Boarding bus from Heathrow to Windsor+questions
 

We arrive at Heathrow at Terminal 2. We're going to take the First Bus to Windsor. Where is the bus stop? Is there only one bus stop? This will be on a Saturday. We arrive Heathrow at 10:45 from Portugal, and then we are flying out of Heathrow at 4:35. I figure that if we can get out of Heathrow by 11:30. And, it takes 3o minutes on the bus to Windsor, we'll have 2 hours to walk quickly around Windor. Then we'll board the bus at 2, and be back at Heathrow by 2:30. That's 2 hours before our flight for the U.S. leaves. Our baggage will have already been checked. Are we crazy? I figure if we get time crunced, we could always shell out the 20gbp for a cab for our return flight.

elaine123, it is easy to get to the bus station from terminal 2. There is only one station.

The following info is from a search I just did on transport between Heathrow and Windsor. Hope your plans work.

Bus services from the Bus and Coach Station in the centre of Heathrow are few and far between, but there is a service from Heathrow to Windsor via Slough and a service operated by BAA and First Beeline direct to Windsor via Datchet. The service departs from the bus station in Heathrow's Central Area every half hour. We have not been advised when the service starts and stops in the morning or evening.

The Royal Borough's Press Release states:

Operated in partnership with airport operator BAA and First Beeline, the Airoute Link starts in Dedworth (west of Windsor) and takes in central Windsor and Datchet before heading along the Colnbrook by-pass to Heathrow airport's central bus station. Stops along the route include Ruddlesway, Dedworth Road, Maidenhead Road, Vale Road, Vansittart Road, Peascod Street, Datchet Green and the Colnbrook by-pass, offering a convenient local service to residents as well as an easy way of getting to Heathrow for airport staff and air passengers. The service also offers journeys to Slough with connections to Wexham Park Hospital.

Airoute Link 50A and 50B (Dedworth-Heathrow-Dedworth) will operate half-hourly Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays

Airoute Link 90A will offer an hourly evening Borough Bus link to and from Heathrow.

I just went through LHR twice. Everything takes longer than you expect and the bus is sometimes late. I learned to always have a plan B.

elaine: The bus is a definite possibility. But since you have such limited time and don't want to be dependent on the more limited weekend bus schedule -- I would plan on taking a taxi instead. True - it will be more expensive, but it will probably give you a net extra hour in Windsor.

The timetable - roughly a bus every half hour - is at www.firstgroup.com/firstbeeline/images/c1.pdf

At T2 arrivals follow signs for the central bus station - about 50 yds away.There are a number of stops there, boldly marked with destinations. I believe you need Stand X, though you should check this and that might take finding a minute or two. Pay on the bus. Many Americans think - WRONGLY - that British buses require exact change. Buses will give change, though will get upset about large notes.They don't accept foreign money, and few take cards

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but Euros and dollars are foreign. For buses, you need pounds.

Incidentally, if you don't get a boarding pass for your US flight in Portugal, I'd check in and get the pass before leaving Heathrow. That way you've only got security to negotiate (and you can always queue jump in a crisis, if you use enough charm and forcefulness)

If your onward flight is with BA, the bus station is inconvenient for T4.

Murphy's Law says you'll arrive just as your bus is leaving. There is a chapel right next to the bus station if you want to regain your composure.

Thanks for the info, maybe we should take a taxi...I'm bound and determined to do this...flanneruk, I really like your suggestion about the chapel!