A little advice for my commute to London...

[Trouble]

Hello folks,

I have been looking for some rail-based advice and found it difficult to come by. Essentially we're considering moving out of London to somewhere a little quieter. But myself + Mrs both work in central London and so it needs to be commutable.

There are many options geographically. But for me, the commute is v important.
Commuting on the Thameslink line now is often the worst part of my day. And it's only supposed to be 20 minutes! (CTK - Tulse Hill)

Anyway, it's hard to come across independent advice on the reality of commuting in from towns. I can see the train times of nationalrail but that doesn't show how busy the trains are or how reliable. So, a 45-min commute would be OK....if there's a seat!

So, does anyway know where I can find this type of info? Or whether a similar thread around commuter train services already exists here or somewhere else?

Ps. Merry Christmas

 

[Domh245]

You could try this:

http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/your-journey/planning/tl-seats/

(or for other TOCs, google words to the effect of 'TOC Name how busy is my train'

But bear in mind that in the next few years, all of the current Thameslink stock will be replaced by the new class 700s, which may alter the seat availability (mostly for the better, unless you happen to get one of the few 12 car trains that exists today), and then further changed by new timetables and increased frequencies!

Merry christmas to you too!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Milton Keynes or Bletchley. 30-45 mins to Euston (but note potentially a longer transfer once in London) and a certain seat if you choose your trains carefully. Only in disruption do I have any issues getting a seat.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I would always choose somewhere where you board in London at a terminus - even with the Euston scrum it is so much more civilised.

Aylesbury might be another option, though it is quite slow. You can change to the Met if you want.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Try Googling "getting a seat" and TOC name. Some, e.g. LM, publish loading information on posters.

 

[The Ham]

Stations close to the end of a "slow" service tend to have plenty of seats. For instance the Basingstoke stoppers tend to have seats at Hook and Winchfield and although Fleet is dubious as to whether there are seats as many people get off at Farnborough so seats aren't really a problem. However they are a bit further than 45 minutes, being about 60, 55 and 50 (Hook, Winchfield and Fleet)

 

[Trouble]

That 'toc no of seats' is great!

Just checked Thameslink and basically none of the fast trains between 7:30 and 9 from St Albans has seats.

I'll check out MK and Bletchley, too.

That's really useful, thanks all

Surprised there isn't a forum of some sort to get info/shout about all commuter train services, though. Will keep looking

Cheers!

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Have you considered Corby? It's an easy commute to St Pancras. And it's a cheap place to live which is surrounded by Rockingham Forest. It's under rated.

 

[Chrisgr31]

If going south somewhere on the East Grinstead line might be worth a look. Not sure where it starts to get difficult to get a seat. There is also the Caterham and Tattenham Corner line but no idea what the seating is like. Must be some routes out Kent way that are ok too.

 

[VauxhallandI]

The top end of the Cheshunt to Liveool St line via Seven Sisters will get you a seat.

 

[SPADTrap]

The top end of the Cheshunt to Liveool St line via Seven Sisters will get you a seat.

But will it get him/her a train? :razz:

 

[urpert]

This book hasn't been updated in ages, which is a shame because it would be a great help to you:
The Telegraph Guide to Commuterland https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1845134796/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_oCRFwb20DV2G9

 

[DarloRich]

Look at mk or bletchley - perhaps rugby - Northampton is a bit of a dump

 

[Kristofferson]

Did someone say Tring?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Tring is a very nice place to live. Expensive, though. You could if you are happy driving to the station consider driving from another nearby location. The service is good - basically 4tph I think, 2 fast 2 slow, with a certain seat southbound on a slow as they start there.

 

[tsr]

If going south somewhere on the East Grinstead line might be worth a look. Not sure where it starts to get difficult to get a seat. There is also the Caterham and Tattenham Corner line but no idea what the seating is like. Must be some routes out Kent way that are ok too.

Woldingham at the front of the train, Riddlesdown/Sanderstead if you're at the back... Woldingham is generally a nice (and, in parts, pretty posh) area; by Riddlesdown you're well into outer-suburban London and also Oyster territory, albeit actually quite "villagey" in parts depending on how far you want to go to the station, and what sort of area you want.

 

[Clip]

First and foremost you would ideally need to have a good idea of how much you can afford to spend on a) your new mortgage and b) the season ticket into town otherwise its just name calling and if its that then Canterbury.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Shepperton is good and is supposed to be getting faster trains to Waterloo soon.

Nice riverside town.