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Getting to Heathrow on time from Westminster area

Getting to Heathrow on time from Westminster area

Old Feb 28th, 2013, 11:08 AM
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Getting to Heathrow on time from Westminster area

We'll be needing to get to Heathrow for an 11am flight to Amsterdam on a Tuesday. What line do we take, and about how long will it be to get there? We'll be staying close to the St James station.
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Old Feb 28th, 2013, 12:21 PM
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The Piccadilly line (dark blue) is the only Tube line that goes to Heathrow. The closest Piccadilly station to St James's Park is Green Park, but you can take the Circle or District lines west a bit and get to a station where you can change lines. The first one is South Kensington, but I believe there are posts here about the change at Hammersmith being easier with luggage. (If you do Hammersmith, you'll have to take a District line train, not the Circle.)

I'd allow an hour myself. Probably won't take quite that long, but it's my recollection that Circle/District trains aren't as frequent (though I could be wrong), and changing lines adds a step. It took me 45 minutes or so to go direct from Holborn a few years ago.
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Old Feb 28th, 2013, 12:25 PM
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Yes, change at Hammersmith if you start with the District Line (don't take the Circle) from St James's Park - because you only need to walk across the platform, rather than have stairs to deal with.
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Old Feb 28th, 2013, 12:28 PM
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Oh, and make sure it's a train for Ealing or Richmond, not Wimbledon (which won't go through Hammersmith).
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Old Feb 28th, 2013, 12:30 PM
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I agree with Janis J...the circle/district westbound trains run on top of the Picadilly line trains starting at South Kensington including Glouester Road and Earls Court but it means stairs or a lift down which isn't hard but from my own experience the easiest change is either at Barons Court or at Hammersmith where you just walk across the platform and the trains are at the same level.

Be aware there are several branches of the Picdilly line. If you're oing to either terminals 1,2,3 or 5 you take that train. Heathrow terminal 4 is a different train (same tracks though) as are several Picadilly line trains to other destinations. Also as Janisj noted, to make this change, you don't take a circle line train but a district line train.

It can be done in 45 minutes but yu have check in and the like so to be safe, I'd leave at a sloppy 0830.....
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Old Feb 28th, 2013, 04:51 PM
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Oh sh**! My head hurts. I'll get a chauffeur!
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Old Feb 28th, 2013, 05:05 PM
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xyz: "I agree with Janis J..."

It was jent103 who suggested that (but she plays me on TV )

Doppio: It isn't hard at all. District line train heading to Richmond or Ealing (the overhead signs will tell you what you need to know). Take that train to Hammersmith. Exit car at Hammersmith, walk across the platform and get on the next train coming through. It will be a Piccadilly line train that willend up at LHR.

If you opt for a car service ( justairports.com , etc. ) it will be door to door but you'll probably have to leave earlier.

Either way count on an hour to the terminal plus however long your airline suggests for check in. So you are looking at leaving around 08:30
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Old Feb 28th, 2013, 06:17 PM
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Janis, thanks for the clarification. With it being rush hour and all though, I think I may opt for justairports.com, as I have seen it recommended highly here. I hate rushing around that early in the morning I just want to get a coffee, step in a car, and get whisked away to Heathrow.

Thanks to everyone for the help though.
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Old Feb 28th, 2013, 06:39 PM
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Just so you realize the car may take as long or longer than the tube . . .

But yes, it will be more comfortable.
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Old Feb 28th, 2013, 06:40 PM
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My role as janisj is probably the highlight of my television career.
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Old Feb 28th, 2013, 06:42 PM
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I continue to have my vision problems. Sorry.
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Old Feb 28th, 2013, 07:05 PM
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>>Just so you realize the car may take as long or longer than the tube . . .

Yes, but I assume if I leave by 8:30, I should get there within 1.5 hours, correct?
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 11:29 AM
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I would not cut it that fine by car. Traffic can be horrendous in London. There are times when it's taken me half an hour to move about 100m up the road. Trains are more reliable for this sort of thing, on the whole, don't be put off by having to get on the right line. It's all very clearly signposted and at the entrace to the platform there is a diagram showing you the route the tube train will take. There is a verbal announcement for each train, and also an LCD display on the platform. So just pay attention and you shouldn't go wrong.

If your flight is at 11, what time does checkout close?
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 11:30 AM
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sorry, check-in
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 06:36 PM
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>>I would not cut it that fine by car. Traffic can be horrendous in London. There are times when it's taken me half an hour to move about 100m up the road. Trains are more reliable for this sort of thing,

Well now maybe I should change my mind and take the tube. I have to see what time we need to be there.
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 07:43 PM
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Although nobody can absolutely guarantee there won't be a delay on the tube, for the most part it is reliable and 45 - 50 minutes of travel on the tube should do the trick. As I think I said above in my stupidity and visual problem with who said what (I hope I'm forgiven by all), if you leave around 8 AM, you should be at Heathrow around 9ish which should be enough time to check in and clear security....

Also bear in mind you are travelling against the rush hour flow, not with it and as you leave central London, there shouldn't be too much crowding on the train. If you have one piece of luggage on wheels along with a carry on, you should be okay. I would save the money but that's me and take the more reliable form of transport.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2013, 01:54 PM
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travel to paddington, take heathrow express. you'll pay lots, but it does take all the stress out of getting to heathrow.

don't take a car or taxi. you might get stuck in traffic. it may go fine, but it's a gamble.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2013, 02:01 PM
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...but first you have to get to Paddington and how do you do that. The reality is that unless you start out very close to Paddington, the time advantage of the Heathrow Express is very very marginal and most likely not worth the money. (bearing in mind London morning traffic can be very very roughj if you taxi to Paddington! The op is almost right on top of the tube to begin with!
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Old Mar 2nd, 2013, 02:04 PM
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Or take a train from Waterloo to Feltham then airbuses to terminals or taxis - trains are IME much nicer for folks with luggage. Feltham station is very close to Terminal 4 but quite a long bus poke from the combined terminals 1, 2 and 3 bus stop.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2013, 05:41 PM
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Of course you're forgiven, xyz (not that you have anything to be forgiven for)! I've had to do a double-take on my and janis's posts myself.

Doppio, the only tricks to the Tube are making sure you catch the right District train (just know the branch you're after - it'll say the last stop on the sign above the platform, so you just have to wait till the right one comes), remembering to change at Hammersmith, and knowing which LHR terminal you need. Not bad at all, I promise.
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