Clapham South tube congestion in the morning Post Reply

[NewMover]

My family and I are looking to move to near Clapham South this year. We love the area and all that it provides. Our only concern is getting on the tube in the morning. My wife works from home most days but I need to get on the tube each morning. I'm in work for 8:30 so would look to get on 7:30-8. Can anyone share their experience of congestion at Clapham South during thesw times? Thank you

[claphammum2132]

I think you’ll be OK at that time. I get on at 8.15am and honestly have waited for up to 30 mins to board - and then it’s so crowded you can barely get beyond the door. I did it 8 months pregnant and it was awful!

[Pluto]

I used to regularly commute from Clapham South but it has been about 15 years, so it may have got much busier by now!

In my experience I was always fine getting on the tube if I caught it by 7.40ish at the latest - any later and the tubes started getting packed and I sometimes would have to wait for 2 or 3 trains - but they keep running every 2 minutes at that time of the day so not long to wait.

I always felt very sorry for anyone who was trying to get on at Clapham North, as the train was utterly packed by then, but then it cleared when a lot of commuters got off at Stockwell.

If it was incredibly bad, I occasionally took the (virtually empty) train in the reverse direction to Balham, and then got on there, but that happened very rarely.

The early bird catches the worm!!

[Caymama]

Hi there - I commute to Bank from CS 4 times a week. Monday is quiet - you're fine any time. Friday would be the same. Tuesdays are the busiest. If you get on 7.30-8 (any day) you'll be absolutely fine - that's what I generally do. Standing room only of course, and it's busy, but you'll get on the first or second tube which comes. Clapham South is considerably better than CC (where I used to live pre COVID - it's was chokka 5 days a week) or CN. By Stockwell half the tube empties anyway and the rest of the commute is fine.

Between 8.30-9 is probably the peak. You'll often have to queue on the pavement to reduce congestion on the platform as they close all the ticket gates but one. Once I'm on the platform, I can still get on after a few tubes. You have to push a bit though - I've been doing it for best part of 10 years so I am a seasoned pro..! I tend to avoid that time if I can.

[Caymama]

Hi there - I commute to Bank from CS 4 times a week. Monday is quiet - you're fine any time. Friday would be the same. Tuesdays are the busiest. If you get on 7.30-8 (any day) you'll be absolutely fine - that's what I generally do. Standing room only of course, and it's busy, but you'll get on the first or second tube which comes. Clapham South is considerably better than CC (where I used to live pre COVID - it's was chokka 5 days a week) or CN. By Stockwell half the tube empties anyway and the rest of the commute is fine.

Between 8.30-9 is probably the peak. You'll often have to queue on the pavement to reduce congestion on the platform as they close all the ticket gates but one. Once I'm on the platform, I can still get on after a few tubes. You have to push a bit though - I've been doing it for best part of 10 years so I am a seasoned pro..! I tend to avoid that time if I can.