Heathrow to Hyde park area-getting there

"...The tube, well, it's quite a long ride with luggage so I don't think I want to do it. What are your thoughts?..." The Tube is actually the cheapest and fastest way to get to the Hyde Park Corner stop from Heathrow via the Picadilly Line...it's a direct train. It's not luggage friendly, but that doesn't stop people from hauling suitcases aboard:) It won't be a big hassle. With the Heathrow Connect/Express you have to transfer at Paddington station, that adds time and hassle if you have luggage. If you're looking for the most comfortable method of transport, take a taxi. If your looking for speed/economy take the tube.

Ditto the tube. We did it (2 adults, 2 carry-ons and a large suitcase) and went a bit farther to Russell Square. I agree it's not really luggage friendly, but it's you can't beat the cost and many others take the same route. You would definitely not be the only ones! As for the long ride, we actually found it a chance to relax a bit after the whole airport experience.

Ditto the tube. So easy. And don't worry about luggage on the tube. Heathrow is a major stop on the Picadilly line and there are constantly travelers going to and coming from London. We went to the King's Cross station for our first night. From Paddington to Hyde Park corner on the tube, you would need to change trains at least twice. A taxi would be much more expensive. It's simply easier to take the Picadilly line from the airport to the Hyde Park corner stop.

If you take the Tube from Heathrow (piccadilly Line) get off at Hyde Park Corner or Green Park. Depending on where your hotel is. Green Park is great if you need to taxi to your hotel as you exit right at the Ritz Hotel and can always get a taxi. However from some of the terminals it is a long walk to the tube at Heathrow- depending on how heavy your luggage is. if you take the Heathrow Connect, a taxi from paddington to hyde park area is relatively inexpensive. It would all depend on exactly where your hotel is in the "Hyde park area"= North, South or East of the park. I would suggest you mark on your map where your hotel is in relation to paddington and the two Piccadilly line stations. Realistically, the most "convenient"(and least hassle) is the train to Paddington and then a taxi.

I think it might come down to how much you want to be hauling luggage around and how tired and irritated you think you might be after flying all night. It's a bit of a walk to get to the Tube or the Heathrow Express once you get through passport control. Cabs are closer.
The advantage of the Express is that it is very quick and decently comfortable, with luggage racks. The disadvantage is the ticket price, and the cost of a cab to get you from Paddington to your hotel. The advantage of the Tube is that it's cheap. Shouldn't be terribly crowded on an early Thursday afternoon, but it will fill up by the time you get a few stops from Hyde Park. The disadvantages of the Tube include the fact that it's slow and makes many stops, has no place for luggage, and isn't all that comfortable. (FYI: check to see how close your hotel really is to Hyde Park Station. Hyde Park itself is quite large; think Central Park. So, if your hotel is on the opposite end of the park from the Tube station, you'll have a hefty walk.) If speed is most important, take the Express and a cab from Paddington. (Follow the lines on the floor to the taxi rank.) If money is most important, take the Tube. If comfort is most important, take a cab or hire a car. For the return trip, hiring a car or a cab is a very good idea. Allow an hour or so for the trip. You don't want to have to worry about problems or delays on the Tube when you really do need to be their about 3 hours before flight time.

As just mentioned , Hyde Park is a really big park. Its like being in New York and saying Central Park area. You really do need to know which side. On the north is Bayswater and Lancaster Gate, among others. On the south is Knightsbridge, the north part of South Kensington, and Hyde Park Corner. To the east is Marble Arch, Green Park and all of Mayfair. To the west is Notting Hill. Each of these areas have loads of hotels and many bus stops, many tube stations. A warning for the uninitiated, Hyde Park Corner tube has lots of stairs and comes up across the road from most everything around. I second Green Park if that works for you. And I fifth (or whatever it is) for the Piccadilly Line. Remember it starts at Heathrow so getting a seat won't be hard. EDIT - great minds think alike j.c. (Central Park!!)

I'm sorry, I forgot to mention the hotel is very near the Speakers Corner area of Hyde park, the Marble Arch tube station is just a couple of blocks from our Hotel. I am now leaning toward the tube. Thanks for mentioning that the Green Park tube station is most convenient for Taxi service; that's good to know. I assumed Hyde park station would be our stopping point but I'll go to the one with more convenient taxi service.

The Green Park station is one stop after the HP Corner station. So if the hotel is near the Corner station you're better off getting off there and walking.

I don't know how large Hyde Park is, would walking with carry on luggage and a large rolling suitcase (just one) be a bit much or would that be relatively easy? Maybe it just depends on the weather at the time. If it'sfairly nice out I don't mind a walk.

Joyce Hyde park Corner and Green park are on the South Side. Marble Arch is on the North side (of Hyde Park). its a hell of a walk with luggage. Hyde park corner is a maelstrom of traffic and it may be difficult to get a cab there. You will probably find Green park and cab more convenient (probably a mile to a mile and a half to your hotel- so it wont be exorbitant). To get to the Marble Arch tube station by tube from Heathrowyou would need to change at Holborn (one of the busiest interchanges, with very long escalators- not convenient for luggage) and then back track along the Central Line (red) to Marble Arch. Takes time. (I changed daily at Holborn while i worked there - quite stressful). Use Green Park and the taxi. Unless you experience difficulties, return to Heathrow the way you came no reason to hire a taxi

I don't mind a walk I like it. Everybody is different, and everybody's fitness levels are different. You'll know yours and your daughter's. Hyde Park is beautiful... Get your strong young daughter to lug the walk-in-closet and, assuming mother nature plays along, have a lovely stroll through the park. The daffodils are just coming out. I've just measured it on Google maps. A straight shot between the two tube stations on foot is 9 tenths of a mile. 1.1 if you go further into the park. Have a look at Google maps and you will see all the white walking paths. Most are paved, some a little bumpy from tree roots. Mums take the kiddies there in strollers so you (your daughter) should be OK with the great trunk on wheels. I think that would be a great way to overcome jetlag. And you will be well away from fumes. If you decide that the weather is bad, there are eleven bus routes up Park Lane between the two so buses go constantly. = = = However. That may be too much. If she is hauling the Queen Mary one or the other of you two will be pulling her smaller (!) bag along with yours. Simplicity would say Heathrow Connect. Its on the same tracks as Heathrow Express, just a little slower. The number 7 bus goes from in front of Paddington (the side actually) straight down Oxford Street. Or a cab for only a mile or so.

Ha, Nigel, love your comments. No, we won't be hauling a trunk, just one larger suitcase than our carry-ons. My husband is in the mix too. I guess part of the equation is how we're feeling after the long flight. Physically, we could do it, but will we want to at that point?...hmmm. Thanks for all the comments; very helpful really.

Joyce, take the Heathrow Express train to Paddington and catch a taxi outside the station to your hotel. We did that (in reverse) and crossed Hyde Park in a taxi on our way to Paddington>Heathrow>Home. We love London Taxis, expensive but comfortable and well worth it if you're coming off a long airplane trip. Remember, on a trip "time is money" and I believe that. The taxi fare will be around 8 pounds. The time we saved taking the Heathrow Express and a taxi was used walking along the Thames on our first night in London at dusk. Unforgettable.

Hi Joyce, I vote for the 8.5 pound Heathrow Connect, then taxi to your hotel. The trip from Heathrow will take about 40 minutes from T5 - 20 from T1/3) verses 25 minutes for the Express from T5 -15 from T1/3. The Express costs just about double the Connect price. The taxi to your hotel near Marble Arch will cost close to 5-6 pounds. Both trains are run by the same company and both are very clean, comfortable. Again, from T5 the Express will save you about 15 minutes, from T1/3 maybe 10 minutes. The Connect will save your family about $40. each way. Soooo - 15 minutes costs you $40 each way. Take the Connect and buy your family a nice lunch at Gordons Wine bar on Villiers St. Enjoy your trip!

Joyce, lot's of really good suggestions here. I've found in my own experience that I can't sleep on planes, so I avoid night flights from the US to the UK. Otherwise, I'm just a zombie for the first day or so, which I think is a waste of money. So, if you think the three of you might not sleep much on your flight, I really want to suggest you opt for speed and comfort when you decide how to get into the city. If there was ever a time to be good to yourself, it's when you are jetlagged, hungry and exhausted. You don't want to prolong that feeling. You want to make it go away ASAP. Don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish. Think about using Heathrow Express/Connect and a cab to get to your hotel. Let the hotel hold your bags until you can check in, probably in the late afternoon. Then, grab some coffee and snacks from Starbucks or Costas and go meander around Hyde Park.. Plenty of chairs to sit on, and a cafe, when your energy vanishes. And I'm betting it will. :)

Joyce, if you are close to Marble Arch, chances are you are between Marble Arch and Bond Street. If so, you might consider Picadilly line to Green Park and transfer to Jubilee line one stop to Bond Street. Some stations have steps; some escalators. Perhaps Nigel can comment on transfer at Green Park and exit at Bond Street. My wife and I are 73 and 67, fly several times a year on red eye flights, sleep a bit but certainly not soundly, and have two medium/large suitcases. Always take the tube with no problems. As Heathrow is the first stop, getting a seat is no problem Sit near a door to expedite exit at chosen station.

david, the connection between the Jubilee Line and the Piccadilly Line at Green Park is a long slog down a tunnel and I always try to avoid that interchange. The walk up the stairs from the booking hall (no escalators to the surface) is quite nice, it comes up next to an M&S Food store.

Hi Joyce, Can't add anything original. I usually Tube into London and stay somewhere close to the center; however, I arrived at Heathrow Dec. 2010 in a snow storm, and decided to train to Paddington as I was staying only about three blocks away. I slogged my stuff through the snow to the infamous Royal Court B&B at 51 Gloucester Terrace - old small adequate kitchenette room on the first floor for 50 pounds/day (they didn't charge me for the three days I missed while stranded in Denver because of snow storms here and there). The Tube was only about 2-3 blocks away as was Hyde Park. I will stay in that neck of the woods again - good station, nice restaurants, pleasant streets, east Tube and bus connections - but NOT in December again!! Happy travels,
Courtney

I'm in packing and planning mode! We leave in three days! Thanks all for your advice; now I'm leaning toward Heathrow Connect/Taxi to our destination. Again, depends on how we feel on arrival. I'm printing off the comments to add to my trip folder...so excited! It's been over 24 years for me since my last visit to the UK and it's a first for my husband and daughter. Can't wait!
Thanks, again.