedfont the other morning which is about 15 miles, 90 minutes and this is going from a bit west of london to west london. The train is realistically the only way to go.
15 miles in 90 minutes? Did you get out of first?Get a bike. If you're a little lazy get an electrically assisted bike.
Or a pogo stick for that matter.
I drive from Sunningdale to Hanger Lane each day, leave the car there (free on road parking) and then catch the tube into the City.
Leave early (as I need to be in) at c5.20am and takes me an average 30 mins to get to Hanger Lane. On the way home it's obviously slower but...I figure I'd have to drive to a station anyway, parking at Sunningdale or somwhere else is expensive and the tube is cheaper than rail. Daily commute cost is c£10 (tube plus petrol).
Leave early (as I need to be in) at c5.20am and takes me an average 30 mins to get to Hanger Lane. On the way home it's obviously slower but...I figure I'd have to drive to a station anyway, parking at Sunningdale or somwhere else is expensive and the tube is cheaper than rail. Daily commute cost is c£10 (tube plus petrol).
Unless you have free petrol (diesel) from work and a parking space at your destination (never mind the congestion charge) you're are looking at serious costs. I have to leave at 6am latest to have a reasonably pleasant drive in and then chill out when I get there with a beverage of some sort. However I get free fuel and parking paid for. If I was paying I'd either get a bike license or drive to Kew or Richmond or Twickenham even and cycle the rest of the way.
Must say I detest trains and would have to find an alternative!!
Must say I detest trains and would have to find an alternative!!
Motorbike is an option yes, but I assume most people aren't equipped with a bike licsense.
OP, the train from there is around 4k a year, its actually a decent enough link, you'll probably get a seat (as long as those pesky bankers of Bentley don't beat you to it :P ) its just easier.
It takes about an hour and a half to get to Liverpool Street from Farnham, that's pretty good going considering I'm in Surbiton (which is probably 25 miles or more from you, and about 15 miles from Liverpool street it only takes 30 mins more for you to get there than me, you may pay for it, but that's good value IMO, having said that, its not a cheap place to be (Farnham)
OP, the train from there is around 4k a year, its actually a decent enough link, you'll probably get a seat (as long as those pesky bankers of Bentley don't beat you to it :P ) its just easier.
It takes about an hour and a half to get to Liverpool Street from Farnham, that's pretty good going considering I'm in Surbiton (which is probably 25 miles or more from you, and about 15 miles from Liverpool street it only takes 30 mins more for you to get there than me, you may pay for it, but that's good value IMO, having said that, its not a cheap place to be (Farnham)
I go from Haslemere to the City. I do it very rarely by car. I would not choose to do it every day.
I think if you are not on your way before 7 you are stuffed. Then there's the petrol/congestion charge/parking if applicable. Plus you would I assume be leaving the same time as everyone else in the evening and that's not a nice experience.
Train for me.
I think if you are not on your way before 7 you are stuffed. Then there's the petrol/congestion charge/parking if applicable. Plus you would I assume be leaving the same time as everyone else in the evening and that's not a nice experience.
Train for me.
cod man said:
Someone I know used to drive to Richmond Park from Guildford area, park up, get bike out and cycle the rest of the way in to EC4 area of London. Not sure if it's still possible to leave car in Richmond park free for the day though.
Why would you do that?That would take longer than getting the train from Farnham. And no you can't do that.
I'm moving to Binsted which is neat Bentley (South of Farnham), and need to be in the City by 7am.
The Farnham train does not get to Waterloo until 6:56 which does not leave me time to get to the office from Waterloo.
Hence why im considering the drive. Are there any tricks to the commute, maybe driving to another line that would make it possible?
Tks Tom
The Farnham train does not get to Waterloo until 6:56 which does not leave me time to get to the office from Waterloo.
Hence why im considering the drive. Are there any tricks to the commute, maybe driving to another line that would make it possible?
Tks Tom
I'm moving to Binsted which is neat Bentley (South of Farnham), and need to be in the City by 7am.
The Farnham train does not get to Waterloo until 6:56 which does not leave me time to get to the office from Waterloo.
Hence why im considering the drive. Are there any tricks to the commute, maybe driving to another line that would make it possible?
Tks Tom
The Farnham train does not get to Waterloo until 6:56 which does not leave me time to get to the office from Waterloo.
Hence why im considering the drive. Are there any tricks to the commute, maybe driving to another line that would make it possible?
Tks Tom
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