Paddington and the Great Western Main Line
Paddington is the London terminus for Great Western Railway (GWR), with trains to Reading, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance. The Night Riviera sleeper to Cornwall leaves from here, and so does the Heathrow Express. The Elizabeth line also calls at Paddington, linking it across the city.
For anyone in Gipsy Hill, Paddington is one of the harder stations to reach by rail, because it sits on the far side of Hyde Park with no direct link from south-east London. A car is often the simplest way to get there with luggage.
Route across central London
Paddington is about 9 miles away. The driver usually heads through Brixton to Vauxhall, crosses Vauxhall Bridge or Chelsea Bridge, and continues past Victoria and Hyde Park Corner, then up Park Lane or through Knightsbridge to Paddington. At quiet times the drive along the Embankment can be quicker. The station has a set-down area for cars; your driver will use the best access point on the day.
| Journey | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Gipsy Hill to Paddington, early or late | 35–45 minutes |
| Gipsy Hill to Paddington, weekday daytime | 50–70 minutes |
Typical estimates. Paddington is outside the Congestion Charge zone, but some routes to it pass through the zone during charging hours. Ask us when you book.
Paddington or straight to the airport?
Some people take a car to Paddington and then the Heathrow Express to the airport. That can make sense if you are travelling alone and light. For families or anyone with heavy bags, it usually works out easier to book a direct taxi to Heathrow from Gipsy Hill, which avoids the extra change and costs about the same once you add up several train tickets.
Holidays in the West Country
In summer, Paddington is busy with families heading to Devon and Cornwall. With buckets, spades, bikes and pushchairs, an estate car or our 6 seater taxi gives much more space than a saloon. For bigger groups, the 7 seater minicab fits everyone. Child seats are available on request.
Arrivals at Paddington
If you are coming back from Wales or the West Country, send us the train details. We will plan around the arrival time and you can text or call if the train is running late. Late trains on a Sunday evening are a common booking for us, and because we run around the clock, a late arrival is not a problem.
Paddington Basin and nearby streets
Around the station, Paddington Basin and Merchant Square have offices, hotels and restaurants along the canal. St Mary's Hospital is also next to the station. If you are heading to one of these rather than a train, give us the full address and we will take you to the nearest drop-off point.
Related journeys
For other western destinations, you may prefer a taxi to Waterloo station for trains to the south-west. We also take passengers to Victoria, and collect from Upper Norwood and the rest of our local area.
Frequently asked questions
Is it easier to get a taxi to Paddington or to take the train?
From Gipsy Hill there is no direct train to Paddington, so with luggage or children a door-to-door car is usually easier than two or three changes.
Can you take me to Paddington for the Night Riviera sleeper?
Yes. Tell us the departure time and we will arrange a pick-up that gets you to the station with time to spare.
Should I take a taxi to Paddington and then the Heathrow Express?
You can, but for most families and groups a direct taxi from Gipsy Hill to Heathrow is simpler and avoids an extra change.
Do you carry bikes to Paddington?
Tell us when you book and we will send a suitable vehicle with enough space.
Can you drop me at St Mary's Hospital near Paddington?
Yes. Give us the wing or entrance you need and the driver will drop you as close as possible.