I suppose they could take the stairs - I'd probably opt for the escalators (of which there are six at L.S.).

When the alternative is trudging the length of two football fields uphill, I choose automation every time.

sheesh - I don't mean the stairs from the platform up to the station. Of course one would take the escalators.

I meant the stairs from the station to the street. If you take the Leicester Square exit you have to negotiate a nasty stairway that is very crowded at most times of the day. Sort of like salmon fighting up stream and w/ luggage no less.

Well, of course you should figure out which exit to use - no matter which station you choose. At Embankment, the wrong exit takes you out on the river side, in the opposite direction from where you're going. And since four lines converge at the station, a beginner has twice the confusion factor to deal with compared to Leicester Square's two.

I think many people must be seduced by the simplicity of the Hammersmith transfer without considering the rest of the equation.

Well, I think I'm going to try the Hammersmith/Embankment route next week and I'll let you know how it is mishoe01. Thanks for the discussion on the alternatives, you don't factor in things like stairs when you are simply looking at the tube map.

Thanks Kristi - I'd appreciate that.

Hope you have a great trip!

Embankment station is much less stress and complication than Leicester Square, not least because you have a aview of what's outside both exits the minute you pass the ticket barrier. If you find yourself facing the river, it's no great brainstrain to realise for yourself that you're not about to walk up Villiers St, and to turn around to the other exit. There's plenty of signposting and people to ask who aren't besieged by the passing throngs.

But if time is the issue, then it has to be Heathrow Express and either the Bakerloo Line or a taxi.

Just back and I wanted to thank Gavin for his tip on how to get to the hotel, much easier than what I had intended to do. I did the transfer from the Piccadilly at Hammersmith (can also do it at Baron's Court) and there was a district line train waiting, got off at Enbankment and walked up the slight incline to get to the hotel. You will want to look for the exit sign that says Villiers Street and Covent Garden, walk up the cobblestone street and when you get to the top go left and the hotel is right there above Charing Cross. There is a short stair way getting out of the tube (about 30 stairs) but the way out was not nearly as cumbersome as a lot of the stations (including Charing Cross).

One thing to note, be sure to check which train you are getting on when going back to Heathrow, I transferred at Baron's Court because there was a train waiting and it turned out to be going to Rayner's Lane, a different branch of the Piccadilly Line. Make sure you look at the overhead signs and see that it is going to Heathrow.

Kristi - thank you so much for your input. Hope you had a good time.

Thanks to everyone else too!