I traveled back from Heathrow to the US yesterday and was supposed to take Heathrow Express. I thought I would share what I learned that would help others. We had no issue taking the train to London, I bought a round trip ticket as I was traveling with my teenage son who was free. Yesterday morning we took a cab back to Paddington arriving around 6:00 am (first train was to be 5:10 after being closed for the weekend for planned engineering works). The taxi driver noted a long line waiting for cabs and asked us if we knew if the trains were running because that line is unusual at that time of day. He checked for us and per their website, the trains were running, so we got out. Sadly, as soon as we entered the station, people were leaving as the trains were cancelled, but still no update from Heathrow Express. We quickly got in the cab line and were able to get a cab. Luckily, since I built in extra time we arrived at Heathrow at 6:45, about 2 1/2 hours early. Both cab drivers gave us this piece of advice-- if you're taking Heathrow Express on the Monday after planned engineering works, plan on delays and/or cancellations as very frequently they don't finish on time or something else happens. From what I heard, the issue was a broken down train that also affected the Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line. Many people were stuck and missed their flights.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2003 posts
That was very lucky for you.
There are definite advantages to booking a hotel close to the airpoirt for a morning flight.
Posted by
Lake District, England
6521 posts
That is exactly why people are always advised to stay at the Airport (any airport) the previous night. During the afternoon, in a different incident, a Heathrow Express train broke down- leading to a reduced service into the late evening.
The same incident could not have also affected the Piccadilly line, as those are totally different tracks- maybe a different incident.
Looking back at train reporting it was the 2nd Elizabeth line train of the day from Paddington, at 0440, which broke down (officially a problem with the on board safety systems), actually at Heathrow Central.
Heathrow Express couldn't give any meaningful updates into what was a live incident at 6am, as the failed train had to be cleared out of the way.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33148 posts
I am glad you got home and all was well.
If the issue really was a train fault it seems a little unfair to blame that on overrunning engineering works which didn't overrun. Train faults can occur on any line at any time and are not normally associated with engineering works.
I am confused how a fault on the GWR main line or Heathrow extension could affect the Piccadilly Line since they don't share track or technology.....
It quite likely that a stopped train on Heathrow Express or GWR would affect the Elizabeth Line since they do run over the same rails.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5361 posts
Not always much you can do if disruption happens late in on the journey but there are alternatives of many kinds if you can find out the problem before you start.
More obscure transport routes to Heathrow include the coach from Victoria, or a train from Waterloo to Feltham and bus from there. The old-timers might remember the latter - it was the recommended route prior to the Piccadilly Line being extended to Heathrow.
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
3813 posts
"More obscure transport routes to Heathrow include the coach from Victoria,"
Marco, thanks for mentioning this.
This is always my alternative plan in case all of the above mentioned transportation fails me.