Traveling with luggage

Firstly rail engineering work often happens on a weekend. This is always notified in advance (at the latest by the previous Thursday) but can be disruptive.

So bluntly yes National Express is the easiest. It also has the side benefit of often being the cheapest method.

And it's the fastest method- beating even Heathrow Express/tube as long as the traffic is OK. About a 35 to 40 minute journey ride.

At least 4, sometimes 8 or more services an hour run, almost 24 hours a day.

Times are on the National Express website, but with such a frequent service it barely matters. There are departure screens in the bus terminal building. Buy your tickets on your phone (register for a free account to save the booking fee) or for a £1 surcharge at the machines in the terminal building.

The driver puts your luggage in the hold of the bus.

To Americans a bus is a bus- but think a Greyhound bus, rather than a citybus. To us a coach has better seats, no standing, luggage goes in the hold, a coach has very few stops (from Heathrow to Victoria either one or none) and usually has a restroom on board.

For that journey, the National Express coach would be my choice, as you do not have to make any transfers. Plus you get to sightsee on the way. We have ridden upstairs in the front row and it is quite a view.

I believe those are called “coach” rather than “bus” but I will let a local explain the difference.

You might attract more informed responses to your question with a more specific title, like “Heathrow T3 to Victoria Station with luggage”.

If you tell us exactly where you are going, we can give you better suggestions on transportation options.

You all are very kind. We (4 of us) are traveling from terminal 3 to a hotel next to Victoria underground station. But we don't mind walking from the bus station. We were going to take the tube, but that doesn't sound easy as we would have to transfer with our luggage. So, we are inclined to take the bus directly to the Victoria bus station. Another option would be an Uber, but for the 4 of us, I think it would cost $150. I believe the bus would be closer to maybe $30? So, all things considered, taking a bus may take longer, but be pleasurable.

FYI--the transfer at Hammersmith is about 12 feet. Fifteen at the most.

There are also car services you can pre-book. They meet you as you exit customs, help you to your car, and drop you in front of your hotel.

I was going to say something similar to Frank II. We take the Tube (Piccadilly) to Baron's Court, walk to the other side of the platform...12 feet is generous, I think, and then get on the next train which goes to Victoria. There's never been a crowd there for us, but who knows these post covid days.

That being said, the bus station is essentially next to Victoria Station so not adding much of a walk. I just don't know where the bus station is from Terminal 5.

Thanks all so much. It appears for £40 the 4 of us can travel from LHR to Victoria coach and have room for our luggage and not have to take make any stops. For those who have taken the Piccadilly and transferred to the District line at Hammersmith, is there really anything to gain? Maybe a 20 minutes faster? So, unless someone has a different opinion, I think we'll pre-buy on the National Express, pay a few extra quid to be able to change coaches should immigration and customs take longer than what we anticipate early on a Saturday morning the end of July.

It’s all personal preference. Do what you feel is best for you and your travel companions. There is no one right answer.

On a pure travel time basis TfL give Heathrow Central to Victoria as being 44 minutes, as against a scheduled 35 minutes on National Express, plus the walk to Victoria Station from the coach arrivals hall (that teensy bit closer than the Coach station for departures). On a Saturday breakfast time the traffic is likely to be kind. Even in heavier late evening traffic I regularly do that journey on NE in the opposite direction in that time frame. I tend to be going out long distance (Devon/Cornwall, Bristol or Wales or to Scotland) calling at Heathrow, at around 2230 or 2300 ex Victoria.

So taking it solely on a time basis there is little or nothing in it.

Fare wise £5.60 tube fare each. Booking ahead (looking tonight) I see bus/coach fares from £6.60 though I have found lower in the past (under £4 before reductions, and not only because for age and as a regular user I get 1/3 off (but I get the same on the tube as well), So very little difference.

Anything beyond that will always be subjective and personal assessment. As Lola said I like the sightseeing bit as well, normally coming in through Chelsea past the Royal Hospital or along the river bank. Sometimes on a totally different route. Even with a road I know like the back of my hand there is always something different to see.

At the end of the day, it's your choice. And as long as you're happy, you're making the right decision.

Thanks. I've learned a lot from your postings. At this point in my life, when on holiday, I'd rather not work too hard. Sitting back on a comfortable coach seat and taking in the sites of London is my preference. Perhaps sometime I'll have a chance to go on the Piccadilly or the Elizabeth line. You all are very kind. It makes me believe that perhaps we will find interesting and fun people on our Rick Steves Tour.

Joe, I think you've made the right choice. And while you're in London I hope you'll take the tube (aka underground) a few times to experience that. It's easier without luggage of course, gets you from one end of the city to the other when you need that, and amounts to a "sight" in itself. Most crowded at rush hours, but they do run more often then.