Commuting by car advice

[Hiney]

Better 2 hours each way on the train, relaxing, sleeping, catching up with films / TV on your iPad, or surfing the net, than what will ultimately end up being 2 hours each way sat in traffic, wearing yourself out, and getting stressed at delays, speed traps, near-misses, tail-gaters, doddery old fools, tractors and general tosspots on the roads.

This, surely

 

[Badger]

Better 2 hours each way on the train, relaxing, sleeping, catching up with films / TV on your iPad, or surfing the net, than what will ultimately end up being 2 hours each way sat in traffic, wearing yourself out, and getting stressed at delays, speed traps, near-misses, tail-gaters, doddery old fools, tractors and general tosspots on the roads.

I love your idealistic view of the train commute, for balance I think you need to add "getting wound up by stray elbows, loud headphones, phone conversations, snoring, unnecessary announcements and delays due to incompetence". Obviously that list is not exhaustive.

As you say though, a 2 hour traffic jam twice a day would be HELL and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. I've got a 30 minute drive each way which is a lot better than my 1h15 train commute to London but I wouldn't want to drive much further, other motorists are even more annoying than other train passengers.

 

[Notters]

I love your idealistic view of the train commute, for balance I think you need to add "getting wound up by stray elbows, loud headphones, phone conversations, snoring, unnecessary announcements and delays due to incompetence". Obviously that list is not exhaustive.

As you say though, a 2 hour traffic jam twice a day would be HELL and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. I've got a 30 minute drive each way which is a lot better than my 1h15 train commute to London but I wouldn't want to drive much further, other motorists are even more annoying than other train passengers.

I would add being ill all the time. When I commuted by train (and only from Brighton to Haywards Heath) I just constantly caught colds. There are too many sick people on trains!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Am doing Farnham to Crawley everyday at present (due to the longest flat purchase ever). A3 is becoming the bane of my life. Queue from Milford to Guildford without fail, the get to Wisley and queue for the M25 junction.

However I dislike the A281 route even more and it is not that helpful getting to Crawley from.

 

[Badger]

I would add being ill all the time. When I commuted by train (and only from Brighton to Haywards Heath) I just constantly caught colds. There are too many sick people on trains!

Good point, you get those days where all you can hear is people coughing and sneezing and you know you're going to be getting a cold a few days later. On a similar note the woman who sits at the desk opposite me got told to go home early yesterday because she sounded like death, she's come back in this morning sounding exactly the same

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I love your idealistic view of the train commute, for balance I think you need to add "getting wound up by stray elbows, loud headphones, phone conversations, snoring, unnecessary announcements and delays due to incompetence". Obviously that list is not exhaustive.

As you say though, a 2 hour traffic jam twice a day would be HELL and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. I've got a 30 minute drive each way which is a lot better than my 1h15 train commute to London but I wouldn't want to drive much further, other motorists are even more annoying than other train passengers.

In truth I go everywhere in my lovely car. Its my lovely oasis of personal space, with its lovely heated seats, and its lovely sound system crammed with 100+ albums of lovely music. I bloody hate public transport and the ignorant selfish people who decent folk are forced to share it with.

But I still stand by what I wrote - my 'commute' is 30 minutes each way, INCLUDING the 20 I spend drinking latte in waitrose coffee shop - I could not stomach a twice-daily drive of the like the OP is considering.

Good point, you get those days where all you can hear is people coughing and sneezing and you know you're going to be getting a cold a few days later. On a similar note the woman who sits at the desk opposite me got told to go home early yesterday because she sounded like death, she's come back in this morning sounding exactly the same

Fat bitch. She is FAT, right? I think you need to ressurect the 'bell cheeses at work' thread...

 

[Garage_Doors]

This, surely

It's not always that simple, my boy commutes to Southampton from Brighton each day, we live on the outskirts so it's a 40 min bus journey to the station or £10 per day parking and from Southampton Station which I believe there are no direct trains between the two? It's another 20 min walk so without the actual train journey which I guess at 2 hours is a 3 hours round trip with no waiting time allowed for, driving is max 2 hours each way.
A lot of you guys have very rose tinted views of the railways.

 

[Garage_Doors]

I could not stomach a twice-daily drive of the like the OP is considering.

Most people couldn't, but not everyone has the choice. To be fair he loves the job so that takes some of the pain away.

 

[tommynockers]

I've been offered a 9 month fixed term contract role; the downside is that it involves a 120-140 (route dependent) mile round trip each day from Hove and rail isn't a practical option and would take well over 2 hours each way. My question to the knowledge bank that is NSC is what is the best commuting car type?

My current old car won't take that usage over a prolonged period so I'll need to buy another used car. Petrol or Diesel (I know MPG is far better by diesel but servicing and tax are greater)? Old low mileage or new high mileage etc?

Any, sensible, advice appreciated. Naturally, in the current climate I'll avoid anything Finnish!

Up the Albion.

Golf mk4 the1.9tdi. 110bhp engine. Very reliable engine. only the 110 engine though. Get good one for £2000. Will go on forever with regular (10000mile) high quality 5 30 fully synthetic oil changes. You will get about 60mpg driving sensibly.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

It's not always that simple, my boy commutes to Southampton from Brighton each day, we live on the outskirts so it's a 40 min bus journey to the station or £10 per day parking and from Southampton Station which I believe there are no direct trains between the two? It's another 20 min walk so without the actual train journey which I guess at 2 hours is a 3 hours round trip with no waiting time allowed for, driving is max 2 hours each way.
A lot of you guys have very rose tinted views of the railways.

Drive to Hove. Park up for free within 10 mins walk of station. Direct trains from Hove to Southampton. Whereabouts does he need to get to at the Southampton end?

 

[16bha]

I've done Worthing to Southamptonby car for last 3 yrs (100 mile round trip). got myself a little Smart car to commute in. Not too bad 60 mpg. Gets blown around a bit in winter, but love it!

 

[Garage_Doors]

Drive to Hove. Park up for free within 10 mins walk of station. Direct trains from Hove to Southampton. Whereabouts does he need to get to at the Southampton end?

Driving to hove is even further, we live the other side of Brighton ,
park for free . City centre.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Driving to hove is even further, we live the other side of Brighton ,
park for free . City centre.

You can park for free a mere stroll from Hove Station. Hove Park being a good start.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

You can park for free a mere stroll from Hove Station. Hove Park being a good start.

That's where I meant. All around he park.

Fair enough if he's coming from East Brighton, it's not so easy though.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

That's where I meant. All around he park.

Fair enough if he's coming from East Brighton, it's not so easy though.

Surely even if he is coming from east of Brighton it is easier driving to Hove, parking a stones throw from the station, and catching a direct train, than driving to Brighton, buggering about finding parking, and then having to change trains just a few minutes after getting on the first one?

Then again, l'm just a country bumpkin, we don't have trains up hers, so what do l know?

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Surely even if he is coming from east of Brighton it is easier driving to Hove, parking a stones throw from the station, and catching a direct train, than driving to Brighton, buggering about finding parking, and then having to change trains just a few minutes after getting on the first one?

Then again, l'm just a country bumpkin, we don't have trains up hers, so what do l know?

He doesn't do that though. The hassles of 'having to' do that, was the justification for driving all the way to Southampton.

 

[Garage_Doors]

He doesn't do that though. The hassles of 'having to' do that, was the justification for driving all the way to Southampton.

And cost, It cost him £16 per day in fuel, He would rather not drive but there is no real alternative. Leaves at 5 in the morning and get home at 9 in the evening. He can't get a room for that money hence the commute, what would a train ticket from Hove to Southampton at peak times.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

And cost, It cost him £16 per day in fuel, He would rather not drive but there is no real alternative. Leaves at 5 in the morning and get home at 9 in the evening. He can't get a room for that money hence the commute, what would a train ticket from Hove to Southampton at peak times.

Fair play to him. I wouldn't / couldn't do it. Its great he loves the job, but I'd consider moving nearer, then. What kind of LIFE is that?

 

[Garage_Doors]

Fair play to him. I wouldn't / couldn't do it. Its great he loves the job, but I'd consider moving nearer, then. What kind of LIFE is that?

Agreed, He's 22 and a university graduate at the start of his career. He is hopefully making a good platform for a long and fruitful working life, he realises the sacrifice he currently making that will hold him in good stead for the future. He's not planning to do it for more that a couple of years.
I'm proud of him for undertaking it which shows a good work ethic. rather than just sit back waiting for a job closer to home.

 

[BlockDpete]

I'm going to attempt the commute to Hanworth by train tomorrow. The journey via the M25 is really getting to me, so just fancy the change.

I can travel after the morning rush, so can get a cheap day return.

Basically, its 2 trains and a walk, or 2 train and a bus. Though I could hire a fold up bike from Three Bridges for the day

At least I can have a pint on the way home, too