Luggage on the Tube and walking a few blocks?
 

Shouldn't be a problem. I arrived at Heathrow during morning rush hour, and took luggage (one large wheeled duffel and a carry on) into the city via the tube with no problem (though it is crowded). The tube is busy (as any rush hour would be) and there are LOTS of stairs and walkways to maneuver. If you can handle it strength-wise, you can do it. I saw lots of people with luggage almost every time I rode the tube.

We have arrived twice into London with significant amounts of luggage and taken the tube - it is doable, but I agree with the earlier post in that you must be able to carry whatever you have with you up stairs, etc. We are cheap and very self sufficient so taking the tube and hauling our own luggage was not a big deal. Our hotels both times were in fairly residential areas so we had no problem toting our bags a few blocks - don't know how that would be in a busy commercial district.

On our one journey by tube from Heathrow to Leicester Square tube station, we were subjected to the worst stares of our life. As with most flights, we arrived in the morning, it was raining, and the tube became jammed with commuters who all resented our two big rolling duffles taking up space and our backpacks still on us taking up even more space --we had to stand the whole way as there was no space, and everybody kept kicking our bags and scorning us. Never again -- but if you have really thick skin, then go for it.

Fodors <BR> <BR>I hsven't seen the original enquiry, but agree with JK. The effort can be lessened by crossing the platform at Hammersmith to a District Line train <BR>and then crossingn the platform at Earls Court for Kensington Olympia (a station without any staires), at South Kensington for Bayswater, Paddington, or Bloomsbury (leave at Kings Cross St Pancras), or Waterloo and the Strand (leave at Westminster or Embankment). The District and Circle lines are not very deep, and you do not get caught up on long trips on the moving stairs. <BR> <BR>I would pick up at the Heathrow tube station the free map of London busses, and would avoid walking a few blocks by take a bus for a stop or two. Busses are included on the two-zone, one day, London travel cards. <BR> <BR>Please do not stand with a backpack in a tube train nor anywhere. Please take it off. You cannot avoid turning, so everybody near you has to watch out lest you biff them in the face or chest. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to London. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR>

I agree re some stairs at stations being a problem and also about the stares (!) of commuters. I was also made to feel uncomfortable with my bags "being in peoples' way". A service to an airport should be expected to have people with luggage travelling on it. I had a similar experience on the Roissy bus at Paris CDG - dirty stares from airline staff because I had luggage on an airport bus. The main problem is not the tourist - trains/buses on airport runs should cater for luggage. Otherwise why advertise yourself as an airport service?

Ben, <BR> <BR>I agree re backpacks - schoolkids here are always biffing people on the heads here with theirs. Personally I couldn't stand to stand up with one on, I'd have to leave it on the floor. <BR> <BR>The point about crossover platforms is good and my sister (who lives in London) told me about it. Unfortunately most tourists will not know someone who can give them that sort of information.

I've never had a problem on the tube with my luggage, although getting it up and down the stairs can be! I've always had friendly people offer to help me though. The underground from Heathrow is full of people with luggage, so I never felt uncomfortable and you see lot's of people on the streets with luggage. Most Britains are used to luggage on the tube, so don't fret it! <BR> <BR> <BR>

I'd be sure to give you plenty of nasty stares and wish you were someplace else too if you got in my way with your tons of luggage while I'm trying to get to work. Being that cheap and not springing for the airport bus or express link is a really miserable way to begin your holiday. You may save a few pounds but unless you enjoy being a pack mule with luggage getting in everyone's way why do it? You spend thousands of dollars/pounds on your trip but you try and save a couple of pounds on the trip into the city - I don't get it.

What we did in the same situation was to take the train into the Victoria Station, went to the back of the station and bought tickets on one of the sightseeing double-decker buses that passed within a block of our hotel. The pass is for 24-hours and you can get off and on (so we used the rest of it later to acquaint ourselves with the city). We had a leisurely fun ride without many people. It worked well. Look on the net for the bus tours and see if they come within the area of your hotel. Marilyn

There is absolutely no reason not to use the Tube when you are carrying luggae, though I have nearly killed myself everytime I do it!!!! <BR> <BR>I have to admit though that it is very difficult for those of us who rely on the Tube to get to work, when we can't get on the train because someone is standing there with 50 bags!!! <BR> <BR>However it is a PUBLIC transport system, that is it's beauty, so don't feel bullied into avoiding it. Whilst we occasionally aren't all smiles when we are late for work, it does not belong to those of us who live in London, it is there for all who need to travel within London, including tourists. <BR> <BR>One statement I must take issue with: <BR>Joanna has said that on a service to the airport people should expect luggage. Don't forget that the Tube was never designed to be a transport service to the airport, but a local public transport within London, just like the bus. The fact that it now serves the aiport means only that is has been extended. The Tube itself is not an airport transport service. Unfortunately most of the network has not been adapted to take the airport links into account and there are a lot of long corridors and stairways. I try and avoid peak times myself but sometimes you cant choose the time your flights are. <BR> <BR>At the end of the day though, those extra few pounds you have saved will buy a lovely refreshing drink, or a nice souvenir. Ignore the moody pants and lug the bags!!! <BR> <BR>Kavey <BR>

<BR>For the love of God take a cab. If something terriable happened to you on your trip, the people that inherited would spend that money so fast it would make your head spin.

If travellers with luggage shouldn't be using the tube from the airport then all the guide books should point this out, surely. <BR> <BR>Also please note I was NOT travelling into central London to a hotel, but travelling across London to stay at my sister's house in Essex. There's no way I could have afforded a cab all that way, esp. with the AU$ so low these last few years.

I should also have added that my sister, who has been living in London for many years, was the one that advised me the tube from the airport was the best route to her place in Essex (changing once, I think at Hammersmith? with no stairs). Commuter, you should consider individuals' circumstances before flying off the handle! By the way, I don't have tonnes of luggage, just one small daypack and a bag on wheels.

<BR>If you had the answer why did you ask the question. Don't get yourself so worked up it was only a suggestion. When I get in to London we are usually so tired we take a cab. Pax

What question? If you go to the top, you'll see it was a "JK" who asked the question, not me.

Yes, it's doable. But let's remind ourselves of several critical factors: <BR>No. 1 - YOU'RE ON VACATION! <BR> <BR>NO. 2 - Penny-wise, pound foolish? <BR> <BR>No. 3 - Life is short <BR> <BR>No. 4 - Again, you're on vacation <BR> <BR>The cost of a taxi is what? $30 US dollars? Or depending on distance, maybe slightly more or less - live large, take a cab.

We've done the tube to/from Heathrow many times, but we each have a small pilot's case and small tote (not much bigger than a purse). On the from end, we sit across from each other, suitcases on the floor between us and totes in our laps (I've commuted in the past on city subways and buses, and know how valuable space can be). This year, my sister and niece took the Heathrow Express and said it was worth every darn pence it cost (fast, designed for folks with luggage, no squished commuters). They did have to take the tube from Paddington, but with little suitcases, had no problems. <BR>If there are more than two of you, I'd strongly suggest the taxi - there are even van type thingies for a larger group. Or arrange for a car and driver to pick you up (again, practical for a group of 3 or 4 or more, and definitely a plus if you've got luggage - he helps you take it to the car)

$30US is a lot more in Aussie dollars - the exchange rate is .61 in your favour at the moment and our dollar is worth just over a third of the UK pound - so we HAVE to be pennywise. It's not like the halcyon days of the 70s and 80s when our dollar was worth 2 UK pounds! <BR>Plus - a cab all the way to Essex would be about three times that!!!!!!!!!!

As a Londoner who takes the tube to work every day - there is nothing more annoying than passengers with lugguage during rush hour. The tube is already crowded and unpleasant at this time. We don't need any more congestion than there already is. Be kind and wait until after rush hour if you insist on cluttering up the tube with your lugguage. Thank you.

Take Heathrow Express into Paddington Station from the airport. Then you can take a cab. All will be on one level. On our return back to Heathrow, we took a cab to Paddington, checked our bags in at American Airlines check in there, (also has Brit Air), then we took the tube to the airport (we already had Zone 1,2 passes). Almost every tube station we were in had many stairs and with transfers more stairs, up and down to contend with. <BR>

Out of curiosity, do London natives take the tube to Heathrow with luggage? I live in Boston, and since I took the subway here to the airport from my home (as do many, many others), it wouldn't dawn on me that it would be a problem anywhere else. I've taken the tube from Heathrow twice with no problem at all.

Cheryl/Peter, <BR> <BR>My sister lives at Dagenham, Essex. She always takes the tube if she is flying out of Heathrow. On the other hand, if she's flying out of Stansted or Gatwick she drives - unless she's going away for more than a few days as parking fees would be too expensive. <BR> <BR>While tube commuters are bothered by travellers with bags, by the same token car commuters will be bothered by the extra taxi traffic going into the city carrying all the people who didn't travel by train or bus. <BR> <BR>The airport bus is definitely the best, as I've found when staying in CENTRAL London. <BR> <BR>If there's a good, reasonably priced alternative for getting to Dagenham or Barking I would be pleased to hear of it. My sister who is resident there can't tell me a better way - so I'm open to your suggestions, Peter.

I used to commute every Monday from Heathrow to the continent (and then back on friday). I always took the tube from Hammersmith to Paddington and then the Express to Heathrow.

Just be extra careful about your documents and wallet. A friend was relieved of her wallet in the tube in a similar situation--with the luggage, jet lag, etc., and during rush hour, she was an easy mark. <BR> <BR>If you *do* have a lot of luggage (I did this with a friend at the beginning of a 2 month trip), suck it up and take a cab. You'll be so much more comfortable.