London commute from West (M4)

Kemik

Kemik

Kemik

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Joined
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Widnes
Hi guys,

I'm currently considering a position at Oxford Circus. I would never normally consider London as I have a more laid back lifestyle than the capital requires but this is kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Does anyone else commute from the west of London (Reading area)? I live near J11 of the M4 so my current understanding for options are:

1. Park and ride to Reading station (40 minutes) (£50/mo) + train to Paddington (40 mins with transfer) (£419/mo) + tube/bus. Total time approx 100 mins at £470/mo.

2. Drive to Hounslow West (45 minutes leaving early!) (£155/mo fuel + £108/mo parking) + Tube via Piccadilly (45 mins)(£184/mo). Total time approx 90 mins at £450/mo.

I'm looking for creative solutions other than moving house. I would eventually move but for the first four to six months I want to see how much I enjoy the job.
 
I needed to be in Central London early last week, and the best I could come up with (alright it was from M1 not M4) was Wembley Park. £5 parking and £12 day pass for the underground (though that was after 9am, it might be higher before). I'm sure I remember the car park having a monthly pass which would make it cheaper, and an Oyster card would reduce the rail fare too. Obviously not much help if you don't drive.

I'm based in Heathrow and it's a bit of a nightmare from here TBH.

What time would you need to be in London for?
 
Gilly said:
What time would you need to be in London for?
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I need to figure that out. I would request an early start (8am) but have a feeling that a 4pm finish would be laughed at and I would effectively be working until 6pm onwards, even though everyone else would be getting in at 9.30am-ish.
 
Where exactly do you live? Used to live just outside Reading myself for many years. I ask because if you live near Mortimer you can train it from there to Reading (2 stops). Maybe save on the parking?
As above Oyster card would be good.
 
It would have to be a really great opportunity to be worth 100 minutes each way and the costs incurred by doing that commute.
 
A2Z said:
Why didn't you use a contactless bank card? Assuming you don't have an oyster.
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Bint in the station said that if I was making multiple journeys and wasn't traveling after 10pm that the day pass was the cheapest deal.

I specifically asked about contactless too. Was she wrong? I'm aware that there's a day limit but thought that was £15?
 
Gilly said:
Bint in the station said that if I was making multiple journeys and wasn't traveling after 10pm that the day pass was the cheapest deal.

I specifically asked about contactless too. Was she wrong? I'm aware that there's a day limit but thought that was £15?
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According to this the highest cap is £11.80, but could be less, so sounds like she was talking out of her backside.

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless/what-is-capping

I'm pretty sure contactless is nearly always the cheapest way, and will refund you if you end up going over a cap.
 
You do realise that the Piccadilly line doesn't stop at Oxford Circle itself!?

The Piccadilly line is long and treacherous and often full of big suitcase travelling tourists. Takes forever to get to central! I'd consider taking the National Rail services instead.

Drive to Reading then.
Reading to Paddington then Paddington to Oxford Circus on the underground.

Have you looked into that option?
 
OP... I'm based in Reading and will also be commuting into London from next week although I'm heading for Canary Warf. Best I could come up with was driving to Reading Station, parking (£200 odd per month), and a weekly travel card (about £125) so all told i'm looking at about £700 per month.

However, mrs has since moved projects and is now home based so she'll be my taxi to and from the station :)
 
I went to university in Zone 1 (Oxford/Regent St); I'd explore the option of driving a Zone 2/3 area and taking the train inwards.

There are scattered free parking areas in London (I'm in North), where you can walk to the nearest station and catch a tube with a Zone 1-2 oyster: £124.50, £146 for 1-3 (monthly)

Might increase your fuel costs depending on where you live.
 
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@OP I live near J11 too and i just use the number 9 or number 6 bus to get into town (25 minutes or less in the morning), and its £15 a week. Then its the 25 minute train into Paddington, easy. Depends how 'south' of Reading you are.
 
psd99 said:
You do realise that the Piccadilly line doesn't stop at Oxford Circle itself!?

The Piccadilly line is long and treacherous and often full of big suitcase travelling tourists. Takes forever to get to central! I'd consider taking the National Rail services instead.

Drive to Reading then.
Reading to Paddington then Paddington to Oxford Circus on the underground.

Have you looked into that option?
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It depends where you're going but it's really not that bad....I've used it many times to get from Heathrow to Gloucester Road area and vice versa, it's fine. Maybe the times I travel at aren't so bad but I've rarely found it overly busy.

Heathrow express whilst quicker, is multiple times more expensive and Heathrow Connect takes minimum of 30mins just to get to Paddington.
 
Robdav said:
OP... I'm based in Reading and will also be commuting into London from next week although I'm heading for Canary Warf. Best I could come up with was driving to Reading Station, parking (£200 odd per month), and a weekly travel card (about £125) so all told i'm looking at about £700 per month.

However, mrs has since moved projects and is now home based so she'll be my taxi to and from the station :)
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Ooof, Paddington to Canary Wharf in the morning, rather you than me.
 
CSMonkeh said:
Where exactly do you live? Used to live just outside Reading myself for many years. I ask because if you live near Mortimer you can train it from there to Reading (2 stops). Maybe save on the parking?
As above Oyster card would be good.
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Three Mile Cross. I didn't even think of Mortimer! The trains look decent but you mentioned free parking? It looks like it is £16 per week. Still cheaper and quicker than getting the Mereoak Park & Ride though. This might be the best suggestion yet.

Robdav said:
OP... I'm based in Reading and will also be commuting into London from next week although I'm heading for Canary Warf. Best I could come up with was driving to Reading Station, parking (£200 odd per month), and a weekly travel card (about £125) so all told i'm looking at about £700 per month.
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Driving into Reading town centre and then finding parking could be very painful. I think the bus would work out cheaper and quicker due to the bus lanes? Less reliable though.

SMN said:
@OP I live near J11 too and i just use the number 9 or number 6 bus to get into town (25 minutes or less in the morning), and its £15 a week. Then its the 25 minute train into Paddington, easy. Depends how 'south' of Reading you are.
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Have you tried the park and ride? I was tempted by the bus as an alternative. I think they stop outside the main road too. I'll look in to this thanks.

psd99 said:
You do realise that the Piccadilly line doesn't stop at Oxford Circle itself!?
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Yes, and I've also heard of the overcrowding at Oxford Circle tube station. The office is right next to the tube though so I don't have much of a choice. An alternative is to get the 7 minute bus from Paddington. Not sure if this is covered by the travel card though? Never used the bus in London before as I hardly ever visit.
 
Drive down the m4 to Bracknell train station, fiver a day to park there, parking shouldn't be a problem either.

Or if you get up early enough you can park for free a station down at martins heron, although spaces are limited. then get the train to waterloo and a tube to oxford circus. Although thinking about it, it would cost you around 500 a month! Quite out of your way to do this though
 
Park and then bike it?

I did Wimbledon Common to Paddington every day for lots of years until I moved out of London. And I lived 5 mins from a tube station (district line) and sod getting on that hell on wheels.

Keeps you fit, saves you money. Obviously as long as new work has showers etc. but given where it is I'm sure they do. Only slight issue is Oxford Street, a bit of a challenge on a bike!
 
I used to do a similar journey, but I live closer to J12

Reading->Paddington -> Bakerloo -> Northern -> Kennington

In the end I gave up and got a Motorcycle Licence, I now ride straight down the M4, filter through central, and park a 2 minute walk from the Office. Its taken a 2hr journey down to just over an hour, less on a good day. That being said, leather and wenches aren't for everyone :D
 
Would have to be a very well paid job for me to even contemplate that level of hassle. But if you have to train from Reading will ease your pain, mildly.
 
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