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Heathrow to Kew Bridge

My mom and I are flying into Heathrow and our Airbnb is on Kew Bridge Road. I’m trying to figure out the best way to get there. It looks like the Heathrow line is blue and the Kew Garden line is green. How complicated would it be to go this route? I’m wondering if it would be almost as economical to get a taxi by the time we factor in changing lines with luggage. Any thoughts?

Posted by
8572 posts

Are you talking about trying to use the tube to get
To your accommodation?

Make it easy on yourselves, hire a car service.
AirPort24 or BlackBerry are reputable or take a taxi.

An FYI your travel time into London proper ( say to Westminster station ) will easily be a half hour ride each way. You are also in zone 3 so your travel costs we be more expensive.

Keep that in mind planning your daily itineraries. During commute times you will find crowded trains.

Posted by
1321 posts

A taxi from Heathrow would be insanely expensive, it’s easy to use the tube and you’ll need to learn it anyway. Plus you have the advantage of starting off from Heathrow while the train is empty.

The lines are referred to by name, not colour. The train from Heathrow is the Piccadilly line. The train to Kew Gardens is the District Line.

Posted by
5311 posts

Kew Bridge Road is not really near Kew Gardens Underground station; it is north of the river for a start. The TfL suggested public transport route is Piccadilly Line to South Ealing and the 65 bus; maybe not appealing with any luggage or not being familiar with the area.

Being just off the M4 a pre-booked car is going to be easier.

Posted by
521 posts

Thanks, all. Emma, the address is 57 - 59 Kew Bridge Rd., Brentford.. Any advice would be most welcome! 😊🙏

Posted by
1016 posts

That address is immediately adjacent to Kew Bridge station. This is not a Tube station, but is a National Rail station. Still no worries.

Check out TFL's Journey Planner. I checked it for you and you have a couple of options:

  • quickest option: Piccadilly tube line to South Ealing; Bus 65 to Kew Bridge Station; 2 minute walk to address. Total 41 minutes. GBP 3.00.
  • no bus option: PIccadilly line to Hammersmith; District line to Richmond; train to Kew Bridge (via Hounslow; a bit of a roundabout route, but fewest changes). 90 minutes. GBP 3.10.

National Rail within London is covered by Oyster Card and the regular TFL zone fares. Get an Oyster Card at Heathrow at the ticket machines or ticket window near the tube station.

Taxi would certainly be more convenient, but wow it would not be cheap. GBP 50? And would take at least 30 minutes.

Posted by
4684 posts

Be warned that at the moment the area around Kew Bridge is extremely congested in traffic terms, as Hammersmith Bridge has been closed and everything that would use it is trying to get over Kew Bridge.

Posted by
6386 posts

The closest tube stop seems to be Chiswick Park and it’s a mile from the address you provided. If you wanted to take the tube, take the Piccadilly line (dark blue) to Acton Town station, then switch to the District line (green). Chiswick Park will be the first stop. The bus 65 option mentioned by others seems like it would be easier.

Posted by
521 posts

OK, just to clarify, the airbnb manager says that the flat is right next to Kew Bridge Station and a 10 minute walk to Gunnersbury Station. Looking at the tube map, it seems that I could pick up the tube for Gunnersby Station in Acton Town Station- blue line to green line?

So Heathrow Terminal 5 to Acton Town Station by tube, then change lines to Gunnersby Station, then a short cab ride from Gunnersby Station to the flat? Does this seem doable? With mom and luggage, I’d rather not have to hop from tube to bus, and I already splurged on a taxi from the airport in Amsterdam because we’ll arrive there after flying all night- figured I’d at least have the benefit of being more rested to navigate public transportation from the airport with mom and luggage in London!

Posted by
6386 posts

Not very complicated at all, but depends on luggage. There are a few District line train destinations. Get on the District line at Acton Town and take it to Turnham Green. Then, you need to get on the District line train headed in the direction of Kew Gardens and Richmond (the last stop). Gunnersbury will be the first stop. The other District line train will be headed in the direction of Ealing Broadway (not where you want to go). Gunnersbury station is about .7 of a mile from the address you provided.

Posted by
752 posts

Kristen, I realize all these route options can be confusing.

Your air bnb manager has given you the names of the two stations closest to your apartment. But for the trip from Heathrow, neither station offers the simplest solution.

By simplest, I mean least transfers for your mother and the luggage. The Piccadilly Tube line starts at Heathrow and goes straight to South Ealing. Exit at South Ealing and take bus 65 as Emma and others have recommended. Or skip the bus and just take a taxi at the South Ealing Station right to the apartment.

By the way, London buses are reliable, and if your mother has issues with stairs you’ll probably be using them frequently.

One more thought...For public transport planning once you’ve settled into your apartment, take a look at the Citymapper App (in addition to TFL). Have a great trip!

Posted by
521 posts

Thanks so much, Barbara. Since I have to manage all the luggage, I think that the taxi from the station is probably the best idea! 😊

Posted by
11294 posts

Just to emphasize a point made above. You've been referring to the Tube lines by color. This is not done in London. Be sure to use the line names, or people will genuinely be confused.

Posted by
4684 posts

Especially for older people, as "Green Line" used to be the brand name for a now-defunct network of express buses around London.

Posted by
521 posts

Hi, All-
Many thanks for the great suggestions! We actually ended up hiring a taxi, as mom wasn’t feeling her best.

Posted by
752 posts

Oh I’m so sorry to hear she wasn’t feeling well. Hope a good nights sleep helps. At least you had all the transportation options at your fingertips! Thanks so much for sharing back with us. We’re here for you!