Suggestion for getting to Heathrow (especially on Mon. mornings)
 

Learn from my experience (and stupidity).

We had an early Mon. am flight out of Heathrow, and debated how to get there from our hotel (the Intercontintental in the West End).

The Tube was an option, but we worried about schlepping bags and gifts, and we figured a cab would be the better (though more expensive) option. Dumb idea.

Starting at 6 am, it took the taxi about 20 mins. to get withing a mile of the aiport. Then it took about another 45 mins. to travel that last mile. Traffic was horrible, and the driver told us it was typical for a Monday am. As he put it: "Heathrow on a Monday morning is the worst airport in the world."

Options: We of course could have taken the Tube from Hyde Park Corner. Or we could have taken a taxi to the Action station (the last stop before Heathrow) and picked up the Tube there. Live and learn.

Second thing on a Monday morning (which is what 0600 is), it's probably fastest and least hassle from Hyde Park Corner with bags to cab to Paddington, then get the HEX.

The tube, though handy, will take longer, hotel door to checkin desk, than the 65 min cab journey j999 disliked

I'll defer to flanner on this one. Anything has to be better than taking the taxi.

>>Second thing on a Monday morning (which is what 0600 is),<<
Huh?

<<< Or we could have taken a taxi to the Action station (the last stop before Heathrow)>>>

Acton Town is about 8 stops from Heathrow

Another alternative is Heathrow Connect (£6.90 each) from Paddington

"...Heathrow on a Monday morning is the worst airport in the world..."

Based on my own long-suffering experience of that hell-hole I wouldn't limit this assessment exclusively to Monday mornings.

Our last trip to London involved a Monday AM departure, too. Our apartment was on St Stephens Green and we opted for a taxi to Paddington and a quick trip on HEX to LHR. The only hitch, though minor, was the long wait for our pre arranged taxi which finally arrived 30 minutes late. But all went well. Definitely the best choice for us.

St Stephens Green ??

"Second thing on a Monday morning" as opposed to first thing on a Monday morning - 6am is not first thing.

65 mins to Heathrow sounds not bad to me.

Early monday morning is a very busy time for business travellers catching the first 7am flights to Frankfurt/Zurich/Amsterdam/Madrid etc. etc.

I wouldn't take any chance with the car service--the worst part is the service road leading up to T1/2/3. My preferred mode of transportation is Heathrow Express.