Most comfortable way from Croydon to Stratford?

[GodAtum]

I will need to commute from Croydon to Stratford in the future. Ignoring cost and duration, what's the most comfortable way? I've written how likely it is to get a seat based on my experience, but hopefully forum members might be able to give their advice.

Outbound Option 1

1. West Croydon - Canada Water (highly likely to get a seat as it's the start of the line)
2. Canada Water - Stratford (won't get a seat)

Outbound Option 2

1. East Croydon - Farringdon (won't get a seat)
2. Farringdon - Stratford (won't get a seat)

Outbound Option 3

1. East Croydon - Victoria (highly likely to get a seat)
2. Victoria - St Pancras (won't get a seat and could be long queues to get onto the underground from Victoria). Another option is the take the 390 bus.
3. St Pancras - Stratford International (highly likely to get a seat)

Outbound Option 4

1. East Croydon - Victoria (highly likely to get a seat)
2. 26 bus then 388 bus to Stratford (unsure if I'll get a seat)

Inbound Option 1

1. Stratford - Canada Water (highly likely to get a seat as it's the start of the line)
2. Canada Water - West Croydon (unsure if I'll get a seat)

Inbound Option 2

1. Stratford - Farringdon (unsure if I'll get a seat)
2. Farringdon - East Croydon (unsure if I'll get a seat)

Inbound Option 3

1. Stratford - St Pancras (unsure if I'll get a seat)
2. St Pancras - Victoria (won't get a seat)
3. Victoria - East Croydon (highly likely to get a seat)

Inbound Option 4

1. 388 bus then 26 bus to Victoria (unsure if I'll get a seat)
2. Victoria - East Croydon (highly likely to get a seat)

 

[ValleyLines142]

Before even looking at your options, my first bet was Thameslink to Farringdon and then the Elizabeth Line. Both a bit more spacious (Jubilee Line between Waterloo and Canary Wharf is horrendously busy at rush hour).

 

[Farigiraf]

I'd suggest either Overground to Whitechapel or Thameslink to Farringdon (as above) then Elizabeth Line. Highly likely to get a seat on both legs.

 

[Magdalia]

There are so many options here that did not exist when I was commuting.

If comfort is a key criterion then avoid the deep level tube completely, especially the Victoria line, and probably the buses too.

I do have some recent experience of the evening peak on Thameslink, but going the other way. There is a huge amount of "churn" of who is on Thameslink trains as they pass through the core: get on where lots of other people are getting off, and as near to the start of the core as possible. I suspect that the Elizabeth Line is the same.

Also bear in mind that some changes involve lots more walking and potential congestion than others.

My preference for the homeward journey would be Greater Anglia to Liverpool Street, for the Met Main Line (a train starting at Aldgate) then cross platform at Farringdon onto Thameslink. At Liverpool Street I would go up the escalators at the low numbered platform end and enter the Met Line the other side of the road, a less congested route than going via the entrance that is on the station.

I'd suggest either Overground to Whitechapel or Thameslink to Farringdon (as above) then Elizabeth Line. Highly likely to get a seat on both legs.

I have no recent experience of morning peaks but this does sound sensible. In particular it is much easier to change between northbound Thameslink and the Elizabeth Line at Farringdon than it is to change between the Elizabeth Line and southbound Thameslink. On the other hand changing between northbound Met and southbound Thameslink at Farringdon is cross platform but northbound Thameslink to City bound Met involves using a bridge.

 

[stuu]

I would do Overground to Whitechapel and change to the EL, the change there is quite short and even if you don't get a seat on the EL it's only 5 minutes

 

[Kite159]

Depends if you value having a seat over speed. Whereas the Overground is likely to have a seat from West Croydon the journey time is a lot longer compared to Thameslink

 

[stuu]

Depends if you value having a seat over speed. Whereas the Overground is likely to have a seat from West Croydon the journey time is a lot longer compared to Thameslink

It's 7 minutes shorter travel time via Farringdon, but the interchange is easily a couple of minutes longer, so it's not much longer via Whitechapel. The starting point in Croydon is likely to be the more decisive factor

 

[etr221]

The other options perhaps worth looking at (especially if time is not important) are Overground changing at Canonbury/Highbury & I., and East Croydon change to Jubilee at London Bridge. Or would the SL6 bus to Waterloo (for Jubilee line) be an option?

But all have their advantages and disadvantages - it's a matter of how you balance them, with your circumstances (and we will all do this differently). I think change from Overground to Elizabeth Line at Whitechapel, or to Jubilee at Canada water are the only (sensible) options that would let you avoid Zone 1 and thus save money.

 

[GodAtum]

I'd suggest either Overground to Whitechapel or Thameslink to Farringdon (as above) then Elizabeth Line. Highly likely to get a seat on both legs.

I would do Overground to Whitechapel and change to the EL, the change there is quite short and even if you don't get a seat on the EL it's only 5 minutes

Thanks for the tip, i didn't see that route. Returning in the evening rush hour, how busy would the Overground be at Whitechapel?

 

[miklcct]

I would do Overground to Whitechapel and Elizabeth line to Stratford, to avoided the crowded Jubilee line, available for a cheap TfL zone 2-5 fare.

 

[Fenchurch SP]

Not sure how full the fast West Croydon to London Bridge trains get but you could do that and get the bus from London Bridge bus station.

If getting a seat is your only aim you could get a southbound Thameslink to somewhere like Gatwick or Redhill and then change to a London bound one back through East Croydon.

 

[ThameslinkUser]

If getting a seat is your only aim you could get a southbound Thameslink to somewhere like Gatwick or Redhill and then change to a London bound one back through East Croydon.

In morning rush hour, you still won't get a seat on the ones from Gatwick.

 

[beanwalls]

Thanks for the tip, i didn't see that route. Returning in the evening rush hour, how busy would the Overground be at Whitechapel?

It’s not busy when it pulls in, but there will typically be a lot of people getting on at Whitechapel. You should get a seat if you get on quickly. It will get a lot busier once it gets to Canada Water a few stops later though - usually absolutely packed by then and only eases off when it gets to Forest Hill or thereabouts.

 

[Timmyd]

There are so many options here that did not exist when I was commuting.

If comfort is a key criterion then avoid the deep level tube completely, especially the Victoria line, and probably the buses too.

I do have some recent experience of the evening peak on Thameslink, but going the other way. There is a huge amount of "churn" of who is on Thameslink trains as they pass through the core: get on where lots of other people are getting off, and as near to the start of the core as possible. I suspect that the Elizabeth Line is the same.

Also bear in mind that some changes involve lots more walking and potential congestion than others.

My preference for the homeward journey would be Greater Anglia to Liverpool Street, for the Met Main Line (a train starting at Aldgate) then cross platform at Farringdon onto Thameslink. At Liverpool Street I would go up the escalators at the low numbered platform end and enter the Met Line the other side of the road, a less congested route than going via the entrance that is on the station.


I have no recent experience of morning peaks but this does sound sensible. In particular it is much easier to change between northbound Thameslink and the Elizabeth Line at Farringdon than it is to change between the Elizabeth Line and southbound Thameslink. On the other hand changing between northbound Met and southbound Thameslink at Farringdon is cross platform but northbound Thameslink to City bound Met involves using a bridge.

The southbound interchange is fine, the trick is to use the lifts rather than escalators

 

[Magdalia]

The southbound interchange is fine, the trick is to use the lifts rather than escalators

I am aware of that, and it isn't fine. The lift capacity is very limited and overloads at busy times.

 

[GodAtum]

How reliable is the Overground and Liz Line?