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Original poster

London Transport Help Please! Tube or Cab??

33 replies

Canyoucheckonme · 06/09/2023 22:29

I'm going to London next week for a work thing. I've only been to the capital a handful of times before, and always with people who knew what they were doing and where they were going.

Three of us need to get from Paddington Station to Cavendish Square at about 9.15am. Should we take the tube (hot, sweaty, lots of stairs/escalators? But cheaper?) or should we get a cab? (quicker, easier, but at the mercy of traffic?).

I've looked at Google maps and it's 1.5 miles. This site was helpful to find out roughly how much it will cost, but think it'll all depend on traffic really?

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/taxis-and-minicabs/taxi-fares

Can anyone help please?!

Taxi fares

Table showing typical fares and journey times based on distance for three types of tariff.

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/taxis-and-minicabs/taxi-fares

OP posts:
paranoidmumdroid1 · 06/09/2023 22:43

Bakerloo line direct from Paddington to Oxford Circus then walk.

mynameiscalypso · 06/09/2023 22:46

Get the Elizabeth Line to Bond Street, 10 mins and (sort of) air conditioned. The tube is relatively quiet on a Monday morning too compared to other days of the week.

paranoidmumdroid1 · 06/09/2023 22:48

20 mins maybe? Paddington useuour debit card to tap into the tube, take the Bakerloo southbound, get off at Oxford Circus. Take exit to Regent street north then just use google maps or citymapper app to your destination.

Taciturn · 06/09/2023 22:50

Take the elizabeth line to bond street - its nice and new.

MrsKypp · 06/09/2023 22:50

I'd say get a cab. There are 3 of you sharing the cost (if you're paying and not your employer) and it'd be much more comfortable. But I really don't like the tube these days, must be getting old 😂

paranoidmumdroid1 · 06/09/2023 22:50

Oh yes Elizabeth Line! What a wonder that is. Bit less stressful than the tube if you're not a regular.
Either or, certainly no need for a taxi.

Taciturn · 06/09/2023 22:52

I should add trying to get a taxi from Paddington at that time on a weekday could be an awful delay.

MrsKypp · 06/09/2023 22:56

Taciturn · 06/09/2023 22:52

I should add trying to get a taxi from Paddington at that time on a weekday could be an awful delay.

I didn't realise that when I said about a cab!

Netaporter · 06/09/2023 22:57

1.5 miles in London is not like 1.5miles anywhere else. Not all cabs switch on a/c. You may experience the same sweltering heat as the tube. But the tube is a fixed price and a known travel time. Second the Elizabeth line as the best way to travel.

Original poster
Canyoucheckonme · 06/09/2023 22:58

Thank you everyone! It's Wednesday, not Monday. We were told the venue is near Oxford Circus or Bond St tube stations so pick either.

Seems like Elizabeth Line to Bond St is newer/air conditioned then? Glad I asked!

We are having to pay ourselves, but thought the splitting the cost of a cab three ways may work out cheaper than paying 3 x tube fairs? Guess it depends on queues and traffic... Think we'll do tube then...

OP posts:
LivStanshall · 06/09/2023 23:00

Definitely Elizabeth line to Bond Street. It’s unbelievably quick.

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 06/09/2023 23:00

Tube every time. Taxi at that time of day in central London will take ages and cost loads.

ASGIRC · 06/09/2023 23:01

@Canyoucheckonme A taxi will never be cheaper than a £10 and your tube tickets will!

mynameiscalypso · 06/09/2023 23:02

Sorry, I made up Monday!

What's the most important thing, cost or time? Either way, I think the tube will win on both counts.

LoserWinner · 06/09/2023 23:03

It’s only a mile and a half - walk!

ASGIRC · 06/09/2023 23:05

LoserWinner · 06/09/2023 23:03

It’s only a mile and a half - walk!

Thats a half hour they may not have, in the morning!

Original poster
Canyoucheckonme · 06/09/2023 23:06

I'd say time is more important as can't be late for the event. I'm a bit nervous, as you can probably tell! So this is all really useful - thanks everyone.

I'm just researching Elizabeth Line as know nothing about it (country bumpkin!) and it looks fantastic! So we can just tap our contactless cards and pay as we go yeah?

OP posts:
DixonD · 06/09/2023 23:08

Walk? It will take about 15/20 minutes.

Original poster
Canyoucheckonme · 06/09/2023 23:08

Yep, timing is tight really. We knew it would be 10 mins on a tube so have planned our train tickets to Paddington around those timings. We'll be doing plenty of walking later in the day/the next day when there will no time constraints 😊

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 06/09/2023 23:09

Canyoucheckonme · 06/09/2023 23:06

I'd say time is more important as can't be late for the event. I'm a bit nervous, as you can probably tell! So this is all really useful - thanks everyone.

I'm just researching Elizabeth Line as know nothing about it (country bumpkin!) and it looks fantastic! So we can just tap our contactless cards and pay as we go yeah?

Yup! You can use your phone too if you have Apple/google pay. Just tap and go. It's all very well signposted and TFL staff are usually really helpful.

Original poster
Canyoucheckonme · 06/09/2023 23:09

Is it worth my downloading an app?

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 06/09/2023 23:10

You don't need anything specific other than maybe google maps for the other end so you walk in the right direction.

DontWantToDance · 06/09/2023 23:15

I downloaded the TfL app, it is very good.

Also you have to use same method to scan in and out. I prefer card instead of phone incase battery goes etc

I was like you in January on first trip to London , using MN gave me the confidence and now I almost feel like a pro.

TaigaSno · 06/09/2023 23:17

I think you have the answer but echoing the others, take the Elizabeth line from Paddington to Bond Street then walk a few minutes.
Tap your contactless card at each end, make sure you use the same card!
If you have a smartphone you can use the maps app for journey planning and map finding. I always use that for london transport planning.

Original poster
Canyoucheckonme · 06/09/2023 23:18

Ok, thanks. Just seen on the timetable it's only one stop and they run every 3 mins. Perfect.

OP posts: