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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Train Strikes And Getting To London

34 replies

Itisallgoingtobeok · 26/08/2023 20:04

I am hoping someone can help. I need to get into London on Sat 2nd Sept and Sun 3rd Sept when the rail strikes are on. I would normally just take the train to Paddington, but obviously they are not running. I had thought about driving to Reading, and taking the Elizabeth line as that isn't covered by the strikes. However, when I use the TFL plan my journey site, I can get into London, but can't get back out as I need to leave after 8pm and it seems to say there aren't any trains. I am well and truly stumped. Is there any way of doing this?

OP posts:
Sssudio · 26/08/2023 20:07

Depends where you're coming to/from!

Original poster
Itisallgoingtobeok · 26/08/2023 20:10

I will be happy to get anywhere in London and then Tube/Bus it. I need to get to Oxford Circus to be specific. I figure if I can get to a Tube Station then the rest is manageable. I am coming from Swindon area.

OP posts:
cherryassam · 26/08/2023 20:12

I would just get a National Express coach

cherryassam · 26/08/2023 20:13

There’s one that leaves Victoria at 9 which is direct back to Swindon in 2h15

Original poster
Itisallgoingtobeok · 26/08/2023 20:17

@cherryassam - thanks for the nudge to the coaches, I hadn't thought of that. When I look on their site, it won't give me a return journey which is odd.

OP posts:
Oblomov23 · 26/08/2023 20:19

I've been to London twice recently on strike days. It was fine.

I went Surrey to Waterloo. Then tube to West Ham to see the Weeknd in concert. Tube back to Waterloo late at night. Train back to Surrey.

Similar a month later, train to Waterloo, tube to Wembley to see the Weeknd yet again. Tube back to Waterloo, train home.

All fine. Less trains, but fine.

cherryassam · 26/08/2023 20:19

You have to choose an outbound journey before they’ll show you any return journey times

Original poster
Itisallgoingtobeok · 26/08/2023 20:23

cherryassam · 26/08/2023 20:19

You have to choose an outbound journey before they’ll show you any return journey times

Yes, even with an outbound journey. It gives me outbound but not return journey. Time for a re-boot of the laptop!

OP posts:
cherryassam · 26/08/2023 20:25

that’s really odd! It showed me them fine. It doesn’t seem to be the best website though as I can’t work out on my phone how to get it to move to the next stage of the checkout process

tinytemper66 · 26/08/2023 20:25

Some are running but they are subject to delays and some cancellations. The strike is the day before and they are not working overtime

Original poster
Itisallgoingtobeok · 26/08/2023 20:26

Is anyone local to Wimbledon? If I drive to there, where would it be best to park? I could take the tube in then.

@SM4713 - Thank you! I had a look, but the times don't work.

OP posts:
cherryassam · 26/08/2023 20:27

You can book National Express coaches through Trainline if you want to avoid their website - it’s a much better app / website

Original poster
Itisallgoingtobeok · 26/08/2023 20:27

@tinytemper66 - I thought there was a full strike on Saturday, and then no overtime on the Sunday? Either way it is a pain.

OP posts:
tinytemper66 · 26/08/2023 20:28

We are supposed to be going to Swansea on the Saturday as a return, coming up to London on Wednesday.
I am going to drive instead and get our money back for tickets as one of the party isn't too mobile and we can do without hanging around Paddington, maybe standing on train(despite 1st class tickets) and then waiting for a train in Cardiff (terminating there).

tinytemper66 · 26/08/2023 20:29

Itisallgoingtobeok · 26/08/2023 20:27

@tinytemper66 - I thought there was a full strike on Saturday, and then no overtime on the Sunday? Either way it is a pain.

Strike Friday then no overtime Saturday.

Original poster
Itisallgoingtobeok · 26/08/2023 20:29

@cherryassam - Trainline works - thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
Itisallgoingtobeok · 26/08/2023 20:33

@tinytemper66 - sounds like your journey wouldn't have been easy either. I am now seriously considering getting as close to London as I can, parking up and getting a taxi. The buses/coaches are a good idea, but the timings are dreadful.

OP posts:
tinytemper66 · 26/08/2023 20:37

Itisallgoingtobeok · 26/08/2023 20:33

@tinytemper66 - sounds like your journey wouldn't have been easy either. I am now seriously considering getting as close to London as I can, parking up and getting a taxi. The buses/coaches are a good idea, but the timings are dreadful.

My sister lives in outer London so have arranged to leave my car there and travel onto central London to our hotel and do the reverse on Saturday. She has a drive and no parking restrictions plus my car is ULEZ compatible.
I was looking forward to going on the train but needs must!
Hope you can sort something out. Can you go to Reading and catch the Elizabeth line into central
London?

Original poster
Itisallgoingtobeok · 26/08/2023 20:40

@tinytemper66 - I'm glad you managed to sort something out.

The Elizabeth Line was my Plan A, but the TFL website doesn't seem to have any trains running after 4pm and I need to leave after 7pm. I may just have to cut the day short and be done with it. It's such a shame.

OP posts:
tinytemper66 · 26/08/2023 20:51

How miserable. Hope it'll can come up with a plan C.

TotalOverhaul · 26/08/2023 20:59

Oblomov23 · 26/08/2023 20:19

I've been to London twice recently on strike days. It was fine.

I went Surrey to Waterloo. Then tube to West Ham to see the Weeknd in concert. Tube back to Waterloo late at night. Train back to Surrey.

Similar a month later, train to Waterloo, tube to Wembley to see the Weeknd yet again. Tube back to Waterloo, train home.

All fine. Less trains, but fine.

Might depend which line in Surrey you are on but some of the SW lines are stopping around 6pm on strike days, so you can get in but not back. I've had to change plans for next weekend so I can get back home before the trains stop.

cherryassam · 26/08/2023 20:59

You could drive to Richmond and park at the station there, it’s an NCP that you can book in advance, then get the District line

JJ8765 · 26/08/2023 21:02

Oxford tube bus? buses run over night Oxford to London Victoria.

cherryassam · 26/08/2023 21:06

Hatton Cross tube station also has a car park but is on the Piccadilly line