I've read a number of people mentioning traveling by bus, train and bus/taxi, or hiring a driver to travel between Heathrow and Stratford upon Avon... I would love to hear which of these options is recommended and easy? We will be flying from the USA after a long flight and are looking for something less challenging.
Thank you!
If cost isn't an issue, car/driver.
Otherwise, think about an easy journey to a mid-point, say, Oxford on day 1, and carry on on day 2.
Otherwise, it's a bus/train journey with changes.
the train from London to Stratford upon Avon doesn't go via Oxford. It is Chiltern Railways from London Marylebone to either Leamington Spa and change for the train to Stratford upon Avon or continue a little beyond Leamington to Dorridge and backtrack around the corner to Stratford. The time you leave Marylebone will dictate which. Heathrow to Marylebone is possibly easiest done Heathrow Express / Elizabeth Line to Paddington and walk. Possibly too close for a happy taxi driver.
There is an around the sun to get to the moon route by train involving London Euston station, Avanti West Coast train to Birmingham New Street station, walking to Birmingham Moor Street and an hour more to Stratford having overshot by many miles heading north, all to save a handful of minutes and pay a lot more.
If you are very tired and don't want the hassle you can get a driver. Much simpler on day of arrival, but at a cost.
Oxford can be done by Airline bus and then Cross Country trains to Leamington then Chiltern into Stratford. whew....