Fastest route between South Western Main Line and King's Cross/St. Pancras?

[Muzer]

I've been wondering this for a while, and thought I'd ask here since I suspect at least one person has probably worked it out in great detail

If you're heading from a SWML station to King's Cross, assuming your train stops at Clapham Junction, what is the best route? Three that immediately spring to mind are:

* Clapham to Victoria, Victoria line
* Clapham to Vauxhall, Victoria line
* Waterloo to Oxford Circus on Bakerloo, Victoria from there

Any ideas which is the best option (or if there's a better one I've overlooked?)

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Depends on day of travel, I think one possibility is Waterloo & City line to Bank then Northern line to Kings X/St Pan.

 

[yorkie]

Depends on day of travel, I think one possibility is Waterloo & City line to Bank then Northern line to Kings X/St Pan.

That would be slower than any of the options above, unless there were delays on the Victoria Line.

 

[TheNewNo2]

Depends on day of travel, I think one possibility is Waterloo & City line to Bank then Northern line to Kings X/St Pan.

The Bank branch is slower than a slow thing (it always feels that way anyway). Probably getting off at Vauxhall or Victoria is best (whichever your train goes to), gives least changes anyway, and the Victoria line is usually pretty fast, at least when they haven't flooded their signalling room with concrete. To be perfectly frank it's one of those ones where there is no right answer.

Of course, you could always get the Northern Line from Waterloo to Euston and then back to KGXSTP, or have a walk.

 

[LexyBoy]

I'd say Victoria from Vauxhall if your train stops there, otherwise Bakerloo/Vic from Waterloo. The change at Oxford circus is cross-platform and access to the tube is nearly as quick at Waterloo as Victoria.

Of course if you're me you'd then spend 20 minutes wandering the tunnels of KXSP before coming out at the furthest possible exit from whereever you're going.

 

[phil281]

I do this journey almost every day to work!

A lot of it depends on the time of day, in the peak I go to Vauxhall (using the windsor line trains, easier to get on). In the peak you often sit outside Victoria for ages waiting for a platform and then often the tube is closed due to overcrowding or the queues are horrendus. It is much easier to board the Victoria Line at Vauxhall.

Outside the peak it is quicker via Victoria.

 

[theorangeone]

Vauxhall, any day. Factoring in interchange time at Clapham Junction, the crawl into Victoria and how crowded it is, Vauxhall. Even at off-peak times it's so much more pleasant to change at Vauxhall.

Bak/Vic at Waterloo is the best of the other options.

 

[James Wake]

When I need to get on the Victoria line coming up from Sussex, I tend to get off at Clapham Junction, then Vauxhall, then use my free Oyster from there, as my paper ticket only covers 2-6. I find the Vauxhall change quick, and have done train to tube without rushing in 3 minutes.

 

[phil281]

Another thing to consider, if you go to Victoria it is much better getting one of the suburban services from platfrom 14 at Clapham (even if it stops at Battersea Park) as the walk from the platform to the tube is much shorter and less congested from platforms 9 to 12 at Victoria than 15 to 19.

If starting from Clapham Jn, it is definitly quicker by 5 minutes or so via Victoria off peak, I do this every day.

 

[Mike99]

Via Waterloo,
Bakerloo line to Oxford Circus, cross platform interchange to Victoria Line Northbound to Kings Cross St Pancras.
Regards
Mike

 

[DarloRich]

Surely Vauxhall to Kings Cross on the Victoria?

 

[Kite159]

Heading towards King Cross, I tend to use Vauxhall as it is gently less crowded to get to the underground platforms, and you have a better chance at getting a seat on the Vicky train.

Coming back I tend to change at Oxford Circus and head to Waterloo, unless I'm against the clock then it's straight to Victoria for the first thing which calls at Clapham.

 

[Hadders]

Vauxhall is the quickest. Be in the rear most carriage upon arrival at Kings Cross St Pancras to make the quickest exit. This is the Euston Road exit rather than via the signed route at the other end of the platform to the Northern Ticket Hall.

Also, if you're catching a Great Northern train that stops at Finsbury Park then stay on the Victoria Line to Finsbury will be even quicker.