Working in London from the South west...
Discussion
If I were doing it I would look at a hybrid (not car); the Heathrow to central London stretch will be the worst and most unpredictable.
I'd look at getting a fast train that will break the back of the journey which is close the the motorway network somewhere up the M4.Something like Swindon or Bristol parkway.
You'll get there in around 1 hr / 1hr 15mins by train then do the last 2/2.5 hours by car. By a parking season ticket and leave the car there during the week and hope it doesn't get smashed to pieces.
Still sounds s
tty.I have done this for a few years. Quickest and most efficient transport is car to Tiverton and then fast 1:55 hr train to Paddington. This avoids the Thomas the Tank Engine 30mph nonsense along the coast at Dawlish, Teignmouth, Totnes, etc. I live just outside Plymouth, lodged in Fulham and worked in Vicotoria. Quite do'able.
But, and its a big but. If you leave on a Sunday evening and get home late'ish on Friday you will become miserable. Short weekend leaves a whole 'back to school' feeling hanging over your time off. You need one day a week working from home. Can you get back on a Thursday night, doesn't matter if it's late. Friday at home, Friday evening social life and a fairly normal weekend makes it absolutely ok. And usually a bit of a party on the train back on Thursday night.
Or Monday wfh. It doesn't matter, you just don't see many happy people sustaining the full 5 days away. The long term commuters are all on 4 days or less.
So be careful what you sign up to would be my advice, once you commit it is much hoarder to renegotiate.
But, and its a big but. If you leave on a Sunday evening and get home late'ish on Friday you will become miserable. Short weekend leaves a whole 'back to school' feeling hanging over your time off. You need one day a week working from home. Can you get back on a Thursday night, doesn't matter if it's late. Friday at home, Friday evening social life and a fairly normal weekend makes it absolutely ok. And usually a bit of a party on the train back on Thursday night.
Or Monday wfh. It doesn't matter, you just don't see many happy people sustaining the full 5 days away. The long term commuters are all on 4 days or less.
So be careful what you sign up to would be my advice, once you commit it is much hoarder to renegotiate.
Morning Team London commute!
Some really good advice on here, to add clarity:
The choice element is not really a choice.
I have travelled home at weekends for most years with this employer, or been seconded away for months.
It will be for 12 to 18 months max!
It is a one off job in my company, the pain / grief is worth it (in my opinion)
The £200 towards travel is after tax (or not taxed?)
I'm popping up in a few weeks for a 2 week "hand over" and see the lay of the land.
The routine is (as far as I know) a week in London and the second week traveling around the UK, that might work in my favour in getting my Thursday / Friday appointments in the SW.
The Tiverton PKW idea makes sense, is parking extortionate?
Some really good advice on here, to add clarity:
The choice element is not really a choice.
I have travelled home at weekends for most years with this employer, or been seconded away for months.
It will be for 12 to 18 months max!
It is a one off job in my company, the pain / grief is worth it (in my opinion)
The £200 towards travel is after tax (or not taxed?)
I'm popping up in a few weeks for a 2 week "hand over" and see the lay of the land.
The routine is (as far as I know) a week in London and the second week traveling around the UK, that might work in my favour in getting my Thursday / Friday appointments in the SW.
The Tiverton PKW idea makes sense, is parking extortionate?
afternoon All,
Thought I'd close this topic down!
So I have now got a 2012 GTD DSG, and getting 545m per tank at £50 to refill which gives me about 50 mpg tank to tank, that is Plymouth to London and a bit of town driving. Not that bad.
I set off at either 0350 or 0400 on Monday morning straight in to work (via a shower and shave etc) then drive hope at 1700 to 1800 ish on a Thursday.
The drive is mainly M5 to M4 then M40, but sometimes follow the Google Nav and go 303 or south to Portsmouth / Southampton and save 20 mins.
During the week I get the overground from Wembley central to Euston, maybe run either side of that. pay a £20 suplement towards an oyster card (Zone 4 restricted)
Drive is pretty boring, loads of Podcasts smashed, thanks for all the top tips!
Thought I'd close this topic down!
So I have now got a 2012 GTD DSG, and getting 545m per tank at £50 to refill which gives me about 50 mpg tank to tank, that is Plymouth to London and a bit of town driving. Not that bad.
I set off at either 0350 or 0400 on Monday morning straight in to work (via a shower and shave etc) then drive hope at 1700 to 1800 ish on a Thursday.
The drive is mainly M5 to M4 then M40, but sometimes follow the Google Nav and go 303 or south to Portsmouth / Southampton and save 20 mins.
During the week I get the overground from Wembley central to Euston, maybe run either side of that. pay a £20 suplement towards an oyster card (Zone 4 restricted)
Drive is pretty boring, loads of Podcasts smashed, thanks for all the top tips!
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