Help me choose a train - LHR to KGX

It can take an hour + to go from LHR to Kings Cross on the Picadilly line. And you will have to pass through Immigration after deplaning. And then from there to the tube station. And at the other end, from the tube station to the train station and the correct track for your train. 2 hours is really pushing your luck, IMO. No allowance for a late arrival or any delay at any point. If it was me, I wouldn't buy a ticket for earlier than 2. If you are lucky and arrive at the station early, there are plenty of options for a bite to eat.

I'd be very conservative about this. Looking at July 2, the last Tuesday now available on National Rail, a train leaves KGX at 4:06 and arrives Lincoln at 6:03, with no changes. That's the one I'd aim for in your place, unless there's a need to be in Lincoln sooner. There are a couple of earlier trains that might work, but they require changes so don't get into Lincoln much sooner. If you find yourself with extra time at KGX, have a coffee and a bite to eat, you'll be ready for it.

The HEX is very fast to Paddington, but then you have to get to KGX by tube or taxi. I think the Piccadilly line will work better for you in the middle of the day. But I don't know enough about the Elizabeth Line, maybe it would work better.

I know the HEX is faster but more expensive than the Tube.

But it doesn’t go to Kings Cross.

Elizabeth Line to Farringdon and then tube from there or Piccadilly Line to Kings Cross.

My only stipulation is that I need to be in Lincoln for a dinner. However, the time hasn't been specified yet. Other than that, I think I will shoot for a 2 PM train. 3 hours seems reasonable to me. It's too early for train schedules in mid-August, anyway, so I will do more research later on. The LNER site currently only shows timetables until around July 9. Thanks!

@Camborne2018:

You wrote: "But it doesn’t go to Kings Cross.

Elizabeth Line to Farringdon and then tube from there or Piccadilly Line to Kings Cross."

Yes, I am aware that HEX doesn't go to King's Cross. I don't think I said that it did. I was just referring to the amount of time it takes from LHR to central London. Looking at several sites like Tfl, it doesn't seem to be much faster going by the Heathrow Express than by the Piccadilly Line, so the latter is most likely what I'll opt for.
Thanks for the replies, I appreciate hearing people's perspectives and thoughts.

Whatever time you choose is ultimately a gamble. The early afternoon through train is at 1406. So aim for that.

Any train before 2.30pm the maximum walk up fare is a Super Off Peak Single at £49.10.

I would just buy that on arrival.

After that time the fare is then an Anytime fare of £95.80 until after 7pm.

If you take a gamble on any specific train and your flight is late then you will have to pay another £49 or £96 anyway.

But if you miss the 1430 do NOT pay £95.80. Instead buy an Off Peak Single to Peterborough for £37.40 and an Off Peak Single Peterborough to Lincoln £27.70 (Total of £65.10). Those fares are available on all evening peak trains (in spite of their name). You would have to be on a train that stops at Peterborough- but most LNER do. You can buy both at KC.

I'd be very conservative about this. Looking at July 2, the last Tuesday now available on National Rail, a train leaves KGX at 4:06 and arrives Lincoln at 6:03, with no changes. That's the one I'd aim for in your place, unless there's a need to be in Lincoln sooner. There are a couple of earlier trains that might work, but they require changes so don't get into Lincoln much sooner.

Incorrect. As stated above the 2.06 is also a direct train as stated above.

@isn31c:

"Whatever time you choose is ultimately a gamble. The early afternoon through train is at 1406. So aim for that."

Yes, that's what I'm thinking. I will aim for that. There is some possibility I may be able to carpool with a friend in London who's going up to Lincoln same as I am. I took a look at the current security wait times at LHR in Terminal 5 and it's less than 10 minutes. Of course, that's Monday evening around 10 PM, so I'll probably keep checking it in the summertime to get a more realistic idea. Thank you again.

but security wait times is for people getting on a flight, not for people going through immigration and border control.

Also time in London is pushing 11 at night, very few flights at that time.

It’s not security that will delay you at Heathrow. It’s passport control. Wait times at passport control are highly variable. If a couple of full wide body aircraft arrive just before you the lines can be long. Likewise if the E gates are not working lines and processing time can be long. I’m not aware of any way to check online for passport control waiting times.

Thanks to all who've replied, I appreciate the responses.

As for getting to Kings Cross, the Piccadilly line will take about an hour and is the cheapest. You get on at Terminal 5 and more than likely you will get a seat. You get off at Kings Cross.

When you arrive at LHR, you will go through immigration, then walk through customs, turn right after customs and walk down to the entrance to the London Underground. Take the elevator (lift) down and get on the next train into London. (The Piccadilly line is the only one of the Underground lines that goes to Heathrow.)

Terminal 5 has three buildings....the main terminal, Satellite B and Satellite C. Most flights from the US arrive at B or C. From there you take an underground shuttle to the main terminal for immigration. This can take time.

It's way too early to buy tickets for Lincoln.

It is not way too early to buy tickets- LNER are open to 13 September. If you are on the through trains they are who you would be using.
They even have advance tickets open into September for journeys where you change to East Midlands Trains at either Peterborough or Newark.

It's way too early for you to buy tickets as you are not sure if you could carpool with someone. Don't worry, it won't sell out.

It's way too early for you to buy tickets as you are not sure if you could carpool with someone. Don't worry, it won't sell out.

Thank you! I kinda figured it was.

Thanks to everyone who replied, I appreciate it. I have decided to get the 2:00 train to Lincoln, I have no worries about getting there late with such an early arrival time. Really looking forward to this trip!