vickiebypass

I am disembarking from a cruise in Dover on Saturday, June 15th and have a 12:00 flight leaving Heathrow. I know that's cutting it close but flight schedules & fares left me no choice. I will only have one suitcase so will do "self-disembarkation" as close to 7:00 am as possible. I've investigated taking the fast train to St. Pancras and the tube to LHR, but it seems that will be two - three hrs in total travel time - the fast train leaves Dover Priory at 7:45. The cruise line offers a bus transfer to Heathrow that leaves the pier by 7:30 and takes 2 hours. Of course, that's 2 hours depending on traffic! My question is: on an early Saturday morning, what's the liklihood of extensive traffic delays? THanks everyone!

hetismij2

Barring an accident fouling things up traffic should be flowing and no problem at that time on a Saturday.

If you can check in online the day before, so all you have to do at LHR is drop off your bag, it would make life a bit easier for you perhaps.

vickiebypass

That's a relief! Good suggestion about checking in the prior day, which I will do so that I can just sprint to bag check-in and security. Thanks.

Smeagol

Agree Saturday morning should be ok, online check in is a great idea.

janisj

It is almost exactly 100 miles and will take approx 2 hours even w/ the light traffic. I personally would not wait around til 7:30 to catch the coach. The coach probably circulates to hit every terminal so it could actually take quite a bit longer than 2 hours to get where you need to be. (T4, T3, and T5 are practically in different counties - not right next to each other)

I'd book a private car transfer to leave right at 7AM. It will be expensive - but not <i>nearly</i> as expensive as missing your flight.

But then I am pretty risk averse . . . .

Heimdall

Good point from janisj! Terminals 4 & 5 are on one side of the runways, and Terminals 1 & 3 on the other. Each time the coach stops it will take time for passengers and luggage to unload. Maybe it will stop at your terminal first, but it wouldn't hurt to check. Heathrow Airport recommends passengers on long haul flights check in 3 hours before flight departure, although 2 hours would probably be enough.

Smeagol

Which terminal are you going from? Long haul check in varies greatly depending on terminal ( for example T 5 is very quick) but I too wouldn't want to run the risk of my terminal being the last on the drop off with the coach.

Smeagol

And just a thought, there are some major roadworks on the bottom of the M25 at the moment ( although I didn't notice when they would finish) with speed restrictions along the route of 50 mph.

vickiebypass

Per Aer Lingus, my flight from LHR to Dublin (and connecting on to JFK) leaves LHR from Terminal 1. You've all raised good points...sigh. I saved almost $400 by selecting this flight, but may end up spending almost that much to hire a car & driver to meet me @ 7:00 am and go directly to my terminal. I'll have to ponder this and decide if I want to live dangerously or not.

hetismij2

You can keep an eye on roadworks on the M25 here: http://www.highways.gov.uk/our-road-...key-roads/m25/

Basically anything from Junction 3 to Junction 15 clockwise could affect you.
If you have checked in online then 2 hours before the flight will be plenty of time to be at the airport, especially for a flight to Dublin.

vickiebypass

Wow - you guys are a fountain of information! The traffic site (and map) are great, so I've bookmarked those and will monitor as my trip approaches (and while I'm on the ship). I'm leaning toward the bus option - it's less money and adds a little excitement to keep me on my toes.