Piccadilly or Elizabeth Line from Heathrow

Personally, I would do the least number of transfers necessary on arrival day and with luggage. That would mean the Piccadilly line. You get on at the airport which is the end of the line. You will have no difficulties in finding a spot to sit or to manage your luggage. It may fill up as you go, but that won't be too big of an issue to you since you are already seated and your luggage placed. You stay in your spot until it is time to exit and you are done.

I agree Heathrow Express is expensive if not purchased far in advance and it recently raised its prices for advance tickets. It also won't get you to your ultimate destination. However, just so you know for future reference, you don't buy Heathrow Express for a specific train, you purchase it for a specific day and direction.

There is a trip planner on the TFL website https://tfl.gov.uk/ that might give some insight.

At the time of day you will be travelling, for the Piccadilly line, you will get on an empty train, so your pick of seats. You will be traveling after the morning rush (though you do not mention day of week), so while it may get somewhat busy as you approach central London, it will not be packed to the rafters. There is a lot to be said about getting on, having a seat, and getting off near your lodging, even if it takes longer.

For the other option, the changes would be a hassle for me. Paddington is a big station, not sure what the route is to get from the Elizabeth line (rail line) to the underground station and your line, but am sure it is not a 5 minute change (get out, leave the platform, maybe exit, then enter the Underground station, wind your way down to a platform), that is where the trip planner may help.

Someone will likely mention the Heathrow Express, just, No.

We were in London last June and planned to take the Piccadilly Line from LHR to our hotel in Mayfair. However, because that line was closed from Acton Town to Hyde Park Corner because of scheduled works, we ended up taking the Lizzie Line to Bond Street and then walking to our hotel. The nice thing about the Piccadilly Line is that you can ride it without transfers to your stop. I would also factor in your, and your group’s, tolerance for crowds, as well as the day of the week you’re arriving. Regardless which option you choose, be sure and check Tfl.gov.uk for the latest status updates.

Elizabeth line goes direct to Tottenham Court Road, which might not be too long a walk to your lodging. We were recently there and stayed on Montague St. across from British Museum. Ran into weekend track work (no Elizabeth service east of Paddington) and ended up taking Elizabeth to Paddington and then tube to Tottenham. That was not fun, a real hassle doing that transfer (several changes) with luggage, but the walk from Tottenham to hotel wasn't bad. Should have taken Piccadilly direct to Russell Sq. that time. Going back to airport, Piccadilly was shut down to Heathrow due to work, but Elizabeth fully back in business. I have a feeling they make sure that all the train options to Heathrow aren't simultaneously closed. Check the tfl London website for service updates. I definitely recommend avoiding changes at Paddington if possible (plus, if you happen across any lost bears there, you will likely want to take care of them, which will delay you). FYI at Russell Sq., there aren't escalators and the stairs are very long, definitely take their advice and ride the lift if you get off there.

Picadilly. No transfers trump all other options

and then tube to Tottenham.

Please use the full name of a tube station or street when you're in the UK. I realise the American convention is to drop the "street" or "road".

Tottenham is an area in the London Borough of Haringey, the main tube stop being Seven Sisters on the Victoria Line. A visitor asking a local for directions to Tottenham is quite possibly going to end up there, miles from where they want to be.

Let's step back a moment.....how big is the group? Are they all adults or will there be kids?

Piccadilly line is not necessarily the "slowest" option. It is a direct line from Heathrow and will take about an hour. The Elizabeth Line is faster.....to Paddington. From there you will have to switch lines unless you take it to Tottenham Court Station and then walk. In total, you might save 5-10 minutes.

The TfL journey planner can throw up all sorts of convoluted journeys to shave off a few minutes - in theory. In practice these savings are hardly ever worth it or even achieved.

You haven't my mentioned this, but if accessibility is any issue, take the Piccadilly to Kings Cross. If not go to the nearest, considering that Russell Square has some unavoidable stairs.

The key is to know exactly where your accommodation is. It['s most likely that the Piccadilly Line is going to be the best but it is possible that you could walk to your hotel from Tottenham Court Road. If that's the case then Elizabeth Line would be quicker and more comfortable although also more expensive. Whatever you do, don't change at Paddington - you have to walk the full width of the station to get from the Elizabeth Line to the right tube.

The Piccadilly line will cost £5.60pp and the Elizabeth Line £13.30. But that difference will be greatly reduced if you're planning to use public transport again that day, as both fares will go towards the zone 1-6 daily cap of £15.60.

It would be a great help helping you if we knew the size and composition of your "group". And where "between Kings Cross and Russell Square" you need to go. I won't tell anyone - promise.

As mentioned above, if you take the Piccadilly Line to Kings Cross or Russell Square you will join an empty train (as you would also on the Elizabeth line but be aware that the Elizabeth Line is now the most used transportation in all of London and you will likely be on it with several new friends, and that Terminal 5 is not on the Elizabeth Line if you need it, free Heathrow Express to Terminals 2/3 and change to Elizabeth Line there (which originates at Terminal 4) ) at the airport, and while it may fill to a degree on the way into and through town you will as suggested above be in position and seated with the luggage in the nook.

Kings Cross St Pancras tube station has lots of lifts so your group can stay together instead of strung out down the escalators.

You don't say which day of the week you will be landing at 9 am, I will say that since Covid the flows on the tube and into London have changed quite a lot and have to a large degree remained since. No longer are many workers working M-F, there are so few on Fridays these days TfL have recently made Friday's fares all off-peak (but i bet that Elizabeth Line from Heathrow are still priced at peak, as all Elizabeth Line fares to or from the airport are).

Thursday is now the new Friday. Tuesday is the new Monday, and Tuesday is now the busiest day of the week in London. Vast numbers, though, work some or all of their week from home.

So be prepared for crowding but not what it was, and with your flight arriving so late in the morning I think you'll be fine. But do share us the shape of your group please.

As above TfL planner is great, as is Google Maps for updated information.

IF you are going on a weekend, there is a strong chance you will encounter the London phenomenon known as the "Replacement Bus Service". This is: Tube cancelled for some reason or another, and you take a series of buses, having to transfer several times along the way. COMPLETELY unworkable if you have any big bags, due to all the other people in your situation, and is very slow. Consider this prior to your choice of travel option. If it were me, I might just blow the bank on the train, given your situation.

Nigel - your Elizabeth line info is not quite correct. There is a service from T4 every 15 minutes which go to Abbey Wood. But there is also a service from T5 every 30 minutes to Shenfield. Both services also call at T2/T3. Obviously if you just miss a service at T5 it's worth getting the HEX to T2/T3 rather than waiting almost 30 minutes.

I'm also not sure about excessive crowding on Elizabeth line trains. I suspect that coming from LHR mid morning any day of the week you will not see huge numbers of people until beyond Paddington. We travelled on last Saturday afternoon from T3 to Stratford. I know that's a fairly quiet time but there were very few people on the train until Tottenham Court Road. By the time we got to Stratford though it was as packed as usual.

It also matters where on the train you are. We got on the train believing we were going to Forest Gate, so got on =right at the front knowing that's where the station exit is. Then my son asked to meet us at Stratford instead. I think the busyness might have something to do with one of the main entrances at TCR being at the front of the train.

but be aware that the Elizabeth Line is now the most used transportation in all of London and you will likely be on it with several new friends, and that Terminal 5 is not on the Elizabeth Line if you need it, free Heathrow Express to Terminals 2/3 and change to Elizabeth Line there (which originates at Terminal 4) ) at the airport.

I do not quite understand this. Has something changed? Does the Elizabeth Line no longer serve Terminal 5? We boarded the Elizabeth Line train in T5 last March, and are hoping to do so again next month.

It is news both to me and the timetable planners that the Elizabeth Line no longer serves Terminal 5. I am looking at live train tracking as I write this and can confirm that EL does run from Terminal 5, every 30 minutes, running as far East as Shenfield.

And keeping writing about the difficulties of rail replacement buses doesn't make it true. From Heathrow, when they run, they are actually faster than the tube as they run non stop, unless you choose voluntarily to opt for an all stations version.
Nor is it a London phenomenon. It happens around the country. Unlike Amtrak UK railways do not leave their passengers stranded unless forward transport is impossible due to things like very severe weather.

It is news both to me and the timetable planners

that is a bit unnecessary and pompous...

I know that you have never made a mistake Stuart because you know everything, but if a small mistake is made perhaps a little politeness would not go amiss.

I may have made a mistake - I make a lot of them, and help others who also make mistakes but I am not snide.

Have a look at the much more gentle way that Johnew52 said it

When I was riding it there was no service to T5, everybody was plopped onto the Heathrow Express between T2/3 and T5. I am glad that the service is better than when I experienced it.

Sorry if my question caused any unnecessary disagreements.

Anyways - we are arriving on a Thursday - 9am arrival and again hoping to be out of Heathrow about 10:30 after immigration and baggage etc.

We have a group of 10 teenagers (younger teens though) and 2 adults. Not a big group, but not small either.

We are staying in a hotel by the Cartwright Gardens, essentially equidistant to Russel SQ underground and King Cross/St Pancras underground on the Piccadilly line (6-8 minute walk according to Google Maps).

The Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road Station is supposedly over a 20 minute walk. That's possible, but a bit longer than I would like with bags after a long flight with a group of teens.

I think Piccadilly to Russel Square Station or Kings Cross (sounds a bit easier to get through with bags) will be the best overall option.

Thank you!!!!

I think Piccadilly to Russel Square Station or Kings Cross (sounds a bit easier to get through with bags) will be the best overall option.

I agree that Piccadilly line would be best option.

Russell Square requires you to use stairs and a lift to get to the street level. While the walk from Russell Square would be along a less busy road, at Kings Cross, you can exit step free. I’d probably lean towards exiting at Kings Cross to avoid the stairs.

I'm going to make an alternate suggestions.....

considering the size of the group with many being younger teens, only two adults, after I'm guessing to be an overnight flight, extra exuberance of the younger set being in London and the possibility of one or more getting lost in the crowd.......

you may want to look into hiring a car service offering a van large enough to transport the group. They will meet you as you exit customs and drop you off in front of the hotel.

Why not see how much more a van is going to cost then taking everyone on the tube. (And remember, each person must have their own method for payment--Oyster card, credit card, Apple Pay/Google Pay for the tube.)

I am going to go a bit opposite of Frank on this. I say take the Tube and make it the start of the learning experience on how to get around on public transport in London. It is the teacher in me. I can't help it.

In Advance:
As a group, watch a few You Tube videos about how to buy oyster cards, how to find your way on the tube, and how to ride politely. The biggest challenge for your group will probably be getting them to understand that talking loudly to each other while on the tube will be annoying to most other people and riding quietly is preferred. Install City Mapper on their smart phones. This App will give them great directions on how to get anywhere in London on public transport.

Pre-Teach them about managing their valuables in crowded settings like the tube.

https://youtu.be/SSiH5klcqt0?si=Oi0-PVwedzw_Z9np

Carol - that was exactly my plan. Part of the purpose of the program is to provide students with an opportunity for "authentic" travel experiences and how to become independent travelers in the future. We rely on public transportation as much as possible (other than doing one of the open air bus tours the first day or two to see the main highlights and we have one private transfer between Bath and Stonehenge). I led a group last year and already have Oyster Cards which I will have topped up already, but they will learn how to use them, how to read a subway map and hopefully by the end of the trip will be able to navigate the city on their own (with a chaperone following)

Definitely have then use City mapper app!