What is the Best Way to Travel to Heathrow Airport by Train? Heathrow Express vs TfL Rail Review

[@damiagunbiade]

Great review I liked you mention the London Underground Piccadilly line also serves Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Express is the best if you want speed but its the most expensive. Elizabeth line or TFL Rail is the second fastest and its much cheaper. However its kinda more expensive than other TFL journeys due to the charge they imose on journeys to Heathrow. London Underground is the last one. Its the slowest of the 3. It takes about an hour between King's Cross and Heathrow. Its the cheapest among the 3. Although the trains are older and much smaller and busier. However this will change when the new trains are introduced in 2025. So depending on what you want there's some options for you. However the Elizabeth line will be much more attractive when it's fully open later this year as you will be able to reach Central London in less than 45 minutes.

[@colinp2238]

The Piccadilly is great for T4 because the station is one floor under the terminal building but the HE is like the gnomes' caves in Lord of the Rings.

[@wangkevinde]

You are right that TfL Rail single fares are more expensive than the Picadilly line, both are actually covered by the Oyster daily or weekly capping. So if you use the Tube in London enough before/after your trip to the airport, both end up costing the same and TfL is a better experience.

[@m.moolhuysen5456]

I always take London Underground's Piccadilly Line, because I like the slower pace, and seeing the urban landscape gradually changing during the long journey.

[@ankledsquid]

In some cases, piccadily can be similar time, if you destination is on that line

[@harrytrains37]

19:30 that's what she said

[@devon896]

From my experience the 387s don't need table seats as 1) the journey is very short and 2) people prefer to have their luggage close by like myself to having a wide open area is really handy. In terms of price the Heathrow Express is worth it if you're limited on time like I was. 6am train from Newbury into Paddington at 7:30, quick swap to Heathrow express and at Heathrow by 8:10, then the long walk to Terminal 2 departures taking about 20-25 and my flight leaving at 9:55

[@Northernlightshow]

An organisation that did some work for once booked my journey first class on Heathrow Express, on a class 332. The train interior was the most comfortable and lavish that I’ve ever seen. They were amazing and wonderfully totally over the top. Should be for the cost of the fare.

[@anthonywarrener1881]

Thank you for this interesting review. It is sad that both the Class 345s and refurbished Class 387s are inferior to the trains they replaced. I used the Heathrow Express quite frequently when the excellent Class 332s were in use, but won’t use the replacement 387s. The TFL trains are only alright, for as you say, passengers on a journey of this nature tend to prefer forward or rearward facing seats, and not the far too many Metro style seats. It’s only a week or so away from the opening of the Paddington to Abbey Wood section of the Elizabeth line, and it will be interesting to hear what passengers think of the trains when they are used on the high frequency service then.

[@corpsimmons575]

I think that (Having only used HEX and being american so only for visiting family) HEX is tailored for airport travelers, and it shows. The Departure boards (while not being incredibly handy) are still good, the ample space for bags is incredible, the seating just works for keeping your carry on near you. TfL, being a metro service, lacks all these little details that makes it, in my opinion, not super worth it compared to HEX, unless you live near the TfL line or are looking for a cheap rail service. TfL is for London residents. HEX is for tourists.

[@colinp2238]

I live in Harlington and the TFL is my preferred route to London if I am going to that side of the city or onto say Euston or Liverpool Street. If I'm going to Covent Garden/Holbrook then of course the Piccadilly line is better. I take it the Reading line of the Elizabeth covers West Drayton? If you are going to Reading do you have to change at Harlington-Hayes if you get on a Heathrow bound train? You left out a very important thing - the Cornish pasty shop on the platfrom at Paddington.

[@colinp2238]

@Chiltern Transport Productions Thanks.

[@Felto123]

I purchased a HEX ticket in advance and paid 5.5GBP each way. So was a great deal.

[@droge192]

Meber

[@Westlondontransportguy7045]

5:59 very bouncy train

[@BensPlanesTrainsProductions]

I've been looking at the price comparison's between Heathrow Express and TFL Rail. Heathrow Express will charge £16.50 with railcard included. where as the TFL Rail service will go as low as £7.65 using Railcard discount of a third from £11.60 If you book in advanced onboard Heathrow Express, Fares will be £10 and less using Railcards.

[@ankledsquid]

Tbh if you're flying from Heathrow, you've probably spent a fair chunk on your flight so you may as well get the fastest one 🤷

[@onkarshinde2041]

If you book well in advance then you can go as low as £5.5 on Heathrow Express.

[@turboguy99]

Raging you didn’t put Hanwell in :(

[@DJ_Darly]

Should add on this that if you get an advanced ticket for the Heathrow express, you can get it as cheap as going on the conventional underground lines (got a single from swindon to heathrow for £15.50, soo about £3 for the HEX portion!) If you dont buy it in advance however, feel like that the Elizabeth line will be a lot better in terms of value :)

[@danielspencer6174]

Heathrow express need go beyond the airport have quickly to Weybridge join on 3rd rail on South West trains it cut down overcrowding all so anthoer branch to Windsor Eaton for same prices from Waterloo and Paddington people can use go other places not just airport i think be good service just like Gatwick express go beyond airport?

[@eprohoda]

friend-cool -:))

[@Khaledamrouche11710]

hi

[@TheArkamedBat]

The best way to get to Heathrow is the E********** Line.

[@johncrosby2131]

Is you Oyster card the same as used in Sydney Australia?

[@jacobporrett]

Excellent review mate. Never been on Heathrow Express before but have been on the 345s many a time.

[@manomaylr]

I think all bays of 4 should have tables, if not for any other reason because it stops people from putting their feet on the opposite seats.

[@sean65xjrurwin61]

Great review as always . You need to invest in a better mic. On many of your reports there is drop off on your commentary where it is difficult to hear what you are saying...

[@zacmirza6498]

As of now, the elizabeth line is probably the best journey since it's a through route now.

[@interest5217]

Wow like it tell the driver I need class 185 train too

[@barrieshepherd7694]

No toilets on the Elizabeth Line trains - how did they get away with that?

[@heyshyara]

I’m looking to purchase a ticket with train line from Ely to Heathrow Terminal 5. Is that a straight shot to the terminal? Like I don’t have to get out anywhere until arrival?

[@LemoncloudGT]

no, you would have to change at liverpool street then get the elizabeth line from there to T5

[@DonaldTrumpIsGreat]

The Class 332s Are Better Then The 387s 👍

[@marykuttymathew8680]

Can i carry two big trolley bag (alone)from LHR airport to Russell square in tube service, Is thier Lift access?

[@GreeniusGenius]

Russell Square requires you to go up some stairs, before there is a lift to the surface. So probably not the best idea. What I suggest, is to go to a fully step free station like Euston, and take a cab or bus, unless you want to tackle the stairs…

[@mrorangeaventra4683]

I like the Heathrow express

[@thecyberleaderwhufc]

Hiya Subscribed to you

[@zareh7740]

Just take the Piccadilly Line Underground. Its the cheapest option. 🙂

[@doreenlloyd4885]

Does the piccadilly line go through marble arch?

[@konyctg]

@@doreenlloyd4885 No

[@ajf3202]

Cheap but takes about 2 years

[@mudchute4dlr]

That is, if you want to sit there for a few centuries

[@acurtis1735]

I mean TFL

[@TheAmtrakSpartan]

14:55=2:55 P.M.

[@dgattenb]

calm your music down .. too loud. bat that fab vid

[@alexmcwhirter6602]

LHR handles, in normal times, probably more overseas than UK travellers. That gives HEX (with its easier to understand frequency and prices) an advantage over Tfl. Yes I realise HEX is costly (unless booking well ahead) but for anyone spending 100s on an air ticket the difference may not be important.

[@damiagunbiade]

Agreed you find its mainly tourists who use the line and may not care or mind about the cost. Although when the Elizabeth line opens that will change soon.

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

@@damiagunbiade Agree and especially as the Elizabeth Line runs through Central London (areas where many tourists stay). It's the same with LGW Express which resumes its non-stop service next month. LGW Express charges a premium fare and those in the know would use Southern or Thameslink (which covers several stations in Central London).

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

@Chiltern Transport Productions Assuming the toilets are working. I know this wasn't always the case with the original HEX stock which has now been scrapped.

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

@Chiltern Transport Productions Yes so I understand.

[@christopher9727]

John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

[@ahmeda904]

B. Vcccč

[@YoutubeIsASuckFest]

There isn't any quality way to get to heathrow outside London in reality. It's basically more efficient and cheaper to use National Express, no changes, a quarter of the price and nearly as quick. You do the maths. Typically British infrastructure, lack luster.