Is the Heathrow Express operated separately from the London underground system? With all these work stoppages, I'd rather not depend on the tube to get to my hotel.
Also, has anyone had experience regarding any luggage size issues with Heathrow Express? I'll be wheeling a hard-sided 27" suitcase, and if that is going to be problematic for their luggage system, I'd like to know beforehand so I can make other arrangements for transport.
Thanks!
I'm not sure how stoppages affect the Heathrow Express but you can buy your Heathrow Express ticket ahead of time online and print them at home. The Express would be easier to manage with a 27" bag than the metro in any event. I've done the Express numerous times by myself with a large roller and I am a very small woman. The caveat is can you lift your bag by yourself. You'll need to lift it on and off because of the gap and then if the luggage bin is crowded, you might need to lift it to put on a higher shelf. If you can't lift the bag yourself then I'd suggest Uber or a taxi versus having to rely on strangers to help you.
Heathrow express is a separate line and not related to the underground. I used it in July and carried on a 22 inch bag and a day bag. It wasn't crowded so I was able to keep my wheeled bag next to me instead of over head. The area over head was small. Much easier than the tube but more pricey.
Heathrow Express is owned by Heathrow airport and runs on its own infrastructure and that of National Rail.
Yes, separately owned from the Underground system.
Your luggage will not be a problem as the trains are designed to handle people and their luggage to and from the airport.
I also recommend printing tickets at home or better yet, use their app for tickets. I did this last year and it was very convenient.
DJ
It is our understanding that a BritRail pass will work on the Heathrow Express. Are we correct?
Heathrow Express is VERY VERY expensive. You can pay a rather lower fare for the slower and less frequent Heathrow Connect, which runs over the same railway line and will also not be affected by the strike.
I have a high guilt threshold and my 24" rolling duffle and I ended up on a Heathrow Connect during morning rush. No one was happy. I was embarrassed because I was taking up space others would have liked to access as they were on their way to work. We did try to use the tube last trip, but between a strike on one end and weekend maintanence work on the other, we ended up with the Heathrow Express. We've learned to buy ahead on the computer and because we're seniors and a couple, the rate wasn't too bad. We've never had an issue with our luggage on the HEX and never needed to put it overhead. You're only dealing with people traveling to and from the airport.
The Heathrow Express need not be that expensive - but it is if you just turn up and pay on the train. There are a myriad of discount opportunities depending on your travel arrangements, number of people etc.
I find the Connect a false saving, particularly as it only runs twice an hour. Come Crossrail and it ought to be different.
We took the heathrow connect and wish we had spent the extra 11 GBP to upgrade to the express. When we first got to the station there at heathrow, the train waiting there with open doors was an express. we waited 35 minutes for the connect to get there (on the exact same tracks) and during this time watched 2 more express trains pull up, unload/load, and take off again. As we rode the connect train into the city, it crept along at every single station between heathrow and london paddington, and we watced another 4 express trains fly past us. if you buy your tickets online, it's 100% worth it!
No answer yet to my question a few posts ago about using our Britrail pass on the Heathrow Express. It is our understanding that it is valid for that train.
Melodee, that's a problem that can arise when you piggyback on somebody else's question - your new question can get missed.
Best if you have a question which isn't answered by the Search button is to post your own question, rather than posting on that of somebody else.
The answer is yes, but if that is all you are riding on the train that day it uses up a valuable day.
We used the Heathrow Connect and had no issues with larger bags, rolling them from baggage claim to the platform or getting them on the Connect. Like many travelers from the US, our flight landed early so the train was not crowded. And to be fair, the HC train (and the HExpress) is a special train from the airport - can we assume locals expect bleary eyed travelers with larger pieces of luggage?
The Heathrow Connect is not a particularly 'special' train, apart from the premium fare between Heathrow and Hayes and Harlington. It is in effect an extended local train, which is why it stops at nearly all stations into London with the exclusion of Acton ML (First Great Western technically 'operating' this part). In the peaks therefore it can and does get packed out by commuters.
I have a Britrail pass and plan to use it on the Heathrow Express train to Paddington in October. I read elsewhere on this site that it is accepted. It also says so on the Britrail website when I purchased my ticket.
I think the only thing I need to do is get it activated at the Heathrow station, since it will be my first use and it needs to be done before getting on a train. I have a flexipass, I should mention.
If there are two of you and you will be returning to Heathrow, then the DuoSaver ticket on the Heathrow Express is a good deal---£50 for the whole deal which is £12.50 each way pp. You buy on the website and print out in advance. Luggage is no problem and if I recall correctly there is no elevation change to board the train---just wheel aboard at the same level. We have never found it crowded.
