Wekiva

We purchased the London Pass with transportation. Fortunately we're using it Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday so there won't be peak time restrictions. The question I have is about getting from Heathrow to Marble Arch using the transportation part of the pass. On the web site it states the following:

Please note: London Pass with Travel is not valid for any express airport trains, such us the Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect, Gatwick Express, Stansted Express, or National Express trains.

Are there any non express trains that travel that route...or will we have to take the bus? We would prefer the subway (tube) but I'm wondering if there are any standard tube trains to Heathrow that aren't an express train.

babylon

we just took the regular underground to Heathrow. The Heathrow Express was more convenient but the tube was fine.

lincasanova

..."If you need to make the odd journey out of the central area, say Heathrow in Zone 6, its much cheaper to purchase a travel pass for zone 1, and purchase what is called an extension fare for zones 2 to 6 than purchase a travel pass outright for zone 1 to 6."

yes, you can travel on normal underground but do not pay for a travelcard for zone 6.. just buy the extension as mentioned here from their website.

janisj

"<i>We purchased the London Pass with transportation.</i>"

That is unfortunate -- it cost you more than just getting your transport and admissions after your are in London. But you can just make the best of it . . .

"<i>Please note: London Pass with Travel is not valid for any express airport trains, such us the Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect, Gatwick Express, Stansted Express, or National Express trains.

Are there any non express trains that travel that route...or will we have to take the bus? We would prefer the subway (tube) but I'm wondering if there are any standard tube trains to Heathrow that aren't an express train.</i>"

First a definition of terms:

Tube/Underground is what is called the Metro or subway in other countries. By trains/express - they mean mainline trains (like Amtrak in the States).

Your transport will cover you on all tube/underground trips, buses, and regular trains w/i the zones covered by your pass. What is not covered is the Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect trains that travel from LHR to Paddington station.

To get to Marble Arch by tube/underground will take a little over an hour and involve change(s)

You get on the tube (Piccadilly line) at Heathrow and either get off at Hyde Park Corner and take a bus from there to Marble Arch -- or -- take the tube farther to Holborn station and then catch a westbound Central tube to Marble Arch.

There are other options -- but they involve more transfers. (for example, Piccadilly line to Earls Court, District line to Notting Hill Gate, Central Line to Marble Arch)

All the above options are a slog if you have much luggage. A pre-booked car service would be MUCH easier (but you'd have to pay for it -- not covered by the London Pass)

Wekiva

Thanks for the replies...I'm glad we can use the Tube.

We're traveling with another family that was in charge of the London leg and they made those purchases. I do believe that for us it may end out OK. We're REALLY moving around a lot in London and seeing many of the things on the pass. We don't spend as much time as some might at each spot so we do tend to see more than some do. Plus by being there over a long weekend we don't run into the express train exclusions. We will also be making a trip into zone 6 to visit family. So hopefully we won't end up losing too much on this purchase. I do agree that in hindsight...it may not have been the best purchase.

flanneruk

"Plus by being there over a long weekend we don't run into the express train exclusions. "

You do. Your last post might just have been a slip of the typing finger, but the railway companies that won't contract with this London Pass thing just don't have periods when they do contract in.

The extract from their T&C's you cite doesn't cover just "express services" National Express Trains is a normal railway company, operating as far as you're concerned merely suburban railway services in NE London. This includes ALL trains to Stansted and most trains to Cambridge. If those T&Cs are accurate, the exclusion again would cover all National Express trains, all the time, and not just its Stansted Express service. But that won't affect most visitors.

Wekiva

You are correct...i meant to say we wouldn't run into PEAK time issues.