Best way to get from Ashford International to Heathrow

Where are you coming from before?

Small village 13 miles from Ashford

It depends on the time of day you are travelling and the day of the week.

By train, it’s the fast HS1 service to St Pancras then the Piccadilly tube line from the adjacent Kings Cross station straight to Heathrow, which is just over 2 hours. Driving round the M25 can be a nightmare and this southern section is prone to delays. I wouldn’t drive this section weekdays between 7 and 9.30 am or between 4.30 and 7pm. In theory, it also takes about 2 hours, but this could easily be 3 + hours. Trains and tubes may also be delayed so if you are attempting this journey just before a flight, I would leave some margin of error in addition to your 3 hour check in time.

Driving should be easier at weekends in theory.

Thank you for that excellent information! Sounds like an overnight at the airport might be a good idea.

At the airport I can recommend the amazingly well-priced (and relatively new) Premier Inn near T4. It's just less than a 15-minute walk from the terminal, through an enclosed walkway. If you have wheeled luggage and no mobility issues you won't need to pay for transportation back to the airport. I had an Oyster Card, so I took the tube from T4 to T2. I'm not sure what is recommended if you don't have an Oyster Card. I assume there's also a bus that makes an airport loop.

The other main way from T4-T2 is the Heathrow Express, for which you can get a free card for. Or use a contactless payment method to enter and exit, which won't be charged. Personally though for T2 I'd stay on the Bath Road and take the free buses.

A big thanks to all of you for your help.