Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Heathrow Express

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Heathrow Express

HI, I just read that fares on Britain's most expensive rail routes are on the rise. A round-trip, first-class trip on the 15-minute, 15-mile Heathrow Express will increase from $62.58 to $65.71 on September 29. Round-trip Standard class prices will rise to $39.12 from $35.98. One-way trip costs will rise to $20.34 from $18.78. This is the first fare increase in three years. Debbie

It's good to hear that they have stopped using those quaint old-fashioned pounds and pennies and are now using sensible American currency - too bad they didn't round off the fares, though.

In pounds, the increase is from 12 to 13 pounds for a regular 1 way fare. We got polled by the firm that runs the train in April. We indicated we already thought the train was pretty expensive, oh well, we tried.

Why would anybody even think about first class for a 15 minute train ride? I'm sorry if I'm missing something, and I did travel on the HE, the second class is roomy, comfy, clean, besides, again, it's only 15 minutes, so what's the point?

Hi-- The report I read was from an American travel e-letter so I suppose the author courteously did the conversion for his mathematically-challenged readers ;-) I don't get the point of first class on that train either! The 2nd class seats are absolutely fine. I've taken the HE several times and was oblivious to any class differences. Next time, I'll try to do some celeb watching and peek into the 1st class compartment. Debbie

I will throw out a contrary opinion about HE. I don't think it is all that much worth it and not as much of a time saver as it seems. If you have to shlep your baggage to the HE, you can just as well do so to the tube so to me that's not a difference. Of course with lots of baggage you don't take either the HE or the tube, you take a cab or car service. I take the tube to my hotel. From Heathrow, it takes 35 minutes to get to Earls Court sort of equivalent to Paddington. The problem with the HE is that you go to Paddington. You still have an onward journey from there using either a cab and the slow London traffic which can make a 12 block journey 45 minutes (believe me that is something that happens quite often) or the Underground anyway to your hotel. So the difference is really something like 20 minutes. Yes the tube can get crowded but when you are coming into town, you are getting on at the first stop and you are 100% certain to get a seat right next to your luggage. Going back to Heathrow is a little more problematic but once you pass Earls Court, the train pretty much empties out. So do I pay £12 to save 10 to 15 minutes or take the tube and pay the £2.30 extension on my travelcard? I know it's a contrary opinion but as one of the articles said about the increase in fare on HE, they really should have upgraded the Underground connection rather than this overpriced mainline service.

I agree totally with the last poster. We've been using the tube for years. Since our flights arrive very, very early in the morning, we usually are at our destination (South Ken) before the commuters. We also travel light, with only one medium leather duffle each or one small roller each, so we're not in anyone's way. The best part (okay, perhaps the low fare is best)is that we can go Heathrow to South Ken without having to make a change, schlep the luggage around, etc. It's much more convenient, IMO.