Heathrow hotel necessary for early departure?
 

I'm looking for advice on airport transportation and staying at the airport vs. city. We're arriving Heathrow Aug. 3 at 3:50PM (from Dublin) and departing Aug. 5 at 7:55AM on United (Terminal 1, I think). I don't really want to stay at the airport, but I have booked the Jury's Inn for those two nights so we can take the tube from Hatton Cross into London on both days. I'd rather stay in London, maybe at the Hilton Metropole (traveling with 2 kids, so we need a quad room), or perhaps another hotel near Paddington. I'm trying to figure out how long it will actually take us to get to the airport by 5:30-5:45 using Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect or taking a taxi/car service early on a Friday morning. Thanks!

The first HEX is 0510 and arrives ar the T1-3 station at 0525. To the T1 baggage dropoff: to be on the safe side, allow 10 mins.

Leaving before 0530, a car will take you about 30 mins, or possibly less, to the airport. I've done it on an ordinary weekday from a lot further east in half an hour. But by 0500, you need to allow up to 15 mins for your car to get from the entrance to the airport tunnel, to the T1 dropoff, to the bag place.

Thanks for the info. May go for the taxi as it sounds like the time will be similar to HEX if I factor in the walk to Paddington and the terminal. I don't think my children will be able for too much activity at that hour of the morning.

Dont take a taxi - book a car service - a taxi will be hugely expensive. I always use www.justairports.com

"<i>May go for the taxi as it sounds like the time will be similar to HEX </i>"

flanner didn't mention a taxi. He said a 'car', as in car service, as in justairports that jamikins linked. Don't take a taxi.

Thanks! I didn't realize there was a big price difference.

From the Paddington area --likely £25 more for a cab.

Wow! I can't believe how reasonable the prices are. We usually take the tube if we're using Heathrow, but maybe not anymore!

You could also consider staying at a hotel in London but in Kensington or Earls Court areas which are on the West side of the city and closer to Heathrow. There are quite a few hotels near the V&A or Natural History museums which are both good sights for a family. A car service for family size car should be only 30 pounds or less. And should take only about 30 minutes. (I also highly recommend justaiports.com.)

You could also consider staying at a hotel in London but in Kensington or Earls Court areas which are on the West side of the city and closer to Heathrow. There are quite a few hotels near the V&A or Natural History museums which are both good sights for a family. A car service for family size car should be only 30 pounds or less. And should take only about 30 minutes. (I also highly recommend justaiports.com.)

Another voice chiming in to agree you should also stay in London and take a car service to the airport in the morning.

Thanks for the info everyone. I am also looking at the South Kensington/Earl's Court area. Maybe the Radisson Vanderbilt or one of the Premier Inns (where at least you know what you're getting). As usual, the prices are all over the place for a family room. I'll never come to terms with the price/quality of hotels in London, but I love the place and I'll keep going back!