pavot

With the news of the Heathrow Express lowering fares for tickets bought way in advance, I am considering using it.

When I arrive at Paddington, will I be able to purchase the 7-day paper travelcard for the tube there? Is it tricky to figure out the difference between a TFL ticket counter and the rail ticket counter? (I want to be able to use some of the 2FOR1 ticket deals.)

PatrickLondon

The National Rail ticket office is in one corner of the main station concourse.

The Underground stations are downstairs.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Paddington-station-map.pdf

pavot

(I hope this won't result in a double post.)

Thanks for that, Patrick.

I'm usually a take-the-tube person, but with fares of 5.50 and a child of 13 for free, I'm going to try a new way in.

janisj

That is a great fare -- but even then it would mostly depend on where you are headed ultimately. Paddington is not very convenient to a lot of parts of central London.

pavot

As a matter of fact, janisj, I'm headed to Tower Hill ... and "your" Hamlet UK flats!

I've been meaning to write a special post as a shout-out of thanks to you for mentioning them here, since the flats we have stayed in before have gotten rather expensive.

I think they'll be just what we're looking for -- so a big THANK YOU!

PatrickLondon

Then you'll need that station map to find your way back from the National Rail ticket office to the Circle Line.....

BigRuss

<<The National Rail ticket office is in one corner of the main station concourse.>> - where the ubiquitous M&S Simply Food and Boots shops are.

All that said, why in the h-ll are you taking a Heathrow Express when you're ultimately going to Tower Hill, which is at the diametric opposite point across Central London from Paddington?

janisj

Great -- I hope you enjoy the area. I stayed there again between Christmas and New Years. My next trip (probably in August) I'll likely stay elsewhere because most of my plans will be centered in the west.

OK - it is an easy trip from Paddington (circle Line w/ no changes) -- but a loooooong one - 26 minutes to Tower hill. Then an 8-10 minute walk to your flat. So from LHR to the Marina using the HEX will take at least 90 minutes counting the walks at LHR, Paddington, and Tower Hill.

Just taking the tube from LHR w/ a change at Hammersmith will take about an 70 minutes w/ the walks.

PalenQ

With the news of the Heathrow Express lowering fares for tickets bought way in advance, I am considering using it.>

They have always offered special deals on the official site like 2 for 1 return tickets at the cost, yes, of one fare. HEX is the fastest most seemless way to get to the Paddington area of London but not so convenient for folks going to other areas of London where the Tube or a car serve makes sense. Could take a taxi I guess from Paddington too.

pavot

Thanks for all the replies.

My family and I have plenty of time once we arrive in London -- we're there for a week -- and I'm OK with the journey taking a little longer.

janisj

>>Could take a taxi I guess from Paddington too.<<

Not to where pavot is staying -- that would cost s much as the airfare

>>I'm OK with the journey taking a little longer.<<

The good thing is it is a non-transfer journey so you can sit back and relax. But do factor in the hassle at Paddington, queueing for the paper travel cards and then schlepping your bags down to the tube station.

PalenQ

But do factor in the hassle at Paddington, queueing for the paper travel cards and then schlepping your bags down to the tube station.>

Can't they buy paper travel cards no more at Heathrow - the Tube windows? Can a taxi from Paddington to Tower Hill cost more than an airline ticket - wow never knew London cabbies were so so dear, dear!

jamikins

No you can't buy the national rail paper tickets at Heathrow! It's a tube stop only!

jamikins

And yes, a taxi in traffic can cost a fortune!

PalenQ

No you can't buy the national rail paper tickets at Heathrow! It's a tube stop only!>

so at the Heathrow tube stops you can't buy a paper Travelcard? As i recall terminals 1, 2 and 3 have a combined Tube Stop ticket window right next to the HEX window?

I meant to buy at Heathrow Tube Stops if convenient and in same vicinity as HEX/

janisj

>>Can't they buy paper travel cards no more at Heathrow - <<

On the paint again? Can't and never could. That has been explained on MANY threads - including by you.

BigRuss

I'd consider taking the Piccadilly to Hammersmith and District to Tower Hill and buying the paper travelcards later at London Bridge or somewhere else near the flat.

PalenQ

Can't and never could.>

OK - yup paint - I was thinking they could buy travel cards at the Heathrow tube station but I guess the angle here is to get 2 for 1 which requires a paper travel card issued by a National Rail Station, of which the HEX is not. (Failed to re-read OP after the so SO long FodorDown).

But my point was to buy a travel card you can do it at Heathrow's Tube stations - just won't get 2 for 1 - well probably an Oyster travel card and not a printed one perhaps.

Now I gottit - forgot the 2 for 1 angle - duh even though OP pointed that out.

Thanks dear for pointing that out.

PatrickLondon

The nearest National Rail station to your flat would be Fenchurch St (but you get better views on the walk over Tower Bridge and round to London Bridge station).