When a taxi to Waterloo makes sense
South Western Railway trains link Kingston and Surbiton with Waterloo throughout the day, and for a normal commute they are hard to beat. But there are plenty of times when the train is not the right answer:
- very early in the morning, before services start, or late at night after the last train
- on strike days, engineering weekends and days with major disruption
- when you have heavy luggage, a pushchair or someone who finds stairs difficult
- when a group would pay more in train fares than one car costs
- when you are going to the South Bank, the London Eye or a hotel near Waterloo, not the station itself
Route and drive times
The driver normally takes the A3 through Roehampton and Wandsworth, then heads along the river to Vauxhall and up Albert Embankment to Waterloo. At quiet times it takes about 45 minutes. In the morning rush it can stretch to 75 minutes. Your price is fixed when you book, so time spent in traffic does not cost you extra.
Waterloo and the South Bank
Waterloo is right next to some of London's best-known places: the London Eye, the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre, the Old Vic and the BFI. Many people book us for an evening at a show or a concert, with a return pick-up afterwards. Agree the meeting point in advance, because streets around the venues are crowded when performances finish.
Connections from Waterloo
Waterloo is also an Underground hub for the Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee and Waterloo and City lines. If you are travelling on to a station such as Charing Cross or London Bridge, it may be easier to book the taxi straight there. For trains to the north, see our pages for Euston and King's Cross.
Strike days and engineering works
When there is a rail strike or engineering work on the line between Kingston and Waterloo, demand for cars rises sharply. If you know about planned disruption, book your taxi as early as possible. On strike days, roads into London are also busier than usual, so the driver may suggest an earlier pick-up time to get you there on schedule. The fare is still fixed when you book.
Picking you up at Waterloo
Coming home late after a show or a delayed train? Book a collection from Waterloo back to Kingston, Surbiton or New Malden. Give us the time you expect to be ready, and the driver will call you when they are close.
Waterloo taxi questions
Is a taxi to Waterloo quicker than the train from Kingston?
Not usually in the daytime. Direct trains are quick when they run. A taxi makes sense when trains are not running, when you have heavy luggage or a group, or when you need to go to a precise address near Waterloo.
Can the driver drop me close to the station entrance?
Yes, at the nearest available set-down point. The streets around Waterloo are busy, so the driver will pick the most convenient spot on the day.
Do you run to Waterloo during rail strikes?
Yes, but demand is very high on strike days. Book as early as possible if a strike is announced.
Does the journey include the Congestion Charge?
Waterloo is inside the central London charging zone. During charging hours, ask when you book how the Congestion Charge is handled for your journey.