We are flying from JFK into Heathrow this May. How easy is it to pick up a train or bus from there going to Carmarthen, Wales? Is one better/ cheaper than the other, and how long might it take? Any other suggestions are welcome! We are visiting our daughter who is spending the semester abroad at Trinity College there. Thanks! Cathy
Posted by
Tempe, AZ, USA
1265 posts
Cathy - Train from Padddington to Carmarthen is as little 28gbp per person and will take roughly 4 hours each way. I have no experience with the national bus system but I would guest that the cost would be cheaper, but the travel time would be greater.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
The National Express site will tell you about any coach services from Heathrow.
Posted by
OP
hillsboro, nh, usa
6 posts
Thanks so much for all your suggestions. Is Paddington Station near Heathrow, I wonder? I'll check out the bus link, too-- maybe they have an express. I'm imagining that there must be an information desk at Heathrow where one can find/make connections, but I would like to know beforehand.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
The National Express site gives train, tube and coach timetables.
For a train to Paddington, enter Heathrow to Paddington to get timetable and fares for the journey. There are two services ie Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect. You will see that the HEX is a few minutes faster than the HC but is twice as expensive!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Paddington is in central London. The walk-up off-peak fare for Paddington-Carmarthen is £67. Booked well in advance, discount fares can be as low as £13. These tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Book at www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com. The discount fares are posted 60-80 days out and the lowest ones sell out fast. If you book farther in advance before the lowest fares are posted, you'll pay the same high fare that you would pay buying a last-minute ticket.
To allow for the possibility of your plane being late and for delays getting through immigration/passport control, make sure you have a MINIMUM of four hours between your scheduled arrival at LHR and your scheduled departure from Paddington.
If you want to keep things simple, take the 12:05 National Express coach (highway bus) from LHR to Swansea, change there, and arrive in Carmarthen at 17:40.
Posted by
OP
hillsboro, nh, usa
6 posts
Ugh-- a four hour leeway. Yes, I see it is roughly half-price at this point to buy in advance, and it's a good idea to allow the extra time, because if I miss the scheduled train, I'd have to buy a new ticket at full price, even though the train runs hourly! Then the train ride is another four hours...
Thanks, folks, for your great suggestions!