I believe we can take the GWR from MIM to London Paddington, then transfer to a train the Heathrow.
We'd like to stay at a Hotel near the airport, & wondered if we should use the train to Heathrow, then take a shuttle to the hotel.
I understand that Hotel shuttles charge several pounds.
The day our flight departs, would you suggest taking the Hotel shuttle once again to the airport?
Thank you for any information you could offer!
Priscilla
Posted by
Singapore
1129 posts
You can find details of the Hotel Hoppa bus here:
https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/by-coach-or-bus/hotel-buses
BUT
A few questions. How long are you planning to stay at Heathrow before departure? Unless it's just one night before and early morning departure, it's worth just staying in central London. Not a lot to do at Heathrow.
Also, which terminal? The Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow T2&3 is directly connected and walkable to terminals 2 and 3, so no need for a bus.
Posted by
Land of La
10058 posts
When is the trip?
Be advised there is a Premier Inn adjacent to Paddington Station. From Paddington you could board the Elizabeth Line to Heathrow.
You should also investigate the Heathrow Express option. Above asked when the trip is because the further out you are date wise the cheaper a HEX ticket would be. The HEX is a 15 minute ride.
Elizabeth line a tad bit longer.
Personally I always take the HEX. 1.) because I’m used to it. 2.) Because I fly overnight LAX to LHR and I get little sleep. Once I land after the 8 hour flight I don’t wish to dawdle.
Be aware there are people movers in Heathrow to help negotiating walking to immigration on the way in and leaving to fly back to the states.
Posted by
Halifax, Canada
13 posts
I had this situation in 2023 - arriving from Cardiff and not flying out for 1 1/2 days, and my advice is to calculate what time you have to be at Heathrow, and if the Heathrow Express / Elizabeth Line runs then - the easiest option as there are many good hotel options in the Paddington Area.
In my situation- I had to arrive at Heathrow before the HEX started for the day, so I spent my last two nights near Heathrow, and booked the shuttle.
On my last full day, I did commute to Heathrow with a regular bus when time was less urgent.
Interestingly enough, the shuttle I took went to the wrong terminal, so I had to have enough time to get from the Heathrow Bus Terminal to the HEX area and transfer to the correct terminal.
Posted by
Preston UK
1797 posts
If you have an early flight and therefore do need to stay overnight at Heathrow there is the option of getting off the train at Reading instead of going into Paddington and then catching the rail/air bus to Heathrow.
Ideally try and stay at a hotel actually at the airport rather than one nearby which requires either taxis, the expensive Hoppa bus or regular bus services to get in and out. The Hilton Garden Inn at T2/3 has been mentioned above. There is also the wonderful but not cheap Sofitel at T5 and a Premier Inn (often very competitively priced) at T4. You can stay at a hotel in the “wrong” terminal for you and just transfer for free on the day to the right one.