Just trying to figure out how I'll get us to the airport on our departure day (Thursday 9:30 am flight back to US) and could use some advice. I can still book Heathrow Express at 14 day saver fare (but not for long) which is 33 GBP for 4 of us. But it looks like it takes at least 20 minutes to get to Paddington station, and then 15 min on Heathrow express, so am I better off just taking Picadilly Line all the way from Covent Garden (53 minutes)? It looks like it won't save us that much time to do Heathrow Express and I assume the tube is cheaper, though I don't know how much. We will have Oyster cards...also, is 2 hours enough time before our flight? Or should we try for even earlier? Thanks!
Posted by
Chicago
7834 posts
Take the Tube at 5:45; that is the first one; one way is £6.00 for adults; get there 3 hours before the flight
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
The above is the cash fare. The Oyster fare is slightly cheaper at £5.10 each.
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN, USA
444 posts
Wow, thank you both for the fast reply! I knew we'd have to be up early but I was not planning on quite that early. Good to know!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32740 posts
05:44 is the first train from Covent Garden to Heathrow.
Unfortunately if you get to the platform at 5:45 you will have to wait 10 minutes for the next one.
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN, USA
444 posts
Thank you Nigel-good to know. We will be there at 5:43! Who needs sleep? :)
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32740 posts
I knew we'd have to be up early but I was not planning on quite that early
For a flight to the USA you need to be there 3 hours ahead. Tube is an hour, plus or minus. You need to be on the Tube at 5:30, but the first one isn't until 5.44. It is a bit quicker that early in the morning so it is scheduled to arrive at 6:32 at Terminals 2 and 3, and at 6:39 for Terminal 5.
That should be OK. But not by much.
Do you know which terminal you need to get to?
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN, USA
444 posts
Thanks!
Terminal 3, and the actual departure time is 9:40, so it looks like we should be ok.
Posted by
Freedonia
14980 posts
I fly between the U.S. and London a few times a year.
1) The tube fare with an Oyster card is 3.10 GBP before 6:30 AM.
2) I have never arrived three hours before a flight. I usually get there two hours ahead and still have quite a bit of time to spare.
If you have no bags to check, check in the day before online and either print your boarding pass or download it to your phone. When you get to the airport, just go straight to security.
If you have a bag to check, still check in online and use the bag drop machines.
Posted by
New York, NY
3996 posts
Terminal 3, and the actual departure time is 9:40, so it looks like we
should be ok.
DL to Boston? Taking the 1st Piccadilly train to Heathrow should be fine. The Tube stop is between Terminals 2 and 3; it's about a 5-10 minute walk to T3 depending upon your pace.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
The tube fare with an Oyster card is 3.10 GBP.
This is actually where the early start is favourable as the peak fare of £5.10 kicks in at 06:30 (I had read the message first as meaning leaving for Heathrow at 9:30 which would be the unlucky end just before peak fares finish).
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN, USA
444 posts
Thanks Frank and continental and Marco, I think we’ll aim for an early ride and if we miss the first one, it’ll probably be ok too. Nice to know we’ll get cheaper fares!
Posted by
Freedonia
14980 posts
Heathrow Fares from Zone 1
Oyster/Contactless:
--Peak (6:30-9:30 and 1600 to 1900) £5.10
--Off Peak (all other times and holidays/weekends) £3.10
Cash
All times: £6.00
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN, USA
444 posts
Heathrow Fares from Zone 1
Oyster/Contactless:
--Off Peak (all other times and holidays/weekends) £3.10
A bargain! Thanks!