Hampton Court to Watford Junction?

Lokolo_2

Afternoon folks and Happy New Year to you all

I will soon start a new job, which is based in Watford. I live in the Hampton Court area. The job involves a start time of 05:30!

I have looked at trains and buses but it appears I am out of luck, I found a train from Clapham Junction which would get me in at 05:40 to Watford Junction, this won't work though as the start times are not negotiable.

Hence I was wondering if anyone has any better ideas for making this Journey? I can drive, but the cost and distance puts me off, so I wanted to consider the alternatives! Is there a coach going to Watford maybe from London at that time of the morning?

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions. :j

Andy_L

Unfortunately thats to early for public transport. You could do it via the night busses buts its a 2-3 hour journey.
At that time of the day the roads will be quiet, driving is really the only realistic option other than relocating. If you already own a car then the marginal cost is probably much the same as public transport anyway

Lokolo_2

Andy_L wrote: »

Unfortunately thats to early for public transport. You could do it via the night busses buts its a 2-3 hour journey.
At that time of the day the roads will be quiet, driving is really the only realistic option other than relocating. If you already own a car then the marginal cost is probably much the same as public transport anyway

Thanks for your reply, is there a night bus going to Watford? I looked but couldnt find that on the TFL site!

I do own a car, I was just thinking of the petrol and wear and tear costs and maybe parking costs, as it is a job with a train company (Pay around £18k pa) so I can use trains either free or highly discounted. Was thinking to get the Night bus one way if there is one and then the train back. Or maybe I'm just a tight wad and should drive!

In the long term I do want to move up there, just my finances aren't in order to do it too soon, maybe I'll have to do the commute for 2-3 years!

Lokolo_2

Also for the routes it (Google Maps) suggests either the M1 or M25, the latter is nearly 10 miles longer so I am swayed towards using the M1, but I wonder if anyone knows what the traffic is like on it around 5am?!

dacouch

Lokolo_2 wrote: »

Also for the routes it (Google Maps) suggests either the M1 or M25, the latter is nearly 10 miles longer so I am swayed towards using the M1, but I wonder if anyone knows what the traffic is like on it around 5am?!

At 5am there is negligible traffic.

Lokolo_2

dacouch wrote: »

At 5am there is negligible traffic.

Thank you, looks like my route is sorted then for the short term! :T

Andy_L

Lokolo_2 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply, is there a night bus going to Watford? I looked but couldnt find that on the TFL site!

You have to use about 4 different buses & spend a lot of time hanging around, that's why it takes 3 hours

headpin

Lokolo_2 wrote: »

Also for the routes it (Google Maps) suggests either the M1 or M25, the latter is nearly 10 miles longer so I am swayed towards using the M1, but I wonder if anyone knows what the traffic is like on it around 5am?!

If you live in the Hampton Court area then you would not go anywhere near the M1 to get to Watford. You could possibly use the M25 and come off at J19, J20, or J21 depending on where in Watford you need to get to. If Watford Junction then at that time of the morning J19 is your quickest route.

The M25 although an extra journey distance would probably be your quickest option going via the M3. It is about 35 miles in total. Depending upon what time you return home each day you could probably double the journey time or more on the way back possibly near to 2 hours!!! And depending upon your car the fuel cost could be about £10 per day!

Your start time really gives you an issue unfortunately.

w211

I was going to suggest take the 111 (runs 24 hour) bus to Heathrow, then catch the 724 to Watford Junction. Had a look at the timetable and the first bus from Heathrow is 0627!

Lokolo_2

headpin wrote: »

If you live in the Hampton Court area then you would not go anywhere near the M1 to get to Watford. You could possibly use the M25 and come off at J19, J20, or J21 depending on where in Watford you need to get to. If Watford Junction then at that time of the morning J19 is your quickest route.

The M25 although an extra journey distance would probably be your quickest option going via the M3. It is about 35 miles in total. Depending upon what time you return home each day you could probably double the journey time or more on the way back possibly near to 2 hours!!! And depending upon your car the fuel cost could be about £10 per day!

Your start time really gives you an issue unfortunately.

Many thanks for the detailed reply Headpin. I think I will try out both routes once and then decide, but from what you're saying ,the M25 is more convenient dispite the longer distance so I guess that will be my likely route! It is indeed Watford Junction as I will be working for a train company there!

I would be heading home between 2-3pm so hopefully that will avoid most of the rush hour traffic. I guess the cost is not bad compared to what buses would cost and the longer time they take.

Lokolo_2

w211 wrote: »

I was going to suggest take the 111 (runs 24 hour) bus to Heathrow, then catch the 724 to Watford Junction. Had a look at the timetable and the first bus from Heathrow is 0627!

That would be brutal even if there was a connection, I've taken the 111 before and it takes about 90mins just to Heathrow Airport!