Does anyone regularly use Southeastern trains towards Kings X / Kentish Town?

[sarahew]

Hi everyone. I'm considering taking on a commute to a job in Kentish Town, and was wondering if anyone regularly uses the Southeastern service that runs from Nunhead / Peckham Rye to Kentish Town (stops at Kx on the way I think)?

If so, is it painful having so few trains an hour? Does it get very busy? Run reliably? Am I mad to even think of trying it, or is it a stroke of genius?

I'm very Tube-phobic (haven't been on one for 12 years!) so I'm rather hoping this would be an ok alternative. But, as I need to get reliably to and from ED to pick up children etc, I need a route I can rely on.

Any thoughts gratefully received!

[Medley]

A friend's wife does this. It's just about OK. Reliability isn't great, but isn't hopeless. She usually gets a seat (she does Nunhead-Kentish Town). And you do get some good views on the way!

[RosieH]

I used to do Peckham Rye to Kentish Town every work day for about six months.

As Medley says, reasonably reliable, but often about 5 minutes or so late. That was a pain because the trains weren't frequent enough for me to want to get the earlier train, but meant I was regularly a few minutes late for work (I really should have got the earlier train!)

I struggled more with seats getting on at Peckham. Especially when I was making the journey on crutches for a month and not one person offered me a seat in that time.

[Renata Hamvas]

If you have a car, I'd suggest Nunhead, if not PR,

both are zone 2. It may be worth checking on the cost of a rail season return as it may be cheaper than a travelcard.If you could work until 4, there are more trains between 4 and 5 (odd I know) than 5-6pm.

Renata

[the-e-dealer]

Often full, a bit unreliable. Were a lot of signal problems at Blackfriars. Doors Freeze in winter!

[KidKruger]

i use it often, found out about the route on EDF, if you've a crucial meeting always aim for earlier train as with any public transport you're getting. the route's fine, the odd cancellation, as for hopes of getting a seat in rush hour anywhere in London - not really a priority is it.

[the-e-dealer]

Depends some of us need to sit down.

[Tim_]

I have caught the 7.34 to from Peckham Rye to Kentish Town for several years and have no complaints.

I would estimate it is on time, or within a couple of minutes of that, 80% of the mornings.

If you don?t get a seat at Peckham, there's a good chance you will do by Denmark Hill when quite a few people get off for the hospital.

Can?t comment on the later trains though.

[bheroniphr]

I get the FCC from Denmark Hill each morning straight to Kentish. SLightly different branch but pretty much the same line.

In emergencies (read: FCC breaking) there is a train from DH to Victoria, I can change to Victoria Line, then to Northern. It actually takes about the same time, ~30 mins; lot more changes though so I always press for the direct.

Overall, I can say that it's a fantastic way to get to work. Door to door (from Dulwich) is only 5 mins more than my journey from London Fields was before I left.

As said, very slightyly different from the Peckham/Nunhead route but times would basically be the same.

[the-e-dealer]

Its the Same Line and same route!

[poppet27]

I also do this route, but alight at Farringdon. I don't get a seat until Elephant on a good day, City Thameslink on a bad day. I'd say it was on time about 3 out of 5 times. When it is late, it's a pain because there's nothing else you can do but sit and wait.

[camberlou]

Once the new Overground trains start in December, you'll also have the option of going to Highbury and changing to the other Overground line for the last couple of stops. Some of it is underground, but most is above ground.

[OutOfFocus]

Same line - jointly run by SE & FCC.

I tend to get trains shortly after 9 from Peckham . Earlier than that can be rather busy - a lot of people travel to hospitals at Denmark Hill. Might be better from nunhead but I once couldn't get on a train at about 8:15

By the way, It goes via St Pancras which is close to King's Cross.

[JT76]

it is also due to be axed no when the ELL comes on stream?

[the-e-dealer]

No. Its a completely different route. Goes via elephant/ blackfriars.

[charmjacket]

no any problem..U can do it

[antantant]

I find it frustratingly slow and irregular and prefer to go to London Bridge and get the Northen Line.

[edcam]

I love that line and it doesn't seem to suffer from any worse delays than any other.

[njc97]

I do it Nunhead to City Thameslink every morning.

Usually reliable to within a few minutes. Usually get a seat at Nunhead in the last carriage, as does a colleague who gets on at Peckham Rye, but some trains are busier than others (infuriatingly, the 7.30ish train is busy, so if you have to get in early you might not get a seat, which adds to the misery). And sometimes they only run 4 carriages and it gets horrible, but that's reasonably rare.

Timetables are a bit odd so worth checking up yourself - there's an extra train 6-7 in the evening as well as 4-5, plus there's a couple that go via Peckham Rye but not Nunhead.

[the-e-dealer]

I suppose the answer is yes thousands of people do.

[sarahew]

WOuld like to say a big thank you to everyone for posting. The info has been invaluable. There's nothing like real experiences to get a picture of something. Thanks y'all!

[buntytrumpet]

there are no trains from peckham rye to kentish town betwenn 17:50 and 19:20 this evening. Is this normal? Sure I got one at 18:20 last week!

[the-e-dealer]

sadly cancellations are normal!

[local2bellenden]

I find this line invaluable, although when cancelled the waits are very long

[lina]

After 7.30 you can get direct trains

to Kentish T. from Herne Hill.

37 bus stopes near HH station and

most of the time trains are on time

and after Farrington train is neatly

empty ...