Heathrow Airport to London City
Jan 5th, 2011, 02:50 PM
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Heathrow Airport to London City
I am flying into Heathrow and connecting to a flight out of London City Airport. I want to buy tickets in advance to avoid the hassle of exchanging money. Looks like I need to buy a Heathrow express ticket and then use the underground from the city center to London City Airport. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks
Jan 5th, 2011, 03:15 PM
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There is no easy route. You're tracelling from the outer western fringes of London to east of the centre, and all options will involve changing, with a fair amount of lugging your luggage up and down stairs and escalators. From Heathrow to LCY will take a good hour or more, and that's once you've collected your baggage and cleared immigration, so I hope you've left plenty of time between flights.
Basically, you need to get to the Docklands Light Railway, from Bank/Monument. Heathrow Express is an expensive way to get you quickly to Paddington: from there you would have to go round the Circle Line to Monument, and get your luggage up and down some stairs then down a series of escalators and long corridors to the DLR platforms.
A cheaper route, though a bit longer, would be to take the Piccadilly Line to Hammersmith, and walk a few steps across the platform to the eastbound District Line to Monument.
Alternatively, you might think from the map that you could stay on the Piccadilly Line to Holborn and change for the Central Line to Bank, but both interchanges involve more stairs (and at Bank, at the moment, escalator repairs would mean you would have to manhandle your luggage down a lot of stairs).
You can get a Visitor Oystercard in advanceto cover Heathrow to London City by tube and DLR, and you'd need to put £5 on it for the one-way journey:
http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/english/ticket-types.htm
Interactive map:
http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/im/SI-T.html
Basically, you need to get to the Docklands Light Railway, from Bank/Monument. Heathrow Express is an expensive way to get you quickly to Paddington: from there you would have to go round the Circle Line to Monument, and get your luggage up and down some stairs then down a series of escalators and long corridors to the DLR platforms.
A cheaper route, though a bit longer, would be to take the Piccadilly Line to Hammersmith, and walk a few steps across the platform to the eastbound District Line to Monument.
Alternatively, you might think from the map that you could stay on the Piccadilly Line to Holborn and change for the Central Line to Bank, but both interchanges involve more stairs (and at Bank, at the moment, escalator repairs would mean you would have to manhandle your luggage down a lot of stairs).
You can get a Visitor Oystercard in advanceto cover Heathrow to London City by tube and DLR, and you'd need to put £5 on it for the one-way journey:
http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/english/ticket-types.htm
Interactive map:
http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/im/SI-T.html
Jan 5th, 2011, 05:20 PM
#3
That is a really horrible journey -- especially if you are getting off an overnight flight. How long do you have between flights?
Much more expensive than the tube/DLR would be a car service like justairports.com or http://www.london-transfers.com/ -- but at least there would be NO luggage schlepping and you could sit and relax for the looooong drive.
Much more expensive than the tube/DLR would be a car service like justairports.com or http://www.london-transfers.com/ -- but at least there would be NO luggage schlepping and you could sit and relax for the looooong drive.
Jan 5th, 2011, 06:23 PM
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Thanks so much for the info. We will be coming off an overnight flight. We have 4 hours so it should be enough time to navigate something - it might involve a couple of pubs! I was thinking a cab ride might be the way to go. If I decide to rough it, will 5 pounds be enough on the oyster card? Should I put more to be safe? Again, thanks for your replies.
Jan 5th, 2011, 08:47 PM
#5
4 hours might not be enough. It could easily take you 60-90 minutes to deplane, clear immigration and collect your bags. AM is very busy at LHR because so many transatlantic flights land then. No matter the mode of transport, It takes more than an hour to get to LCY. 2 hours wouldn't be out of the question.
In any case you don't want a cab. A car service will be expensive. A cab will be very <B><red>EXPENSIVE
In any case you don't want a cab. A car service will be expensive. A cab will be very <B><red>EXPENSIVE
Jan 5th, 2011, 09:34 PM
#6
You can check the fares for the tube on www.tfl.gov.uk
I searched for Heathrow to London City (look under tickets then single fares), with an Oyster Card it's £4.50 each during peak hours Mon-Fri. Other times it's £2.70 and for cash it's £5.
There are also good transport maps on that website. You can put your time and date in to the Journey Planner and it will tell you how long it should take. You can also check for planned maintenance works which take place most weekends.
The Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect could be slightly quicker but you'd still only get as far as Paddington, then have to connect again. If it's peak hour, traffic could be very heavy so a car service could take ages. I'd check out the tube/train options if it were me.
Kay
I searched for Heathrow to London City (look under tickets then single fares), with an Oyster Card it's £4.50 each during peak hours Mon-Fri. Other times it's £2.70 and for cash it's £5.
There are also good transport maps on that website. You can put your time and date in to the Journey Planner and it will tell you how long it should take. You can also check for planned maintenance works which take place most weekends.
The Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect could be slightly quicker but you'd still only get as far as Paddington, then have to connect again. If it's peak hour, traffic could be very heavy so a car service could take ages. I'd check out the tube/train options if it were me.
Kay
Jan 6th, 2011, 03:20 AM
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You might need to make sure you have a contact phone number for your airline from LCY, in case you are running late. If you only have 4 hours from touchdown to take-off, then I'd take the Heathrow Express and then the Circle Line. I was over-optimistic - 15 minutes to Paddington (once you're on the train), half an hour or so (once you're on the Circle Line) to Monument (via High St Kensington), 20 minutes (once you're on the train) to LCY, plus transfer times, check-in at LCY and time to catch your breath. Forget pubs and have a drink in the LCY lounge if you have time.
Jan 6th, 2011, 03:49 AM
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First bit of advice - CHANGE THE FLIGHTS.
Good luck as you are going to need it. Wouldn't recommend any form of car or taxi as it will easily take 90 minutes on a good day to drive.
You might be able to shave a few minutes off the HEX / Tube / DLR route by taking the Tube to Baker Street, swtiching to the Jubilee Line as far as Canning Town then DLR to the airport.
If you reach LCY within 3 hours of landing then congratulate yourself with the stiffest drink you can find.
Good luck as you are going to need it. Wouldn't recommend any form of car or taxi as it will easily take 90 minutes on a good day to drive.
You might be able to shave a few minutes off the HEX / Tube / DLR route by taking the Tube to Baker Street, swtiching to the Jubilee Line as far as Canning Town then DLR to the airport.
If you reach LCY within 3 hours of landing then congratulate yourself with the stiffest drink you can find.
Jan 6th, 2011, 04:19 AM
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Sounds like this will be all at peak rush hours ? Once you get to the tube you may not even get on the first train which comes, especially with luggage - I travel to London fairly regularly, arriving in the rush hour, and have sometimes had to let up to 3 tubes come & go without me even with only a small carry-on bag, because I physically couldn't squash myself on. Change your flight out.
Jan 6th, 2011, 06:03 AM
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You don't state the day of the week that you're travelling, but if it's a weekend I implore you to check the TfL website to see if the tube has any plannned engineering works.
There are some lines that have major disruption to services on a regular basis for scheduled repairs, and with a tube journey of that length it is almost inevitable that you would be affected at some point, if travelling on a Saturday or Sunday.
There are some lines that have major disruption to services on a regular basis for scheduled repairs, and with a tube journey of that length it is almost inevitable that you would be affected at some point, if travelling on a Saturday or Sunday.
Jan 6th, 2011, 01:56 PM
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Wow! Now I'm frightened. We are arriving on a Wednesday and this whole fiasco of an itinery is thanks to frequent flier miles! What we do to save a buck, which, as my husband points out, is no savings at all 
All the info I've gotten has been of considerable help, if nothing else, to keep me from being complacent about my 4 hour lay over. I had visions of a leisurely lunch of fish and chips and washing it down with a pint of ale. Instead we will be vaulting over luggage like OJ and pushing through tube crowds putting our best Japan train skills to the test. I thought my last plan of action would be a taxi, but I've put that to rest. I guess I have two choices: either I hit the treadmill now, or call the airlines sobbing.
Again, THANKS for all the helpful info! Tally Ho!
All the info I've gotten has been of considerable help, if nothing else, to keep me from being complacent about my 4 hour lay over. I had visions of a leisurely lunch of fish and chips and washing it down with a pint of ale. Instead we will be vaulting over luggage like OJ and pushing through tube crowds putting our best Japan train skills to the test. I thought my last plan of action would be a taxi, but I've put that to rest. I guess I have two choices: either I hit the treadmill now, or call the airlines sobbing.
Again, THANKS for all the helpful info! Tally Ho!
Jan 6th, 2011, 10:19 PM
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Just make sure you can handle your luggage on the tube, and whatever you do, do not change for the DLR at Bank; lots of stairs and a long walk.
At least City is a small airport, easy and quick to get to your gate. Make sure you're checked in for that flight, so you only have to check your luggage.
At least City is a small airport, easy and quick to get to your gate. Make sure you're checked in for that flight, so you only have to check your luggage.
Jan 6th, 2011, 10:44 PM
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" Once you get to the tube you may not even get on the first train which comes, "
Caroline, who's usually reliable, is talking total nonsense in your case. There are times and places it's wiser to let the first tube go and wait for the one two minutes behind. THis will not apply anywhere on your route, if you plan it properly.
"15 minutes to Paddington (once you're on the train), half an hour or so (once you're on the Circle Line) to Monument "
Patrick's clearly never tried taking luggage onto the anti-clockwise Circle Line at Paddington. <b> The only painless route from Paddington for you is the Bakerloo Line to Embankment, then a change to the anticlockwise Circle to Monument, then as Patrick suggests</b>
"pushing through tube crowds "
For heaven's sake, do get a grip. Millions of us use the tube daily. In half a century, I've never had to push a single person. It's a trivial chore, not a torture chamber.
"my last plan of action would be a taxi, but I've put that to rest."
Why? Where in the reams of adsvice you've been given has anyone suggested for a nanosecond that getting a taxi is anything other than the most sensible option?
True: hiring a black taxi off the rank at LHR is a wealth-destroying absurdity idea - but prebooking an airport transfer specialist will cost you about £50.
Your real option is to take a 90-min, slightly messy but scarcely life-(or even patience-) threatening tube journey or book a car. Both might be less acceptable than rebooking. But neither are catastrophic and neither are perfect.
Caroline, who's usually reliable, is talking total nonsense in your case. There are times and places it's wiser to let the first tube go and wait for the one two minutes behind. THis will not apply anywhere on your route, if you plan it properly.
"15 minutes to Paddington (once you're on the train), half an hour or so (once you're on the Circle Line) to Monument "
Patrick's clearly never tried taking luggage onto the anti-clockwise Circle Line at Paddington. <b> The only painless route from Paddington for you is the Bakerloo Line to Embankment, then a change to the anticlockwise Circle to Monument, then as Patrick suggests</b>
"pushing through tube crowds "
For heaven's sake, do get a grip. Millions of us use the tube daily. In half a century, I've never had to push a single person. It's a trivial chore, not a torture chamber.
"my last plan of action would be a taxi, but I've put that to rest."
Why? Where in the reams of adsvice you've been given has anyone suggested for a nanosecond that getting a taxi is anything other than the most sensible option?
True: hiring a black taxi off the rank at LHR is a wealth-destroying absurdity idea - but prebooking an airport transfer specialist will cost you about £50.
Your real option is to take a 90-min, slightly messy but scarcely life-(or even patience-) threatening tube journey or book a car. Both might be less acceptable than rebooking. But neither are catastrophic and neither are perfect.
Jan 6th, 2011, 11:53 PM
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If it's any reassurance, I did this connection successfully in the opposite direction in the summer of 2009: 10:50 arrival at LCY, 15:15 departure from LHR. I'm not very London-savvy, and even less so back then, so while I didn't think I'd have time for fish and chips, I thought it'd be an easy connection. One of my London-savvy friends soon set me right, but I figured I'd go for it.
I didn't keep good notes for that trip, but the various tidbits I do recall were that LCY is small and efficient, at the time I was told to take a bus from LCY to some tube station, which was stressful as the bus was a bit late. Then, I spent forever waiting at the tube station, as the correct train (I forgot which I was told to take) never came. Eventually, I hopped on a different line, changed somewhere, and got to Paddington. I knew the Piccadilly Line was down for service that day, so I was allowed to ride the HEX for the price of a tube ride, which was great. Be sure to listen to KayF and RM67's advice to check for planned engineering works! LHR was the usual zoo, and I found the whole connection very stressful and hurried. But, I know I made my flight, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't even that close. So, I agree with flanneruk as well that it's not anything life-threatening or catastrophic. Granted, I travel with just a backpack and move pretty fast, but if you keep calm, move efficiently, and nothing goes horribly wrong, it'll all work out, and with the advice of all these London Fodorites, you won't even have to get stressed out as I was. Given your comment about Japanese train-riding skills, I'm guessing you'll handle this no problem. With a lot of bags, though, it'd be much more pleasant to have a car service.
I didn't keep good notes for that trip, but the various tidbits I do recall were that LCY is small and efficient, at the time I was told to take a bus from LCY to some tube station, which was stressful as the bus was a bit late. Then, I spent forever waiting at the tube station, as the correct train (I forgot which I was told to take) never came. Eventually, I hopped on a different line, changed somewhere, and got to Paddington. I knew the Piccadilly Line was down for service that day, so I was allowed to ride the HEX for the price of a tube ride, which was great. Be sure to listen to KayF and RM67's advice to check for planned engineering works! LHR was the usual zoo, and I found the whole connection very stressful and hurried. But, I know I made my flight, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't even that close. So, I agree with flanneruk as well that it's not anything life-threatening or catastrophic. Granted, I travel with just a backpack and move pretty fast, but if you keep calm, move efficiently, and nothing goes horribly wrong, it'll all work out, and with the advice of all these London Fodorites, you won't even have to get stressed out as I was. Given your comment about Japanese train-riding skills, I'm guessing you'll handle this no problem. With a lot of bags, though, it'd be much more pleasant to have a car service.
Jan 7th, 2011, 05:16 AM
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"If it's any reassurance, I did this connection successfully in the opposite direction in the summer of 2009: 10:50 arrival at LCY, 15:15 departure from LHR. "
Unfortunately not - LCY is quite efficient and you can get out of it quickly even if you have luggage. LHR generally means an hour between landing and collecting luggage. And if, as I suspect, OP is arriving early in the morning on a weekday they'll have crowds of commuters at Paddington, on the Tube & at interchanges until they are well out of central London. Try doing that with a couple of large suitcases and it gets a bit tiresome
Unfortunately not - LCY is quite efficient and you can get out of it quickly even if you have luggage. LHR generally means an hour between landing and collecting luggage. And if, as I suspect, OP is arriving early in the morning on a weekday they'll have crowds of commuters at Paddington, on the Tube & at interchanges until they are well out of central London. Try doing that with a couple of large suitcases and it gets a bit tiresome
Apr 22nd, 2011, 02:15 AM
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Hi Cainil,
So did you succeed in making the transfer between two airports in time? I am now in the same problem, I will have to transfer from london city airport to heathrow airport in only 3hours and 30 minutes (including time getting out of the airport and checking luggage. I called the agency and they said that the flight was already fully booked so that they can not make any flight change for me.
So did you succeed in making the transfer between two airports in time? I am now in the same problem, I will have to transfer from london city airport to heathrow airport in only 3hours and 30 minutes (including time getting out of the airport and checking luggage. I called the agency and they said that the flight was already fully booked so that they can not make any flight change for me.
