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Heathrow Terminal 3: I recall getting "regular" tube into London, but...

Posted by (Seattle, WA, USA) on

Hi! I have done this before (many times, she said, thoroughly embarrassing herself) but I still ALWAYS get confused.

When arriving at Terminal 3 from the USA, the tfl.gov.uk trip planner tells me I have to take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Rail Station, get out and walk to the Paddington tube station, and continue on to the Baker Street stop (where I am staying).

But I remember getting the tube directly from Heathrow, without the annoying transfer and the added cost of the Heathrow Express. The tube map shows the Piccadilly line goes to all terminals... and it does so as a "regular" train, yes? I would have to pay fare for Zone 6, it looks like, but otherwise I remember just taking a normal train that wasn't an "Express."

So what I am not remembering? Is tfl.gov.uk not telling me about the "regular" tube option because they want my sweet, sweet tourist money? Or am I just plain wrong?

Leaving tomorrow. Thanks you guys! :-)

Posted by
4684 posts

I believe that the trip planner is set up to give the "fastest" route by default, which you're getting because Baker Street is relatively close to Paddington. Terminal 3 shares the original Heathrow tube station with Terminals 1 and 2.

Posted by
8889 posts

You are remembering correctly.
See the tube map here or the tube and rail map here.
Heathrow Express IS NOT, part of the tube system, but a separate non-stop (and much more expensive) service run by the airport, You can see from the two maps that from "Heathrow terminals 1,2,3" you have a choice of either.

  • Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes to Paddington. You then still have to get a tube, bus or taxi to your final destination.
  • The tube (Piccadilly line) takes 40-50 minutes depending where in central London you are going to, and has limited luggage space. For Baker Street you would still have to change at Green Park onto the Jubilee line (see tube map), and that involves some corridors.

The tfl.gov.uk route planner, like any other route planner, will always give you the fastest route, not the cheapest; they are not trying anything underhand.
"to Paddington Rail Station, get out and walk to the Paddington tube station" is a slight exaggeration. The tube station is below the main station, you need to go down the steps at the end of the platform, and along some corridors.

Posted by
1068 posts

Thank you Phillip and Chris! It's nice to know I am not losing my marbles.

Thanks for your help! :-)

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