Clapham Junction - Is getting from platform 1 to platform 9 in six minutes at 11pm on a Tuesday doable?

Olly7 · 7 Mar 2024

Hi all. I recently bought some train tickets from Bournemouth to Kentish Town West for a gig on 12th March. The latest return train journey of the night shown to me when booking was the train leaving Kentish Town West at 22:44, arriving at Clapham Junction at 23:23 and then getting the 23:44.

This would mean possibly having to leave the gig a little before it's finished if the setlist is a little longer so I've been looking for possible alternatives to give me options. I've seen that there's a train from KTW to CJ at 22:58 that arrives at 23:38. So now I'm wondering if I could get this train, and then catch the 23:44 at CJ. It looks like I'd need to get from platform 1 to platform 9. Is six minutes long enough for me to make the transfer? I obviously wont have any luggage or anything to slow me down.

Thanks!

RailUK Forums

Bletchleyite · 7 Mar 2024

If everything is on time and you're reasonably fit that'll be physically possible - but (and it's a big but) because that isn't an official connection if you miss it you're on your own and will need to sort your own costly hotel, taxi, new ticket the next day etc.

skyhigh · 7 Mar 2024

The minimum connection time at Clapham Junction is 10 minutes, so if you miss your second train you will have no protection and be on your own to sort yourself out.

Titfield · 7 Mar 2024

I wonder is there any way of telling which would be the optimum carriage of the train from KTW to CJ to travel in so that when the OP alights he is right by the stairs of the footbridge?

30907 · 7 Mar 2024

Would you be better taking the tube to Waterloo and catching the 2335 there?
Contactless to Waterloo, paper ticket WAT-CLJ so you can stay on the train - obviously adds to cost but....

Kenny G · 7 Mar 2024

One option if you want to take the risk - I wouldn't personally as the worst case scenario is pretty significant to gain a minor advantage- is to look at realtime trains for the past few days prior to the night in question to get a sense of reliability.

hermit · 7 Mar 2024

30907 said:
Would you be better taking the tube to Waterloo and catching the 2335 there?
Contactless to Waterloo, paper ticket WAT-CLJ so you can stay on the train - obviously adds to cost but....

Kentish Town West isn’t on the tube; Kentish Town is but is closed until later this year.

Merseysider · 7 Mar 2024

Is it worth the stress? It’s been a minute late arriving CLJ Tue & Weds this week. Coupled with (potentially) more passengers than usual due to your gig, and the fact you’re going all the way to Bournemouth, I personally wouldn’t risk it.

If you do plan on taking the 2258 though, I’d book the 23:59 National Express from Victoria for £9.40 while it’s still that cheap and have it as a backup - if the train is cancelled or running late, it’s just over half an hour to the coach station from Kentish in an Uber / a taxi.

Of course, if the train was on time but got delayed en route you’d still be stuffed.

Olly7 · 7 Mar 2024

Thank you for the replies everyone! After reading everybody's replies it does feel a bit too risky.

I have considered the tube and National Express options, going to Victoria coach station from Tufnell Park, I'm just slightly overwhelmed at the thought of the tube for some reason as I've never been around London without a local. Are Tufnell Park station, and the Northern and Victoria lines fairly safe at night?

Snow1964 · 7 Mar 2024

Olly7 said:
Thank you for the replies everyone! After reading everybody's replies it does feel a bit too risky.

I have considered the tube and National Express options, going to Victoria coach station from Tufnell Park, I'm just slightly overwhelmed at the thought of the tube for some reason as I've never been around London without a local. Are Tufnell Park station, and the Northern and Victoria lines fairly safe at night?

Yes, tube is safe, might get some tipsy roudy characters, but should be no danger as it is staffed and cameras everywhere.

From Tufnell Park if Northern line is west end train, rather than via Bank) go straight to Waterloo. If it is via City train, then could change at Euston, onto Victoria line to Vauxhall and get first train to Clapham from suburban platform (think it is plat 8).

Note the 2 northern line at Euston were built by different companies, and is a messy escalator change with walks, not quick so not good place to change.

Rail101 · 7 Mar 2024

I would suggest Tufnell Park to Waterloo is the safest option if the gig ends a bit late and stop you from getting the 22:44 from Kentish Town West. Gig surely won't end later than 22:45, gives you time to get to the tube (half a mile away so allow 10 minutes but you can always jog it if you're able to). Then a 15 minute journey time + five minutes from tube to platform. Should give you a bit of a buffer.

greatkingrat · 7 Mar 2024

If it's at the O2 Forum, then you are nearer Tufnell Park than Kentish Town West anyway.

Ken X · 7 Mar 2024

Olly7 said:
Thank you for the replies everyone! After reading everybody's replies it does feel a bit too risky.

I have considered the tube and National Express options, going to Victoria coach station from Tufnell Park, I'm just slightly overwhelmed at the thought of the tube for some reason as I've never been around London without a local. Are Tufnell Park station, and the Northern and Victoria lines fairly safe at night?

Just to confirm that the tube is fine at night. The present Mrs X was a frequent user of late night tubes and never had any problems. The odd "tired and emotional" traveller but nothing she felt unable to deal with.

I can attest she has a very impressive bark though when riled. :lol:

Somewhere · 7 Mar 2024

I'd have thought Tube over the Overground to be far more preferable that time of night!

Bletchleyite · 7 Mar 2024

Somewhere said:
I'd have thought Tube over the Overground to be far more preferable that time of night!

I would agree. Some of the Overground and Thameslink has a very dodgy feel at night, I've never felt that of the Tube.

rg177 · 7 Mar 2024

The train from Kentish Town West to Clapham Junction has been pretty reliable in the past fortnight - though there's no scope for running early. The latest it's arrived is a shade before 23:40.

However, the 23:44 from Clapham Junction seems to always arrive from Waterloo a little early and has always had wheels turning and been on the move by exactly 23:44. So the likely scenario is you'd *probably* make it, but you'd need to be quick.

Haywain · 7 Mar 2024

Another option would be a train from Kentish Town to Blackfriars and a 10-15 minute walk to Waterloo.

Olly7 · 7 Mar 2024

Thanks for all the advice and information folks! It's good to know there are a good amount of other options available so I wont spend the whole night just thinking about making it out in time.

The tube seems like it's probably by best option for now, plus it will be a bit of fun after not being on there for so long.

Magdalia · 8 Mar 2024

Haywain said:
Another option would be a train from Kentish Town to Blackfriars and a 10-15 minute walk to Waterloo.

In my younger and fitter days this would have been my first preference.

Thameslink have trains from Kentish Town at 2252 and 2256 taking about 15 minutes to Blackfriars, leaving plenty of time to walk to Waterloo.

But you need to be at the front of the train for the South Bank exit at Blackfriars.

30907 · 8 Mar 2024

hermit said:
Kentish Town West isn’t on the tube;

I suppose I should have spelt it out "from the nearest Northern Line station"

hermit said:
Kentish Town is but is closed until later this year.

Hadn't spotted that - anyway it sounds as if Tufnell Park will do!

hermit · 8 Mar 2024

30907 said:
I suppose I should have spelt it out "from the nearest Northern Line station"

And I should perhaps have acknowledged that that was probably what you meant!

In my view the Northern Line is the OP‘s friend : Tufnell Park to Waterloo, changing at Camden Town if necessary. I wouldn’t bother with the Overground or Victoria Line variations.

Russel · 8 Mar 2024

Snow1964 said:
Yes, tube is safe, might get some tipsy roudy characters, but should be no danger as it is staffed and cameras everywhere.

Agree with this, generally the tube is fine.

Only part of the tube I dislike is the central line east of Liverpool Street, whatever time of day I've used it, it always feels sketchy, never actually had any issues though.

Clapham Junction - Is getting from platform 1 to platform 9 in six minutes at 11pm on a Tuesday doable?

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