I read an account today in a Railway industry release that Heathrow Express will become even easier to get tickets for - because of their partnership with Google Maps.
"Heathrow Express has launched a new partnership with Google Maps to offer information on journey times and fast access to tickets between central London and Heathrow within the Google Maps journey planner.
Using mobile payment such as Apple Pay, a ticket transaction can be completed in under a minute."
It might be easier, but definitely cheaper to purchase ticket far in advance if your plans are firm
agreed
Cheaper and maybe easier depending where your destination in London to use the Underground
If you are wanting to end up in Paddingon you can also use Heathrow Connect where you don't need buy a ticket, use Oyster or Contactless Card
I'm afraid that Heathrow Connect has been gone since 2018.
There is now a TfL rail in the runup to the eventual CrossRail/Elizabeth Line.
I've done this a number of times, and run the numbers every which way, and I can't make Heathrow Express make any sense unless you are staying near Paddington, or taking a train from Paddington.
For example, we usually stay in Bloomsbury. Tube from Heathrow to Russell Square takes 68 minutes, one journey, no connections and costs GBP 3.30 off peak. As we start our journey at the start of the line, there is never any problem getting on with our light luggage.
Meanwhile Heathrow Express takes 54 minutes (train plus two Tube connections) and costs GBP 5.50 plus 2.40 for a Zone 1 Tube fare = GBP 7.90. But now you are lugging your luggage through Paddington station, up and down lifts at two Tube stations, and getting on a crowded carriage in the centre of London.
Bottom line, Piccadilly Line saves 5 quid and a lot of stress and effort. Heathrow express saves 14 minutes.
@darrinblios……the Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes from Heathrow to Paddington.
Riding the Tube from Heathrow into London would be an ordeal for me—-I am slightly claustrophobic to begin with, and I hate the noise, and the crowding we have faced on short rides within London. I cannot imagine doing it with luggage, even our small an light roller bags.
We are very happy to pay more for the comfort of the Heathrow Express to Paddington, then black cab from there to our hotel or apartment. It makes it possible to actually look forward to our arrival in London after the long flight. I do book the Heathrow Express tix long in advance to get that 5.50 GDP advance fare. So we will not be using the Apple Pay option.
Done Heathrow to Marylebone many times and have always used the Underground present off Peak Fare with my Senior Railcard is £2.00.
A lot of the journey is above ground, the section out of the airport is in a tunnel. so is the Heathrow Express
@darrinblios……the Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes from Heathrow to Paddington.
To Paddington, yes. But that's not what I said. Most don't end their journey at Paddington. That's why I said, if you are going to (say) Bloomsbury, you have to add on the time to walk through the huge Paddington complex to get on the Circle Line, then the huge Kings Cross complex to get to the Piccadilly, then alight at Russell Square.
Piccadilly Line direct from Heathrow to Russell Square makes much more sense.
I am so glad that so many options exist for transportation between Heathrow and London. I don't think I am going out on a limb to say that the reason these options exist is that they meet different needs for different travelers. It is great that everyone can look at the options and choose the one that is best for them.
I like to stay within 4 blocks of Paddingon so the Heathrow Express suits me just fine; other times I stayed in Kensington and just took the Tube, either way is fine as long as I am in glorious London.
Yes, I too am glad there are good options for all of us.
As for getting to the Circle line from the Heathrow Express, there is no need to walk “through the huge Paddington complex”. Just exit the train and walk back on the platform between tracks 6 and 7 to the stairs and the walkway that goes directly to the platforms for the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines. It looks like there are turnstiles there now, so one may need an Oyster card or ticket to get through.
Lola, that connection gets you to the Circle Line via Victoria, not convenient if you are headed to Bloomsbury as in my example. One would want the Circle Line via Kings Cross
