We're renting a car in Cardiff on May 11, prior to a month-long tour of England. We're thinking of returning our rental car back at Cardiff on June 2 (where we will be picking it up at the beginning of May), in order to avoid the extra headache of taking it to London. We'd like to then take the train back to Heathrow, directly, from Cardiff, if possible (we've a hotel booked at Heathrow). Has anyone done this?? I do know that the trains for Heathrow AND Cardiff both depart/arrive at Paddington. It would be so nice if we could skip the City and step-off at the airport, instead! Thanks, in advance, for any advice or knowledge!
There are no direct services - there simply isn't rail infrastructure in place to the Heathrow line from the west, only the east. Construction of this may happen within some years but until then you have the option on going into London, or changing at Reading for the Railair coach.
It would be so nice if we could skip the City and step-off at the airport, instead! That would be nice, wouldn't it. Not happening, though.
Have you looked into coaches (long distance buses)? Try www.nationalexpress.com I have not tried this yet but am hoping to travel directly to/from Heathrow to Wales and back from Salisbury this coming May and June. It looks like coaches go directly to Heathrow, and the travel time seems similar to train times. Best of luck and have fun!!