Is 2 1/2 hours enough time to get from LHR to Waterloo?
 

My sister and I are arriving into Heathrow on Air New Zealand. Our scheduled landing is 10:10 am. I booked the Eurostar from Waterloo at 12:48pm and thought it was plenty of time. Now, looking over some past posts on connection times, etc. I'm a bit nervous that perhaps we are cutting it close. We had planned to take the Tube from the Airport to Waterloo, but I know that can take about an hour in itself. Should we hire a car to pick us up? I've noticed that Ray Skinner and Swiss Cottage Cars get rave reviews. I know the price is a lot higher, but if it's the difference between making the train and missing it, the higher price is obviously worth it.

I'd love some other opinions on the matter. We are flying business class with United miles. United claims to have expedited customs for their business class flyers, but since we are on an Air New Zealand flight, I'm not sure if they offer it as well.

Thanks again for the help.

Hi Sandy. Yesterday was tube hell on the Central line. It took me 35 minutes to go 7 stops when it should have only taken 15. I gave myself 1.5 hours to ultimately get to my destination and thank god I did. I only just made it on time. The platforms were crowded, the trains were crowded and the tourists were wandering around, consulting maps. This was Saturday afternoon - prime tourist and shopping time.

I don't want to scare you and you would probably be ok. But you do need to allow yourself plenty of time to check in for the Eurostar. I don't know if you've been on it before. It is self check-in (you put your ticket through the turnstile) but then there is a security check and the train is long so you may find you have a bit of walk to get to your carriage.

I would definitely do one of the following: Ray Skinner or Heathrow Express to Paddington (15 mins) then Bakerloo line from Paddington to Waterloo (about 20 mins).

How much is Ray? A black cab might be cheaper? Realistically, you need to be at Waterloo for 12.08 and once you factor in luggage collection at the airport, clearing customs, finding
the tube, getting a ticket, waiting for tube to depart (they don't always leave straight away), it may be closer to 11.00 am before you even leave Heathrow.

You could probably make it on the tube. But my instincts tell me that you will be looking at your watch the entire time.

Hope that helps! Good luck!!

I think you are cutting it too close for comfort. You could make it if all conditions were ideal, but you have not built in much of a "fudge factor." For example, what if your plane does not land on time? Or you are searched at customs? An accident on the motorway which backs up traffic? There are numerous things which could delay you. Factor in jet lag, unfamiliarity with your surroundings, the requirement to check in for the Eurostar at least 30 minutes prior to departure (20 mins for Premium First Class and Full Fare), Murphy's Law---2-1/2 hours just isn't very much time.

Is rebooking for a later time an option? If so, I would rebook. If this is not feasible, then you'll have to chance it. Good luck!

Remember that the car services travel through London traffic - that could easily take longer than the tube. I've been to London 3 times in the last few years and taken a car service once, the bus once, and the tube once (all round trips) and the tube was by far the fastest. Paddington Express is suppossed to take only 15 minutes but then you'd have to get to the tube or taxi for the rest of the trip to Waterloo. Why don't you wait till you get to the airport to decide on tube or Paddington Express. If you land on time, and clear customs quickly then you should have plenty of time for the tube. If not, pay the extra and take the Paddington Express. Signs in each terminal direct you to both of them.

You've a real risk of not making it. BUT:

Assuming you have either a non-EU passport or checked luggage, you should assume at least an hour from the plane. You should check with Air NZ whether they offer Fast Track passes, and with BAA (the airport owners) as to whether Fast Track still works that late in the morning (I can't remember their being offered last time I used them, but then I wasn't listening, and I know Fast Track arrivals stop halway throuigh the day).
Incidentally if you have Irish, Spanish or Italian grandparents, this might be a good time to acquire the second citizenship you've often thought about.

The only options then are either:
- Heathrow Express to Paddington and tube (Bakerloo line) to Waterloo. Total journey: 35 mins, excluding waiting time and buying tix (allow an extra half hour for all this: assume 1 hr 10 mins from Customs clearance to the Eurostar check-in if nothing goes wrong,. The Bakerloo is about the most reliable tube line. Do NOT take a taxi across London: queues at Paddington can take up to 45 mins. , or
- get a car to meet you at T3 and drive you to Ashford, Kent, where most Eurostars stop approx 40 mins after leaving Waterloo. Normally takes us 1hr 30 mins. But hiring a cab for that distance will probably cost you a fortune

Getting a car to Waterloo, I'd suggest, is preposterously dangerous. Traffic into London any morning except Saturday can take forever. Or not, if you're lucky.

Hi,

I agree with flanneruk: Heathrow Express toPaddington and tube to Waterloo. 2 1/2 hr is usually sufficient.

Irrespective of whether 2h 30m is enough time (and it would be too close for comfort for me), the best and probably quickest way from Heathrow to Waterloo is Feltham air rail link; bus to Feltham train station and train form there direct into Waterloo station, after which you have a 2 minute walk down to Waterloo International. I have only taken it in the other direction and it has taken 45 minutes from train departure to standing in the Air Canada queue at T3. An hour may be more typical.

I agree w/ ron that the Feltham train is the fastest way. The other posters have all pretty much said it though. You are probably cutting it too close. Heathrow is a real ZOO - and airplane taxi time, the time it takes to deplane a jumbo jet, the looooong walk to arrivals, waiting for your luggage and clearing immigration can easily mean you will not be "land side" until 11:15 - 11:30. And that is only IF your flight lands early or on time.

If it were me I would take a Eurostar at least 60 minutes later. If you can change your Eurostar booking you will have a MUCH easier transfer.

Sandy,
Call Eurostar directly and plead with them. Plead dumb if necessary. Seriously. You need to change your Eurostar booking to a later time. You stand a very good chance of missing the train no matter how you get into Waterloo Station. I would be a nervous wreck about cutting it so close. Planes are delayed in landing all the time and customs can be a breeze or hell - we've had it both ways.

After a long flight like yours I would NOT mess around with tubes or trains into Waterloo . I'd book a car service. You are not exactly going to be sharp after that flight and dealing with tubes, trains and taxi's may be a bit much plus you are dragging luggage around too. The jetlag feature is very real.

Ray Skinner (who I recommend a lot and who we use every trip to London) knows lots of back streets, he will get you there, trust me on that .. but he is not a miracle man either and cannot ride on top of other cars :-) so I'd allow at least one hour to get from LHR to Waterloo no matter how the traffic is. Obviously you want to get to Paris, but after a long flight (and I know long flights, we fly to Europe from the west coast) you might have thought about booking a night in a hotel either at the airport or down by Waterloo (Travel Inn is practically next door) and going on Eurostar the next morning, just for peace of mind.

Best of luck with the connections.

I start to feel a little pained when people post about whether tight connections are possible. Maybe you can get away with it, but I'd hate for every single delay you will encounter on the way (and there will likely be a bunch, given Murphy's Law) to be a source of stress.

In London, I estimate by doubling whatever seems like a reasonable transport time. Sure this will often get you there early, but you can't count on being on time even with this formula.