PalenQ....I take the tube in from Heathrow all the time and do not find the experience horrific. As a matter of fact since Heathrow is the start of the line, getting a seat on the train next to your luggage is not a problem. So let's see...you're heading for Piccadilly Circus...

A one seat ride on the tube. Will take about 55 minutes on the Piccadilly line. HEX..15 minutes to Paddington...a bit of a walk either to street level to catch a taxi and London AM rush hour traffic can be horrendous or the tube anyway...probably a circle or district line train down to Earls Court and down the escalator and short stairways to the Piccadilly line platforms and now really crowded trains (AM rush hour). Ultimately, how much time is actually saved?

Now I agree. There are other considerations. Yes the HEX is somehat more comfortable and you have to decide whether or not it is worth it. If you're going to be using the tube for your local transport in London the add on fare from Heathrow can be only a little over 2 quid for a one seat ride.

But let's not quibble. There are no absolutes. One has to decide in one's own mind if it's worth it. To me it isn'. To others it does...no different than me looking for the cheapest airfare to fly from NYC to Londonor take Eurostar from Paris to London. I wouldn't dream of springing for first class (and first class is great...after a snow storm because it couldn't get me out for two days, I was upgraded by AA to business class)because after all the back of the plane or train arrives at the station only a few minutes later than the first class cabin or coaches but others feel this is their vacation of a lifetime and want everything to be first class. To each his or her own. All I think people should do is present the facts and let the person ultimately decide what is best for them without any disparaging remarks.

Don't know why my post posted wice...I only hit submit once. Sorry.

Two people can take the Heathrow Shuttle into London (directly to your hotel or apartment, etc.) for £28. You book online. Very simple and convenient.

>>Two people can take the Heathrow Shuttle into London (directly to your hotel or apartment, etc.) for £28. <<

That is a shared ride so it can take quite a bit longer than a car service or the tube. Especially if you are the last stop.

Heathrow Connect is Heathrow Express light and is much cheaper - a stopping train rather than the non-stop Heathrow Express.

I took the HEX once and I was sorry I did it. My flight from London left so early the tube wasn't an option, but I should have booked a car service. When I added the cost of the taxi to Paddington plus the cost of the HEX I realized a car service would have cost about the same, but it would have been a lot more convenient. I will not make that mistake again.

Enjoy your trip.

One does wonder how the Heathrow Express stays in business!

1) A lot of business travelers are on expense accounts; 2) Some people actually do want to get to Paddington; 3) Some visitors don't know any better.

I just bought tickets online for the Heathrow Express. Return tickets are 39 GBP if you buy at the airport, 34 if you buy online in advance but if you buy a ticket for two people traveling together and use the discount code DUO12 the cost for a return ticket for two people is 50 GBP -- 25 per person.

To my mind that is not a bad price for a fast ride that does not require me to sit in traffic all the way from the airport. We will then take a cab from Paddington to our hotel -- midday, when we arrive. As I said, much better than the traffic from the airport to the hotel which we would encounter by taxi, car service or shuttle bus. Yes, the tube may be cheaper, but this is faster and less of a hassle, in my opinion.

Just thought I would share the pricing information for anyone interested.

To my mind that is not a bad price for a fast ride that does not require me to sit in traffic all the way from the airport.>

this is a key as to why business types on account will gladly take the HEX over a car service - cars can easily get snarled in London's horrific traffic with no expressways at all into central London - except the West Way which goes to Paddington!

On Fodor's there gets to be a zealous thing attacking something - like Madame Tussaud's, the London Dungeon and now the Heathrow Express - folks take pride in saying how tacky or how awful or how overpriced they are - except ordinary Brits who flock to them - I've taken the Heathrow Express and the Tube and there is no comparison - on tube you may end up squished in your seat clutching your luggage between your legs in oft over crowded tube trains by the time they get into central London and if you have to change - stairs, steps and oft long passageways - and car services can get stuck for eons in traffic - for years I drove vans from central London to Heathrow and back - there was usually obnoxious traffic - I had to get up at 5 am just to be able to bet to the airport guaranteeable by 8 am.

No the Heathrow Express is the best way to get into central London if price is not a factor and then take a cab from there the fastest way guaranteeably from airport to hotel.

PalenQ...I nev said and would never say the HEX is a bad thing and it's like so much else in travel. Everybody has their own definition ofwhat is best for them and I have tried not to put anybody down. But at the same time, I think people should understand the alternatives and what is involved.

Personally, and I emphasize personally, I don't find the tube ride from Heathrow objectionable I ish tfl would splurge and install a/c on the Piccadilly line carriages (I was shocked, really shocked in June to get on a Hammersmith & City line train at St. Pancras and lo and behold, it had functioning a/c...unreal but that doesn't mean I abandon the tube and yes I know there are 23 steps up at my destination station and sometimes, at my advanced age, that is a problem with even just one suitcase on wheels (but I always get some nice person to help me). Others are repulsed by the thought of riding with the masses on a subway train sometimes for fear of what you described although there are times when it is the best and fastest way although surely not as comfortable.

But then again, this is why first class exists, as I said, on airlines and train. Why spend $2,000 or more for a single fare on a flight from NYC to London when yu can sit in the back of the plane for 1/3 of the price. True you don't get such a nice meal or constant wine but in general the back cabin arrives at pretty much the same time as the front. And the same holds for train travel. Why splurge on an hour and twenty minute trip on Eurostar from Paris to London. Others feel they are either on expense accounts or are on the holiday of a life time and if they're spending the money for a once in a lifetime trip across the pond or whatever, why let a couple of thousand dollars make a big difference. And that's what keeps these conveniences offering premium services but they make their money, much like the White Star Line did in 1912 on steerage.

Of course saving money has its limits too. I wouldn't dream of sleeping on a park bench but I certainly wouldn't pay $300 a night for a hotel room. Taking the tube in from LHR, and that's my only point, is not the worst thing and for many, certainly not all, a viable alternative.

I took it once and the taxi ride from paddington to St. Paul's took longer than the train ride...so depending where you are going be when it may or may not be the best option...

Taking the tube in from LHR, and that's my only point, is not the worst thing and for many, certainly not all, a viable alternative.>

How many times have you take the Tube from the airport to London?

Once, twice - I have taken it many times and especially going out it can be hard to get your baggage and self on trains let along sit down - ever try boarding at the hectic Victoria Tube station?

Not saying every Tube trip is a trip from Hell but sometimes Tube trips with luggage - that is the thing - bulky luggage in a packed Tube car can indeed by a nightmare IME. At least coming from the airport you get to board first before the Tube gets mobbed approaching central London - and it is fine then IF you do not have to change - changing can be a nightmare with luggage and luggage is the whole issue here - just a passenger sure the tube is a snap even if you must stand for a spell but moving heavy luggage around, etc is something not everyone would want to do.

https://www.heathrowexpress.com/tick...iscounts-deals

And why pay full price - lots of deals - like 50 pounds for return tickets for two people - total - that's sbout 12.5 pounds per person per ride

and kids under 15 - two of them go free with any paying adult

Groups - 3 or more are entitled to 1/3 off

See the link above for deals - everyone talks about how expensive the HEX is but with these discounts it can be really cheap!

I prefer comfort and convenience over money for the tube and HEX! Justairports takes my bags as I leave the arrival area and takes them out of the car for the doorman ay my hotel. We have never been held up in traffic coming in or retuening to airport. Drivers are always polite and get us there quickly. The older I get the more I appreciate convenience!!

I've taken the tube in and out from LHR at least 30 or so times so you're talking to the wrong person on that. For me, it's the best way but I'm not saying it's for everybody.

I do think some people have an inclination not to take the tube for any of their local transport but again it comes down to their feelings that this is a holiday of a lifetime and they don't mind splurging on taxis!

In five years' time, the best option for journeys from Heathrow to Central London will be via the new Crossrail line. This will terminate in the west at Heathrow and at Maidenhead and in the east at Abbey Wood and Shenfield. In Central London it will stop at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf, making connections with both tube and main line trains.

Using full-size fast electric trains, with air conditioning, the line will run through central London in deep tunnel, which is currently being bored. It will be substantially faster and more comfortable than the current Piccadiily line tube.

Chartley we are counting the days! It will cut our travel time from Heathrow to Woolwich arsenal from 2 hours to 45!!!!

>>use the discount code DUO12 the cost for a return ticket for two people is 50 GBP -- 25 per person.

To my mind that is not a bad price for a fast ride that does not require me to sit in traffic all the way from the airport. We will then take a cab from Paddington to our hotel -- midday, when we arrive. <<

Depending on your final destination the cab ride could add £25 or more on top of that and you'll be sitting in the very same traffic you complain about w/ a car service. But if you want to schlepp to the HEX, schlepp to the cab rank, and pay more for what will likely end up taking just about the same time door-to-door -- go for it.

and you'll be sitting in the very same traffic you complain about w/ a car service.>

no that is a gross distortion for some reason - the traffic snarls are on the way in from Heathrow not once you get in Traffic Calmed central London where the congestion fee for vehicles has kept traffic way down - not sure what janis' aim is to denigrate the HEX at any costs but in this case it does cause one to wonder.