Which train?
 

Hi, folks. Looking for opinions on this: I will be flying into LHR on May Bank Holiday weekend, and staying in Lambeth North. I understand that the Bakerloo line is not running from Paddington to Lambeth North during that time due to improvements/construction.

On some other forums, I've been given several options for taking various trains. I bought an advance ticket at a very good price for HEX, and was planning to take it to Paddington and get on the Tube there. However, some people have told me that it's a waste of money, I should not use it, and should take the Tube from LHR all the way.

That said, I will have a spinner bag (small) and a tote bag. Can anyone tell me which route to take, that will entail the least amount of stairs? Escalators are fine. :)

For e.g., one way I know I could go is Piccadilly line to Hammersmith, change to District Line, go to Westminster and get a cab to my B&B.

Thank you!

I understand I can also catch a bus from Piccadilly to Lambeth North. Just to complicate things. ;)

Where did you have the information about closure on Bakerloo?

Calendar of planned tube closures are available at https://tfl.gov.uk/forms/12392.aspx

I didn't see any on Bakerloo for all of May.

You can also use Journey Planner to see various alternatives. It includes HEX. https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/ You can turn on the feature "Travel options and accessibility" if you want to choose "escalators and not stairs" for example.

Most folks here thing the HEX is a waste of money but I think it is the easiest way in besides a cab or private car service - and has no stairs I believe if I recall right. The Tube is fine unless you have to change tube lines - then you can have a series of stairs and crowded stations so take the way with the less Tube changes - many of London's tube stations have no lifts or escalators - only the ones marked with the picto of a wheelchair are so equipped.

Look into buying an Oyster Card if taking the Tube from Heathrow.

What did you pay on the HEX - it may be a great deal - especially if not much more than a tube ticket from Heathrow.

@laurie_ann, well, heck! I found out about it on another forum. They said from 2 April through August. Then I did a Google search and found this:
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/pr...-for-crossrail

Also my B&B emailed me to say so. Thank you for the link to the planned closures.

@PalenQ, I paid about $17. I figured it was a good deal in not having to deal with the crowded Tube trains, stairs, etc.

You need to re-read your alerts. You have turned the closure of the Bakerloo's portion of Paddington station into "I understand that the Bakerloo line is not running from Paddington to Lambeth North during that time due to improvements/construction."

Your interpretation is bollocks. The Bakerloo line is running between Paddington and Lambeth North, it's just not stopping at Paddington. This is also clear from the Tube map, which says for Paddington "Bakerloo line trains will not stop at this station
from Saturday 2 April until early August 2016." This means one station is closed, it does NOT mean the whole bloody line through central London is shut off.

If you're tied into the H'Ex, then you take it to Paddington and either walk to the Bakerloo Edgware Road station or take the Circle Line around to Embankment (which will kill ALL the time-savings of the H'Ex because the Circle Line is bloody slow) and a cab or the Bakerloo from there. If you're willing to drop the H'Ex money as an unfortuitous loss, then either (a) take the Piccadilly to its eponymous Circus and switch for the Bakerloo to Lambeth North or (b) take the Piccadilly to the cross-platform switch at Hammersmith to the District and then take that to Embankment and either hire a cab or switch for the Bakerloo to your lodging.

>> I paid about $17. I figured it was a good deal in not having to deal with the crowded Tube trains, stairs, etc.<<

Nope -- because it only gets you to Paddington which is not useful if you are staying elsewhere. Even on sale the HEX doesn't make sense for most visitors.

I would 'eat' the HEX ticket and just take the tube. Easier and faster in the long run.

Everyone, Thanks for explaining this. I probably will just not use the HEX ticket after all.

@BigRuss, thanks for the suggestions. Both look like good options.

Try to sell the HEX ticket to someone at the HEX ticket windows in each terminal - unless it has your name on it - and do you know it is not refundable?

There is another way - take the airbus from any terminal to the nearby Feltham train station with direct trains to Waterloo Station - near Lambeth I think - perhaps close enough to walk or do a short cab ride - probably can use Oyster Card on this suburban train part way and if returning from Heathrow home buy a return ticket - a paper ticket and use if for 2 for 1 entry at most paying sights (sounds however like you are traveling alone?)

Feltham station is nearly within eyeshot of Terminal 4 - just to the south of it. I've done it and it is nicer than the often crowded Tube and no changes until Waterloo.

Yeah, the biggest problem you had was not the station closure but pre-purchasing the H'ex ticket. See if you can salvage that and then use another path.

And if "I" is we, then the paper travelcard PalenQ is on about would make some sense; if there's only you, it won't.

Yes, this is a solo trip. I've never heard of the Feltham option and will definitely consider it!

I'm returning home via Gatwick. I plan to take a cab to Victoria and then the Southern rail to the airport.

Or you could get a bus (27, 205 or 332 from bus stop H on Praed St) to Edgware Road underground station:

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/paddington.pdf

@PatrickLondon, thank you! I have very little experience with the buses in London and look forward to learning more about them.

If you have a smart phone downloading city mapper will be a huge help! It's great for journey planning.