Why Paddington is awkward from Kingston by train
There is no simple rail link. From Kingston, the usual route is a train to Richmond and the District line to Earl's Court, then another change, or a train into Waterloo and the Bakerloo line. Either way you are handling luggage on stairs and escalators.
By road, though, Paddington is one of the easier stations to reach from Kingston, because you can approach from the west and avoid the very centre of London.
What runs from Paddington
GWR long-distance trains serve Reading, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance, and the Night Riviera sleeper runs to Cornwall on most nights. Paddington is also on the Elizabeth line and is the start of the Heathrow Express.
Two good routes from Kingston
The western route leaves Kingston through Ham and Petersham, crosses into Richmond, then takes the A316 and the A4 through Chiswick and Hammersmith into Kensington and up to Paddington. The southern route takes the A3 north to Putney Bridge and runs through Earl's Court and past Hyde Park.
Paddington sits outside the Congestion Charge zone, and both routes normally stay clear of it. Allow around 40 minutes in light traffic and 65 minutes in the rush hour. These figures are typical, so build in a margin if you hold a reserved seat.
Where you will be dropped
Paddington has entrances on several sides, including Praed Street and Eastbourne Terrace. Your driver uses the current set-down points and gets you as close to the concourse as the rules allow. If you need step-free access, tell us when booking.
For pickups, give us the train and time. The driver will call to agree the meeting spot, and if the train is late, we move the pickup.
West Country holidays
Every summer, Kingston families head to Cornwall and Devon from Paddington, and the trains at the start of the school holidays are packed. Reserve seats if you can, then book the car with plenty of time. Finding your coach with buckets, spades and suitcases takes a few minutes on a busy concourse.
Business trips along the Thames Valley
Reading and Oxford are under an hour from Paddington, which makes it popular for business trips. An early car means an early train and a morning meeting. Choose an executive car if you want to take calls on the way, and ask for an emailed receipt.
Paddington or straight to the airport?
Some people take a car to Paddington and the Heathrow Express from there. From Kingston, that rarely makes sense, because the airport is closer to Kingston than Paddington is. Our Kingston to Heathrow Airport taxi is usually quicker and simpler.
Elizabeth line connections
The Elizabeth line runs through Paddington east to Canary Wharf and Abbey Wood, and west to Reading. Some Kingston passengers use a car to Paddington to pick up the line for work in Docklands or a trip out to Berkshire. A quick drop-off at the right entrance makes the connection easy.
Avoiding the worst traffic
The A4 through Hammersmith and the approach to Marble Arch are the usual slow spots on the way to Paddington. Early mornings are quickest, while Friday evenings at the start of school holidays are slowest of all. If you hold a reserved seat on a busy train, book a generous margin.
Cars for Paddington runs
A saloon takes four passengers and two big cases. An estate adds room for holiday luggage. For families, our 6 seater taxi seats six. Child seats are available on request.
Collecting visitors from the West Country
Friends and family visiting from Bristol, Devon or Cornwall often arrive at Paddington with plenty of luggage. Book a car to meet them and bring them to Kingston along the A4 and through Richmond.
Paddington minicab prices
Every journey has a fixed price agreed at booking. Pay by card or cash. Use the form on this page for a price, or call 020 3740 2841.
More station runs from Kingston
For trains north, see the Kingston to Euston cab or the Kingston to King's Cross taxi. For trains to Surrey and Hampshire, the Kingston to Waterloo taxi is a much shorter run. We collect across the area, including Ham and Richmond, which sit right on the western route.
