Fastest route Euston-Canary Wharf

[oversteer]

OK so may need to start a commute from Euston to Canary Wharf soon.

Anyone have views on what would be the fastest route in each direction?

I have narrowed it down to:

- via Victoria+Jubilee changing at Green Park (20 mins + 4.5 mins interchange)
- via Northern+Jubilee changing at Waterloo or London Bridge (20/19 minutes + 6 mins interchange either route)
- via Northern+DLR changing at Bank (21 mins + 3 mins interchange)

The interchange times are based on this FOI request which is rather neat but I don't know whether all the values are correct, eg. Euston Victoria Northbound to Northern Northbound isn't 5 minutes. Also they don't consider service intervals at all.

I know that the Victoria is more hellish than the Northern from Euston in the mornings, at least it was last time I used it.

Anyone do this route who can comment?

 

[gordonthemoron]

hopefully it will be better after crossrail

 

[Caertroia]

Do you need to choose one route? With an Oyster card you can try one, then another, then another, and see which you prefer, or just vary the route according to how you feel on the day.

 

[317666]

I would say the Victoria then the Jubilee is your quickest bet.

 

[Nym]

There's also
Euston Square - Baker Street - Canary Warf
Euston Square - Finchley Road - Canary Warf
Euston Square - West Ham - Canary Warf
Euston Square - Tower Hill - Tower Gateway - Canary Warf (Possibly changing somewhere on the DLR)

The route I normally use off peak is via Green Park on the Victroria Line, or Baker Street if I'm not in a hurry, since Green Park is busy, even off peak.

(I travel to Southwark, North Grenwich and Canary Warf for work)

 

[W-on-Sea]

I'd be inclined to do that journey via Bank, probably in part as its the most direct geographically, and in part because the interchange is a fair bit shorter than the alternatives. Main disadvantage: in the rush hour that bit of the Northern Line can be very busy (although in that direction the am peak probably worse than the pm one)

My 2nd choice route would be changing at London Bridge.

(Used to commute to Old Street regularly from East London and beyond - District Line/c2c, and now occasionally, from elsewhere: plus 20+ years of living in London and using the tube a lot...)

 

[yorkie]

There's also
Euston Square - Baker Street - Canary Warf
Euston Square - Finchley Road - Canary Warf
Euston Square - West Ham - Canary Warf
Euston Square - Tower Hill - Tower Gateway - Canary Warf (Possibly changing somewhere on the DLR)

Nice diversionary routes, or may make a nice change, and ideal for people who do not like deep level tubes, but not really practicable for a regular commute, and certainly not within the OPs requirement of "fastest" (especially the West Ham or Finchley Road options )

 

[Nym]

Nice diversionary routes, or may make a nice change, and ideal for people who do not like deep level tubes, but not really practicable for a regular commute, and certainly not within the OPs requirement of "fastest" (especially the West Ham or Finchley Road options )

But when one can spend 10 to 15mins queing to access the Victoria Line at Euston in the High Peak (When I was going to Acton Town from Euston) the slower 'silly' routes can sometimes be quicker.

(There's also Bow Road / Bow Curch interchange via the Hot&Cold line)

H&C is usually pretty quiet after Moorgate...

 

[ModernRailways]

It can differ on the time of day. I personally would avoid Green Park and just take the Northern Line to London Bridge then the Jubilee Line. Green Park is horrible to change at and whilst London Bridge isn't exactly great either it is better than Green Park.
Also, whilst on the Northern Line you would be able to change at Bank for the DLR should a delay occur on the Jubilee Line whereas Green Park is a bit further away and is more isolated (in that there wouldn't be many contingency routes) should one of your lines fail.
London Bridge during the peaks tends to be more of a commuter station whereas Green Park sees commuters and tourists which can really be bad especially if you where to get stuck behind a group of them. London Bridge you could also go to Lewisham on South Eastern then change for the DLR but obviously that is more of a faff, but is there should both the Jubilee and DLR fail.
Obviously if the Northern Line has an issue then go with the Vic Line, then Jubilee Line.

 

[oversteer]

Hi all,
thanks for the options and good to know there is certainly a wide variety of routes should there be any major issues.

I do Euston-Bank currently and while it's busy it's not as bad as Euston-Victoria was - that was awful, even with a train every minute!

Shame they didn't make the Northern-Jubilee interchange at London Bridge cross-platform.

 

[Nym]

Shame they didn't make the Northern-Jubilee interchange at London Bridge cross-platform.

That would have been some pretty sharp curves if you'd have built it like that...

Also, since it's not like Oxford Circus or Euston where you tend to go the same way, what platforms would you cross up?

 

[Mutant Lemming]

A 'different' and more expensive route :

Walk to St.Pancras
train to Stratford International
then DLR (involving same platform change)

 

[dzug2]

Does the TfL journey planner not help? It defaults to fastest journey

Or is it too theoretical?

 

[ModernRailways]

Does the TfL journey planner not help? It defaults to fastest journey

Or is it too theoretical?

It's fairly good, however it doesn't take into account the amount of passengers using the line and how long the change between trains could be affected by a slight delay in the service and then the corridors leading to platforms being blocked. It also shows one route, which whilst quickest, may not be the easiest and most of the routes already suggested are just as quick, it all depends on the time you get to the platform, the Vic line has a train every 1 minute (2 minutes sometimes) but the Northern Line has a train every 3 minutes so if you just miss one then you could have a bit more of a wait.
Some of the routes are also better should a delay incur as you are then given contingencies whereas the Vic Line doesn't have many, if any!
I would recommend OP go out and try the ways suggested and see which they prefer and which they find easiest whilst also being quick.

 

[Eagle]

Walk to St.Pancras
train to Stratford International
then DLR (involving same platform change)

Eh? You'd need to change DLR lines at Stratford regional to do that, going from platform 17 (low level) to platform 4a or 4b (high level).

 

[Nym]

It's fairly good, however it doesn't take into account the amount of passengers using the line and how long the change between trains could be affected by a slight delay in the service and then the corridors leading to platforms being blocked. It also shows one route, which whilst quickest, may not be the easiest and most of the routes already suggested are just as quick, it all depends on the time you get to the platform, the Vic line has a train every 1 minute (2 minutes sometimes) but the Northern Line has a train every 3 minutes so if you just miss one then you could have a bit more of a wait.
Some of the routes are also better should a delay incur as you are then given contingencies whereas the Vic Line doesn't have many, if any!
I would recommend OP go out and try the ways suggested and see which they prefer and which they find easiest whilst also being quick.

*Coughs* Vic Line is 33tph Peak... That's far from one per minute...

 

[ModernRailways]

*Coughs* Vic Line is 33tph Peak... That's far from one per minute...

From the Vic Line's working timetable it's 1¾-2 between Brixton and Seven Sisters, morning peak. Evening Peak is 1¾-2 as well. My mistake, sorry!

 

[CatfordCat]

Does the TfL journey planner not help? It defaults to fastest journey

Or is it too theoretical?

The TfL journey planner can struggle a bit when it's a journey that there are almost too many options for.

It tends to assume 'worst case scenario' in terms of waiting time where a route (bus or whatever) is on "every X minutes" rather than timetable basis.

It also tends to assume a fairly slow walking speed.

And as has been said, it tends not to take into account the kind of interchange where you can be queuing for some minutes at peak hours.

I'd be inclined to go with the "try it and see" approach someone has suggested - and I'd also be inclined if I was doing it to consider trading a possible few minutes extra journey time for less hassle / more comfort.

 

[Nym]

From the Vic Line's working timetable it's 1¾-2 between Brixton and Seven Sisters, morning peak. Evening Peak is 1¾-2 as well. My mistake, sorry!

In reality it's closer to a true 33tph in the peaks if the dispatch of units is correct within 5 seconds of the ATO regulating software...

 

[oversteer]

I will be sure to update the thread with my findings !

I guess it comes down to personal preference; I don't particularly enjoy queuing at a platform, but don't mind a walk where it saves time..

 

[Pumbaa]

I know that the Victoria is more hellish than the Northern from Euston in the mornings, at least it was last time I used it.

Anyone do this route who can comment?

I do it in short bursts infrequently through the year. I use Victoria to Green Park, Jubilee to Canary Wharf. Victoria tends to be good at the time of morning I use it (10 to 8), nice and cool. The Jubilee on the other hand, packed and prone to delays from long dwells.

I experimented for a while, but always found this to be the best way. Northern to Bank and then DLR is always slower, less frequency on the Northern section, and the DLR exit is only marginally more convenient for me.

 

[Mojo]

I prefer the Vic to the Nor, especially the City branch which is slow, and always busy.

 

[Ascot]

Apologies for just posting on this thread sooner, however, I frequently commute this route in the peaks (although 2013 I've been lucky and avoided this part of the world).

The route time between DLR or Jubilee is trivial and shouldn't persuade you between the routes. The key factor is which office are you working in. When at 25 Canada Sq I prefer the Jubilee line as the entrance is right outside, 1 Canada Sq is always the DLR since I can stay in the dry during the rain.

Just keep a journey alert on your mobile so if one route goes pear-shaped you can go for the other.

 

[oversteer]

Thanks Ascot, it will be Cabot Sq area so DLR would probably save a minute at the other end (and be undercover-ish, as you say)
Will be trying them all out soon!