Written by the Sydenham Mini Cabs team. Last updated .
Getting from Sydenham to Paddington without the changes
There is a rail route. You can take the Overground from Sydenham to Whitechapel and change to the Elizabeth line, which stops at Paddington. It is quick when it works.
The catch is the change itself, which involves a long interchange, and the fact that the Overground gets very full on weekday mornings. With a suitcase you may wait for two trains before you can board.
A Paddington minicab from Sydenham keeps you above ground and seated. You leave from your own front door, and nobody has to carry a case down a staircase.
The drive across the river
Most drivers go west before they go north. The car heads through Dulwich and Herne Hill to Brixton, then up to Vauxhall Bridge. North of the Thames the route passes Victoria and Hyde Park Corner, runs along Park Lane and reaches Paddington by way of Sussex Gardens.
An alternative crosses at Chelsea Bridge and comes up through Sloane Street. It can be faster on days when Vauxhall is congested.
Typical journey time
The typical journey time is 50 to 75 minutes for the 10 mile trip. Hyde Park Corner and Park Lane are the unpredictable parts. Sunday mornings are usually the fastest, at around 45 minutes.
When to leave Sydenham
For a long distance GWR train, aim to reach the station 25 minutes ahead. Working backwards, a 10am train to Penzance means a pickup at about 8.15am on a weekday. Ring us and we will work out the timing with you.
Trains and services at Paddington
Knowing what runs from Paddington helps you tell the driver which side to stop on.
Great Western Railway
GWR runs the long distance trains to Reading, Bristol, South Wales, Devon and Cornwall, and the Night Riviera sleeper to Penzance. These use the main platforms under the big Victorian roof.
Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line
The Heathrow Express reaches the airport in about 15 minutes. Some customers take a taxi from Sydenham to Paddington and then the train to the terminal. In truth, with luggage, a direct Sydenham to Heathrow Airport taxi is usually simpler and often no slower. The Elizabeth line platforms are below ground on the south west side.
Where the driver stops
Paddington has several entrances and they are far apart. Praed Street is the main front. Eastbourne Terrace runs along the west side and is close to the Elizabeth line. The official taxi deck is at the north end, reached from Bishop's Bridge Road.
Private hire drivers generally set down on Eastbourne Terrace or near Praed Street. Tell us which train you are catching and the driver will choose the closer side.
Taxi from Paddington to Sydenham
Arriving back from the West Country with tired children? Book a taxi from Paddington to Sydenham ahead of time. Give us your train's arrival time and the driver will be in the area when you pull in.
You will get a call or text to agree where to meet. Eastbourne Terrace is the usual spot because it is easy to find and step free from the platforms.
If your train is delayed past Reading, call 020 8778 8888 and we will reset the pickup.
St Mary's Hospital and other nearby stops
St Mary's Hospital is right beside the station on Praed Street. We take patients and visitors there regularly, and we will drop you at the entrance you need. Just give us the building or department name.
Other places people ask for in this part of town include the hotels around Sussex Gardens, Little Venice and the canal offices at Paddington Basin. Staying overnight before an early train? Our hotel transfer taxi page covers hotel drops.
Who books this journey
Paddington customers from Sydenham fall into a few clear groups, and each has slightly different needs.
Holidaymakers bound for Devon and Cornwall travel with the most luggage. For them, the big question is boot space, and an estate is often the right answer.
Students at Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Exeter and Cardiff travel at the start and end of each term. Parents often ride along to help at the station and then come home with us, so ask about a return fare with a short wait.
Then there are day trippers to Windsor and the Cotswolds, who mostly want an early start. The first fast trains leave before 7am, and a 5.30am car from SE26 will make them comfortably.
The Night Riviera sleeper
The Night Riviera leaves Paddington late in the evening and reaches Penzance the next morning. Passengers can usually board some time before departure and settle into their cabin.
An evening car from Sydenham suits this well. Traffic has thinned by then, so the journey is often at the faster end of the range. On the way home, the sleeper arrives in London very early, and we can have a driver waiting on Eastbourne Terrace to bring you back before the rush hour begins.
Picking a vehicle
West Country holidays mean surfboards, wetsuits and buckets and spades. A saloon handles two big cases. An estate takes more. For families of five to seven, the 7 seater taxi page shows what fits.
Child seats are available if you ask when booking. We also carry wheelchair users on request, so tell us what you need and we will send a suitable vehicle.
Price and charges
We quote before you confirm. The route to Paddington goes through the Congestion Charge zone around Victoria and Park Lane during charging hours, or skirts it by the boundary roads when the driver can. Ask us whether the charge is in your quote.
Pay by card or cash. Account customers are invoiced weekly.
Booking your Paddington car
Call 020 8778 8888 at any hour, or use the form at the top of this page. Type in your pickup postcode and Paddington Station, choose the date and time, and the quote appears with the vehicle choices.
Have your train time handy. We use it to check that the pickup time leaves a sensible margin, and we will say so if we think you are cutting it fine. A mobile number helps the driver find you on the return leg.
More station and local journeys
We drive to every major London terminal. For the Gatwick Express or coaches, see the Sydenham to Victoria Station taxi page. For trains to the Midlands, see the Sydenham to Euston Station taxi page.
If you are starting from SE27, our West Norwood taxi page has pickup details for that side of the hill.
Paddington taxi FAQs
How long does it take to get from Sydenham to Paddington by taxi?
Typically 50 to 75 minutes. Traffic at Vauxhall, Hyde Park Corner and Park Lane makes the biggest difference. Early on a Sunday it can take about 45 minutes.
How far is Paddington Station from Sydenham?
About 10 miles by road, crossing the Thames at Vauxhall Bridge or Chelsea Bridge.
Is it better to take the Heathrow Express or a taxi all the way?
With luggage, a direct taxi from Sydenham to the airport avoids the change at Paddington and is usually just as quick. The Heathrow Express suits people who are already in the Paddington area.
Which entrance should I ask for?
Praed Street for the main concourse and GWR trains. Eastbourne Terrace for the Elizabeth line. If you are not sure, tell us your train and the driver will decide.
Can you drop me at St Mary's Hospital?
Yes. It is next to the station. Tell us the entrance or department and we will take you to the door.
Can I book a return from Paddington?
Yes. Give us the arrival time of your train when you book. The driver will contact you on arrival to agree the meeting point.
Do you have cars for surfboards or bikes?
An estate or MPV can carry longer items. Describe what you have when you book and we will tell you honestly whether it will fit.