Transport to London's Airports Gets Easier

Heathrow Connect trains, which run from Paddington Station like the Heathrow Express trains, stop at several stations en route to Heathrow and take a few minutes longer to get there. However, Heathrow Connect trains stop at Terminal 4 (Heathrow Express trains don't) and a one-way trip is only a little over half the cost of the Heathrow Express. Credit: Oxyman, under GNU Free Documentation License

Travelers have a lot of choices when traveling to central London from the area’s airports — many more than they had just five or 10 years ago.

Among newer options from London Heathrow Airport is the Heathrow Connect rail service, which complements the faster Heathrow Express trains into London Paddington Station.

Because they make a few stops on the way, Heathrow Connect trains take almost twice as long — averaging 25 to 35 minutes — compared with 15 to 21 minutes on Heathrow Express. But the service's fares are less than half those of the Heathrow Express: £6.90 ($12.63) for a standard one-way ticket compared with £15.50 ($28.37).

Differences in train times also depend on which of Heathrow’s five terminals you are using. Because Terminal 5 has opened as British Airways’ new home, Heathrow Express trains now stop at T5 but not Terminal 4, and Heathrow Connect trains go to T4 but not T5.

However, there is free transfer service by train to both terminals from “Heathrow Central,” the station being used for Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Hint: if you’re at T4, it makes sense to opt for Heathrow Connect, instead of buying the more expensive Heathrow Express ticket and changing at Heathrow Central to wait for a train; you’re already on your way. Both rail services require buying a ticket ahead of boarding the train or a penalty is charged.

Heathrow Connect trains

Railroad cars for Heathrow Connect, which started service three years ago, are less luxurious than those of 10-year-old Heathrow Express, which also have a First Class, if you’re inclined to spend £24.50 ($44.84) for your 15-minute ride, larger seat and extra legroom. But Heathrow Connect cars are new, air conditioned, have comfortable seats, ample legroom and sufficient luggage space. They operate twice an hour Monday through Saturday, and once an hour on Sundays, while Heathrow Express operates four times an hour.

Heathrow Connect trains make five stops between Heathrow and Paddington, including at Ealing Broadway, which could be handy for some travelers. Once arriving at Paddington, there are connections to the London Underground, UK rail network and an efficient taxi-sharing operation.

Dot2Dot

Another new Heathrow option is the Dot2Dot airport transfer service begun last November by National Express, a large UK-based transport group. Dot2Dot uses 80 custom-built vans seating 10 to 12 in roomy, reclining seats, taking travelers between Heathrow and virtually anywhere in central London. All shuttles have power points for laptops and will be WiFi-enabled by year-end.

Although the shuttles can make up to three stops on the way to your destination, its services can reduce the hassle and overall expense of getting to and from the airport. The vans, which have state-of-the-art satellite navigation and congestion-tracking systems for the drivers, can use faster bus lanes, so elapsed travel times can be shorter than private-hire cars and combination services.

Charge for a Dot2Dot trip is £20 ($36.60) for one passenger, lower for two or more passengers traveling together. Passengers can carry two pieces of baggage and one piece of hand luggage free.

Travel into Central London on the Underground’s Piccadilly line takes 50 or more minutes and costs the least — £4 ($7.32) — but may be uncomfortably crowded, and could take you to a station without escalators. Taxis into Central London, definitely more comfortable, can cost about £50 ($91.50) and take as long, depending on traffic.

Transport to London Gatwick

From London Gatwick Airport, options include:

● Gatwick Express nonstop rail service, which takes 30 minutes to get to London Victoria Station. Running every 15 minutes, the train costs £17.90 ($32.76) one-way.

● Southern trains, also operating every 15 minutes weekdays between Gatwick and Victoria. They make stops, generally take about five or 10 minutes longer and are not geared specifically for travelers with suitcases. A standard single ticket costs £10.90 ($19.95).

● Regular taxis cost dearly — about £80 ($146.40) — and can easily take more than an hour.

● easyBus offers a lower-price express bus service between Gatwick and Fulham Broadway Underground Station (it has just ended its 19-seater services to Victoria). EasyBus is by far the cheapest way to get to London, or part of it, but also the longest in duration, generally 65 to 85 minutes. Prices start at £2 ($3.66) for travelers booking way ahead, say six weeks, but most will pay double or triple that. Ticket price includes one piece of luggage and one carry-on.

Transport to London Stansted

From London Stansted Airport, options include:

● Stansted Express, the quickest way into Central London. Trains generally run every 15 minutes on weekdays and take 45 minutes to get to Liverpool Street Station, which has connections to the Underground. A standard single ticket is £17 ($31.11).

● EasyBus, which operates to Victoria via Baker Street, with low prices available when booking early (see Gatwick options). National Express also operates coaches to Victoria with stops on the way. Terravision Express Shuttle operates nonstop to Victoria (75 minutes) or Liverpool Street Station (55 minutes), Tickets are £9 ($16.47) one-way for adults and £4 ($7.32) for children.

● The 40-mile trip to central London by taxi will cost £70 to £80 ($128.10 to $146.40).

Transport to London City Airport

From closer-in London City Airport, options include:

● An easy combination of Docklands Light Railway and Jubilee Underground, costing £4 ($7.32), and taking just 22 minutes to the financial district.

● Taxis, which cost about £20 ($36.60) and take half an hour.

Note: Passengers on most trains and coaches get a price break if booking a round-trip (or return fare, as they call it in the UK) and booking ahead.

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