We're arriving London/Heathrow in two weeks and our flights were just changed and now we're arriving during rush hour (4 p.m. on a Monday). I'm not sure which is better, jostling luggage on a (probably) crowded Piccadilly line vs. maybe having more room on the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line that requires a change to the Tube. (First time to London so perhaps I'm not aware of a better option to South Kensington.) Seems like a taxi/shuttle would take even longer and be more expensive. Perhaps I'm overthinking this but we'd prefer to find the least stressful way to get to the hotel after a long flight. (Willing to pay a bit more but not sure if that will help us.) Thanks for your insights!
Posted by
Chicago
1943 posts
You are going the opposite way of foot traffic and will get on at the last stop. So you will have tons of room. I've taken it during rush hour from Heathrow and have been fine. It's not bad at all.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5529 posts
The tube will be much easier for South Kensington. You will be going into the city and getting on at the first stop.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5330 posts
The TfL journey planner will come up with daft ideas of using the Heathrow Express to Paddington and then the Circle to theoretically save 6 minutes. Leaving aside any cost implications this is daft because the connection at Paddington is really bad. Up and down 3 flights of stairs, or a trip outside to cross Praed Street on the level and then only one lot of stairs.
Piccadilly all the way (presuming it is not scheduled for maintenance like today.)
Posted by
Cornwall
332 posts
Piccadilly Line is a no brainer. You are heading against the flow of rush hour and starting off at the first station on the journey.
Posted by
Land of La
8682 posts
I travel LAX to LHR. Overnight VA flight. Usually stay near Paddington so use HEX ( booking 3 mos in advance). Elizabeth Line hadn’t yet opened. Will use it next visit.
As noted you’ll be heading into London not out of it so massive commuter crowd will be close to nill.
If cost is no concern take a Black Cab or pre book a Blackberry Cab. https://www.blackberrycars.com/
You might prefer the latter to ease any angst.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Love all the specific details. Really helpful. Thanks, all!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
1075 posts
We were in London last week, and the traffic was horrible every single day, all day long. I think the tube would be much quicker during rush-hour. We Ubered most places because of some mobility issues and however long the Uber said it would take, it always ended up taking double the time.
Posted by
Preston UK
890 posts
An Uber will usually take longer than a blac cab as the latter can use bus lanes whereas Ubers can’t. Ubers might be cheaper but probably slower.
But for this trip the tube will be both quicker and cheaper than any road transport. Probably best enough to get a free dinner.
Posted by
London
358 posts
If you are going to South Kensington take the Piccadilly line - faster, cheaper and no changes. You will be getting on at the first or second stop - if you are concerned just pick the front or rear carriage. There will be loads of people with luggage
Posted by
Freedonia
15067 posts
I do this all the time. As stated, you are going in the opposite direction of most of the afternoon commuters.
Piccadilly line. About 45-50 minutes. Very easy.
Forget everything else.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32801 posts
taking a train into Paddington and then the Underground isn't a good idea for South Kensington. Piccadilly Line is. Most people coming out of London significantly fewer going in. Your journey will be above ground for almost all of the journey. Did you know that most of the Underground lines are above ground except in central London? There has to be an exception to prove the rule, right? Right.. Except for the Waterloo and City and the Victoria lines which spend all their lives like a mole underground.