Watford - England - Transport Links

So you want to get to Watford? Perhaps you want to get out of Watford?? Perhaps you just want to travel around within the town? This page tells you how. You can get here by Road, Rail, Bus (yes I know they run on the road!) or even Canal!

Watford is located about 30 Km from the centre of London, in the UK. (See Mapquest's Southern England map, or their Watford map).

Roads

'It's a long flat thing that people drive along, but that's not important right now'
Watford is very easy to get to by road, which lots of people do, especially in the rush hours. You can use:

Bus

Watford is quite well connected by buses from London Underground, London Country, and Green Line. Buses go to all the surrounding towns including London, Luton, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Uxbridge, and Abbott's Langley. The principle bus stops are: For details on bus services to Brunel University, Rickmansworth and Uxbridge, click here.

There is also a very good coach / bus service, to and from all the London Airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead and Luton). The 724 and the 747 (Jetlink) services can both be picked up from Watford Junction station.

Rail

Watford seems to have railway stations all over the place, making it one of the best connected towns in the area. For information about train times and journey details, see Railtrack Travel.

The stations are on 4 lines:

British Rail - Northhampton Line

This is the main line between Euston and Rugby. The fast trains only stop at Watford Junction, but the slow ones stop at the others. The stations are (from south to north):

London Underground - Metropolitan Line

This line goes to Baker Street station, and terminates at Watford and Amersham. The station is situated in the Cassiobury area, 15 mins from the town centre. There is a plan to link this line with the BR line at Croxley Green, so that Underground trains will be able to go into Watford Junction.

For more information, go to the WWW Tube Journey Planner.

On the last Bank Holiday weekend in May, the 'Steam on the Met' event is held on the Metropolitan line. There are regular steam-hauled passenger train services to Rickmansworth and Amersham, at hourly (or better) intervals throughout the day, on the Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Two trains are in service, together with three preserved steam locomotives, the vintage 'Sarah Siddons' electric locomotive, plus a preserved diesel. Events and sales stalls are at each station. Unlimited travel tickets are valid for the whole day. There is also a unique opportunity to ride beside a steam loco at speed, with the morning 'parallel runs' between Harrow and Moor Park.

British Rail - Croxley Line

This branch line is only used in the rush hours and consists of:

British Rail - St Albans Abbey Line

The line has a regular hourly service from St Alban's Abbey to Watford Junction and consists of:

The Abbey Flyer Users Group

The Abbey Flyer Users Group (ABFLY) was formed in April 1995 as an action group to oppose cuts in services and to keep the Watford Junction-St. Albans Abbey branch line active and thriving as a vital part of the public transport network in the area. Since its formation, ABFLY has held regular meetings with North London Railways and has consistently campaigned for more trains, regular fares collection on the train (the lack of which threatened the line's future), through services to London Euston, continuation of the Sunday service and effective marketing and promotion of the line.

With privatisation of the line, the group is now negotiating with a new company, but its endeavours will continue as before to ensure the line remains open and that services and stations are improved. ABFLY has involved local Members of Parliament, County and District Councillors in its work.The Abbey Flyer is one of the most punctual and reliable services in the South-East and is well used by commuters, shoppers, school and college students, business travellers, tourists and people making social and leisure journeys. More information and a membership application to join ABFLY can be obtained by phoning 01727 872736, 01923 670188 or 01923 678012.

Canal

If you happen to be travelling along the Grand Union Canal (Photo), you will find that it passes along the whole of the west side of Watford, through Cassiobury Park. If you're thinking of doing this, why not check out British Waterways (who are also based in Watford).
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Written and maintained by Martin Walker / Email: (See note)
Last updated on 25th October 2001
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