Where you can go from Paddington
Paddington is the gateway to the west. GWR runs services to Reading, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance, and the overnight Night Riviera sleeper to Cornwall leaves from here too. The Elizabeth line and the Heathrow Express also call at Paddington, although from Twickenham it is usually quicker to go straight to Heathrow by car.
Without a car, the trip from Twickenham means a train to Richmond or Waterloo and then the Underground, with at least one change. For a family heading to Cornwall for a fortnight, that is a lot of lifting.
Our usual route
Drivers normally head up the A316 through Richmond and over Chiswick roundabout, then along the A4 Cromwell Road or through Hammersmith and Kensington towards Bayswater. Paddington is just north of Hyde Park. Journeys usually take 40 to 60 minutes. The times on this page are typical estimates and can change with traffic.
| Heading to | Typical journey time on GWR from Paddington | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford, Reading | Under an hour | Allow 15 min at the station |
| Bath, Bristol, Cardiff | About 1.5 to 2 hours | Allow 20 min, trains get busy |
| Devon and Cornwall | 3 hours or more | Allow extra time for luggage and seat finding |
These rail times are rough guides only, so check your own ticket for exact times.
Taking the Night Riviera
If you have booked the sleeper to Cornwall, you will be leaving late in the evening. We work through the night, so pickup times are never a problem. Let us know when your train departs and we will plan your pickup around it.
Meeting you off the train
Coming back into Paddington, tell us your train and we will be waiting. If your train is late, call and we will adjust. The fixed fare you agreed when booking stays the same.
Holiday luggage and bigger groups
Heading west for a holiday usually means buckets and spades, pushchairs and lots of bags. An estate car is useful for a couple with luggage, and our 6 seater taxi and 7 seater taxi are ideal for families. If you are bringing the dog to the seaside, our pet friendly taxi will get you both to the train.
Paddington's taxi and drop-off areas
Paddington has a dedicated drop-off and taxi area, and your driver will use the most convenient point for the main concourse. If you have lots of bags or need a trolley, tell us when you book and the driver will help you unload. Please check the latest arrangements before you travel, as station layouts do change.
Going west for work
Reading, Swindon, Bristol and Cardiff are all popular business destinations from Paddington. If you are travelling for work, a fixed fare makes expenses straightforward, and you can ask for a receipt. If you are making a same-day return, book both legs together and we will be waiting for you when you get back in the evening.
Heathrow Express or a taxi straight to the terminal?
Some customers ask us to take them to Paddington so they can catch the Heathrow Express. From Twickenham this rarely makes sense, because Heathrow is much closer than Paddington. If your plan is to fly, a direct Heathrow taxi is usually quicker and simpler. Paddington is the right choice when you are catching a train west, to Reading, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff or Cornwall, or when you have a meeting or appointment near the station itself. If you are not sure which works better for your trip, call us and we will talk it through.
Weekend engineering works
Great Western trains out of Paddington are sometimes replaced by buses at weekends. If your journey is affected, you may need to leave from a different station or at a different time. Check the rail company's website before you travel. If your plans change, call us and we will move your pickup. We can also drive you to Euston or King's Cross if your train company suggests another route.
More stations and pickup areas
Going north instead? See Euston and King's Cross. We pick up for Paddington from St Margarets, Isleworth and across all the areas we cover.
