Heathrow to Leamington Spa
Jun 5th, 2007, 11:37 AM
#1
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Heathrow to Leamington Spa
I need to get from Heathrow to Leamington Spa (this will be a Friday morning in July).
My options seem to be (a) HEX or tube into central London, then a direct train from Marylebone; or (b) bus to Reading, then train to L/Spa.
Any thoughts on which one might be best? Are buses from LHR generally reliable and on time? Thanks!
My options seem to be (a) HEX or tube into central London, then a direct train from Marylebone; or (b) bus to Reading, then train to L/Spa.
Any thoughts on which one might be best? Are buses from LHR generally reliable and on time? Thanks!
Jun 5th, 2007, 11:49 AM
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Don't take the train from Marylebone but from one from Paddington the mainline which goes via Reading for fastest link - because the Heathrow Express goes to Paddington in about 20 mins then you have hourly trains (or more) from there to Leamington Spa - to get to Marylebone would require much longer from Heathrow.
Actually i think the HEX to Paddington and then to Leamington Spa would be quicker than the Heathrow bus to Reading and thence train to Leamington because Paddington to Reading is about 35 minutes and i can't see the bus doing it that quick.
But as HEX is pricey the bus to Reading would be cheaper i think by a lot.
www.nationalrail.co.uk for rail schedules and fares
yes the Reading airbuses are reliable and frequent and this would probably be both your fastest and cheapest route - Reading to Leamington Spa is just 75 mins - Marylebone to Leamington Spa is 82 mins avg
Actually i think the HEX to Paddington and then to Leamington Spa would be quicker than the Heathrow bus to Reading and thence train to Leamington because Paddington to Reading is about 35 minutes and i can't see the bus doing it that quick.
But as HEX is pricey the bus to Reading would be cheaper i think by a lot.
www.nationalrail.co.uk for rail schedules and fares
yes the Reading airbuses are reliable and frequent and this would probably be both your fastest and cheapest route - Reading to Leamington Spa is just 75 mins - Marylebone to Leamington Spa is 82 mins avg
Jun 5th, 2007, 09:51 PM
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There's no direct train from Paddington to Leamington. It's six and two threes for convenience really, and you might find there's a real price difference, depending what time you're arriving: cheap tickets kick in at slightly different times on the two railway journeys, and you need to research that. It's cheaper to get the Heathrow Connect to Paddington than the HEX, but it's a staggering £4 for the tube journey from Paddington to Marylebone, which is only a couple of yards longer than the tube train itself. The taxi'd be more though.
The bus from Heathrow isn't 100% punctual: that depends on congestion within the central airport area and on the road to the M4. Allow 20 mins or so over the schedule for possible delays and for the surprisingly poor signage at Reading station.
More importantly, Virgin Cross Country, the shower who've got the franchise for the Reading-Leamington train, have a moral objection to running trains on time. Heading towards Leamington, this might merely give you a chance to take in the aesthetic joys of Reading station (well, it's only a few yards from the jail Oscar Wilde wrote from). Heading back, you need to allow time both for Virgin's uncertainties and for the fact that the return bus goes round all the terminals.
The bus from Heathrow isn't 100% punctual: that depends on congestion within the central airport area and on the road to the M4. Allow 20 mins or so over the schedule for possible delays and for the surprisingly poor signage at Reading station.
More importantly, Virgin Cross Country, the shower who've got the franchise for the Reading-Leamington train, have a moral objection to running trains on time. Heading towards Leamington, this might merely give you a chance to take in the aesthetic joys of Reading station (well, it's only a few yards from the jail Oscar Wilde wrote from). Heading back, you need to allow time both for Virgin's uncertainties and for the fact that the return bus goes round all the terminals.
Jun 6th, 2007, 12:09 AM
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Trains from Reading to Leamington Spa run every half hour so punctuality isn't too important: you shouldn't have to wait too long at Reading and the station has plenty to places to buy a coffee or snack.
Jun 6th, 2007, 03:30 AM
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Why not just take the airport bus (National Coach) Heathrow- Birmingham and get off at Warwick Parkway station. (1.5-2 hours max journey). There you can take a train (2 stops down the line) to Leamington Spa or take a taxi from right by the bus-stop. Saves all the hassle of changing trains and expense of taking the Heathrow Express.
Jun 6th, 2007, 08:09 AM
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See website for National Express coaches from Heathrow to Birmingham. Choose a coach time with no changes otherwise you'll have a tedious stop in central London.
You need you get off at Warwick Parkway but it's the same fare £27.50 one way.
see www.nationalexpress.com
Hope this helps!
You need you get off at Warwick Parkway but it's the same fare £27.50 one way.
see www.nationalexpress.com
Hope this helps!
