London Morning Rush Hour - Travel Tips??

Brian_The_Lion

I'm staying in Edmonton for a couple of nights in January and have to get to Kings Cross to catch a train at 9.30am on a Tuesday morning. When I was booking the train I forgot to consider how i'd get to KX for that time in the morning.

I've got 2 realistic options at the moment. I can get a train to Seven Sisters and get the Victoria line direct to KX or I can take a direct bus #259 to KX.

I'd like to get to KX by no later than 8.45 if possible to have time for a quick breakfast somewhere.

Apart from the obvious thing of the buses and trains being packed are they reknowed for taking a lot longer than usual to get to their destinations? If I take the bus would I need to allow a lot of extra time? If I took the tube would I have hassle carrying a bag and a child in tow?

I'll be travelling with a holdall and a 13yr old so I need to make it as hassle free as possible.

All hints and suggestions welcome!

Thanks in advance!

redpin_2

Brian_The_Lion wrote: »

I'm staying in Edmonton for a couple of nights in January and have to get to Kings Cross to catch a train at 9.30am on a Tuesday morning. When I was booking the train I forgot to consider how i'd get to KX for that time in the morning.

I've got 2 realistic options at the moment. I can get a train to Seven Sisters and get the Victoria line direct to KX or I can take a direct bus #259 to KX.

I'd like to get to KX by no later than 8.45 if possible to have time for a quick breakfast somewhere.

Apart from the obvious thing of the buses and trains being packed are they reknowed for taking a lot longer than usual to get to their destinations? If I take the bus would I need to allow a lot of extra time? If I took the tube would I have hassle carrying a bag and a child in tow?

I'll be travelling with a holdall and a 13yr old so I need to make it as hassle free as possible.

All hints and suggestions welcome!

Thanks in advance!

traffic is very bad after 7:20am, so avoid leaving later; in edmonton, you'd be faster walking than being in the bus in the rush hour. its just so congested due to being near the north circ etc. dont chance it, if the bus is a big part of the journey time as it is

nearlyrich

A 13 year old shouldn't be a problem a 13 month old with a pram might be. My advice is just be a Londoner, don't hang back don't expect anyone to give you an inch and leave plenty of time for your transfers...have fun.

Brian_The_Lion

slightly off topic, does anyone know about the whole Oyster PAYG refund process?

I know I can get travelcards for the few days Im there but was thinking about getting an oyster PAYG because im not 100% certain how much time I'll be using the tube in particular and know the bus is cheaper, especially as I dont mind travelling back in the evening by bus.

If I buy one at Euston when I get there I need to pay £5 deposit right? then obviously load it with the necessary funds also.

So when I leave can I take it back to the underground ticket office at Kings Cross and get my £5 back? can I get unused credit back also?

any advice is appreciated...

Humphrey10

Brian_The_Lion wrote: »

I know I can get travelcards for the few days Im there but was thinking about getting an oyster PAYG because im not 100% certain how much time I'll be using the tube in particular and know the bus is cheaper, especially as I dont mind travelling back in the evening by bus.

Travelcards work on buses as well as trains.

yorkie2

Brian_The_Lion wrote: »

I'm staying in Edmonton for a couple of nights in January and have to get to Kings Cross to catch a train at 9.30am on a Tuesday morning. When I was booking the train I forgot to consider how i'd get to KX for that time in the morning.

I've got 2 realistic options at the moment. I can get a train to Seven Sisters and get the Victoria line direct to KX or I can take a direct bus #259 to KX.

I'd like to get to KX by no later than 8.45 if possible to have time for a quick breakfast somewhere.

If your train at 0930 is on an Advance ticket, then make sure you allow plenty of time, bear in mind that if you start your journey with tube or bus then you may not be carried in the event of delays that occur on other operators. Providing your journey starts by National Rail then you are still covered in the event of delays to LU if delayed as part of a cross-London transfer.

If your ticket is an Off Peak ticket, then you can get an over-distance excess from Edmonton Green, in some cases (e.g. if the destination was York) the excess fare would be £0.00 and can be 'purchased' from any station.

rdwarr

Definitely stay off the roads as much as possible. The 259 is a long route and could easily be held up, especially with current roadworks. It could even take 90 mins! One day two weeks ago it took the 45 I was on 50 mins to get from Kings X to Blackfriars South. Three miles.

Victoria from Seven Sisters will not be too bad - you might even get a seat as it tends to fill up at Finsbury Park.

Fastest option is train from Edmonton to Seven Sisters then Underground. Leave the bus out completely if you can.

hermante

Brian_The_Lion wrote: »

are they reknowed for taking a lot longer than usual to get to their destinations?

There are more trains in the rush hour but it might be harder for you to find your way around packed stations.

Sooki

I'm not a Londoner, but I just looked it up out of curiosity. A very early bus or taxi would seem your best option 20 to 30 mins, about 6.5 miles so at least a 3 hour walk. There is always the Boris bike, personally I'd get a very early bus. Kings cross station has been updated somewhat and isn't too bad a place to hang out, and there are plenty of places near the station for breakfast if you don't fancy eating at the station.

If you've got an app friendly phone I'm sure MSE had click vouchers last week for free Time Out apps including London, which can be really useful app to have london.

Brian_The_Lion

rdwarr wrote: »

Victoria from Seven Sisters will not be too bad - you might even get a seat as it tends to fill up at Finsbury Park.

Fastest option is train from Edmonton to Seven Sisters then Underground. Leave the bus out completely if you can.

Think this is going to be my preferred option. Im staying near Edmonton Station and I know they do express trains too, so if i catch one of them the next stop will be seven sisters and then straight on the victoria line with a bit of luck. My train is at 9.30 at KX, but I still think ill leave edmonton at 7am. This should give me enough time right?

Sooki

Sounds like you've got it sussed, you are far more organised than me.

I've found a reasonably priced hotel (as in reasonable for london) a very short walk from kings cross which I use regulary, but it saves so much hassle (also breakfast included) and allows for extra zzzzzzz's