When a car beats the direct train
South Western Railway runs regular trains from Kingston to Waterloo, and for a commute with a laptop bag they are hard to beat. So when does a car make sense?
- When you are travelling with suitcases for a ferry or a cruise
- When the first train is too late or the last one has gone
- When you are a group of four sharing one fixed fare
- When someone in the party struggles with stairs and platforms
- When it is a night out and you want to be dropped at the theatre door
The road route from Kingston
The drive is fairly direct. Drivers take the A3 north past Robin Hood roundabout to Wandsworth, follow the river through Vauxhall and run along the Albert Embankment to Waterloo. It is about 11 miles.
Allow around 35 minutes in light traffic and an hour in the rush hour. These are typical figures. Wandsworth one-way system and Vauxhall Cross are the usual slow spots. Waterloo lies inside the Congestion Charge zone, which applies during charging hours.
Ferries, cruises and the South West
Waterloo is the London terminus for Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Weymouth. Cruise passengers and ferry travellers carry a lot of luggage, and an estate or MPV to Waterloo makes the start of the trip far easier. Coming home, give us your train and we will meet you.
South Bank taxi from Kingston
Within a short stroll of Waterloo you have the London Eye, the National Theatre, the Southbank Centre and the Old Vic. Knowing the ride back to Kingston is sorted makes the whole evening easier. Give us the venue and the finishing time and your driver will be waiting close by.
For bigger groups, a 6 seater taxi or a 7 seater taxi keeps everyone together.
When the trains are disrupted
South Western Railway services between Kingston and Waterloo sometimes suffer delays or engineering works, especially at weekends. When the line is closed or replacement buses are running, a car is often the quickest way into town. Call us and we will tell you how soon a driver can reach you.
Commuting with heavy loads
Some Kingston commuters carry equipment, samples or display stands into London. A car straight to Waterloo saves wrestling them onto a crowded train at rush hour. Regular weekly bookings can be set up at the same time each day, each one at a fixed price.
Waterloo drop-off points
Waterloo is a big place with many doors. The grand steps under the Victory Arch, the side doors on Mepham Street and the Waterloo Road entrances all lead to the concourse. Drivers use whichever legal stopping point is nearest to the door you need, and step-free access can be arranged if you mention it.
Waterloo East
Waterloo East is its own little station, joined to the main one by a covered walkway, and it serves Southeastern trains towards Kent. Mention it when booking, because it can change where the driver stops. Trains that start their journey into Kent leave from the terminus covered by our Kingston to Charing Cross cab page.
Late night pickups at Waterloo
After a late show or a delayed train, getting back to Kingston can mean a long wait. Our booking line is answered 24 hours, so you can book a pickup in advance or call on the night.
Collecting visitors arriving at Waterloo
Many visitors to Kingston come through Waterloo, especially from the south coast and the West Country. If they have heavy luggage, book a car to meet them at Waterloo and drive them straight to Kingston instead of changing trains.
Waterloo taxi prices
One fixed fare, agreed up front, covers the journey and any charge for the central zone. Pay by card or cash, and get a quote from the form on this page or on 020 3740 2841.
More journeys from Kingston
Other options close by include London Bridge for Thameslink and Victoria for the south coast, while the Kingston to Paddington minicab covers trains to the west. We collect from Norbiton, New Malden and everywhere in between.
