My husband and I are planning our first trip to England in late September and had some questions regarding public transportation. We will be arriving around 10:40 a.m. into T-2 (on United), and have decided to take the National Express Coach to Victoria Station, as our hotel is nearby in the Pimlico area. Is it required to purchase a ticket in advance? If so, what is a reasonable estimate of how long it will take us to clear immigration, use the restrooms, and walk to the bus station? We will have carry-on luggage only. If we miss our scheduled time, will it be easy to get another seat on later bus? Also, as I was looking at the national rail website, is it correct that you cannot book advance tickets more than three months out from travel? Thanks for any help.
Posted by
Bend, OR
1350 posts
A couple of years ago we bought our tickets for the National Express Bus to Salisbury when we got to Heathrow. We were advised to do this because if we missed our booked time we would have to buy another and no one can really predict how long it will take to get thru immigration. Maybe someone on here has more insight. I still wish we had connected to the train because it felt like it took forever to get to Salisbury.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9259 posts
As you are going from Heathrow to London just buy the coach ticket on arrival at the machines at the Central Bus Station at Heathrow. There are at least 4 buses an hour, sometimes as many as 8.
You can't officially buy on the bus from Heathrow or any Coach Station. Whether any driver would bend the rules is up to them.
The buses have arrived from all points of the UK and empty out on arrival at Heathrow. It would be very unusual for you not to be able to board a departure for lack of room.
There are restrooms just outside the back door of the Central Bus Station, and on the bus, and at Victoria Coach Station.
One caveat to the above- the machines charge you a £2 booking fee. On line is a £1.50 booking fee. If you create a free account with Nat Ex the on line fee is waived. Then log on to your device when clear of immigration at Heathrow (with data or airport free wifi) and buy on the next service on line. If a service is full it won't be open for booking.
Yes the fees are neither here or there in the overall cost of the trip, but if you can avoid them you might as well.
As a general rule (LNER being the main exception, as being a longer deadline) yes 3 months is the general rail booking deadline. For some- like Northern or Transport for Wales it is 8 weeks.
Posted by
8804 posts
What is the approximate cost for a taxi from Heathrow to hotel near Victoria Station?