Travel from Heathrow to Victoria via tube

Switch to District line at Hammersmith. No stairs.

Thanks! Will it be very crowded on the tube this time in the morning, say 9 or 9:30 AM?

Most likely. The fare changes at 9 am so those waiting for that time will be on. But it is London and the Tube is always crowded. Just a question of how crowded.

The fares change on the tube to non-peak at 9:30 AM. And yes, it's always crowded, especially when you have luggage.

You will be getting on the Piccadilly line at the first stop, so there will be no issue there. Also, I don't think transferring to the District Line at Hammersmith will be a big problem as there will be people getting off the train to switch to the Hammersmith and City line. Also, changing at Hammersmith is just a walk across the platform. Some of the other stations have long corridors or stairs when you transfer lines. I think your biggest challenge will be getting out at Victoria. You will want to stay as close to the door as possible and you may need to stand.

I worked in London for a few years and often did that. The change at Hammersmith is the best place but is also very popular with the locals who dash across the platform as soon as their train stops. However you should be able to get on one of the first two that arrive. Luggage will obviously be awkward if the Tube is full. No stairs -just walk/dash across the platform. But nowhere else is as convemient

We always changed at Baron's Court, to avoid the Hammersmith crowds. All you have to do is walk across the platform and catch the next train, about a 15 foot walk.

Thanks so much for the help everyone. I have been to London once before and remember the tube being crowded. I don't mind so much for me, but am traveling with my Mother and Aunt. Would anyone recommend taking taxi or bus over tube?

Also our hotel is about halfway between Victoria and Sloane square. Would it be better to go to Sloane?

I would go to Sloane Square rather than Victoria with all the current construction; however if you need a taxi for your mother and aunt, its probably easier at Victoria. If you are concerned about your mother on a crowded tube, consider the train from heathrow (heathrow connect is cheaper) and then taxi from Paddington to your hotel I am not convinced about the Barons Court suggestion. Hopefully someone currently living in London can comment. If its so easy why didnt i do it when i worked there?

As long as all 3 of you can manage your luggage, the tube will be fine. It is definitely the least expensive option. Plus, I find it kind of invigorating to fight the crowds on the tube after a long flight. I worked for a few months at an office between Hammersmith and Barons Court and never recall a problem getting off at either station during the morning rush. Hammersmith is the busier of the two, but lots of people transfer at Hammersmith so space often opens up in the carriages there so Hammersmith would be my choice. There is escalator work occurring at Victoria (check the advisory notice on tfl.gov.uk) so that will likely be the most challenging part of the journey. Plus, you will encounter some steps there. If you think the tube might be too much for your mom and aunt with luggage, you could go for a pre-booked car service. I haven't used one in years, so I cannot recommend a specific company (but search the tripadvisor London forum for a recommendation if you want to do this). It will cost more (probably about 40 GBP).

Just noticed your comment about being half way between Victoria and Sloane Square. Definitely use Sloane Square.

Thanks for all the help. I think we will brave the tube, translfer at Hammersmith and into Sloane square. Sounds like it will be the easiest. Thanks again!

Too bad. With a mother and aunt, and no crowds Barons Court would have been a better choice, but too late now.

The day before yesterday I gave Victoria the once over as I changed to the Circle and District from the Victoria Line so I could go to Sloane Square (Partridges) to buy some Rotel for the wife. - See Eileen, civilization in London!! Victoria was 1 up, 1 down, 1 stopped as a staircase, with 1 minute queue at 1215. It was more than usually slow but not really bad. Sloane Square is a (very nice) station with one quite narrow escalator up from each platform and one quite narrow staircase down. The Circle and District is very near the surface there so the escalator and stairs are quite short. It look pedestrianized out the front of the station but is not! There is a busy road that comes across the pavement. Be careful!!

I stayed at Sloane Square last time. When you come out of the Tube there is a big (grassy) circle / mini-park. The taxis are along one side of this circle- easy to spot. There are controlled pedestrian crossings with traffic lights to allow you to cross onto the circle and then off the other side. Probably safer than crossing in the middle of London