Heathrow to Waterloo Station

Boston Phil. I’d rather teach you to fish than having to catch fish for you every time…..

You have your new phone and your iPad, download the CityMapper App. Set the city as London. Put in your departure and arrival locations and your approximate time of arrival. The app will show you the choices. You can use this for real time transport information once you are in London.

People on this forum ( including myself) are very fond of you. That is why I would like to teach you how to do some of these things for yourself.

Good answer Carol now retired!

Well, there is a direct bus via National Express, but you would need to get from terminal 5 to the bus station at terminal 2/3.

You can also take the Elizabeth line from Terminal 5, into London to the Tottenham Court station, and switch to the Northern Line to Waterloo Station. You can plan your journey here: https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/ I would opt for the Elizabeth line over the Heathrow express though. You can also do it with transfers on the Piccadilly line that serves Heathrow, but would take a bit longer, and might require two transfers, but probably cheaper yet.

Are you able to manage steps with your luggage?

Not at all what your asking, but I would book the Premium inn Victoria.

Personally, I do not really care for the area around the Premier Inn County Hall or Premier Inn Waterloo. I know others feel differently.

Ditto what Carol said. If you won't download an app, use the website on your computer. Here is the page for London https://citymapper.com/london

The options will include "wheelchair friendly" which will work for your mobility issues as that means no stairs.

Everyone

I am able to research how to get from Point A to Point B. I can use google maps and Rome2rio. I use tfl but it is simpler for me to ask persons who are experts how they do it, what they suggest.

I have been to London once and took the Elizabeth lIne to Paddington Station.

I am fully aware that I can go to Paddington and catch a train to Waterloo Station.

So while I do research, I like to ask forum how they do it. The results that you get in research are not always the best ways for someone.

There may be any number of ways to get from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Waterloo Station which do not always come up in search results.

I am not concerned about times and days just how to get from Point A to Point B.

EDITED to ADD: Paul just told me that I could go to Central Bus Station in Heathrow and get a National Express bus to Waterloo Station. I would have no way of knowing this if Paul had not told me. It would not come up in search results unless I went to National Express.

This might turn out to be the best way for me to get from Heathrow to Waterloo Station, maybe not for someone else but for me.

And I have read, I think on forum, that Rome2rio is not always accurrate.

That is among the reasons that I ask.

Hi Laura

I will have one rolling bag, a backpack, and a sling bag.

I do not believe that I would be able to manage steps maybe one or two, but not several.

jeanm

I watched a very long youtube video (over an hour). It was a walk from P I Victoria going to Victoria Train Station and Victoria Coach Station and then on to different attractions including Buckingham Palace and so much more.

There was no sound and no captions. If I went down to the line at the bottom of the video, it did tell me what we were walking by.

There are many and I mean many youtube videos about P I Victoria.

P I County Line and P I Waterloo do not have even close to the number of videos compared to P I Victoria.

Paul

Thank you

I prefer to only change once. I am not concerned about the cheapest way but the simplest way for me. There is a budget of sorts. Taxis are out.

I believe that I can also take The Elizabeth Line to Paddington and then a train to Waterloo.

If you had not said anything about a National Express Bus from Terminal 2 or 3 direct to Waterloo Station, I do not believe that I would have found this out. I do not believe that it would have come up in search results. For me, this might be the simplest way but it might not work for someone else.

It is seeming to me that getting to Waterloo Station from Heathrow is more difficult than getting to Victoria Coach Station from Heathrow.

National Express don't go to Waterloo. You take the C10 TfL bus from opposite the Victoria Coach Station main entrance to Waterloo.
I know opposite feels like the wrong direction as you would think that the bus should go past Victoria Rail Station but it goes round the Pimlico area on the way to Waterloo, and is a single deck bus with a final destination of Canada Water. That is a significant bus/rail interchange in South London.
But my usual route would be the TfL single deck bus #490 every few minutes to Feltham station (main line) in Zone 6, cross the road, level access to the Waterloo bound platform. Normal Zone 6 fares on Oyster or contactlees apply to the train which is frequent.
If trying to kill time the 490 bus eventually goes to Richmond Station, a 1 hour journey, for main line trains to Waterloo.

CL

I have a new iPhone and I have downloaded some apps including citymapper.. I also have apps downloaded on my iPad.

My Android was so old that I could no longer get updates and could not scan. I could not always get some apps.

At home I prefer my computer. I clicked on the link that you sent me and put in A to B. But I received so much information that it is too much. I find it overload.

I am not that impressed with citymapper. I am glad that some people swear by it and love it but I do not like it that much. I downloaded it because so many people recommend it and swear by it. I have tried it and do not like it. I do not "get" it.

isn31c

I think you sent me this information on my previous thread. I responded but you never came back to the discussion.

Everyone is different as you know and what works for you might not be the best way for me.

I am thinking the best way for me is to take the Elizabeth Line to Paddington and then a train to Waterloo Station.

Someone else suggested that I transfer at another station. Maybe it was Jubilee and from there go to Waterloo Station.

So you are telling me that there is no direct way from Heathrow to Waterloo Station which is really what I want.

Well from Paddington it would be the Bakerloo line to Waterloo. You come up in the lift from the Elizabeth line then enter the main line station at Platform 1, and walk all the way across the station to the new entrance at the high numbered platforms. described by others, then escalators or lifts down to the Bakerloo as described by others.
I think there is a direct underground passage from the Elizabeth line but am not very familiar with it.

I think there is a direct underground passage from the Elizabeth line but am not very familiar with it.

Yes, I did it back in December - Bakerloo to Elizabeth line - it is "stepless" if you consider escalators to be without steps. But I believe there were elevators. So it was an easy transition from one to the other - just be aware that it's a fairly long walk along a new, modern underground corridor.

I was concerned with the OP coming up into the turmoil of Waterloo Station, but the tube stop appears to have an entrance from the County Hall side of the station, so it will be a relatively short walk to the hotel.

I believe that I can also take The Elizabeth Line to Paddington and then a train to Waterloo.

But why do you believe this? It isn’t actually true. There is no train line from Paddington to Waterloo, there is a tube line (Bakerloo). But the easiest is to take the Elizabeth Line to Bond Street and then the Jubilee Line to Waterloo, as explained very clearly on the CityMapper app.

For quickest connection to the Bakerloo Line at Paddington it is best to travel in the middle of the Elizabeth line train (carriage 5) to be nearest. The passage is at a deeper level so you go down and then up at the other end, both of which have escalators & lifts. There is a small rest stop with a bench or two part way.

so I am confused.

I am reading all your responses and I am confused.

I think one of my problems is that I do not understand the difference between the tube and the train. I also think that I do not fully understand the names of the train lines vs the names of the tube lines.

Bakerloo is the tube and that is also true of Jubilee, correct?

Trelawney and everyone else

"I believe that I can also take The Elizabeth Line to Paddington and then a train to Waterloo."

I read something that led me to believe this but as I said in the post above, I think I am getting the train lines mixed up with the tube.

From Heathrow, I can take the Elizabeth Line to Paddington Station.

Is The Elizabeth Line the tube or is it the train?

Paddington. Is that a tube station or a train station or both?

The Tube runs underground and is considered The Underground but the train runs above ground. Is that correct?

Let me see if I can understand. Please bear with me. I have been to London one time and only for three or four nights.

All of you responding have lived in London or been born there or have traveled there many times. You forget or maybe never knew what it was or is to be a stranger.

From Heathrow, I can take The Elizabeth Line to Paddington. That I have

And one way to get to Waterloo Station is:

to take the Elizabeth Line to Bond Street and then the Jubilee Line to Waterloo,

But that is just one way ...

and it seems that I can also take the Bakerloo line to Waterloo from Paddington. Is that also correct?

so when I searched Paddington Station to Waterloo Station, the following is an AI summary than came up ahead of results

"Summary

There is a direct train service from Paddington Station to Waterloo Station, with trains departing approximately every five minutes. The journey typically takes around 48 minutes, depending on the specific service chosen."

and there is more .. it continues

Travel Details
Here are some key points about the train journey.

Frequency — Trains run every five minutes throughout the day.
Duration — The journey typically takes around 15 minutes.
Service Provider — South Western Railway operates this route.
Alternative Options — Other travel methods include the London Underground, which may take longer.

and then from another site

"From Paddington to Waterloo Station by Tube
Take one direct Tube from Paddington to Waterloo Station in Waterloo: take the BAKERLOO Tube from Paddington station to Waterloo station. The total trip duration for this route is approximately 22 min. The ride fare is £2.90. The Tube schedule from Paddington may change. We recommend you check the updated Tube schedule to Waterloo Station on the Moovit app."

And when I go to the citymapper link that CL sent me, here is among the results

Paddington
Waterloo

19 minute journey, via Metro Bakerloo, £3.10
Bakerloo
£3.10
0
min
19
min

in 1, 3, 6 min
Bakerloo
Bakerloo
Southbound
Paddington
9 stops
Edgware Road
Marylebone
Baker Street
Regent's Park
Oxford Circus
Piccadilly Circus
Charing Cross
Embankment
Waterloo

But there were other results. When I typed Paddington Station in the start, I got several results and was unable to continue until I picked one. I picked one ...

and additional results. I have only copied some of the results. And this came fom the citymapper link that was sent me

Suggested
Bakerloo
£3.10
16
min
in 2, 5, 8 mins from Paddington
CircleHammersmith & City
•
Jubilee
£3.10
17
min
in 2, 7, 7 mins from Paddington
Circle
•
Northern
£3.10
22
min
in 17, 30 mins from Paddington
Elizabeth Line
•
Northern
£3.00
19
min
09:36 Shenfield from Paddington
Elizabeth Line
•
Jubilee
£3.00
21
min
09:36 Shenfield from Paddington
With Air Conditioning ❄️️
Circle
£3.10
28
min
in 17, 30 mins from Paddington

I think AI is having a moment. I am happy to be corrected on this but as far as I am aware there is no direct train service from Paddington to Waterloo.
The tube is really easy. The Bakerloo line is direct from Paddington and the exit brings you out slightly nearer to the area where the Premier Inn hotels are. It really is straightforward. Taking the Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Road and then changing to the Northern line is almost as easy and you can use the same exit from the station.

Citymapper is giving you live results, so showing all the possible routes you could take in the next few minutes if you are at the station.

As with most journeys in London there are lots of different ways you can get from A to B

and I opened my citymapper app on my phone and typed in Paddington Station to Waterloo Station.

I got similar results as to what I posted up above.

But it did say "walk to Paddington Station" and then The Bakerloo Tube to Waterloo Station. I do not recall but it said something about 9 stops. It seemed to indicate I could go directly from Padidngton Station to Waterloo Station

Yes, the Bakerloo tube line from Paddington to Waterloo is direct, no changes.
What do you need clarifying?

Emma

Thank you

I realize it is easy for all of you but it is so confusing for myself. And I hate coming across as stupid or difficult.

still I am not giving up.

It is going on 4 am here and I have not yet gone to sleep so I think I better stop. I can no longer see out of my eyes.. My vision is blurry right now.

I know that forum loves citymapper but probably many of them use it when waiting for the next transport.

I have no interest in that. I only want to know how to get from Point A to Point B and as we both agree there are sometimes to often many ways to get. from Point A to B

so Emma see if I have it right

I am at Paddington Station.

I go to wherever I pick up the Bakerloo line at Paddington and it is going to take me directly to Waterloo Station.

Is that right?

I think you already confirmed a few posts up but want to see if I fully understand.

Yes.
It is all fully sign posted at the station so just follow the signs and if you get stuck ask somebody, Londoners, despite their reputation, are helpful.

I know how wonderful Londoners are. That is why I am coning back for a whole week.

And thank you ....

now I am going on 4:30 am. maybe I can get some sleep

Don't get too hung up on what is a train and what isn't. Trains are in general larger, more comfortable and travel longer distances. The Underground is what you would know as a subway - however everyone in London calls it the Tube. Both trains and the Tube are mostly underground in the city centre and usually not in the suburbs.

You can take the Elizabeth line to either Paddington (change to Bakerloo line), Bond St (change to Jubilee line) or Tottenham Court Road (change to the Northern line) to get to Waterloo. The advantage of Tottenham Court Road to you is that there are no steps or escalators to negotiate in changing, just a short lift to change levels. But all three options will work.

have no interest in that. I only want to know how to get from Point A to Point B

CityMapper tells you how to get from A to B. That is why it exists.

Not wanting to complicate things but….. if you are struggling with Citymapper have you tried the actual Transport for London Journey Planner. If you are accessing it at home via a laptop or iPad, rather than on the ground on a smartphone it ‘might’ be easier for you to use?
Like Citymapper it defaults to live time results but it’s easy to alter the time for when you are planning to travel. It defaults to UK time so if you are using it in the US in the evening you will need to alter the time otherwise it will give you night time services.

TfL also have a smartphone app but I haven’t used that so I can’t comment on how user friendly it is.

At home I prefer my computer. I clicked on the link that you sent me
and put in A to B. But I received so much information that it is too
much. I find it overload.

There is a lot of information because London has many options to get from one point to another. There is no one best way. I suggested using the site to search for options that are wheelchair accessible as those will be the most viable for you and your situation.

City Mapper does show the National Express airport bus lines, they're just not usually the first option listed.

I suggest taking a break from transportation planning and focusing first on selecting your hotel. Once you decide on that, then look for specific options how to get to that one place that meet your personal needs.

I am not that impressed with citymapper. I am glad that some people swear by it and love it but I do not like it that much. I downloaded it because so many people recommend it and swear by it. I have tried it and do not like it. I do not "get" it.

I'm on Citymapper app right now. Traveling from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Premier Inn London Waterloo leaving around 10am:

The first option tells me to take the Piccadilly Line Eastbound at 10:03 am to Leicester Square and transfer to the Northern Line Southbound. Get off at Waterloo station and walk about 4 minutes to the Pi.

It suggests several routes/options. So I have choices.

It even tells me the best section of the train to sit in (front, center, back) for efficiency. It tells me when I get off at Waterloo Station I should take the York Road exit. It then gives me walking directions to my hotel.

While I'm on the tube it tracks my progress and gives me a heads up that my station is coming up and it's time to get off.

I can even ask for a step free route or a route that requires less walking and a bus only route and more.

I've used Citymapper in London, Edinburgh, Paris, NYC, Chicago, Canada, ...

Gotta say, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Citymapper app.

Well if Citymapper is saying to take the Piccadilly line tomorrow then it's wrong, because the line is closed east of Acton Town for engineering work, with replacement buses operating.I
That is trains are running between Heathrow and Acton Town only.
That is why I don't like Citymapper because it's given me wrong information once too often.

That is why I don't like Citymapper because it's given me wrong
information once too often.

isn31ct the example cited by jeanm is for today, Wednesday, not tomorrow. If you change the date to Thursday it provides accurate information about Piccadilly line only going to Acton Town.

I cancelled Premier Inn County Hall

So I now only have BW booked and will keep that until I book the next hotel .

I sometimes feel that I come across as dumb or difficult and I do not mean to. Most definitely not dumb maybe sometimes difficult.

I am not well traveled compared to most of you who are. What seems so easy to you can be so difficult for me.

Have a great trip!

jeanm

For me, city mapper present too much information. For me, it is overload.

But perhaps in time, I will get better acquainted with it and it will become more helpful and simpler.

Have you used citymapper for many trips and for a long period of time? If so, you are familiar and comfortable with it.

When you are on a train or tube in London, isn't there an announcement about what the next stop is.

Isn't there also a schedule at the top which gives you the station?

But it is nice that it gives you information about the station and what door to walk out of and how to walk to your hotel.

I am trying to learn citymapper

I agree with Carol's very good advice about learning to fish

And BostonPhil, I really think you should heed her advice. If you learn to do things on your own, it saves you from getting some bad advice sometimes. Plus, it can give you a sense of achievement doing things on your own. Right now, I'm planning a month-long trip to the Northern Isles of Scotland, and there is a big learning curve, because of the various ferries and flights and having to match everything up so you're not stuck on a tiny island without a place to stay overnight. It's fun learning it, though, and wading through all the research, and I've really enjoyed it. Of course, I've gotten a lot of good advice here from people, but it makes me feel good knowing that I have solved a lot of these issues on my own.

jeanm, I didn't mind the area around County Hall and Waterloo. It's not the most attractive place, although you're right by the Thames and it's easy to get to Westminster from there. The time I liked it the best was when I booked a show and walked over and back from Covent Garden in the evening. It was really lovely with the lights out and lit up all along the river, and there were so many people out walking around. Of course, I'd get that if I would have stayed on the other side as well.

EDIT:
To be honest, my favorite location is Victoria. My stay with my grandkids at The Resident Victoria was probably my most favorite location of all my stays in London. I loved that hotel, but I also loved its location.

But if you do decide to stay at the Premier Inn County Hall or Waterloo, here are my notes from when I was there in 2024 for getting to the County Hall location from Heathrow:

Take the Elizabeth train (Abbey Wood) to Tottenham Court Road Station. Transfer to Northern (black) Line. Get off at Waterloo Station, then look for sign saying: Way out #4 - Tension Way. Follow sign to outside. Turn left on Cab Rd, then left again on York Rd., turn right on Chicheley, then left on Belvedere and continue on to Premier Inn County Hall on your right (about one hour overall).

You will need to walk up about 6-7 steps to get into the hotel, but there are railings.

If you wind up staying at the Waterloo location, just keep on walking past the Premier Inn County Hall until you see the Premier Inn Waterloo a few blocks ahead on the left.

Emma

I do use TFL Journey Planner. And I have the app downloaded on my phone.

For now, I stick with my computer. Have not tried the app yet.

I like it but it has a lot of information. I am not talking about just results. I am talking about so much information that for me it is overload.

Even at home, I use trip planning with my local bus service but I sometimes need to call customer service. I know my way around Austin and I sometimes know that I was not given all options to get to my destination.

I also like google maps. I use google maps a lot.

But there are also live humans to ask in most of the train stations, underground, buses, etc. I am talking about staff. There are transit maps painted on the walls.

When my friend took me walking all over London, she asked staff questions when we were tapping in at the machines. They always knew the answers.

One time, she could not find the closest underground. She told me that there was no one to ask but there was a group of persons at the curb. I walked over and asked where the nearest tube stop was. And it was right on our right hand side. We were going to walk by it.

I live on a greenbelt and it is sometime obvious that visitors are lost. I go up to those people and ask if they need help. They appreciate it.

Bostonphil, if you're comfortable already with Google Maps, I would just use that. I know a lot of people here like Citymapper but I still don't understand what functionality it has that Google Maps does not. I use Google Maps for transit directions all over London (and the UK) and the information is always accurate and up to date. I even use it when I already know the route just to check how long it's likely to take. So, if it's something you already know, you can just use that- no need to learn a new app!

In terms of navigating the tube, yes, they do always announce what the next station is before you arrive. There are also maps on the trains themselves and on the platforms. All the major stations in central London, likely all the ones you will visit, have staff present, altho not always on the platform. There should always be staff in the ticket hall. If you need help finding the tube, asking a stranger is also a good idea. I answer questions for people on directions all the time. Most people here are very happy to help.

One thing I will add is to keep your phone put away when walking down the street here. We have had issues with people coming up on motorbikes or e-bikes and snatching phones. If you need to consult directions, step away from the kerb and stand close to a building.

Good luck with everything- I agree it will help you a lot in the long run if you can learn how to manage directions yourself- but we are always here to offer help if you get stuck.

Cat VH and Emma and all others

I am getting excited because I am beginning to understand my options for getting from Heathrow to Central London.

I am using TFL and I now have begun to realize that The Elizabeth Line does not terminate at Paddington. It continues on to additional stops in London where I could get off or change lines to get to Waterloo or other stations. Persons mentioned some of these other stations but I was not understanding that they are on the Elizabeth Line.

And I can also take the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow which goes to many stations in Central London. I am not concerned about "slow". as I have seen it described

My understanding is that the National Express Coach begins and terminates at Victoria Coach Station but there are other stops from Heathrow. This I have to explore more.

I went to The Elizabeth Line and explored the line. Same with Piccadilly line.

I am feeling better and even excited again.

I went to The Elizabeth Line and explored the line. Same with
Piccadilly line.

Before you get super excited, not every tube station on the Piccadilly line has an escalator or lift to street level, and some in central London have a lot of stairs. Selecting a hotel on that line just because you can get there directly from the airport is not a good idea if you would have challenges getting in and out of the tube station every day.

With respect, you appear to have spent an immense amount of research time on a specific area that until recently you were excited to stay in. You've asked many new questions about transportation to other areas that seem to have caused a great deal of confusion and angst. Unless you have unlimited time to start your trip planning over from scratch, and are prepared to get a vast amount of input from our forum community, I suggest returning your focus back to the area around Victoria Station that appealed to you in the first place.

Hi CL

I had booked and have since cancelled PI County Hall

I think that I am going to book. PI Victoria.

I now know the area. I know how to get there. It is sort of familiar. PI Victoria gets good reviews.

I better do it while they still have rooms.

Hello CL and everyone else

I have cancelled BW and booked PI Victoria but still I am continuing to shop around.

I have gotten very comfortable with the Victoria area but I am now discovering new areas such Bloomsbury and Camden. Maybe I should stop searching before i get myself into any more trouble.

CL, I will be able to walk up and down some stairs depending on how many and if there is a railing. I can not with my rolling bag.

If I should think about booking anywhere else, I will be certain that I can get to the lodging from Heathrow easily enough for me. That is a key expression, easily enough for me.

I am also learning how to use tfl as well as google maps to plan transportation. I like both.

bostonphil7 did you decide to pass on Ealing PI previously suggested as good for transport and good for price?

I have gotten very comfortable with the Victoria area but I am now discovering new areas such Bloomsbury and Camden.

I would stick with just visiting Bloomsbury and Camden. Camden is a lot of fun and I love their market, but it can be crowded, at least it was when I was there, especially on the weekends. Bloomsbury is nice and can be a little bit more residential, but you might be farther from public transportation, depending on where you are. I stayed in Bloomsbury on my very first trip to London, back in the mid-90s. I really liked the area where I stayed on Gower Street, but I wouldn't stay there again. I really liked Victoria, as it's just so easy to get around there.

Really, I think for your purposes, Victoria would be the best area. It's definitely close to public transportation, which is what you will need, and there are so many places around there that are very easily walkable.

Too much analysis leads to paralysis

Choose one, stick with it.

Don't look back (in anger)

I have gotten very comfortable with the Victoria area but I am now discovering new areas such Bloomsbury and Camden. Maybe I should stop searching before i get myself into any more trouble.

Yes. Stop.

You are in ”analysis paralysis”. The area near Victoria Station is a very good choice. I like Bloomsbury but there aren’t as many transportation options as you have at Victoria station which serves three tube lines and numerous bus routes. Camden might be interesting for someone who wants trendy shops and nightlife (not me), but it also is not as convenient for transportation. Book the Victoria Station PI if it meets your needs and move on to planning what you are going to see and do while you are there. For what it is worth, I often find myself wasting hours of time trying to find the perfect hotel and location so I understand why you keep questioning this but once I make a decision and book I feel a lot more settled.

You also mentioned you were booking the fully refundable rate and yet you had no budget for a taxi. Think about this. Premier Inn has a semi-flexible rate which can easily be 100 GBP less than the fully refundable rate for a week-long stay. You have to pay now but you can cancel up to 3 days before arrival and get a refund. Maybe you aren’t comfortable with this; it is a personal decision. I often book the more restrictive rate to save money.

CL, I will be able to walk up and down some stairs depending on how
many and if there is a railing. I can not with my rolling bag.

Since you have mentioned using the TFL planner, be sure to expand the search criteria box and tick the boxes next to "use escalators, not stairs" or "full step free access" to find the routes that will be easier for you. I don't know if Google Maps offers suggestions for this so you may need to plan ahead or try to use CityMapper even though you don't like it. If you are taking the Victoria Coach to/from the airport you will not have to worry about tube stairs with luggage.

If you are going to continue looking in other areas of London you need to be a bit careful with how they are named and definitely check on the map before you book. The same name can refer to different areas of town especially when they are the name of London boroughs, Camden is a good example of this.

Camden often refers to the area around the tube stop with the same name, with the canal, the market etc. It is in the Borough of Camden which covers a wide area of London from Hampstead in the north to Holborn in the south. Bloomsbury is technically in Camden. So if a hotel says it is in Camden it is ‘probably’ near the tube station but maybe not. There can be similar issues with Westminster/ Borough of Westminster and Kensington/ Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Just be careful when booking that a hotel is where you think it is and not elsewhere in the wider borough especially if a price seems cheap.

Hope that makes sense?

This is ridiculous.
Just choose somewhere. All of London is safe, pleasant and enjoyable.

Citymapper is the way to go.
https://citymapper.com/

You said that without asking to forum, you would not know about the bus from Heathrow to your hotel area..
Citymapper would tell you that. It includes solutions for multiple modes of transport, including tube, bus, feet, etc.

What I like about citymapper that I haven't found with Google maps is the additional information given.
Citymapper advises which part of the platform to stand on for entry onto the train/tube car so you are let off at your next stop in a better location for the next step of your journey.
It also advises which exit to use when leaving a station. In many stations, there's only one. But there are some tube stations that have multiple exits and a person could soon become disoriented if you choose unwisely without this extra information.

Nigel

I do not remember anyone suggesting Ealing PI but I will go check it out.

Did you suggest it?

As of this very moment, I am now solely booked with PI Victoria.

I have been watching you tube videos and doing other research.

I know the area.

I know how to get to the hotel from Heathrow and back again when the time comes.

Tim in KY

maybe I will get more familiar with citymapper. I have it on my phone and I will try.

I am getting real comfortable with tfi and of course there is google maps.

CL

for now, I am only booked with PI Victoria and will probably stick with.

My trip is now less than 2 months away.

I will be going from Heathrow to Victoria Coach Station and when I return will be returning from Victoria Coach Station to Heathrow. I have that down pat.

I have cityplanner downloaded on my phone and will work on getting comfortable with it.

To everyone else

I did not realize that i had so many responses. Thank you.

I think I will be sticking with PI Victoria. My trip is less than two months away. I know how to get there and I know how to get back to the airport from there.

I am learning the area.

So with all the encouragement and persuasion, I think I will be sticking with it..

Nigel

Wow, I did go and check out Ealing PI. It was almost half price less than what I have booked but it was further out than I would like.

Also my trip is less than 2 months away. I do not think I want to make another change.

I think I will stick with PI Victoria for this one.

This will be my first PI.

For anyone registered with Premier Inn for marketing e-mails, they have today started a free breakfast promotion for stays on their Standard Rate between 18 September and 23 November, booked by 7 September.

You have to book on a promotional link, not the normal website, as it is only meant for previous customers.

I don't know if the link is bespoked to a customer account, but this is the URL I've been given-

https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/home.html?promoCode=PREBF&rid=96555857&mid=-1588467030&CID=EMC_MKT_BAU_WK26-RE26-FBS1_4-12m__Active_20260828_DM331773

For anyone registered with Premier Inn for marketing e-mails, they have today started a free breakfast promotion for stays on their Standard Rate between 18 September and 23 November, booked by 7 September.

I got that same email, Stuart, but keep in mind that it is only for non-refundable bookings. It wouldn't work for BP. Here is a clip from their T&C:

Standard rate bookings require full payment at the time of booking and are both non-refundable and non-cancellable. Exclusions apply to this promotion as some UK hotels do not have a full breakfast offering.

Thank you isn31c and Mardee

well I guess that I would not qualify but at least I did not miss it,

I did pay for the continental breakfast which forum seems to feel is not very good and not worth it.

But I have both diabetes and more seriously CKD. My diabetes is well managed . The more serious problem. is my kidneys. My diet is very restrictive and limited.

I do cheat but very carefully and selectively.

During my week in London, I will go to a pub and have a big English breakfast but only one time.

Otherwise I will do the best I can with the continental breakfast.

In fact, I will have to do the best that I can with every meal that I have.

well, I went to PI Victoria where I am staying and here is the message that I got at the top of the page.

"Oops! Try a different hotel or a stay starting from 18th September and ending on, or before, 23rd November 2026."

I guess that once you are booked, the offer is no longer aapplicable.

I wished that i had signed up for the marketing emails.

You would need to cancel the existing booking at Victoria and rebook to take advantage of the offer if it was of genuine interest and you are willing to commit to a firm and definite booking. (Victoria has a special dinner offer on as well, although why anyone would eat dinner at a PI in London rather baffles me).

I am assuming the link provided is not exclusive to me, as I can book the deal at Victoria. I can't believe they have done a URL for each individual customer, but who knows.

Earlier I saw Canterbury Central PI on at £35 including the free breakfast (a stunning rate) for the date I checked and 2 nights in Central Dublin for under 200 Euro including breakfast- equally almost unheard of.

I did pay for the continental breakfast which forum seems to feel is not very good and not worth it.

Bostonphil, I’ve had the PI continental breakfast and it’s perfectly fine! It’s definitely not amazing, but it also costs a lot less than other hotel breakfast buffets. You can upgrade to the hot foods for a couple extra pounds if you feel the need. The continental gets you cereals, fresh fruit, breads, yogurt, etc.

Barbara G

Thank you for the information.

I have not seen any reviews about the unlimited continental breakfast at P.I. Most of them, and there were many, are about the hot breakfast which I think also includes the continental breakfast.

Some people were satisfied but many were not.

I am going to stick with the unlimited continental breakfast and will review it for those who follows.

isn31c

Thank you.

I am going to stick with the unlimited continental breakfast at P.I.

I am not going to cancel my reservation and rebook. I have done enough canceling for this trip.

And I beieve the free breakfast is only included if you book a non refundable room. No, I will not.

I did pay for the continental breakfast which forum seems to feel is not very good and not worth it.

There are two breakfasts that you can get at the Premier Inn, BP. You can get an unlimited continental breakfast or an unlimited cooked breakfast that includes the continental breakfast. Basically, one with hot food and meat and one without. But both are buffets, so you can get whatever you want within that range of what you have chosen to buy.

The reason most people recommend that you do not include it in the cost of your stay is because you can still buy it if you want, and you are going to pay the exact same price you would have paid if you had added the cost to your room.

I never pay for it with my room, but there are times that I will eat breakfast at a PI when I just don't feel like going out. All I do is just go down and tell them I want breakfast, and they just add it to my room bill.

But since you bought it, it will be fine, and I'm sure you will get your money's worth. It's not a bad breakfast. It's not the best breakfast I've had, but I think it's fine.

Also, can I just ask you something? I've noticed you use the word "forum" without an article in front of it (i.e., "the" forum). Is there a reason for that? Everybody else says the forum, because that's what we are. We are a forum, a message board forum. So I wondered if there was some special meaning behind that for you.

Hi Mardee

First, I will answer your question or try to.

For me, The Forum is a forum, a discussion, a thing, a business. It is the concept. It is the whole. It is formal.

But when I say forum, to me that means the people in The Forum. Rather than say, he, she a member, I prefer to say forum meaning a person or persons. It is a more relaxed and casual way of saying The Forum.

So let us say that a couple of people or more suggested the continental breakfast at PI. I might say forum suggested the breakfast at PI rather than mention members by screen names.

I like simplicity and being casual and relaxed. I do not like too much formality.

To me, The Forum is formal while forum is relaxed. The Forum includes people but forum is the people.

And thank you for the information about the breakfast at PI. At least one other member told me that i could add on the breakfast each day if I so desired.

But. when I travel, I like to have my breakfast right where I stay.

When home, I do not eat a formal breakfast. In fact, I do not have any formal meals. I will have a baked potato and then snack all the rest of the day, Sometimes my baked potato is eaten at 4 am when i can not sleep.

Edited to Add: Same goes with itineraries. I read the itineraries of other members. It is not my style to have such a formal itinerary. See now I could say members on The Forum or just say forum which to me means members on The Forum, And it is done with affection.

And so I read where someone is going to be somewhere at 9 am and somewhere else at 2 pm nd then somewhere at 7 p,m and so it goes on each day.

That does not work for me.

I might buy tickets in advance if I really want to see or do something like La Sagrada Familia Basilica, I did buy tickets in advance while still in Austin and it worked out ok.

But otherwise I am casual about what I am going to do every day. I leave it open. I have ideas but none of my plans are engraved in stone..

Mardee

Good Morning.

I slept a bit but am now up and thinking about your last post to me on my thread.

Going back to the continental breakfast at PI. I have some questions.

Are the American pancakes freshly made at PI or do they take them out of the freezer and microwave them as some of us do in the United States? If freshly made, is it from a mix or from scratch?

Same with blueberry muffins. Are they freshly made or bought from a vendor?

And continuing on. Are the juices freshly squeezed or is it a mix? Are jams and jellies made at PI or are they bought from a vendor and if the latter, is it a high quality brand?

And finally, the coffee at breakfast. I love coffee and drink too much. If you drink coffee, how is the coffee at PI?

I reread my explanation of why I use forum when speaking of persons who are in The Forum. I hope that my explanation was clear.

Is this a wind up?

There is no way a budget chain like Premier Inn is going to be making pancakes and muffins on site or offering freshly squeezed juices etc. It's a budget hotel and everything will be bought in and plenty of it microwaved. That will be the case at pretty much any hotel you choose at the budget you are looking at, you will need to be in 4/5 star territory to get what you seem to be looking for. The way to do it would be to eat your breakfast out from the hotel at one of the many, many places that will deliver what you want. But you say that you don't want to do that or I expect be able to pay for what it would cost.

If you were staying in a budget chain in the USA would you expect the jam to be made on site and pancakes freshly made from scratch?!

Premier Inn provides a cheap(ish) breakfast which is absolutely fine but nothing special. It is fuel for the day but not much else. It will all have be bought in with little prepared on site.
Personally I don’t think the continental breakfast is particularly good value unless you plan to sit and eat bowls of cereal and piles of pastries. It is better value for families with children because they eat for free.

You will find better coffee and breakfast food outside of the hotel but if you want it on site for convenience it is absolutely fine.

You do not get blueberry muffins in premier inn, you barely get them in the UK whatsoever. Travel is about expanding your horizons and seeking new adventures.

As others have said, there are plenty of hotels that will cook you fresh food, but you are firmly into 4 star territory (and even most 4 stars are serving scrambled eggs from a packet mix rather than fresh)

The breakfast menu does specifically say blueberry muffins.
They are very commonly available in shops near me.
The ones in the Premier Inn will definitely be bought in

The blueberry muffins may be bought in, but they are not at all bad in my opinion.

I never have toast at a Premier Inn, settling for the crumpets, the muffins and the pancakes. The pancakes may not be American ones (not being hot and off the griddle), but I tend to have one (maybe even two) as a side with my hot stuff (sausages etc) and another with my muffin/crumpets, and some butter and jam on.
They are American as opposed to Scotch Pancakes (a very different thing), or the pancakes we make in the UK on Shrove Tuesday which are a different item again. I don't know, but tend to presume that the pancakes at the Shrove Tuesday parties at my US Churches are American ones, so quite different to the UK ones that day.
It would be a long way to go just to find out!!

Trelawney

we have gotten off topic haven't we but it is ok with me ....

OliviaHoughton

I most definitely remember blueberry muffins being on the menu because I love blueberry muffins

to Everyone

Thank you for answering my post. We have gotten off the topic but it is all ok with me.

Because PI does such a huge business, I thought perhaps there was some extra effort put into the breakfast. It might be a three star hotel but It feels like they are making some money.

The continental breakfast does seem overpriced for what you get but I like.the convenience of eating in my hotel and as i have said, my diet is limited and restricted due to health issues.

It would not matter if I went somewhere else to eat breakfast, I would still be limited.

Actually, it appears to be a great value - especially when you consider what you pay for a cup of coffee or a cappuccino in central London.

I think your CKD diet should be your major concern - are there enough safe choices on the Unlimited Continental menu:

https://www.premierinn.com/content/dam/global/restaurants/Premierinn/premier-inn-breakfast-ROI-NI.pdf

Because PI does such a huge business, I thought perhaps there was some extra effort put into the breakfast.

Nope. It does good business because it’s a reliable product that has no luxury but is very consistent. Families like the breakfasts because children eat free, and they can fill up on cheap familiar foods.

The continental breakfast is a step up from what you might get in a chain motel in the States, in that you get china plates. But basically it’s toast, cereal, some not-great packaged muffins and pastries.

One option is not to pay in advance, ask at check-in to pay for the first morning’s breakfast, then decide if you want to keep paying for it.

I know it’s pointless telling you not to overthink things, Phil… but really of all the things to think about, the PI breakfast shouldn’t be top of your list of concerns. It’s fine. Don’t expect special.

markcw

Thank you for your input.

I am not certain there is enough healthy choices for me given my CKD. My big enemy is salt but I am allowed a small amount..

I will have to be cautious.

Golden Girl

Thank you.

I will consider your suggestion. Try the breakfast and if i find it not worth the money, see if I can cancel the rest of the breakfasts.

I might end up feeling the breakfasts are worth the cost.

It also includes yogurt and fruit.

OK now since this thread is way off topic, I am wondering if I should end it now. Can I lock it or do I have to ask the webmaster to do it for me?

For me, it tuned out to be a very good and helpful discussion. Maybe it will be informative for someone else or maybe it already has been.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

BP- One thing the UK is very good at is allergeys.

This is the PI allergeys list- https://www.premierinn.com/content/dam/global/restaurants/allergy-nutrition-info/breakfast.pdf

so for instance you can see that a Blueberry Muffin has 0.16grams of salt, or a pancake has 0.29 grams, so you can do the maths beforehand.

Likewise you can count your calories that way!

isn31c

Thank you so much.

What great. information for me. I am not going to be counting anything. I am going to do the best that I can.

i think that I am going to love all the "breads" and spreads although I will have to pace myself.

I want. a blueberry muffin and chocolate croissant right now.

Nothing wrong with an occasional cooked breakfast.
You are unlikely to get a particularly good one in a pub.

The Regency Cafe in Westminster does a good one and is not far from both Victoria and Waterloo.
https://regencycafe.co.uk/

just to clarify -

a Full English usually comprises

one or two eggs, often fried but can be scrambled

one or two sausages - quality and seasonings will vary

one or two rashers of back bacon - in American chain hotels may be slightly crispy streaky bacon

baked beans

usually now potato of some kind - often hash browns these days or in cheap places potato puffs

grilled or fried tomato

sauted or fried mushrooms

toast and jam / marmalade / Marmite, butter and or marg

for the basics.

More traditional places may well also offer kippers, black pudding, bubble and squeak (a very long time since I've had that away from home)

If you are watching salt - beware

load up on fruit.

Basically sugar.

To add to Nigel's list, I would add fried bread, ie not toast. May be toast as well.

My grandkids and I had a very nice breakfast at Bill's, which has a number of locations, including Victoria. It's very close to the Victoria Underground Station on Cardinal Place. My grandkids loved it, and I really liked it too. The food was good, and you had a lot of choices on the menu.

And if you like pancakes, every Friday is pancake day where you can eat all the pancakes you want for £5.
https://bills-website.co.uk/menus/?rid=204207

Thank you to everyone

I have received so many responses that I can not answer everyone individually at least for now.

But among my health issues which restrict what I can eat and driink:

high cholesterol which is the least of my worries.

Diabetes II which is managed. I do not have to test or use insulin.

CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) which is a huge concern. I am in stage III of kidney disease. (and by the way it was because of my statin for my high cholesterol}

Because of my health issues, my diet is very restricted and limitted.

Everything is about diet and exercise.

I have met with a kidney dietician and her first words to me were "you are going to learn a whole new way of eating. You will no longer live to eat. You now eat to live"

Sugar is bad but salt is a killer. I have to ration how much I eat.

So while fruit is loaded with sugar it is natural sugar which is different from added sugar. My kidneys like grapes and blueberries which are a problem for my diabetes. My kidneys like white rice and white bread but not good for diabetes.

And of course, eggs, sausage and bacon ..... cholesterol ... but also a problem for my diabetes and maybe kidneys.

I will be able to have. a bowl of certain cereals with low fat milk. Will be able to have some fruit and even a half glass of juice some days. Will be able to have one toast with a pat of something.

As a rule, juice is out and I do not drink it at home but when traveling, I have a half glass every other day as long as there is no added sugar.

And can have one piece of animal protein every day the size of my fist.

But I will cheat and I will be cheating on the baked goods.like blueberry muffins and chocolate croissants. I also love jams and jellies. And will have one tablespoon at breakfast except if any are with no sugar added. Then I might have more.

There is no benefit to my buying the full breakfast or eating an English breakfast anywhere at all.

And while I love pancakes, I eat them carefully. Maybe one at the continental breakfast with fruit on it. Probably should not have syrup but i might cheat.

I could not go for all you can eat pancakes anywhere because it is too dangerous for me.

For drink, water is strongly encouraged but I am allowed coffee and tea.both black. But I cheat and have heavy whipped cream in my coffee. Tea I enjoy black. No sweeteners in either coffee or tea.

My health is now all about diet and exercise with some meds but there are no meds for the kidneys For the kidneys it is diet and exercise. And the kidneys do not bounce back. It is all about eating and drinking what makes them work less.

If there is any bright side to this, you will probably lose weight because the diet is so uninteresting and bland that you lose your appetite. And you will be saving money on food.

You will also have more time to sightsee because you spend a lot less time eating. No food tours. No four course dinners.

Eating requires less time now.

I am allowed salad and vegetables and one piece of animal protein a day but have to be cautious of dressings. Vinegar and oil.

So that explains my predicament.

My kidneys began to fail just before my Japan cruise so badly that i was looking at hospice care, Chose not to say anything.

But I bless my nephrologist every day who took me off of my statin. My labs are now good but kidney damage has been done. And I now have to see a cardiologist who manages the cholesterol.

wasn't expecting to say so much. Hope this is keeping with travel, my travel.

To add to Nigel's list, I would add fried bread, ie not toast. May be toast as well.

Thanks Katy - I had actually written that in my mind but my fingers forgot!!

I think I am going to love all the breads on the list and I must try fried bread.

Emma

I looked at The Regency Cafe. Breakfast in London is expensive. And from the menu, it is food that I am supposed to avoid but of course I do cheat.

Nigel, our Native Americans eat fried bread and that has been part of their diet for. a long time.. Have never had the opportunity to try it. Do not know if that is the same fried bread that you mentioned.

My post about the Regency Cafe was in response to one that has since been deleted.
Based on what you have said about medical conditions a cooked breakfast isnt a great idea unless you pick and choose the items you have.
Everything in London is expensive, I don’t think the prices in the Regency Cafe are that bad, considering it quality, location and ‘fame’. It has been used a lot as a TV location. The Wetherspoons pub chain famously do a cheaper cooked breakfast which I believe is OK but nothing special.

Fried bread is just a slice of white bread fried. The proper stuff will be fried in bacon fat but in cafes it is more usually fried in oil.

Navajo Fry Bread and English heart-attack-on-a-plate are very different and taste nothing alike. I have had both.

Navajo Fry Bread is a quantity of wet dough put into a pot of hot oil until it puffs up and eaten as soon as it comes out. It has never been baked.

The fried bread on a breakfast is a simple slice of regular white bread fried in a frying pan which sops up the grease or fat until a little crispy and put on the plate, usually cut diagonally, with all the other goodies.

Not everywhere serves fried bread with their Full English. Just toast, which - for me - is disappointing. The rare times I have a full English, I really really want fried bread.

Re Fried Bread

Don't know if you have French Toast over there. It is bread soaked in egg and then fried in a pan. You can use any type of bread. I think usually white bread is used. but Challah is said to make very good French Toast

Fried Bread sounds tasty. I could try it at home here next time I pan fry something.

Emma and others

I would love. a hot Full English Breakfast and I might have one in the week that I am in London. I once loved a hot breakfast and I still do but due to health issues ....

The Regency Cafe is beautiful and interesting. I can see why people want to eat there, atmosphere, as well as making a god breakfast.

I do not eat out much so I sometimes am taken aback by how much dining out costs.

Yes we have French Toast over here although where I come from it was known as eggy bread and was very much a savoury food not served with sugar, syrup etc.

I had no trouble finding porridge [oatmeal] for breakfast in London - an excellent version at a small cafe in Lambeth and a passable version at Gail's. If prepared from raw oats and served with almond or oatmeal milk it should meet your dietary needs. If offered at Premier Inn, it may be instant, which may be more problematical. And if you're on a budget, you won't get any cheaper eating out in London than JD Wetherspoon's - although locals may squawk at this.

Wetherspoons I’d undoubtedly cheap, but there are good reasons for this. In any case I personally won’t set foot in a Wetherspoons because of the owner.

markcw

Sorry to say but I do not like oatmeal although it is considered healthy for me. Can not stand the texture.

But i do like Cream of Wheat although uncertain how healthy it is for me.
.
I believe that PI offers some cereals that will work for me .I looked at the list but I still am supposed to ration how much I can eat and even how much low fat milk I can use.

Uncertain about Almond or Oat Milk. I know they are supposed to be very healthy but might not be for me with my health issues. Might be healthier for my diabetes but maybe not the kidneys.

Have to look into it.