Getting into London

[marahippo]

I have arranged a couple of days in London with my kids for half term. Hotel, west end show and other tickets have all been paid for in advance.
Today I have learned it's a train strike so a little frustrated.
I had intended on getting the train into Paddington from Bristol.
I have looked at National Express but it is all booked up.
Any advice- where could I perhaps drive to? I don't train into London very often so am a bit clueless- thanks.

Are there no trains at all? With the previous strikes there have still been a few trains, but a vastly reduced service.

Also if the trains are on strike the Elizabeth Line might still be working out to Reading, if you can get there more easily?

We've just got back from London the weekend just gone and we drove to Reading and got the Elizabeth line straight into Tottenham Court Road. Much easier and cheaper than trying to get a train cross country from mid Wales.

check the Elizabeth Line - it usually runs during rail strikes because it’s TfL.

I would suggest going from Reading or Maidenhead.

Just seen the other replies - that’s unanimous for the Elizabeth Line!

As PP said - have you actually checked as I’ve travelled on strikes day recently and there’s been fewer trains but still got there and back. Otherwise if the Elizabeth line is on, that’s a good option to park in Reading.

There maybe trains running but few of them or on an alternative route to London ie via Oxford? The company will usually let you know beforehand.
If it's a RMT strike above may be possible. ASLEF probably not.

Train companies will often accept tickets of other companies or on other routes on strike days and / or allow you to use them the day before or days after.

Can you alter the days at hotel - go day earlier or later?

Can you get a bus/ coach to a line where there are trains/ or to the end of a tube?

What day are you coming in ?

Members of the Aslef union at 16 train companies will walk out on Wednesday May 31 and Saturday June 3.
Striking RMT members will walk out on Friday June 2.
Which London train lines will be affected?The train operating companies affected by the Aslef strike – including several which operate in and around London – are: Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Great Western Railway; Greater Anglia; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; London North Eastern Railway; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway depot drivers; SWR Island Line; TransPennine Express; and West Midlands Trains.
The RMT strikes on June 2 will affect 14 companies, including the Elizabeth Line. There will be no Lizzie Line service from Maidenhead to Reading before 7am and after 7pm. After 11.30pm there will be no trains from Brentwood to Shenfield.

Drive in and park at Westfield (shepherd bush one). It’s £15 for 24hrs I think, can park up to 7 days

I recommend the app Citymapper for London. Way more user friendly than TFL website or even google maps. It takes strikes into account too

Thank you everyone. Will give the Elizabeth Line a go!

Megabus?

Elizabeth line is also on strike I think. It seems to go on strike separately to the tube and more like the trains.
where are you coming from?

Bath

Have you tried Berry's Coaches? Great service, worth paying the extra £1 for a "premium seat".

It's not.

Mega bus? Flix bus? All from Bristol (by blacks)