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traffic between Paddington Station and Earls Court

Posted by saveenergy5 on 07/02/18 01:40 AM

I want to book a train arrival into Paddington Station on a weekday in mid-September. From Paddington we will take a Black Cab to our rental flat in Earls Court. Riding the tube is out of the question, so please no advice in that direction. The two arrival times I'm considering are 1401 and 1521. We will need a bit of time in the station before hiring the cab, as we will be buying Travel Cards from the National Rail folks. If the train arrives on time, if estimate that we will be at curbside 20 minutes later or 1420 or 1541.

Will the earlier arrival make for a smooth cab ride?
Will the later arrival make much of a difference for the cab ride?

Posted by Frank

Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

07/02/18 03:10 AM

23269 posts

Personally don't think it will make any difference. Very hard to predict weather and traffic.

Posted by JC

Portsmouth

07/02/18 06:33 AM

5264 posts

I think you might be over planning this somewhat. There'll be no difference whatsoever with all things being equal.

Posted by James

07/02/18 07:42 AM

2412 posts

Are you concerned about pre-booking a cab to correspond with your train arrival? Don’t worry, just arrive on whatever train you decide, do your business with the railways and then walk out of Paddington on the side nearest to platform 1 - where you will find cabs waiting to take you to Earl’s Court.

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

07/02/18 08:36 AM

8889 posts

The cabs do not wait for specific trains. There are trains arriving continuously.
Click here for a live list of arrivals at Paddington: http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/ldbboard/arr/PAD As you can see there are trains every 3-5 minutes.
It is a continuous stream of passengers from the trains to other transport (tube, bus, taxi). Just follow the signs.

The taxi rank is at the side of the station. There is station info and a map here: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/PAD/details.html

Posted by Marco

Oxford, United Kingdom

07/02/18 10:13 AM

5326 posts

The taxi rank hasn't been on the platform 1 side (ie Westbourne Terrace) for some years; this is where the Crossrail station has been constructed. It is now above platform 12. You do need to go up a level and can do this by stairs, escalator, lift (tucked away) and by means of a long ramp.

There are spaces for over 40 cabs to be waiting there at any time. It can be very busy, with an marshalled waiting queue.

If you are intending to pre-book a mincab they have their own special meeting area within this.

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

07/02/18 10:27 AM

8889 posts

Marco, thats where I meant! at the higher level (up to the bridge and across to the side of the station), near the Hammersmith line "tube" station. It's on the map I posted: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations-and-destinations/stations-made-easy/london-paddington-station-plan
I only know its there because I walk past it to get to and from the Hammersmitrh line. I am too mean to pay for a black cab.

Posted by Claudia

Land of La

07/02/18 01:54 PM

8674 posts

Totally over thinking your arrival and the ease of finding a taxi.

Arrive at the station, get off the train, buy your Travel Cards, and then follow Marco's stellar directions to where the cabs queue up for passengers. Will probably take more time to purchase the Travel Cards then to get the cab.

As far as traffic? Who knows? Like the weather, unpredictable. You'll be in London. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

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