Seasoned commuters - Reading to Clapham best route?

[OllyMo]

• Mods, feel free to move this wherever it should go, I have no idea. It will die in the Jobs forums though, so please don't send it there...*

So,

What is a good option for commuting Reading to Clapham a few times each week? I won't be doing it everyday, perhaps 3 per week. New office is right by Clapham junction station.

1) The obvious is the direct train between Reading and Clapham, however it takes 1hr15 and is a horrible stopper. This will also mean that I'll only have a ticket for that journey, meaning heading into town after work for drinks will mean Oyster/extra tickets.

2) Reading to Paddington (25 mins on the fast train) then somehow Paddington to Clapham? Any ideas? I would get a Reading to Zone 1-6 monthly/season ticket. Only trouble is Paddington to Clapham looks like a couple of changes and fannying around, however is possibly still quicker than the above train.

3) Do it on the motorbike? This would involve buying a new one...

Any ideas or stories would be gratefully received. Option 2 is my preferred but I need to find the best way from Paddington to Clapham without too much pissing around.

Thanks

[louiebaby]

I lived near Clapham Junction with the missus visiting from Exeter for a little while.

If I was you, I'd just do the slow rattler, with no changes, and enjoy the sleep / book / games on an iPad.

The route via Paddington would probably be best on:

Reading to Paddington
Paddington to Waterloo (Bakerloo line)
Waterloo to Clapham Junction (Regular overland)

I wouldn't be very interested in that, as it is a lot more messing about, and probably no faster, door to desk, than the rattler.

[jeremyc]

louiebaby said:

The route via Paddington would probably be best on:

Reading to Paddington
Paddington to Waterloo (Bakerloo line)
Waterloo to Clapham Junction (Regular overland)

Or
Paddington to Willesden Junction (Bakerloo Line)
Willesden Junction to Clapham Junction (London Overground, 21 minutes)

I've not tried it though ...

[AyBee]

Tend to agree with Louie, the faff probably isn't worth it, I'd much rather not have to worry about changing and interrupting reading etc, and I doubt it would be much quicker at the end of the day once you've waited for tubes/trains etc. Will you be going into central London that much for drinks? There are some decent drinking places on your doorstep...

[mcgandalf]

Seriously, get the rattler.

If you start at Reading you'll likely get a seat. Once seated those trains are relatively comfortable and if you work right next to CLJ it involves zero faff.

Do you really want a horrible crush on the Reading-Paddington train, the grime/crush/arsing about of the Bakerloo line, then yet another train from Waterloo, twice a day, each time you have to do it?

If you're worried about your ticket precluding you from evenings out in town, the Reading-Clapham ticket is considerably cheaper than a Reading-Zones 1-6 Travelcard, and a little bit of additional Oyster travel as and where necessary to see your chums really isn't too expensive.

Only think to bear in mind is that, if you do go out in town after work, your ticket will stipulate that you can only go home via the SWT rattler from Waterloo - not the fast train from Paddington.

Edited by mcgandalf on Tuesday 12th January 13:20

[OllyMo]

Thanks everyone.

I'll admit I didn't really think of just watching a film or reading on the train. That will probably be fine, cheers. I need to get into central at least once a week, to near Moorgate but can just get to Waterloo and then get the tube.

Next question then - best watering holes near Clapham Junction? One of my friends works in the Four Thieves micro-brewery, so that will probably be frequented.

[eltawater]

I used to live in Egham and commuted into London via Clapham Junction to Waterloo.

My advice would be to take the direct route and kick back. You're putting yourself in for a world of pain if you complicate it by joining the crowds getting onto the Tube at Paddington, fighting onto the concourse at Waterloo and then getting off again at Clapham Junction.

You also have to factor in any delays coming into Paddington, the Bakerloo line itself and from Waterloo to Clapham junction as opposed to those just between Reading and Clapham Junction.

[probably chalk]

OllyMo said:

Thanks everyone.

I'll admit I didn't really think of just watching a film or reading on the train. That will probably be fine, cheers. I need to get into central at least once a week, to near Moorgate but can just get to Waterloo and then get the tube.

Next question then - best watering holes near Clapham Junction? One of my friends works in the Four Thieves micro-brewery, so that will probably be frequented.

The Falcon, on the Arding and Hobbs junction just down the road from CJ station, always used to be a great and beautiful real ale pub. It's two years at least since I was last in there though.

[PurpleTurtle]

Reading resident of 20yrs and fairly frequent user of both services here: get the rattler to Waterloo.

You'll be lucky to get a seat on any rush hour train Reading to Paddington, it is seriously overcrowded on peak services. Whilst the Waterloo train takes that bit longer, you'll always get a seat, and don't have the pain of the Tube.

[R8VXF]

Do not do the Paddington route if at all possible. It is horrible.

[AyBee]

probably chalk said:

The Falcon, on the Arding and Hobbs junction just down the road from CJ station, always used to be a great and beautiful real ale pub. It's two years at least since I was last in there though.

Depends hugely on what you're looking for - The Draft House on Northcote Road is decent though.

[Puggit]

You may have to stand on the rattler on your way home, as it will be full from Waterloo. However, it soon empties at Richmond and a few stations after.

It does tend to suffer its fair share of problems on the line, but never as bad as Reading-Paddington. There's also the option of Reading-Basingstoke-fast train to London to get around problems on Reading-Waterloo.