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Arriving Heathrow, to Bayswater

Just saw another post that basically answers this. Pre-coffee, didn’t search! It sounds like I have the right plan. Just didn’t want to delete.

It’s been a good 15 years since I’ve been to London. I need to get from LHR to Bayswater and I’ll be there for about 6 days. I’m meeting a friend later, but for the airport to Bayswater journey, I’ll be on my own, with luggage I can reasonably manage myself, probably a roller bag and a tote, but obviously don’t want to be traipsing about. What is the most reasonable plan? I want to be sure that I’ve concluded the correct plan via RS books and transport websites! I welcome and appreciate input. I’m from the US.

Arrive LHR Terminal 2, 08:30am on Thursday 10 November on United from Newark
Misc airport immigration and logistics that will like take maybe an hour or so?
I go to the Underground entrance
Tap in with my phone / contactless card at a yellow machine (Google Pay)

Question — I don’t need to have a specific Oyster or Transit card or anything, just pay and go and I get the applicable good rates?

Get either the Elizabeth line to Paddington or the Underground to Earl’s Court, then switch to Bayswater
Tap out with same phone / contactless card on a yellow machine
Go about the day.

Is this the way? I couldn’t see a reason to use the Heathrow Express but I’m open to it.

What apps should I consider overall for the trip? I downloaded the TFLgo app.

Posted by
267 posts

The Victoria line is a tube line, and it doesn't run from Heathrow or to Paddington, so I think you mean the Elizabeth line train from Heathrow. In my opinion that's be best compromise on speed v price. You're correct about the tube (Piccadilly line from Heathrow, change at Earl's Court for District line to Bayswater). And also correct that using a contactless card is the easiest way to pay.

Immigration should be quick assuming the egates are working, but once you take into account waiting for luggage I think your estimate is correct.

Posted by
117 posts

Thank you, Simon! I shouldn’t internet before coffee, you’ve deduced what I was trying to ask! Thank you much!

Posted by
14812 posts

The Elizabeth line is direct from Heathrow to Paddington. From there take the District line to Bayswater.

If you want to take the Piccadilly line to Earls Court and then switch to the District line, you have to make sure you take the correct District line train. It should be one to "Edgware Road." All others don't go near Bayswater. To transfer from Piccadilly line to District Line, take the elevator up to the ticketing hall. Don't exit through the gates but turn right and turn right again. Then walk straight and you'll see a set of stairs. Go down to the District line platform. The one you want will be on
the right.

Assuming your accommodations are near the Bayswater station, get off at Bayswater. But don't assume that is the closest station to your lodging. Look on a map.

Remember, you must use the same contactless card/device to tap in and out.

Posted by
16028 posts

Just a caution on contactless payment—not all American Visa and Mastercards will work.

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/how-to-pay-and-where-to-buy-tickets-and-oyster/pay-as-you-go/contactless-and-mobile-pay-as-you-go#on-this-page-0

My husband’s Bank of America Visa card did not work for transport in London (bus, boat, or tube), although it had worked just fine for “tapping” payment everywhere we went in Italy and also in London grocery stores and restaurants. Fortunately we also had Oyster cards from a previous visit, so we just topped one up for him to use while we were in London.

My AmEx card worked just fine—-as the TFL website says it would.

Posted by
39 posts

Just did the same thing 2 weeks ago and either of the Tube options outlined above will work and your time estimate is about right also. Definitely SKIP the Heathrow Express and its cost.

Posted by
13809 posts

Lola, thanks for that head's up on some VISA's not working for contactless. Good link, saved it for travel next spring!

Posted by
16028 posts

What Frank II said. Locate your accommodations on a map. Depending on where in Bayswater it is, it may be that another tube station—-Queensway or Notting Hill Gate—- would be closer than the Bayswater stop.

And just a note for others reading here for their own planning purposes. The above comment about skipping the Heathrow Express is not always good advice. If your destination is Paddington, and you plan well ahead (90+ days in advance), you can get Heathrow Express tickets for £5.50, the same cost as the Tube fare with Oyster or contactless payment. It is a whole lot more comfortable than taking the Tube, and faster as well.

But maybe the Elizabeth Line is a good alternative. We just had a miserable experience using the Piccadilly tube line after arrival at Heathrow on a day neither the Heathrow Express not the Elizabeth line was running (due to a fire in the overhead lines somewhere).

Posted by
5311 posts

The connection between the Elizabeth line and the District/Circle line at Paddington is not great now when the Heathrow train runs into the mainline station and arguably will be worse when it goes into its own low level platforms as a direct connection route was value engineered out.

If sticking to the Underground, eliminate the need for a level change at Earls Court by doing a cross platform change at Hammersmith from the Piccadilly to the District.

Posted by
36 posts

Lola's point about advance purchase for the Heathrow Express is excellent! (Of course, 90+ days ahead won't help OP, but hopefully others.) We find a taxi from Paddington is the most efficient way to transport us and our luggage the rest of the way to the hotel.

Posted by
14812 posts

The district line that stops at Hammersmith does not go to Edgware Road. The change has to be at Earls Court.

Posted by
117 posts

Thanks everyone. Staying at Vancouver Studios, which we stayed at a million years ago. We used Bayswater underground stop on previous trip but open to other stops if more convenient.

Posted by
5311 posts

The district line that stops at Hammersmith does not go to Edgware Road. The change has to be at Earls Court.

Indeed. But changing to the District there on a cross platform change means you have a cross platform change at Earls Court to the Edgware Road branch rather than needing to go up a level.

Posted by
14812 posts

Indeed. But changing to the District there on a cross platform change means you have a cross platform change at Earls Court to the Edgware Road branch rather than needing to go up a level.

True, but it's an additional train and wait. I've been in and out of Earls Court dozens of times and it's really no big deal to transfer between lines. Much quicker than adding an extra delay.

Posted by
5311 posts

I know which I prefer overall after doing this for more years than I want to remember, but YMMV. The only time the one change route gets close for me is in the morning rush or if the District is disrupted which is easy to find out these days.

Posted by
8572 posts

Bayswater is the most convenient.

Queensway would be Plan B.

Posted by
14812 posts

Download the Citymapper app. Excellent for getting from A to B in numerous cities.