We are flying in to Heathrow and plan to take a train to York. We heard you can catch the Tube ({Picadilly Line) at the airport and take it to Kings Cross, where we can connect to the rail service to York. Is that possible? If so, would it be unwieldy for us to use the tube since we will have two large suitcases and we are not youngsters anymore. Figure we'd have to maneuver from the train, up the tall escalators and wind our way to the Kings Cross rail station. Concerned it might be a bit difficult for my wife. Might it be easier to take the Heathrow Express to London and then catch a taxi to Kings Cross. Any thoughts??
Posted by
Preston UK
1087 posts
You're right about the route. I can't see that it will be any easier or really quicker to use the HEX and a taxi. What it will be is a lot more expensive.
If it's just two of you with a suitcase each then the tube will be fine. You get on at Heathrow where the tube starts so plenty of room. At King's Cross there are lifts up to the station concourse.
Of course the best plan to get to York would have been to fly to Manchester, from where you can take a train direct from the airport to York in not much more time than it will take you to get to King's Cross. If by chance you haven't yet booked your flights you could look at that.
Posted by
OP
Hanover, NJ, USA
74 posts
Thanks for the advice. As for Manchester, that would have been more convenient. But it was much more costly and the number of flights was very limited, Also, we are heading south before we return, so we'll be about an hour from Heathrow. The best to you!!
Posted by
Los Angeles
1052 posts
How do you define "large suitcases"? I would be more concerned with getting on and off the long-distance train to York, and then managing for the remainder of your trip. Would it be possible to downsize one of them?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33508 posts
if you are travelling around the country by train you will be much much happy with a smaller amount of luggage. You have to hoick it into the trains and off, and find somewhere to put it on the train, and if you are on a train which uses the luggage area within the carriage (most of them) your luggage will be mixed with others who come after you, and when you want it you will have to did it out. If it is big and heavy that isn't easy, and you will have two. It is up to you to do all that, there are not porters. If the luggage is small enough it may go above your head, but you will need to put it up and get it down.
Just something to think of. There are lots of hints in the Packing forum here on the website.
As far as those long escalators - use the lifts (elevators) which are available at both Heathrow and Kings Cross St Pancras Underground stations, and within both Kings Cross and St Pancras rail stations (lots of good food to eat there and/or take on the train with you. Much better to stock up in the station than rely on what you can find on the train. Even a supermarket in both stations - M&S in St Pancras and Waitrose and Partners in Kings Cross.