Luggage on the Tube

Luggage on the Piccadilly Line is standard all the time. The time you're arriving is popular for flights from North America. The train will be crowded and people are used to having luggage on that line. Your party will not be the only ones with luggage.

Instead of Uber, you might be better off arranging for a car service ahead of time. They meet you as you exit customs and drive you directly to your hotel. You will know the price ahead of time. Make sure you let them know how many people and the amount of luggage.

Two services popular on this forum are Blackberry Cars and Just Airports.

As for price, it depends on where you are going in Kensington--it covers a big area--and the size of vehicle. But probably somewhere between 60 and 100 GBP.

With Uber, you won't know the price until you order it. It will vary depending on weather, demand, traffic, etc. With a car service you know the price ahead of time.

Can you clarify where in Kensington you are travelling to? It's a big area with a number of possible tube stops.
My first response as someone who commuted on that line is 'Oh God! 6 people and cases!' :-) but seriously you should be fine.
It will be busy, it is peak rush hour but you will be getting on the tube at the start of the line so you will get a seat.
There are no luggage spaces on the tube so you will need to keep your cases with you whilst not blocking the walk ways.
For the carry ons you can keep them by your feet where you sit down.
For a large case, there are standing areas near the door. Position your case against the side of the standing area and sit in the seat right next to it. But be prepared to move it as people get on. Commuters are used to cases on this line so it is not a big issue just be flexible.
Be prepared when it is time to get off at your stop, there will be people wanting to get on and it will be a bit of a scrum. Don't loiter. When you get off immediately head away from the tube. stand by the wall or at the centre of the platform. Nothing annoys commuters more than people who get off the tube and just stop!

As I said you should be fine. If you let us know where you are specifically aiming for we can give more specific advice.

Thank you both! And Emma I appreciate the tips! I was wondering/hoping that the airport was the start of the line. Our stop is Earl's Court.

I'm considering putting my daughters in a car service with their larger bags but the rest of us taking the tube. Avoids us paying for a larger van. But maybe we can make the tube work.

You can find the information about Earls Court Station here
https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/stop/940GZZLUECT/earls-court-underground-station

Sorry if this is stating the obvious, but in case you aren't use to public transport, make sure you all have the address of your hotel and have a plan in place for if you get separated on the tube, for example someone getting stuck on the tube when the doors close.

Piccadilly Line trains do have a bit more luggage space than other lines but it is just by the doors, there aren't racks of any kind etc.

Earls Court means no changes & step free access so it will be on the easier end of being able to cope with luggage but be all ready before you arrive at the station.

As Earls Court was my "home" station up until recently, I can help with it.

First, it's not in Kensington. It's in Earls Court. That's the neighborhood.

Secondly, there are two exits to the Earls Court Station. Which one to use depends on the location of your hotel. (If you tell us which hotel, I can tell you which exit.)

When you arrive at the station, you will take the elevator (lift) to street level. There are two banks of elevators. Each one goes to a different exit.

But since you are going to Earls Court, there is another transportation option.

National Express runs a coach service from Heathrow to Central London. It stops near Earls Court Road on Cromwell Road. Your luggage goes underneath the bus so it can handle any size.

National Express

By the way, in which terminal do you arrive at Heathrow?

Such great tips from Emma, especially for you all to have a plan and destination/travel info in case you get separated.

We have Ubered between County Hall/Waterloo Premier Inn area to Heathrow since May '24. I'm sure it was under 75 pounds (maybe 60 one time), including a good tip, but I don't know that we've done it in morning rush hour. The last time we were in London was Nov/Dec but I think we went from Kew to Heathrow then, so maybe cheaper.? When we head home, we usually have heavier suitcases and often an extra, larger, one, so we Uber rather than each wrangle a large, a carryon, and a personal bag on the tube.

We like the freedom of Uber, a service we're familiar with, at the time we want, without pre-booking; works for us.

I was wondering/hoping that the airport was the start of the line.

But which terminal may be a factor - I recently arrived at Terminal 5 mid-day, and the Piccadilly cars were packed - I was able to get a seat, but my view into the car ahead showed a number of people standing until approaching central London.

On the return I took the Elizabeth line - almost luxurious by comparison - perhaps someone could suggest the proper transfer point to get to Earls Court, if there is one.

I would not advise you talking the Elizabeth Line nor the Heathrow Express between Heathrow and Earls Court. You would have to change trains at Paddington for the District Line and it's not a short walk between the two train lines. It would also cost you quite a bit more.

I tried taking the Heathrow Express to Paddington and then transfering to the District Line, once, just to experience it. Once was enough.

If going with trains stick with the Piccadilly Line. Terminal 5 is the starting point so having a packed train prior to its arrival meant something unusual was going on.

If I wanted to take the Elizabeth Line to Earl's Court I would do the short, level change [when eastbound] to the District line at Ealing Broadway (the end of the line), as opposed to at Paddington.

Westbound there are elevators/lifts up to the overbridge for the Elizabeth Line.

As Frank has said, if the Piccadilly line train was already busy at Terminal 5 there was probably a problem with the service. There is normally no problem getting a seat.
When entering any tube platform it is always worth moving down the platform away from the entrance where there will be (usually) fewer people trying to board and more space.

You can transfer from the Elizabeth line to the District line at Ealing Broadway, but if you just miss the District line train there will be a wait. They only run every 10-15minutes in the peak period.
There really is no need to take this route the Piccadilly line should be fine.

When entering any tube platform it is always worth moving down the platform away from the entrance where there will be (usually) fewer people trying to board and more space.

This is excellent advice. Especially at Heathrow T2,3. Everyone seems to congregate around the escalators down to track level. I've learned to walk down to the other end of the platform and it will not be as busy (usually.) Unless, of course, TFL is up to its usual games with the Piccadilly line. I have been known to wait up to 20 minutes for a Piccadilly Line train then three in a row will come within 5 minutes of each other. With a 20 minute wait, the platform gets very crowded. .

BTW, I've done the run from Heathrow to Earls Court more times than I remember. From T2,3 it usually takes somewhere from 37 to 42 minutes depending on any delays.

I don’t know about the Tube, but the DC Metro is often much less crowded in the first and last cars of the train, especially the first car. Since everyone in your group is an adult instead of stressing about staying together make a plan that if you do get separated, plan to meet on the platform at your final stop. If you don’t all make it on the same train, another one will be along shortly.

If you really want to make the local commuters happy, make sure that you and your luggage stand to the right so that those walking up the escalator can pass on the left.

if you have substantial luggage use the lift

My daughter and I traveled to London for the first time in October and did carryon only because of the same concerns. We are traveling next week and I am bringing my regular size suitcase. I am small and just struggled with my heavy backpack and a second purse, my cpap and phone for directions, etc....it was not worth the effort.
Follow the suggestions given, and front and back of train usually have more room. Lots of people with luggage when we went back and forth. Just go with the flow, literally!

Hope you have a great trip!!

You can’t guarantee the first and last carriages will be the quietest..
Entrances can be anywhere along the length of a platform, and thinking of the stations I have regularly used on the Piccadilly line ( not at the airport), the entrances are at the end of platforms.
But in all seriousness, don’t over think it. :-) You really should have no problem getting on the train at Heathrow.

Is there a bus service that could get them close to their destination?

Solves the issue of dealing with baggage and keeping everyone together

For this journey a bus would be much harder, slower and with less space for luggage.
The tube will be fine!

The National Express bus is as fast as the train to Earl's Court and easier as the driver puts your luggage in the hold. It runs from Heathrow Central (terminals 2 and 3) at least every 30 minutes, sometimes more often, and takes about 30 minutes.

The coach from Heathrow to Earls Court is not a TFL bus but an intercity coach with a large luggage compartment underneath.

I also don't believe it makes any stops between Heathrow and Earls Court.

I've never actually taken it because the tube was closer to my former accomodations. I have seen it at its Earls Court stop.

Is there a bus service that could get them close to their destination?

Yes, and Frank II - and then Stuart - provided the information on it. I would follow their advice !!

Firstly just to say i'm not trying to be argumentative here! I'm also not a rabid defender of the Piccadilly line. 25 years of travelling on it and I am very happy to point out its faults! I have also been a regular user of the buses from Heathrow Bus station because it was the easiest way for me to travel to and from the airport.

The National Express Coach ( total pedantry it's not a bus it's a coach) to Earl's Court stops on the West Cromwell Road. If that is convenient for your destination it could be an option.

If you are landing at terminal 2 the bus station is convenient. From terminal 3 it is a bit of a walk, 10 minutes is quoted but i think it takes a little longer and can feel like a bit of a slog after a flight. Others might disagree.
From the other terminals you have to take a train or bus to get to the bus station so I am not sure there is much of an advantage to using it. The coach, obviously, takes fewer people and runs less frequently than the tube so again unless its Earl's Court stop is particularly convenient for your destination I'm really not sure there is much if any advantage to it.
The tube is fine! :-) (jinxed it now it will probably be a disaster)

Emma, No you don't have to first get to Central Bus Station from Terminal 5. At least every half hour a National Express bus (to the US readers)/coach to British people, stops at Terminal 5 with no change to Earls Court (calling at Central Bus Station on the way).

I really appreciate all the input! Thank you!