Brighton to West Hampstead Direct

[tanyalbeck]

I'm new to this, so be gentle!! I live in Southwick, near Brighton, and want to get the most direct route mossible to my sister's new place in Finchley Road (close to West Hampstead thameslink.)

Right now, my toddlers and I get the train to london victoria, the tube to finchley road, then a bus from there.

I think there's a direct route at 5am or something, but are there any others in the day? and what about the return?
Thanks for your help,
Tanya

 

[krus_aragon]

Looking on the National Rail Enquiries website, I asked for journeys from Brighton to West Hampstead Thameslink, and ticked the 'Only show direct trains' box. It shows that there are four early weekday morning trains leaving Brighton between 05:09 and 06:09, but the direct trains start again after 18:04, running half-hourly until 20:37. There are similar trains coming back the other way: early in the morning, and then from 17:26 onwards until 21:42.

The NRE website will make recommendations on which route to take at other times if you don't tick that box, but as I have no knowledge of the South of England I'll leave it to more experienced individuals to tell you whether those are the best options.

 

[will1337]

If you get a First Capital Connect service from Brighton to Bedford you can change at St Pancras for a slow train to West Hampstead, it's the same platform.

 

[philjo]

What day of the week are you travelling - the Through services do not currently operate at weekends or on weekday evenings after approx 9pm due to the Thameslink upgrade works at farringdon/blackfriars.

 

[Aictos]

Like some of the users have said the FCC route is the better option as it offers the least amount of connections that you would have to make with decent connections to West Hampstead at St Pancras as you would no doubt be carrying luggage and possibly a pushchair plus it's the same platform you need for your next service which is the same on your return trip as well.

Why struggle going to your sister's via the Tube and then a Bus when you can catch two trains which offer the easiest option of travelling there?

Although if you travel during the week before about 9pm Monday to Friday, you shouldn't encounter any problems but I would advise reading up on connections if you intend to travel at the weekends -

http://www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk/cms/pages/view/32

I would also take the chance to read up on what's happening on that site so you have a better idea on why if you're travelling on the weekend why no direct services go via central London and terminate at either Herne Hill/London Bridge or St Pancras International.

The final choice is yours but I'm not saying use FCC as I work for them but I'm saying I would use them as they offer the easiest route for you.

 

[tanyalbeck]

Thanks!! when I look at the opitions it only lets me change at farringdon. anyone know if this is an easy changover? are there steps etc? St Pancras does not seem to be an option!! Thanks so much, tanya

 

[dan_atki]

Same platform interchange* can be made at either London Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, or St Pancras International. You are free to choose any of these as you wish - not just restricted to the one journey planners give.

*i.e. your connecting service leaves from the same platform.

 

[Aictos]

It can be very busy though during the peaks, so be warned!

Other then that, I hope you have a good journey regardless of you choice of travel.

 

[mackenzie_blu]

Id personally advise changing at St Pancras International for various reasosn including the fact the system is abit screwy with trains at Blackfriars and City due to the junction. Also Blackfriars is a no go zone if you dont know the station and St Pancras has much better info on the screens.

I say this as someone whose worked all the Core stations bar St Pancras (I just change there most days).

Note that once the last train goes through the Core, which is shortly after 10pm, you can use the Tube and Buses for free with an FCC ticket but factor this into your plans.

I *think* your FCC ticket is valid on the Jubilee Line to West Hampstead but not 100% sure on this. Will speak to the ticket guys in work to double check. Note that this opition is gone most weekends tho.

And personally don't use the Nation Rail website for FCC, for some reason its always showing incorrect information where as the FCC is more accurtate. I likely know the real reason but for now thats my advice.

 

[tanyalbeck]

wow. thanks so much!! how do you know all this stuff?!! The same platform interchange bit is SO useful... i'm a childminder and its good to know this stuff for getting trains on a day to day basis with 3 2-year-olds and a few older ones!!
tanya

 

[dan_atki]

wow. thanks so much!! how do you know all this stuff?!! The same platform interchange bit is SO useful... i'm a childminder and its good to know this stuff for getting trains on a day to day basis with 3 2-year-olds and a few older ones!!
tanya

No probs call it 'experience' .

 

[tanyalbeck]

OK... so now I need the most direct/ easiest route from southwick (probably via brighton is easiest) to either frinchley rd or west hampstead mainline stations.... going this saturday midday-ish and returning sunday evening. what's the best way to do this? Thanks in advance for all you help!!
Tanya
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
sorry, I forgot... price wise it'll be one adult and and one child (the others are under 5.) T

 

[thefab444]

The best way will be the way you mentioned at the start of the thread; the Thameslink through route is shut all weekend.

 

[Mike395]

The core (the bit of the Thameslink line through Central London) is open Sunday this weekend, so you'll be able to travel back direct West Hampstead-Brighton (possibly with a change at St Pancras as mentioned earlier) - although going down the route via Finchley is probably going to be easiest .