heathrow - landing to coach in an hour?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
heathrow - landing to coach in an hour?
We arrive Heathrow at 9:05am on a Wednesday and have reserved a national express coach for 10:15 into Victoria. This gives us an hour for customs, immigration, baggage claim and getting to the coach. Should I change the reservation to give us more time? I'm worried that today's tragic events may cause more delays than we anticipated...
#2
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well an hour is optimistic - i've often found long LONG lines at Customs at Heathrow - even before this and planes are often not exactly on time. Put another hour in and if goes quickly have that first cup of tea (or pint) whilst waiting.
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you have checked luggage to pick up you will probably not make it.
If your plane is late you will probably not make it (you can check this flight's on-time record - and be sure to check by day of the week if you can).
If several jumbos land at once - or one plane lands from a "questionsable" area (in which many of the passengers have papers that have to be examined in detail) you probably will not make it.
The above is just normal summer activity.
Based on today's events I think there is very little chance you will make it.
If your plane is late you will probably not make it (you can check this flight's on-time record - and be sure to check by day of the week if you can).
If several jumbos land at once - or one plane lands from a "questionsable" area (in which many of the passengers have papers that have to be examined in detail) you probably will not make it.
The above is just normal summer activity.
Based on today's events I think there is very little chance you will make it.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We arrived at Heathrow a little over 2 weeks ago and it took about 2 hours to get thru customs. Apparently other jumbo jets landed at about the same time causing the backup. When we finally got up to the agents we asked and he said it was typical.
I'd reschedule for more time.
Travelatte
I'd reschedule for more time.
Travelatte
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You will NOT make it. Many, often full, planes from the US are arriving at the same time then and the immigration lines will be immense. It will take an hour just to disembark and get thru immigration. On the other hand, your luggage is usually waiting for you by the time you get to the carousel.
Also don't forget that Heathrow is not in London. If you plan to take Heathrow Express (15 min to Paddington then to 2 tube lines to get to Victoria - another 15-20 min), you have to add on the travel time. Travel by regular Underground will take over about an hour to ge to Victoria Station. You have to go the 2 blocks to the coach station once you get to Victoria station. Car travel will be over an hour.
So recommend a later coach. You WILL NOT make the 10:15 even if there were no delays on the Underground/bus routes.
Also don't forget that Heathrow is not in London. If you plan to take Heathrow Express (15 min to Paddington then to 2 tube lines to get to Victoria - another 15-20 min), you have to add on the travel time. Travel by regular Underground will take over about an hour to ge to Victoria Station. You have to go the 2 blocks to the coach station once you get to Victoria station. Car travel will be over an hour.
So recommend a later coach. You WILL NOT make the 10:15 even if there were no delays on the Underground/bus routes.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for your help. I'll change the reservation to 11:00 or 11:15. Our connecting coach from Victoria doesn't leave until 13:00 so we should be OK on both sides if we make reservations an hour later.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
akd667
Europe
5
Mar 13th, 2009 06:04 AM