We would like to know if anyone has any information on getting to the National Rail station at Heathrow Terminal 2 from the international arrivals area. We don't want to go into London with Heathrow Express or the tube. From the maps it looks like there may be a station that is connected via walkway between terminals 2 and 3, but none of the maps we can find on the Heathrow or National Rail websites tell how to get there once you land. We are headed to Exeter and don't want to backtrack into London.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
The only way to avoid backtracking into London is to take the railair coach from LHR to Reading then train to Exeter.
Posted by
London, UK
419 posts
This isn’t a direct answer to your query, but there will be clear signs in the terminal to direct you to the TfL Rail station for Term 2&3.
However, are you aware that there is no direct train from Heathrow out west to Exeter? You would have to take TfL Rail towards London, get off at a stop like Haynes and Harlington, and change platforms (possibly climbing up and down stairs) to a slow westbound train that would take you to Reading, where you would change to an express train to Exeter. This may all take some time and of course involve you changing trains several times with your luggage, so it might be quicker and more convenient to take the train to London Paddington station and change there onto the fast train to Exeter, even though it feels counter-intuitive. Also, with respect to the inhabitants, Haynes and Harlington isn’t in the nicest area so, depending on the time you arrive, I’m not sure I’d want to be hanging around the station.
Posted by
London, UK
419 posts
I forgot about the coach to Reading. That sounds much simpler than fussing about changing trains on TfL Rail.
Posted by
Freedonia
16420 posts
There is no train station, per se, at Heathrow. There is the Heathrow Express, Crossrail (to open soon?), and the underground.
Your choices, as previously noted are the bus to Reading then switch to the train to Exeter, or the Heathrow Express to Paddington and switch to a train to Exeter.
If you are arriving at Terminal 2 or 3 and want either the Heathrow Express or the tube, follow the signs. For the bus, it would be outside the terminal.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, WA
2 posts
Thanks all,
The bus sounds like the way to go. We have also done a car service to the Slough train station on a previous trip and on to Reading from there, but were trying to avoid that. Not knowing if everything will be on time and how much time may be required to clear passport control these days, that's probably the best option. We were aware of the Hayes/ Harlington option, but didn't know any more about it that that, so thanks for that info too. The bus it is. Many thanks.