Is it possible to get from Cambridge to Heathrow in time for an 11 a.m. flight? The National Express bus website is down at the moment, so I can't find a schedule. Or are there other private shuttles in case the bus won't be able to get to the airport by 9 a.m.?

What's a "shuttle"?

The National Express website is back up at 0600 GMT today. There's no other direct bus service.

The 0545 train to Kings Cross will connect with a tube that'll get you to Heathrow T1-3 by about 0800. Or, if you get the Circle Line to Paddington from Kings Cross then the Heathrow Express or Connect, a bit earlier and a bit more pricily.

A "shuttle" would be something like a van or a car service that you can request. You arrange a time and it picks you up. It may or may not pick others up along the way. It undoubtedly would be a more expensive option.

I think flanneruk's approach is sensible.

If you do want to take the National Express, then there are buses like at 4:35 AM that would work (at least for some random dates, check for your dates). I would hope that at that time of the morning, they could manage to stick to the schedule. But my limited experience with National Express has taught me that it might not be the case. If the schedule could be trusted, then even the 5:05 bus would be okay.

If you want a private car service, I think it would be enormously expensive. But you could try and see what they will charge.

My daughter will have spent the summer there, so she will have more than her usual amount of luggage. That's why I don't think that the tube option will work. Any names of car services that I could check?

If she looks in the back of the local newspaper on a Friday night she'll find companies advertising car services

I just looked at the schedule for the summer. Which stop in Cambridge would be Parker's Piece near the university? I don't see it on the listing. If she needs to be at the airport at 9, it seems like the 5:05 would give her enough of a buffer. Even the 5:25 seems to be enough time, since her travel date is a Saturday, but I guess that would be risky if the bus is often late.

I would rather not use a random car service but one that is recommended.

Her college will be far better able to recommend a car service than most people on this board, and she'll have the summer to research.

For planning purposes, people like BATS quote £90 for a basic Cambridge-Heathrow cab journey. She MIGHT find the rideshare board at http://cambridge.gumtree.com throws up someone who wants to share. She'll also have the summer to find other people on the course in the same situation.

jag1jag1:

You are talking about the end of summer - months from now. All sorts of things could change between now and then. She will have months to learn her way around. The college will have all the info she needs - including car services, bus stops, coach schedules, ride share etc etc.

There is also the possibility she may decide to ship some of her stuff home instead of schlepping it. If so, she will have more travel options. Heck - she may even be staying in London or somewhere else the night before.

You have a lot more to think about now than details like planning her return trip to LHR. I think you are just a concerned parent (understandable) who wants to nail everything down. relax . . . .

Thanks for the suggestions. This only is an issue right now because we are still making decisions about which flight to choose. She was concerned about making it to Heathrow in time for the morning flight, which would be much cheaper than the afternoon option. Anyway, it does seem doable to get there early in the morning.

By the way, what does BATS stand for?

For a morning flight - she can always go to LHR the evening before and stay in a pricelined hotel 15 mins from the terminal.

BTW you do know that Stansted has Transatlantic flights - it's about 40 minutes from Cambridge

I take the National Express bus from Cambridge to Heathrow once a year, and have been doing this for 10 or more years. Yes she could make it for a morning flight, just make sure she plans to arrive with a few hours to spare.The bus can take about 3 hours.Try for the one with less stops.

I have also taken a private car it runs about 90 pounds much quicker going but pricey.

I"m still wondering...what does BATS stand for?

London Heathrow car service is 125 pounds.

BATS = British Airways Travel Shop.

Where do they post private car transfer rates? I didn't see anything. Do they recommend car companies?

they are a travel agent . . . . . not a car service. I'm fairly certain they wouldn't post things like that on line.

I think Flanneruk was just telling you that agencies like BATS would be able to get you transport for £90-ish

fyi....BATS no longer seems to exist.

I wouldn't fixate on BATS - it was just a travel agent. Apparently it has closed up, but no one suggested you use them anyway. That was just one line out of a lot of posts - suggesting that a pre-booked cab/car would cost about £90.

I still think your daughter's college will be the best source of info.