Heathrow Express -- worth the cost?
Jun 14th, 2007, 09:17 AM
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Heathrow Express -- worth the cost?
I will be in London for just over two days the week after next (after a week in Ireland). It is my first trip to London and am taking my two children (ages 8 and 6) and my 71 year old mother. We arrive at Heathrow (from Dublin) on Monday morning at 8 am and are staying at the Hilton on Edgware Rd. (near Paddington). I cannot decide if Heathrow Express is worth the cost.
The four of us will have four bags among us (not counting our carry-on bags) and we'll be traveling toward Paddington at the tail end of rush hour.
From your own experiences, does the relative comfort and speed of Heathrow Express justify the added expense over the tube at that hour?
The four of us will have four bags among us (not counting our carry-on bags) and we'll be traveling toward Paddington at the tail end of rush hour.
From your own experiences, does the relative comfort and speed of Heathrow Express justify the added expense over the tube at that hour?
Jun 14th, 2007, 09:30 AM
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By tube, you could change at Hammersmith, cross the platform for an eastbound District Line, change at Earls Court and wait on the same platform for an Edgware Road train. Edgware Road station is over the road from the hotel, whereas Paddington is quite a long walk or a taxi-ride up Praed St.
The inconvenience factor with the tube is partly a matter of time (say, half an hour more, door to door, than with Heathrow Express), partly a matter of time of day. Depending on how quickly your luggage comes up, you might find you're still catching up with commuter crowds at both Hammersmith and Earls Court.
But it's up to you whether you want to arrive quickly and in some (expensive) style, or take your time at the airport to start your journey after about 9am to avoid the commuter crowds - you'd still be in the hotel by about 10am.
The inconvenience factor with the tube is partly a matter of time (say, half an hour more, door to door, than with Heathrow Express), partly a matter of time of day. Depending on how quickly your luggage comes up, you might find you're still catching up with commuter crowds at both Hammersmith and Earls Court.
But it's up to you whether you want to arrive quickly and in some (expensive) style, or take your time at the airport to start your journey after about 9am to avoid the commuter crowds - you'd still be in the hotel by about 10am.
Jun 14th, 2007, 09:33 AM
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<It is my first trip to London and am taking my two children (ages 8 and 6) and my 71 year old mother.>
no one in their right mind would take the Tube with these demographics - could end up a complete horror. Heathrow Light (Connect) is fine.
no one in their right mind would take the Tube with these demographics - could end up a complete horror. Heathrow Light (Connect) is fine.
Jun 14th, 2007, 09:37 AM
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Irresepctive of nationality with that much luggage and two kids I would just book a car.
For someone travelling on their own without too much luggage I am a firm believer in tube/hop across platform at Hammersmith option
For someone travelling on their own without too much luggage I am a firm believer in tube/hop across platform at Hammersmith option
Jun 14th, 2007, 09:41 AM
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<<no one in their right mind would take the Tube with these demographics - could end up a complete horror. Heathrow Light (Connect) is fine.>>
Exactly my concern, particularly given the hour of our travel.
I will look into Heathrow Connect. Thanks to all for your quick input!
Exactly my concern, particularly given the hour of our travel.
I will look into Heathrow Connect. Thanks to all for your quick input!
Jun 14th, 2007, 09:55 AM
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If normal Taxies are expensive. You can check and get estimate of their cost from: www.justairports.com
This was recommended at this site. A friend of mine has used them and was very pleased with their services. I have not yet. You can choose normal car which would be small for your requirement or with little extra select the MPV to be sure or the Estate. Their web is easy to check estimate and do the booking. Good luck.
This was recommended at this site. A friend of mine has used them and was very pleased with their services. I have not yet. You can choose normal car which would be small for your requirement or with little extra select the MPV to be sure or the Estate. Their web is easy to check estimate and do the booking. Good luck.
Jun 14th, 2007, 10:28 AM
#9
In your situation, I definitely would NOT take either the Heathrow Connect nor the Heathrow Express. After you got to Paddington you'd still have to squeeze into a cab to the hotel. so the over all cost will be higher, plus you'd have to schlep your bags from the train platform to the taxi rank.
Book a car service. It will be door-to-door and no bag schlepping at all. The already mentioned justairports will be the cheapest and cheaper yet if you pay cash . . . .
Book a car service. It will be door-to-door and no bag schlepping at all. The already mentioned justairports will be the cheapest and cheaper yet if you pay cash . . . .
Jun 15th, 2007, 06:20 AM
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I've taken the tube, Heathrow Express, taxi and car service.
I would recommend the car service for you. Based on recommendations from this site, we used justairports and were happy with them.
The tube took almost 1 1/2 hours. It was a long walk to the station and then with the various transfers I had to make, I carried my luggage up/down stairs a couple of times. Very economical though.
The Heathrow Express was great directly from Paddington, but for 4 people it wasn't cheap (we had a 2 for 1 deal though), so I'd probably go for car service (unless you are staying directly in the Paddington Hilton, as we did one time).
Also, it sounds like your other passengers may not be able to handle their own luggage too easily over a distance, so a door-to-door car service would let everyone arrive refreshed and ready to go.
I would recommend the car service for you. Based on recommendations from this site, we used justairports and were happy with them.
The tube took almost 1 1/2 hours. It was a long walk to the station and then with the various transfers I had to make, I carried my luggage up/down stairs a couple of times. Very economical though.
The Heathrow Express was great directly from Paddington, but for 4 people it wasn't cheap (we had a 2 for 1 deal though), so I'd probably go for car service (unless you are staying directly in the Paddington Hilton, as we did one time).
Also, it sounds like your other passengers may not be able to handle their own luggage too easily over a distance, so a door-to-door car service would let everyone arrive refreshed and ready to go.
