St. Pancras Intl to Paddington for Heathrow Express

It's not difficult at all. Just follow the signs for the King's Cross/St. Pancras Underground station. Make sure you know which line you need to take, in which direction, to get to Paddington. I recall there being a couple of options. Tap your card or phone to enter and exit. Others will probably comment on whether Paddington/Heathrow Express is the best way to get from St. Pancras to Heathrow. I wouldn't know, as I only went from St.P to Paddington.

Have you considered Kings Cross/ St Pancras Piccadilly Line to Heathrow? St Pancras and Kings Cross are adjacent.

HEX is more expensive than Underground. If you still want to take it, buy tickets in advance for savings.

I take the HEX when staying near Paddington. Convenient for that, but generally Piccadilly line when staying or coming from elsewhere.

How big is your checked bag? If you can manage your luggage on public transit, you could just get on the tube (Piccadilly line) and take it all the way to Heathrow. There are no changes and it takes about an hour. There are escalators, but no stairs. I think this is a lot easier than taking the tube to Paddington and switching to the Heathrow Express.

If you take the tube to Paddington, there are stairs when transiting between tube and the rail platform.

Either take the Tube all the way from St Pancras, or go to Farringdon and pick up the Elizabeth Line. There is little point in going to Paddington.

We just take a cab for this - despite many people taking the tube - for a variety of reasons.

So the tube will work fine - but I just wanted you to hear a response from someone who chooses cab plus a ride on the Heathrow Express. I like the HEX - it’s super fast and not crowded. I buy it way in advance and feel it’s a reasonable deal.

My cab fare varies for the 2.5 mile ride - depends on traffic. But I would expect it to be 35 pounds.

Hardly 'superfast', the Elizabeth Line is only 11 mins slower despite several more stops.

it’s a reasonable deal.

Not when you are paying £35 to get to Paddington to board the HEX.

The poster asked specifically about taking a cab and then Heathrow Express - and while the common sentiment on this site is not in favor of this plan, it’s still helpful to provide information.

For us - this more expensive option works - due to one traveler having a significant health problem. Crowded trains are a problem, stairs are a problem, not being able to sit on a moving vehicle is a problem.

So for some people, a cab is the solution.

Just to clarify - at Paddington Station there are escalators and elevators to get from the tube to the Heathrow Express platform, so that should not be a problem if you choose that route. We chose a taxi and Heathrow Express for ease, and there is more room for luggage on the Heathrow Express than sometimes standing up on the tube and trying to make room for luggage if it is crowded.

OP also asked about tube to Paddington.

I agree that the HEX is much more comfortable than tube. For me, lack of convenience defeats taking it more often.

If I'm reading this correctly, each of you has two wheeled bags. Is that correct?

How are you walking with them? Is it a problem to walk a bit with them? If not, you have numerous step free public transit choices to Heathrow. They have been mentioned.

But if you want ease, take a taxi from St. Pancras to Paddington and then get either the Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth Line. (These two trains travel the same tracks except the Elizabeth line makes a few stops. If you can't get the cheapest tickets on the HEX, then the Elizabeth line might save you money.)

I certainly appreciate the question and answer regarding a cab and then the HEX. My husband is blind and travels with a guide dog. We take up a bit of space since we have the dog and an extra bag for the dog’s needs. I do want the extra room on the HEX. A ticket in advance is only £10, and it’s a 15 minute ride. We’ve taken cabs from Heathrow to our hotel in London for many more pounds and at least an hour ride due to traffic.

We have a 1400 flight out of Heathrow with Brit Air in early June.
Can somebody please recommend a nearby hotel for the previous night.
(From a previous post by OP)

Can't help but wonder if OP has changed their plan and is now arriving on Eurostar and trying to take the flight from Heathrow the same day.

If so, and thus 'time is of the essence', do the answers change?

Just to clarify - at Paddington Station there are escalators and elevators to get from the tube to the Heathrow Express platform, so that should not be a problem if you choose that route

While that’s probably accurate the devil is in the details. To get from some tube platforms to the exit there are often stairs and corridors that are narrow with twists and turns before you get to the escalators. When I was taking the HEX I would use a taxi to or from Paddington. I’ve now switched to using the Elizabeth line. Not as fast and no dedicated luggage racks but I always find a place to stash my bag that’s out of the way.

Thank you for all the varying opinions. That is the purpose of this forum, isn't it?

No, we do not need to disembark from Eurostar and get to Heathrow Airport for a flight the same day. Yes, we have two large wheely cases, two small wheely cases, and two small items. I will ponder on this some more.

we have two large wheely cases, two small wheely cases, and two small items.

Given that assortment of baggage, I think a taxi would worthwhile.