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Original poster

Picking up from Kings Cross at 10pm - anything I need to know?

42 replies

myndanot · 18/09/2021 07:55

My 16yo is arriving at Kings Cross at 10pm next Saturday night after a trip to visit a friend. I want to pick him up by car (because I don't want him navigating across London late at night - he is not experienced enough). The station website says there is a pickup point in Pancras Rd. Drivers need to stay with the vehicle. There is no information about hefty charges, or maximum waiting times so I'm assuming that I can sit there and wait for him, even if the train is delayed. I am assuming there will be a space for me, and hoping it will be well lit (so I feel safe, as well as my son), and that my son will easily be able to find me by following signs within the station. Can anyone reassure me?

OP posts:

BigPyjamas · 18/09/2021 08:03

If I'm thinking of the right bit, the waiting place will be full of Ubers and mini cabs. I wouldn't assume you'd get a spot.

Kings cross is fairly confusing with exits. And busy even at 10pm.

Could you go by public transport and taxi back?

Steeple · 18/09/2021 08:05

This is Kings Cross now, of Eurostar, Coal Drops Yard, and the BL, not the drugs-and-hookers Kings Cross of the 80s! There’s really no need for such alarm. The pick-up spot is just a place where you can pull in out of the traffic, like a taxi rank, to let someone get in or out of the car, not really set up for waiting for long. It’s busy and at ten pm on a Saturday will be lively and buzzing with people coming from the restaurants and bars.

Booknooks · 18/09/2021 08:09

@Steeple

Yes this is what I was going to post, I wouldn't entertain the idea of finding somewhere nearby to wait! Can he get a connecting train and then maybe meet him part way home if you don't feel the whole journey would be manageable?

Palavah · 18/09/2021 08:15

How far away will you be coming from/going to?

Could you both get public transport back? That way he learns a life skill and you don't have to worry about waiting.

MauveMavis · 18/09/2021 08:19

Yes, FGS use public transport.

Remember congestion charge operational until 10pm too.

snowballer · 18/09/2021 08:22

I think this is a very risky assumption to make! Assuming you live in London yourself, go and get him on public transport - much less stressful than you circling around for 30 mins trying to find somewhere to stop while he's hanging around waiting!

snowballer · 18/09/2021 08:23

Sorry - I meant to highlight this assumption in my post:

I am assuming there will be a space for me

brittleheadgirl · 18/09/2021 08:23

He's 16! You're doing him no favours whatsoever picking him up.
Look at his route home before he leaves, you can put maps, bus/tube times etc on his phone and talk through the route times etc together.
Give him the tools and confidence to get himself home - it's a valuable life lesson and something he should definitely be doing at his age!

BendingSpoons · 18/09/2021 08:23

Driving round there is stressful. Kings Cross has multiple exits. Where are you coming from? I would consider parking somewhere out a bit and getting the tube to meet him or finding somewhere to park within 10 mins walk.

bumblingbovine49 · 18/09/2021 08:24

Can you not park near a tube station on a direct line out if kings cross and then go by tube to meet him and both go back to the car?. I was born in London, drive there regularly for over 30 years bit would not try and pick someone up from kings cross in a car unless they were already there and knew where to wait for me to pick them up. Trying to meet a train will be very hard to park and wait

peridito · 18/09/2021 08:29

exactly what Bumbling says ^

AttaGirrrrl · 18/09/2021 08:31

If king’s cross is your nearest station, presumably you’re in London and he’s been using tubes etc since he was a younger child? I’d suggest he gets himself across London and you collect from local station or you get public transport there and taxi or public transport (together) back.

(Remember also, at 16, he is unlikely to be anxious about any of the things you are)

MrsCat1 · 18/09/2021 08:33

Hi Op. I have done this without a problem at a similar time of night. But there is no guarantee of a space and if you don't get one it would be stressful. It's just outside the congestion charge area but if you end up having to drive around you could stray into it. I'd avoid doing it if you can.

HeddaGarbled · 18/09/2021 08:35

Could he just get an Uber?

CaMePlaitPas · 18/09/2021 08:37

Another vote for you taking public transport. No way would I fancy taking the car into King's X on a Saturday night.

PegasusReturns · 18/09/2021 08:38

Kings cross is very busy, open and well lit.

It’s been put better up thread but nothing to worry about. Where does he need to travel to? Nothing to worry about with having him navigate public transport.

BoreiPuriHagafen · 18/09/2021 08:39

Just get the tube.

TuesdayRuby · 18/09/2021 08:43

This is Kings Cross, one of the busiest international stations in the world, not Watford Junction. It will be absolutely heading at 10pm on a Saturday. There is a good chance you’ll struggle to park and if you do find a space there’s no way you’ll be able to just sit there and wait for your son without paying some hefty parking charges.
Like PP have said - can’t he get a tube to somewhere that’s easier to meet?

Droite · 18/09/2021 08:50

If he can't use the tube, a taxi would be a much easier option.

MorganSeventh · 18/09/2021 08:51

Does he know how to get to the pick up point from the main concourse? And do you have a plan b of what to do if he gets there and you arent there because isn't space to wait, and you can't call because you're driving?

If the answer to either of those questions is no, then the best bet is for you to get public transport in, meet him at the station and public transport back to where you parked. That way he can do it by himself next time. It's not that kings cross is dangerous; he's probably more at risk in the car. But you may struggle to find each other if you're not able to leave the car, can't call and aren't able to get a space.

Fluffypastelslippers · 18/09/2021 08:55

Where is he travelling to from Kings Cross?

Public transport is much easier and at 16 I would expect him to be able to make that alone, or at the very least tube/bus to somewhere between home and kings cross so you can pick him somewhere more convenient.

10pm isn't late at night, especially in London.

If you can give a rough idea where you live there will be an easier option than collecting him at Kings

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 18/09/2021 08:58

The pull in on st Pancras road is not designed for long waits. If you really want to do this I would park in the st Pancras car park which is pricey, and walk over to meet him in the station.

Babymamamama · 18/09/2021 08:59

What direction will you be heading from kings cross? He should jump on tube and meet you at a different tube station outside the centre. In the direction you would be driving anyway.

OhamIreally · 18/09/2021 09:00

Hi OP St Pancras Road has a maximum waiting time of 2 minutes - it's for drop offs really and as PP said it's often full of cabs (also dropping off). The congestion charge doesn't cover Kings Cross although depending on the way you drive there you may drive through it.
There's a proper car park just behind St Pancras which I used to use when collecting my elderly mother. It's a bit pricey but does the job and no stress about waiting times etc.
Traffic is busy but hey that's because everyone else is driving too. If you want to drive and pick up do it.

OhamIreally · 18/09/2021 09:02

Just seen @WorkingItOutAsIGo also mentioned the pricey car park

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