Transport options from LHR to Charing Cross (Trafalgar Sq) ... please assist

Here's one site, google maps that details the two most popular options. The site rome2rio.com is similar.

The cheapest is probably the Piccadilly line to Leicester Square Station & then Charing Cross.
I'd spend a little more and take the Heathrow Connect to Paddington Station & then Charing Cross. It is much more comfortable and designed to securely store your luggage on the trip. Heathrow Express travels the same route faster, but it is more expensive.

Most of the exits at Charing Cross do not have escalators, just stairs. I think the exit to main station has escalators & lifts, but not sure.

That's a great location, pleasant area & close to two subway stations and a lot of bus connections. The nearby St Martins-in-the-Fields church has a good cafeteria in the basement of the church.

Seems like this kind of information should already be in your guidebook. You do have a guidebook?

Are they able to manage stairs? If they are, I would suggest Piccadilly line to Hammersmith. At Hammersmith, cross to the other side of the platform and take a District line train to Embankment. There are steps between the platform and street level, so you must be able to carry luggage up about 20 or so steps.

If they cannot manage steps, you could get off one stop earlier at Westminster (which has step free access) and walk a bit farther to the hotel.

I should add that Embankment is only a couple minutes walk from Charing Cross and it would be my choice over Charing Cross when coming from Heathrow if you can manage the steps.

I do have a guidebook (several in fact) but they leave out the part about the level of easy vs. fussy (with parents & luggage) that you travelers know for certain. :) The parents can manage stairs, they just have to take their time. I am familiar with the Rome2Rio (great site) and I actually ate in the crypt last time I was in London, yummy & cheap... still dream about the spotted dick with the hot custard!

We'll be arriving between 12-1 pm on a Sunday in April. The only reason I asked about the bus option was because it seemed like it was a one & done sort of thing...climb on & sit.....less stairs/lug luggage and no transfers ( and also a little bit of window sightseeing as it tootles towards out stop). All input is appreciated, thanks.

Ashley, One other possible option is the National Express bus to Victoria Station Bus terminal and then take the Number 24 Bus (direction Hampstead Heath) to Trafalgar Square.

Check out www.tfl.gov.uk and play around with the journey planner.

Or get the bus to Victoria and then a taxi.

Or get the bus to Victoria and then a taxi.

Journey on Piccadilly Line to Green Park is step free. Taxi from there - or theoretically the number 9 bus.

Embankment will be the best one to walk from if the steps can be managed, but it will also be a walk up hill.

Since you are arriving on a Sunday, the Heathrow Express is only £5.50 if you buy your tickets online 90+ days in advance. Walk out to the street (all level) and catch a black cab from there.

If you haven't purchased your tickets, look into London City Airport instead of Heathrow. It is a dream. Small airport, the DLR lets you off right at the front door, security takes minutes, walking to the gates takes minutes, the runway is practically next to the terminal, and is a breeze.

Last week from the time I the plane touched down to the time I was on the DLR into town was 20 minutes. And I had to make a stop at the you know what.

If you are coming from Heathrow into London, with three people I'd look at a minicab; that's Britspeak for a pre-booked car service, which is much cheaper from the airport than a black cab hailed at the airport. You get door to door service, and per person it's not that expensive.

Just Airports is one service often recommended; note the big savings you get by paying with cash instead of a credit card: http://justairports.com/

Cheapest, and minimum transfers don't go hand in hand.
I'm going to suggest a mini cab. Save yourself any worries on the first day of your
Trip. There are three of you, suggests, it will be economic going straight from the airport.Providing you pre book. Have you inquired with your hotel ?

Thanks very much for all of your helpful input...my parents laughed when I read them my posted Q. They seem to be less concerned about the stairs than I am! Will look into cab, prebooking for cheap Heathrow express, and possible change of airport.

Again, many thanks!

You can catch a ferry/train from Dublin to London for £40.00. Taxi from the centre of Dublin to Dublin Ferry Port (about €10), Check your luggage (no steps), board (steps or lift) Ferry (15,000 ton ship) departs at about 08:30 in the morning, crosses over to Holyhead, walk off the Ferry( steps or lift), collect luggage (no steps) and get straight onboard the waiting Virgin fast train, with reserved seat, to London, arriving at Euston Station at about 1 or 2 in the afternoon, very low stress way to go .. If you're travelling with your parents, I'd get a cab (no steps to cab rank) from Euston to Charing Cross, it's not that far ..
http://www.seat61.com/Ireland.htm

I can suggest you to go with one of airport transfer services because of you are travelling with parents, 3 adults with luggage too..So it is very difficult to handle luggage if you have more..So better hire a car and reach your London destination place..Previously I used one of the airport transfer services which they provide meet and greet service at airport and also they helped me in carrying Luggage too..Here I'm sharing the website link, check once www.londonairportransfers.com and book your airport transfer car.

Thanks for the last 2 additional posts/information, it's terrific to have so many options! I will review with the folks to see what they think they can handle/or prefer. Rick Steve's forum folks are the BEST!