excel to kings cross in the evening

balletshoes

Hi all,

I'm getting confused with my travel options for getting back from Excel at around 8pm to Kings Cross on a Thursday evening.

Logical me, thinks I could get the DLR from Excel to Stratford International, then take the Javelin from there to Kings Cross. But the tfl planner takes me by bus from Excel to Canning Town, then tube from Plaistow?

Can I not do my preferred journey DLR and Javelin?

Haven't a clue peeps, never spent any longer than an afternoon in London before.

Help!

balletshoes

or - another route (suggested on the London 2012 site planner) - DLR back from Excel to Tower Gateway, then Tower Hill tube to Kings Cross. This looks more straightforward to me (we'll be taking the DLR to Excel earlier in the day from Tower Gateway) but is there anything I'm missing? It will be me and my DD travelling.

ethelsmum

I've been wondering the same!

I much prefer the route you suggested over the travel planner one, that was what I was intending to do - I want the simplest route possible as I'm travelling alone with my 9 year old.

jfdi

The Travel Planner will take you a 'quieter' way & avoid where they know there'll be crowds. Personally I'd do DLR to Stratford Int & then the Javelin - but I was up there at the OGs and Westfield doesn't scare me now!

SimbaSimon

balletshoes wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm getting confused with my travel options for getting back from Excel at around 8pm to Kings Cross on a Thursday evening.

Logical me, thinks I could get the DLR from Excel to Stratford International, then take the Javelin from there to Kings Cross. But the tfl planner takes me by bus from Excel to Canning Town, then tube from Plaistow?

Can I not do my preferred journey DLR and Javelin?

Haven't a clue peeps, never spent any longer than an afternoon in London before.

Help!

You should be able to go your own route and in some cases it may be quicker if you do. I did this route many times during the Olympics due to staying not far from Kings Cross and volunteering at Excel. My preferred route after trying them out was Northern line from Kings Cross to Bank, then the DLR to Custom House and on the way back exactly the same but in reverse (although departing from Royal Victoria as Custom House was exit only). The tube staff will tell you to get on the first DLR that comes, I suggest you don't and look for the direct DLR train for your route as its a pain to change at some stations e.g. Canning Town where the platforms are a longish walk away.

The Javelin train is fast, but again the walking distance is longer and the crowds are busier which slow you down :rotfl:

balletshoes

thank you so much Simba, its great to get an opinion from someone who's tried the routes.

So my route would be Royal Victoria to Bank on the direct DLR, then tube from Bank to Kings Cross on the Northern line?

moneypenny2k

As a local person, I live within walking distance of excel, I'd say check out the first dlr trains that are due to arrive. If a bank one is in the first 3 hang on for that one, then change to the northan line for kings cross.

Come out of excel at custom house, cross the road and walk down the road opposite (be sure to notice the shark coming out of the wall of the cab office). Grab a 241 bus from outside the post office and go to plaistow station which will take 10-15 mins. Then get on a metropolitan line train directly to kings cross

Hope this helps

balletshoes

yes it does help, thank you moneypenny .