Local taxis for local people

The tiny taxi parking area at Alton station has only three spaces, and indeed South Western Railway specifically say on their website that “This station doesn’t have a taxi rank”. As us locals know, Alton mainline station is at the end of a busy branch line from London Waterloo. So when the London trains come in, there may not be many (if any) taxis parked up and available. The same applies if you’re coming home late from an evening out in London or Farnham.

Smart train travellers have realised that rather than waiting in a queue or risking it in the rain, you can pre-book your taxi anytime. You can even book via the app on the train, so your taxi is ready to collect you from the station when the train arrives. You can even track your taxi, so you know exactly where they are as your train pulls into the station.

No. It’s just the same price as booking on the phone. The app also stores all your past and future journeys, making it ideal for business users who want to track or reclaim their expenses.

No need! Simply walk from either Platform 1 or 2 across the Platform 3 for the Watercress Line. If you want to take a one-way trip on the Watercress Line, or hop off at other stations on the line, you can. Just pre-book a taxi to collect you from one of the Watercress Line stations as Ropley, Medstead and Four Marks, or the other end of the line at New Alresford station, and your taxi can whisk you back home to Alton again. For more info see: https://watercressline.co.uk/visit/enjoy-a-trip-at-the-watercress-line/

Those of us who use the Alton train a lot will know that delays do happen all too often. Problems on this single line could leave you stranded at Woking or any of the stops along the line between Woking and Alton, namely Brookwood, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Farnham, and Bentley.

Thanks to Alton 8’s taxis being a member of the YLC group, we have taxis available all around the area within a short drive of these stations. If you know there is an issue with the trains, get straight on the app, book your journey home, and we’ll alert the nearest cab to come and collect you when your train is due to arrive. Check out the live train departures and arrival at: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/train-times/london-waterloo-to-alton

Yes you can – and it’s a very good idea as car parking is limited in the centre of the village! The famous author’s home is just under 2.5 miles from the centre of Alton. So, a pre-booked taxi can take you there in style and comfort that the Bennett sisters could only have dreamed of, in under 10 minutes. For more details on exploring Jane Austen’s Hampshire, see our new Jane Austen 250 anniversary article.

Our taxis can drop you at any point along the many walking routes around Alton, and collect you too. So you can leave the car at home, and enjoy various walks that circle this historic market town. You can explore the local area and its Civil War history, and walk in the natural beauty of the South Downs National Park. Alton is such a popular area to walk that the annual Walking Festival in May has been joined by a new Autumn Walking Festival too for 2025! For more details see: https://www.walkalton.org.uk/walking-routes/six-hills