Written by the Sydenham Mini Cabs team. Last updated .
When a taxi makes sense for London Bridge
Sydenham has frequent direct trains to London Bridge. They take under 20 minutes and for most daytime trips they are the obvious choice. We would be daft to pretend otherwise.
But trains do not suit every journey. People call us for this route when they have a hospital appointment and feel unwell, when they have luggage for a Thameslink connection, when the line is shut for engineering work, or when it is 1am and the last train has gone.
A minicab from Sydenham to London Bridge covers those moments. The fare is quoted in advance, and the car comes to your door.
The route through Brockley and the Old Kent Road
From Sydenham the driver goes through Forest Hill and along Brockley Rise and Brockley Road to New Cross. From there the Old Kent Road leads to the Bricklayers Arms junction. The last stretch follows Tower Bridge Road and Tooley Street, or Great Dover Street and Borough High Street, depending on which side of the station you want.
Typical journey time
The typical journey time is 30 to 50 minutes. The Old Kent Road is the slow part, with heavy traffic and long running roadworks. At night the whole trip can take as little as 20 minutes.
Time to allow
For a Thameslink train to Gatwick, Bedford or Cambridge, being at the station 15 minutes early is enough. The concourse is large but well signed, and lifts serve every platform.
Two entrances, two sides
London Bridge was rebuilt a few years ago and now has two main entrances at street level. Tooley Street is on the north side, facing the river. St Thomas Street is on the south side, next to the Shard and Guy's Hospital.
Tell us which you need. Private hire drivers can usually set down on St Thomas Street or close to the Tooley Street entrance. For the Underground, the Borough High Street end is nearest.
Guy's Hospital and London Bridge Hospital
Hospital visits account for a large number of bookings on this route. Guy's Hospital, including the Cancer Centre on Great Maze Pond, is beside the station. The private London Bridge Hospital is on Tooley Street.
Patients often prefer a car on treatment days. We will take you to the correct entrance, and we can collect you afterwards. As appointment lengths are hard to predict, many people ring us on 020 8778 8888 when they are ready, and we send the nearest available driver.
If you use a wheelchair, tell us when you book and we will send a suitable vehicle on request.
Offices, the Shard and Borough Market
The streets around the station hold thousands of office workers. More London, the Shard, the News Building and the offices along Bankside are all regular drops for us.
Borough Market is five minutes on foot from the station. So are Southwark Cathedral, HMS Belfast and Hay's Galleria. Tower Bridge is a short walk east.
Meeting clients at the Shard or travelling for work? Companies can open an account and pay weekly. Ask for an executive car if you want to make an impression.
Taxi from London Bridge to Sydenham at night
Bermondsey Street, Borough and Bankside are full of restaurants and bars, and evenings there run late. Trains back to Sydenham stop not long after midnight on most days.
Book your taxi from London Bridge to Sydenham before you head out, or call when you are ready. Give us a clear meeting point. St Thomas Street outside the station is easy to find. The corner of Bermondsey Street and Tooley Street is another good choice.
Private hire cars cannot be flagged down. Booking through our office means the journey is logged, and you know who is driving you home.
Early starts and shift workers
London Bridge wakes up early. Hospital staff, market traders at Borough, hotel workers and people in the building trades all start before the first trains from Sydenham are any use.
We carry a good number of shift workers on this route between 4am and 6am. At that hour the Old Kent Road is clear and the trip takes about 20 minutes. If you work regular shifts, ask about a standing booking so you do not have to phone each time.
Night staff finishing at Guy's can book a car for the end of their shift as well. The driver will wait at the entrance you choose.
Visitors and family days out
When relatives come to stay in Sydenham, London Bridge is usually where the sightseeing starts. The View from the Shard, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London across the river and the Golden Hinde are all close together.
A car into town in the morning lets everyone travel together, grandparents and pushchairs included. For five to seven people, one MPV works out simpler than several train tickets, and you are dropped right at Tooley Street.
Thameslink and onward connections
London Bridge is a through station for Thameslink. Trains run north to St Pancras, Luton Airport Parkway, Bedford, Cambridge and Peterborough, and south to Gatwick and Brighton.
That makes it a handy place to join a longer rail journey. A short cab ride with your cases, then one train to your destination. If you would prefer a car the whole way, we also offer a minicab from Sydenham to Gatwick Airport.
Rail strikes and engineering works
When the trains are not running, everyone in SE26 needs another way to work. We get very busy on strike days and during weekend closures.
If you know a disruption is coming, book the day before. A shared 6 seater taxi with neighbours or colleagues spreads the fare and guarantees you a seat.
Vehicles available
A saloon takes up to four passengers. An estate has room for extra luggage. MPVs seat six or seven, and the 8 seater minibus carries a larger group. Child seats can be requested when you book.
Parents sometimes combine this trip with the morning drop off. Our school run taxi page explains regular bookings.
Fares and the Congestion Charge
We quote the price before you travel. London Bridge Station is just inside the Congestion Charge zone, with Tower Bridge Road marking the boundary to the east. The charge applies in the daytime on weekdays and for part of the day at weekends.
Ask us whether it is included in your quote. You can pay by card or cash.
Other journeys nearby
For the South Bank and South Western trains, see our Sydenham to Waterloo Station taxi page. For East Coast trains, there is the Sydenham to King's Cross Station taxi page.
The London Bridge route passes right through SE23. If you live there, see our Honor Oak taxi and Forest Hill taxi pages.
London Bridge taxi FAQs
How long does a taxi from Sydenham to London Bridge take?
Typically 30 to 50 minutes. The Old Kent Road is the main cause of delay. Late at night the journey often takes around 20 minutes.
How far is London Bridge from Sydenham?
Roughly 6 miles by road through Brockley and New Cross.
Can you drop me at Guy's Hospital?
Yes. Tell us the entrance or building, such as the Cancer Centre or the main entrance on Great Maze Pond. We will take you to that door.
Which station entrance is best for a pickup?
St Thomas Street is the easiest for most people. It is on the south side of the station beside the Shard. The driver will call you to confirm.
Can I get a car home after the last train?
Yes. We are open 24 hours. Book ahead for a set time or call when you are ready to leave.
Do you run on rail strike days?
Yes, but demand is high. Book the day before to be sure of a car at the time you want.
Does the Congestion Charge apply?
London Bridge is inside the zone, so it applies in charging hours. Ask us when you book whether the charge is included in your fare.