Under normal circumstances, about how long should a taxi ride take from London's Waterloo railway station to Kings Cross around 11 a.m. in mid-summer? Thanks!

22 minutes, 15.6 seconds.

Seriously, if you're planning to catch a specific train, forget it. The rail service all over the UK is notoriously unpredictible.

As is the traffic situation in London. Is it a weekday? Is there a transit strike in progress?

Actualy Robespierre is a bit out, it will take 15 to 20 minutes.

It could take 15 mins, or could just as easily take 30 or 35 due to traffic, congestion around Kings X, etc. Once my taxi driver and I gave it up and I walked the last 3 blocks.

You really can't know for sure.

Taking the tube (Northern line) should be quicker and a lot cheaper !

It was a <u>joke</u>, folks!

But it was based on the reality that you shouldn't plan a &quot;must-make&quot; connection (<i>e.g.</i> non-changeable plane or train reservation) based on anything even resembling a precise estimate of how long it takes to get across London.

If there is a transit strike, bus and Tube are not available, and the pressure on the roadways is exacerbated. This is problematical in two dimensions: more vehicular traffic slows progress to a crawl, and more demand for taxis reduces your odds of finding one free in a reasonable amount of time to near zero.

Figure an hour (or two to be on the safe side).

Thanks to all. This is a Saturday and I'm allowing 75 minutes for the trip.

You will have time for TWO skinny lattes at Starbucks!!

Robespierre 'It was a joke, folks'

Well, then we all got a laugh and some useful information on journy times. Everyones a winner! That's what so great about this forum.