Getting to Canary Wharf
Getting to Canary Wharf
I have recently accepted a job offer in Canary Wharf so will need to travel in each morning so was wondering how long it takes (the real time including waiting for the queues on to the Jubilee line at London Bridge, not the tfl published time), and what the journey is like in the mornings? Obviously this will all change in May when the ELL opens but in the meantime....
On the odd occasion that I take the train, I find that hopping onto the 0808, coupled with a swift transfer to the Jubilee line at London Bridge, sees me walk out of Canary Wharf station around ten to nine. It's very important to get in one of the front carriages, otherwise it's going to take you at least five minutes just to get off the platform and through the exit gates at London Bridge.
If the Jubilee line is very crowded, which seems to happen with increasing regularity, you might have to let three or four trains go past at London Bridge, which can add ten minutes or so to your journey. If it's really bad, I jump on a westbound train and cross the platform at Southwark, which results in an arrival time at Canary Wharf of around 9 o'clock.
Another tip - if the trains and/or the tube aren't running, you can take the 75 bus to Lewisham and change onto the DLR.
As for your question about what the journey is like... well, it's pretty horrible. You'll probably get a seat on the 0808, but the scramble to get off and the dash to the ticket gates and then down the tubes at London Bridge is pretty miserable, and you'll inevitably find yourself nose-to-armpit with a fellow passenger on a stifling Jubilee line train if you're travelling during rush hour. Most days, I cycle. It's faster than the train, cheaper and healthier both mentally and physically
. If you don't fancy cycling but want to avoid the tube, how about a run to Lewisham, then take the DLR, or train to New Cross Gate, then run to CW.
If the Jubilee line is very crowded, which seems to happen with increasing regularity, you might have to let three or four trains go past at London Bridge, which can add ten minutes or so to your journey. If it's really bad, I jump on a westbound train and cross the platform at Southwark, which results in an arrival time at Canary Wharf of around 9 o'clock.
Another tip - if the trains and/or the tube aren't running, you can take the 75 bus to Lewisham and change onto the DLR.
As for your question about what the journey is like... well, it's pretty horrible. You'll probably get a seat on the 0808, but the scramble to get off and the dash to the ticket gates and then down the tubes at London Bridge is pretty miserable, and you'll inevitably find yourself nose-to-armpit with a fellow passenger on a stifling Jubilee line train if you're travelling during rush hour. Most days, I cycle. It's faster than the train, cheaper and healthier both mentally and physically
. If you don't fancy cycling but want to avoid the tube, how about a run to Lewisham, then take the DLR, or train to New Cross Gate, then run to CW.Congratulations on the job offer
I live 8 mins from Sydenham station and have done the commute for the last 8 years. Door to door via London Bridge takes me precisely one hour (it takes 10 mins to get out of the tube and to my desk on 49th floor)
If I catch the 8.08, I am at my desk by 9. There are some fast trains that go fast to either New Cross Gate or London Bridge which or still quicker.
Prior to the ELL closing, the commute was more like 40 mins and bear in mind that once the ELL opens end of May, it should be quicker (but the change at Canada Water could be dreadful to get on a train to do one stop to the Wharf)
I have done the 75 but find that the journey time to Lewisham is dreadful if you arent on the bus before 7am and the dlr is in many ways worse than the jubilee. I have never in living memory got a seat on the dlr but usually get a seat on the 808. After that though, forget it. If you really want a quieter life, theres a fast train around 745 and another 1 just before 8 that are usually more civilised not that I can get them as i can not be on the train earlier than the 808 now I have a childminder drop to slot in
Good luck!
I live 8 mins from Sydenham station and have done the commute for the last 8 years. Door to door via London Bridge takes me precisely one hour (it takes 10 mins to get out of the tube and to my desk on 49th floor)
If I catch the 8.08, I am at my desk by 9. There are some fast trains that go fast to either New Cross Gate or London Bridge which or still quicker.
Prior to the ELL closing, the commute was more like 40 mins and bear in mind that once the ELL opens end of May, it should be quicker (but the change at Canada Water could be dreadful to get on a train to do one stop to the Wharf)
I have done the 75 but find that the journey time to Lewisham is dreadful if you arent on the bus before 7am and the dlr is in many ways worse than the jubilee. I have never in living memory got a seat on the dlr but usually get a seat on the 808. After that though, forget it. If you really want a quieter life, theres a fast train around 745 and another 1 just before 8 that are usually more civilised not that I can get them as i can not be on the train earlier than the 808 now I have a childminder drop to slot in
Good luck!
Chazza is right - way the best way to go is cycling, unless you have a book to read and it doesn't actually matter when you get in, in which case 75 & DLR. I don't recognise the problems about getting a seat, at least not after all the FH school kids have got off at Dacres Road, and are prepared not to get on the first DLR train at Lewisham.
And, BTW Chazza, thanks for the cheery 'hello' on Tuesday as I was waiting at the bus stop by Mayow PArk. It was a great day for cycling, but I'd left my bike at Canary Wharf before Easter because it had been pissing with rain when I wanted to come home Maundy Thursday
And, BTW Chazza, thanks for the cheery 'hello' on Tuesday as I was waiting at the bus stop by Mayow PArk. It was a great day for cycling, but I'd left my bike at Canary Wharf before Easter because it had been pissing with rain when I wanted to come home Maundy Thursday