Paddington to Kings Cross HELP!

[smooshie92]

I'm going from Bath to Paddington on the 16th April and I need help finding the best route from Paddington via the underground to Kings Cross Station, any ideas which line is best?
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H&C have part closures on that day no service between Liverpool Street and Barking. Trains will start/end their journeys at Aldgate.

I have never been to Paddington before so have no idea if this will affect my route

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The Circle or Hammersmith & City lines, but check for enginerring works if on a Saturday (16th), and make sure the trains on the Tube are going in the right direction - you should be off platform 16, on trains heading for Barking, Palistow or Edgware Rd via Victoria IIRC, they all should stop at Kings Cross St Pancras Underground station

 

[MikeWh]

H&C have part closures on that day no service between Liverpool Street and Barking. Trains will start/end their journeys at Aldgate.

I have never been to Paddington before so have no idea if this will affect my route

That stretch will not affect your journey from Paddington to Kings Cross, it is beyond Kings Cross from your perspective.

 

[yorkie]

Liverpool St and Barking are in the East of London!

However if there is a problem with the sub-surface H&C line, then I suggest taking deep-level tube lines instead, such as the Bakerloo from Paddington to Oxford Circus, and then the Victoria from Oxford Circus to King's Cross. This isn't much slower, despite being longer, as the tubes are more frequent than the sub-surface trains, and the interchange at Oxford Circus is relatively easy (no escalators between the lines).

 

[mickey]

If you need to pay for a ticket it's better on the bus. Obviously if you've got a Maltese cross it's different and you should follow the above.

 

[Flying Snail]

If you are not in a rush the 205 bus is another option, it stops outside both stations.

 

[MichaelAMW]

Liverpool St and Barking are in the East of London!

However if there is a problem with the sub-surface H&C line, then I suggest taking deep-level tube lines instead, such as the Bakerloo from Paddington to Oxford Circus, and then the Victoria from Oxford Circus to King's Cross. This isn't much slower, despite being longer, as the tubes are more frequent than the sub-surface trains, and the interchange at Oxford Circus is relatively easy (no escalators between the lines).

Actually, there are steps. The two Southbound and the two Northbound pairs of lines are next to each other, so e.g. Kings Cross to Waterloo or Marylebone to Victoria are easy, but other changes, like this one, mean you have to walk over the 'footbridge' to swap direction. (Apologies, Yorkie, if you were being specific about escalators; I was assuming you were including steps in your comment.)

 

[smooshie92]

Thanks, sorry for being so idiotic, is it therefore best for me to take the H&C line as I've heard its a straight route and quicker?

 

[jon0844]

Yes, as taking the Circle line would mean having to change after one stop no matter what - most likely on to the train you'd get by having taken the H&C Line/Circle Line platform in the first place.

It's nice and quick after getting off the Heathrow Express and not too bad if you took Heathrow Connect, depending on the platform you come in on (there's a short cut at the far end of the platform to take you nearer to the H&C Line than walking all the way via the main station).

 

[bb21]

Circle Line seems to be clear on 16th April.

I would recommend using Platform 16 as MattE said earlier. As things currently stand, you can take any eastbound train as they all go past King's Cross.

I would not recommend using the main entrance to the tube as you can quite easily get on the wrong branch of the Circle Line (I know it's ridiculous it is still called that despite no longer being an actual circle) and end up having to change after one stop.

 

[smooshie92]

I've looked at the map of paddington station and there's only 14 platforms?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Perhaps That map is only showing you the mainline platforms?
Platforms 15 & 16 are the underground platforms carrying the H&C line. Depending on where you arrive, the signs might direct you over the footbridge, (rather than down to the main concorse, along and back up to 15&16).

 

[jon0844]

Maybe 15/16 don't show on account of them being Tube lines (albeit right next to 14). But, they are there! - and next to 14. Follow the signs for H&C Line - which is basically at the far end of Paddington, up the stairs and to the right (if you were standing on the main concourse).

Also, if you're going to King's Cross then when you've come down the steps for platform 16 - turn right and walk back (behind the steps) and board the train at the front carriage. Then when you get to King's Cross come out, turn left (following signs for Emergency Exit, Northern, Victoria and Picadilly Lines) and you can exit very quickly - and turn right after the gates to get to King's Cross for overground trains.

If you need step free access, board at the other end and follow the signs that take you out nearer St Pancras (and has a lift).

 

[Zoe]

If you need step free access, board at the other end and follow the signs that take you out nearer St Pancras

But you won't get onto platforms 15 and 16 at Paddington step free unless an elevator has very recently been installed.

 

[jon0844]

I know that, but there's no need to lug heavy suitcases at both stations just because one doesn't have escalators or a lift!

If you are carrying heavy luggage and don't fancy the steps for the H&C Line you can go the Circle line platform, which only needs the use of an escalator and then level access (in one direction) and presumably no need for stairs at Edgware Road where you'll have to change.

 

[LexyBoy]

But you won't get onto platforms 15 and 16 at Paddington step free unless an elevator has very recently been installed.

Indeed. If step free access is needed then the platforms at the front of the station would be better as there is a lift - you'll have to change at Edgware Road, but it will just be across the platform.

Alternatively as already mentioned, the 205 bus is direct and IMO more pleasant than the Tube - though not included on your train ticket if cross-London travel is included (a "+" symbol next to "Route:"). Don't worry about being unfamiliar with London; the bus will announce each stop in advance (on a board and over the tannoy).

 

[Mojo]

I know that, but there's no need to lug heavy suitcases at both stations just because one doesn't have escalators or a lift!

If you are carrying heavy luggage and don't fancy the steps for the H&C Line you can go the Circle line platform, which only needs the use of an escalator and then level access (in one direction) and presumably no need for stairs at Edgware Road where you'll have to change.

It's only cross platform at Edgware Road from the Circle line terminators; the Wimbleware District line service uses platform 3.

 

[Zoe]

I have heard that there is an elevator at Paddington from platform 1 to the bridge. If this is the case then it does seem a bit pointless as if you need to use the elevator to get onto the bridge then you are going to need another elevator to get onto the other platforms.

 

[Mojo]

I have heard that there is an elevator at Paddington from platform 1 to the bridge. If this is the case then it does seem a bit pointless as if you need to use the elevator to get onto the bridge then you are going to need another elevator to get onto the other platforms.

It's not as the footbridge leads to the station exit into Paddington Basin.

 

[Statto]

Indeed. If step free access is needed then the platforms at the front of the station would be better as there is a lift - you'll have to change at Edgware Road, but it will just be across the platform.

Alternatively as already mentioned, the 205 bus is direct and IMO more pleasant than the Tube - though not included on your train ticket if cross-London travel is included (a "+" symbol next to "Route:"). Don't worry about being unfamiliar with London; the bus will announce each stop in advance (on a board and over the tannoy).

Plus you can't miss Kings Cross if you get the 205 bus, you'll be able to see KX Station soon as you turn back onto the Euston Road after going through Euston Bus Station,

 

[Deerfold]

Plus you can't miss Kings Cross if you get the 205 bus, you'll be able to see KX Station soon as you turn back onto the Euston Road after going through Euston Bus Station,

You've got good eyesight!

Nonetheles it is hard to miss. It will almost always be announced on the bus. The previous stop is the British Museum. You'll then get caught by the lights outside St Pancras so should have plenty of warning you're about to get there.

 

[jon0844]

The bus will say 'King's Cross' and will almost certainly stop. The worst that might happen is you panic and alight early (by St Pancras) and have to cross the road (or use the underpass).

The stop is right outside the station - it's very easy. As easy as at Euston.

 

[Deerfold]

The bus will say 'King's Cross' and will almost certainly stop. The worst that might happen is you panic and alight early (by St Pancras) and have to cross the road (or use the underpass).

The stop is right outside the station - it's very easy. As easy as at Euston.

If you alight early you'll be at the British Library. The only buses which stop at St Pancras are those which stop in York Way at Kings X rather than on Euston Road so the 205 will not stop there.

 

[jon0844]

Fair enough; I didn't realise the bus stops there instead of further on (I usually get off there if the bus stops - which it almost certainly will - to save the time waiting at the lights).

You're unlikely to get off early anyway, given it says on the bus what the next stop is (and if it's stopping once you or someone else presses the button).

 

[Statto]

You've got good eyesight!

Nonetheles it is hard to miss. It will almost always be announced on the bus. The previous stop is the British Museum. You'll then get caught by the lights outside St Pancras so should have plenty of warning you're about to get there.

Lol. maybe it's that i know the Euston Road quite well. Anyway, KX is the 3rd stop when you turn back on to the Euston Road after Euston Bus Station. Plus the 1st stop is the British Libary which is a short walk to KX.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/kingscross-2150.pdf this is a detatled bus stop map for KX

 

[Deerfold]

Lol. maybe it's that i know the Euston Road quite well. Anyway, KX is the 3rd stop when you turn back on to the Euston Road after Euston Bus Station. Plus the 1st stop is the British Libary which is a short walk to KX.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/kingscross-2150.pdf this is a detatled bus stop map for KX

It's the second stop that it will call at. 1st is British Library, 2nd is Kings X.

 

[Statto]

It's the second stop that it will call at. 1st is British Library, 2nd is Kings X.

Your right, it doesn't stop at St Pancaras[stop M]

 

[jon0844]

Does anyone think we're now giving too much information? Soon we'll be sending someone to act as a personal escort.

 

[shinkansen1966]

I need help finding the best route from Paddington via the underground to Kings Cross Station, any ideas which line is best?

Take bus 205. Runs every 7 mins. Journey time 25 mins. Picks up outside Paddington. Drops off outside Kings Cross. You can't go wrong. And bus stop are automatically announced on the bus, just get off when the announcement says "Kings Cross".

Any more than that, any you'll be needing a 'carer'.

 

[LexyBoy]

Or the 46 if you want a scenic route and some Italian style driving