Why Paddington is awkward from SE19
On paper Paddington is only 11 miles away. In practice, it is one of the hardest stations to reach from Crystal Palace by public transport. You are looking at a train into Victoria or London Bridge and then the Underground, often with a change, and the deep Tube platforms at Paddington are not kind to suitcases.
A car takes the stress out. You leave from your front door, sit back through the drive across the river and step out at the station with your bags.
Who uses our Paddington station transfer?
GWR runs long-distance services to Reading, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance. The overnight Night Riviera sleeper to Cornwall leaves from here most nights of the week. Paddington is also a stop on the Elizabeth line and the start of the Heathrow Express.
That mix means our passengers range from holidaymakers heading to the West Country, to commuters with an early meeting in Reading, to travellers making their own way to the airport by train.
The route across London
Drivers usually head north-west through Streatham or Brixton, cross the river at Vauxhall Bridge, and then go up past Hyde Park Corner and along Park Lane to Marble Arch. From there, the Edgware Road and Praed Street take you to the station.
The distance is about 11 miles. Typical times are around 45 minutes in light traffic and up to 70 minutes at busy times, so please treat those as rough guides. Park Lane and Marble Arch get very slow during the evening rush. Paddington sits outside the Congestion Charge zone, and drivers can often skirt round the zone, depending on traffic.
Weekend and holiday traffic
Friday evenings and the start of the school holidays are very busy around Paddington, as families head west. If you have reserved seats on a specific train, book a pickup with a generous margin.
Paddington drop-off point
The station has entrances on several sides, including Praed Street and Eastbourne Terrace. Drivers use the current set-down areas and get you as close to the concourse as the rules allow. Tell us if you need step-free access, and we will choose the most suitable spot.
For pickups, give us your train and arrival time. The driver will call to agree the exact place to meet. If your train is late, call us and we will move the pickup.
Car to Paddington or straight to the airport?
Some people book a car to Paddington so they can catch the Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line to the airport. That is a good plan for one person travelling light. For families and anyone with lots of luggage, a direct car is often easier. See our Crystal Palace to Heathrow Airport transfer and compare.
Holidays in the West Country
Every summer, families from Crystal Palace head to Cornwall, Devon and Dorset by train. Paddington is the start of that journey for Cornwall and Devon, and the trains are long and busy at the start of the school holidays.
Book a seat reservation if you can, then book the car with plenty of time to spare. Paddington's concourse fills up quickly on Friday afternoons, and finding your platform with buckets, spades and suitcases takes a few minutes.
Business trips to Reading, Oxford and Bristol
Paddington is also the gateway to the Thames Valley. Reading and Oxford are popular for business meetings, and Bristol and Cardiff are just a couple of hours away. An early car to Paddington lets you catch a fast train and arrive in time for a morning meeting. If you would rather work on the way into town, choose an executive car.
Choose your car
- Saloon for up to four passengers and around two large cases
- Estate for extra boot room, useful for holiday luggage or surfboards in bags
- MPV for families, see our 6 seater minicab
- 7/8 seater for larger groups
Child seats are available on request.
Paddington transfer fare
Every Paddington transfer has a fixed fare agreed at booking. It depends on the time, the car and any extra stops. You can pay by card or cash. Use the booking form on this page or call 020 8659 9000.
Other station runs
We cover every London terminus. For trains to the North, see the Crystal Palace to Euston Station transfer or the King's Cross minicab. For the South West line out of Waterloo, our Waterloo Station minicab is a much shorter run.
Passengers book this route from all our local areas, including West Norwood, Streatham and Gipsy Hill.
