Why take a car to Waterloo?
Richmond has direct South Western Railway trains to Waterloo, and for a day in town with a small bag, the train is hard to beat. So why book a Richmond to Waterloo station taxi? Usually for one of these reasons:
- You have heavy luggage and are catching a long-distance train from Waterloo to the south coast or the West Country.
- You need to be there before the first trains run.
- You are coming home late and would rather not wait on a cold platform.
- You are travelling with young children, a pushchair or someone with limited mobility.
- Engineering works mean rail replacement buses on your line.
In each case, a pre-booked car takes you from door to station, or station to door, at a price fixed before you travel.
Journey time and route
Allow 35–60 minutes. The drive is usually quickest early in the morning and late at night. Weekday rush hours can be slow, especially through Putney, Wandsworth and Vauxhall.
Common routes include:
- East along the A205 Upper Richmond Road through East Sheen and Putney, then towards Vauxhall and along the river to Waterloo.
- Out to the A3 via Roehampton and in through Wandsworth.
Waterloo is in central London, so your journey may enter the Congestion Charge zone during charging hours. Check your quote to see how this is handled.
Drop-off and pick-up at Waterloo
Waterloo is the UK's busiest railway station and the roads around it are busy too. Drivers drop off and collect at permitted stopping points near the station entrances. Stopping rules around the station change from time to time, so the driver will use the most suitable legal point on the day.
For pick-ups:
- Tell us your train time and where it is coming from.
- Give a mobile number the driver can call when they arrive.
- Agree a meeting point, such as a named exit, so you do not miss each other in the crowds.
Coming home from Waterloo
Late trains into Waterloo are a common reason to book. After a show, a dinner or a long day in town, you can be collected at the station and taken home to Richmond, Kew or East Sheen. Book ahead for Friday and Saturday nights, when demand is highest.
Connecting to other stations and airports
Waterloo is close to other main London stations, but crossing between them with luggage is tiring. If your journey continues from another terminal, you can book a car directly from Richmond instead, for example to Charing Cross for trains to Kent, or to Victoria for the Gatwick Express.
If you are going to an airport, a direct car is often simpler than a train via Waterloo. See Richmond to Heathrow and Richmond to Gatwick.
Choosing a vehicle
Most station runs need only a saloon. If you have more than two large cases, choose an MPV. For a family or group, see our 6 seater taxi page.
Pick-ups across the area
We take Waterloo bookings from all parts of the area. From Barnes and Mortlake, the station is often a little closer. From Twickenham and Teddington, allow a few extra minutes.
