Transportation from Heathrow to Waterloo/London Eye

Posted by Maria (Atlanta, GA, United States) on 03/07/14 01:08 AM

My husband and I will be traveling with our 2 children to London in a few months. I'm trying to find an uncomplicated but more importantly inexpensive way for 4 of us to go from Heathrow to our hotel which is near the London Eye/Waterloo station. I've tried to figure out if the express train to Paddington is best but it's a little perplexing considering all the car changes (if I'm reading it correctly). My husband and I are very familiar with how the Paris metro works but given that we've only been on the Tube once probably 8 years ago, we definitely need some guidance. Also, if the price comparison isn't too different, then taking a taxi isn't out of the question either.

Thank you!

Posted by Miranda

Central Indiana, USA

03/07/14 02:13 AM

357 posts

For four people with luggage you can take a car service. It's a flat fee door to door.
Some car services:
Just Airports
Simply Airports
exclusive airports
hummingbird cars
Swiss cottage cars
handicars

Or you can take the Piccadilly line to Green Park then change there for the Jubilee line to Waterloo.

Posted by Laura

Virginia, USA

03/07/14 02:26 AM

5865 posts

A couple of options:
1) Arrange for a car service to take you from Heathrow to your hotel. A lot of people on this board recommend "Just Airports".
2) Take the tube to Waterloo. This assumes that your kids are old enough to manage their bags. Take the Piccadilly line to Green Park and then transfer to the Jubilee line to Waterloo.
3) If your hotel is at County Hall, then it is easier to get off at Westminster (one stop earlier) rather than Waterloo. Same instructions as above, but exit at Westminster and walk across the bridge.
4) Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington. At Paddington, switch to the Bakerloo line to Waterloo.
.
The tube is the cheapest option. The car service is the easiest option. The Heathrow Express would be my last choice; by the time you stop to buy your tube ticket, transfer to the Bakerloo line, and travel to Waterloo, you won't save any time over taking the tube the whole way and it will cost a lot more.

Posted by Sasha

Bainbridge Island

03/07/14 05:37 AM

3298 posts

The Heathrow Express is not as complicated as the above post indicates. Nor as expensive, since you have children. There are great discounted prices for families so check the website. And instead of transferring to the Tube, take a taxi from Paddington to your hotel. The queue is just outside the station. You can buy your HEx tickets online before you go. If you arrive at T5 itis super easy.

So your price comparison, in my view, would be Just Airports cr service versus Heathrow Express + taxi.

Posted by Marco

Oxford, United Kingdom

03/07/14 05:28 PM

5466 posts

Another option is to take a bus to Feltham and a train to Waterloo from there. Possibly the slowest option but one with not many stairs to negotiate.

Posted by Maria OP

Atlanta, GA, United States

03/07/14 11:23 PM

45 posts

Thank you! I appreciate all the suggestions. I was looking at prices from Just Airports and if I have the correct area/stop (we are at County Hall), the trip is roughly between 35-54 GBP depending on cash or credit. We have (2) eight year olds but I think after the flight and excitement, a car service might be the best for us. How long does it typically take to get through Customs at Heathrow so that I can estimate the right time for a car to be there. How much tip is standard as well?

I'll still look into the Heathrow Express and then a taxi to our hotel but as this is our first trip abroad with our kids and I think I will need to make it the least complicated initially (for my own sanity). We'll also be in Paris and Germany which we're both very familiar with so the stress level will be a lot lower.