Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

Hi all,

Just trying to work out what the best way of doing Central London to
Heathrow Airport on Oyster PAYG is (without using Piccadilly line).

I heard that there was a bus from Hayes/Harlington so might be worth
taking FGW or Heathrow Connect (interestingly their website says PAYG
not valid but the map seems to disagree) to there before changing.

Any better ways?

Kind regards,

Joe

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

Joe wrote:
Hi all,

Just trying to work out what the best way of doing Central London to
Heathrow Airport on Oyster PAYG is (without using Piccadilly line).

I heard that there was a bus from Hayes/Harlington so might be worth
taking FGW or Heathrow Connect (interestingly their website says PAYG
not valid but the map seems to disagree) to there before changing.

Any better ways?

It depends on (a) where in Central London you are starting from, (b)
which terminal you are heading for at Heathrow, and (c) what you mean by
"better". (Faster? Cheaper? Fewer changes?) Why don't you want to use
the Piccadilly Line?

Heathrow Connect's website says that "Pre-pay Oyster" is not valid,
which suggests that it might be an old comment that hasn't been revised.
TfL's site says that PAYG is valid between Greenford/West Drayton and
Paddington, which would include the section of HC east of Hayes. I've
emailed HC for clarification.
--
Richard J.
(to email me, swap 'uk' and 'yon' in address)

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

In article , (Joe) wrote:

Just trying to work out what the best way of doing Central London
to Heathrow Airport on Oyster PAYG is (without using Piccadilly
line).

I heard that there was a bus from Hayes/Harlington so might be
worth taking FGW or Heathrow Connect (interestingly their website
says PAYG not valid but the map seems to disagree) to there before
changing.

Any better ways?

Why not use the Piccadilly?

--
Colin Rosenstiel

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

"Richard J." wrote:

Heathrow Connect's website says that "Pre-pay Oyster" is not valid, which
suggests that it might be an old comment that hasn't been revised. TfL's
site says that PAYG is valid between Greenford/West Drayton and
Paddington, which would include the section of HC east of Hayes. I've
emailed HC for clarification.

PAYG certainly is valid. Had to go out to Hayes & Harlington on business
last week, and there are multiple validators at the station. As it happens,
I ended up on fGW services both ways, but PAYG is also valid on Heathrow
Connect as far as West Drayton.

Three weeks earlier, business took me to South Greenford, where my Oyster
PAYG was also accepted.

Chris

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

On Mar 16, 7:05*pm, "Chris Read" wrote:
Heathrow Connect's website says that "Pre-pay Oyster" is not valid, which
suggests that it might be an old comment that hasn't been revised. TfL's
site says that PAYG is valid between Greenford/West Drayton and
Paddington, which would include the section of HC east of Hayes. *I've
emailed HC for clarification.

PAYG certainly is valid. Had to go out to Hayes & Harlington on business
last week, and there are multiple validators at the station. As it happens,
I ended up on fGW services both ways, but PAYG is also valid on Heathrow
Connect as far as West Drayton.

Three weeks earlier, business took me to South Greenford, where my Oyster
PAYG was also accepted.

Legally speaking, all HC services are FGW services between London and
H&H, and therefore are subject to the same fares, conditions, etc (as
they took over the paths of existing FGW slow trains). So PAYG is
valid.

They are then HEx (and not National Rail at all) between H&H and the
airport, so PAYG, Travelcards, railcards, etc aren't valid.

--
John Band
john at johnband dot org
www.johnband.org

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

Joe wrote:
wrote:
Why not use the Piccadilly?

Given I'd be coming from Cockfosters, I think I would probably die from
bordeom (it's bad enough coming from Covent Garden!) :p

If it's interesting you want...

Piccadilly to Manor House, walk to Haringey Green Lanes*, Sprinter to
Gospel Oak, NLL to Gunnersbury, H91 to Hounslow, whatever buses go to
Heathrow from there depending on terminal.

* A mate lives near there - I usually take the NLL/GOBLIN over the
Piccadilly for boredom avoidance. It's comparable on speed, too.

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

On Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:34:21 -0000, Joe wrote:

Hi all,

Just trying to work out what the best way of doing Central London to
Heathrow Airport on Oyster PAYG is (without using Piccadilly line).

I heard that there was a bus from Hayes/Harlington

140 from outside the station. Takes about 15 mins to central bus station
for Terms 1/2/3. Free train from there for Terms 4 & 5

so might be worth taking FGW or Heathrow Connect (interestingly their
website says PAYG not valid but the map seems to disagree)

PAYG is valid Paddington to Hayes & Harlington on FGW or HC

Any better ways?

Not really. Met to Uxbridge then bus A10, if that takes your fancy
--
Fig

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

On Mar 16, 11:04*pm, Paul Corfield wrote:
On Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:34:21 +0000, Joe wrote:
Hi all,

Just trying to work out what the best way of doing Central London to
Heathrow Airport on Oyster PAYG is (without using Piccadilly line).

Unless you are a long way off the tube network then I'd use the tube.

I heard that there was a bus from Hayes/Harlington so might be worth
taking FGW or Heathrow Connect (interestingly their website says PAYG
not valid but the map seems to disagree) to there before changing.

I had reason to go to Hayes and Harlington last week and the train was
pretty quick. Shame the walk at Paddington to reach the damned platform
took almost as long as the train journey! *Seriously though Paddington
is a dreadful interchange unless you are very lucky with a H&C train and
the platform allocation for the FGW train. *The nightmare that is
Paddington station - stairs, overbridges, ramps etc and then queuing for
another ticket and then waiting for a train and then slogging to the
platform - is not worth contemplating. It's bad enough unencumbered but
with luggage there is no way I would use it to get to Heathrow.

The bus is the 140 which is a frequent route and runs 24 hours a day.
The stop is literally outside the front door of the station.

Any better ways?

Honest answer - if you can use the tube then do so. I use it from
Walthamstow changing at F Park and every journey I've made has been
flawless.

You can often catch up by one train changing at Finsbury Park and
Green Park, despite the long change, worth doing if the wrong terminal
comes along first.
How about Cockfosters - Finsbury Park - Oxford Circus - Ealing
Broadway for Heathrow Connect, then bus 140, or 350 if you're going to
Terminal 5 (not 24h)
IME Ealing - Oxford Circus is as fast or faster by the Central line.

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

On 16 Mar, 23:04, Paul Corfield wrote:

Seriously though Paddington
is a dreadful interchange unless you are very lucky with a H&C train and
the platform allocation for the FGW train. *The nightmare that is
Paddington station - stairs, overbridges, ramps etc and then queuing for
another ticket and then waiting for a train and then slogging to the
platform - is not worth contemplating. It's bad enough unencumbered but
with luggage there is no way I would use it to get to Heathrow.

Do you think Paddington is worse than other rail-tube interchange
points? It feels about the same to me as the ones I've used, and as
far
as the H&C line goes substantially better than most.

Ganesh

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

In message
, at
01:25:05 on Wed, 18 Mar 2009, Ganesh Sittampalam
remarked:
Seriously though Paddington
is a dreadful interchange unless you are very lucky with a H&C train and
the platform allocation for the FGW train. *The nightmare that is
Paddington station - stairs, overbridges, ramps etc and then queuing for
another ticket and then waiting for a train and then slogging to the
platform - is not worth contemplating. It's bad enough unencumbered but
with luggage there is no way I would use it to get to Heathrow.

Do you think Paddington is worse than other rail-tube interchange
points? It feels about the same to me as the ones I've used, and as
far
as the H&C line goes substantially better than most.

Paddington, and especially the H&C line, is virtually impossible if you
have luggage. There are substantial stairs both up and down to
negotiate. Some other stations are nearly as bad - Victoria for example.

But by making other choices you can devise virtually step-free routes by
avoiding these points-of-failure.
--
Roland Perry

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

On 18 Mar, 09:34, Roland Perry wrote:
In message
, at
01:25:05 on Wed, 18 Mar 2009, Ganesh Sittampalam
remarked:

Seriously though Paddington
is a dreadful interchange unless you are very lucky with a H&C train and
the platform allocation for the FGW train. *The nightmare that is
Paddington station - stairs, overbridges, ramps etc and then queuing for
another ticket and then waiting for a train and then slogging to the
platform - is not worth contemplating. It's bad enough unencumbered but
with luggage there is no way I would use it to get to Heathrow.

Do you think Paddington is worse than other rail-tube interchange
points? It feels about the same to me as the ones I've used, and as
far
as the H&C line goes substantially better than most.

Paddington, and especially the H&C line, is virtually impossible if you
have luggage. There are substantial stairs both up and down to
negotiate. Some other stations are nearly as bad - Victoria for example.

But by making other choices you can devise virtually step-free routes by
avoiding these points-of-failure.

Fair enough. Even with luggage I've never bothered to try to find step-
free
routes though no doubt at some point in my life I will start to care
about
such issues.

Ganesh

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

On Mar 17, 8:36*pm, Paul Corfield wrote:
On Tue, 17 Mar 2009 05:56:57 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:
Why would anyone wish to gain a few
minutes by fighting their way off a busy Vic Line train, down stairs,
along a long corridor, down more stairs and then battling for position
on the platform to get on an undoubtedly busy Picc Line train and then
have to stand? *

It's true I never used that trick with luggage. It's more useful for
catching up with the Rayners Lane train you just missed when there's
only one every 20 minutes.


How about Cockfosters - Finsbury Park - Oxford Circus - Ealing
Broadway for Heathrow Connect, then bus 140, or 350 if you're going to
Terminal 5 (not 24h)
IME Ealing - Oxford Circus is as fast or faster by the Central line.

This is madness - every time you change you risk delay and disruption.

OK then change at holborn for the same number of changes.

*For any
journey I make to Heathrow the biggest risk factor is always the bus to
the station - I'd certainly not want to be relying on a bus for the
final leg if I could possibly avoid it.

This may be true but the OP specifically ruled out all the other
options.

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

On Mar 18, 9:34*am, Roland Perry wrote:
In message
, at
01:25:05 on Wed, 18 Mar 2009, Ganesh Sittampalam
remarked:

Seriously though Paddington
is a dreadful interchange unless you are very lucky with a H&C train and
the platform allocation for the FGW train. *The nightmare that is
Paddington station - stairs, overbridges, ramps etc and then queuing for
another ticket and then waiting for a train and then slogging to the
platform - is not worth contemplating. It's bad enough unencumbered but
with luggage there is no way I would use it to get to Heathrow.

Do you think Paddington is worse than other rail-tube interchange
points? It feels about the same to me as the ones I've used, and as
far
as the H&C line goes substantially better than most.

Paddington, and especially the H&C line, is virtually impossible if you
have luggage. There are substantial stairs both up and down to
negotiate. Some other stations are nearly as bad - Victoria for example.

But by making other choices you can devise virtually step-free routes by
avoiding these points-of-failure.

There is step-free access from the Bakerloo to the concourse at
Paddington.

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

In message
, at
15:41:26 on Wed, 18 Mar 2009, MIG
remarked:
There is step-free access from the Bakerloo to the concourse at
Paddington.

That's a major improvement. Previously iirc there was an escalator down
to a minor concourse, with stairs from there to the platforms.

Where is the top of the lift?
--
Roland Perry

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

On Mar 19, 8:43*am, Roland Perry wrote:
In message
, at
15:41:26 on Wed, 18 Mar 2009, MIG
remarked:

There is step-free access from the Bakerloo to the concourse at
Paddington.

That's a major improvement. Previously iirc there was an escalator down
to a minor concourse, with stairs from there to the platforms.

Where is the top of the lift?
--
Roland Perry

The stairs from the LU ticket office/concourse to the main concourse
now incorporate escalators at the edges.

Luckily there was always an escalator from platform level leading to
the passageway to the ticket office, so it adds up to step-free
access.

Combining that with cross-platform interchange with Jubilee and the
fairly good accessibility thereof, it makes for some useful options
(assuming the escalators are working of course).

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

On Mar 19, 8:43*am, Roland Perry wrote:
In message
, at
15:41:26 on Wed, 18 Mar 2009, MIG
remarked:

There is step-free access from the Bakerloo to the concourse at
Paddington.

That's a major improvement. Previously iirc there was an escalator down
to a minor concourse, with stairs from there to the platforms.

Where is the top of the lift?
--
Roland Perry

Ah, I see the confusion on rereading. I was including escalators as
step-free, because the discussion was about luggage.

This obviously wouldn't be wheelchair-accessible, if that's what the
term means.

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

In message
, at
02:16:35 on Thu, 19 Mar 2009, MIG
remarked:
There is step-free access from the Bakerloo to the concourse at
Paddington.

That's a major improvement. Previously iirc there was an escalator down
to a minor concourse, with stairs from there to the platforms.

Where is the top of the lift?

Ah, I see the confusion on rereading. I was including escalators as
step-free, because the discussion was about luggage.

This obviously wouldn't be wheelchair-accessible, if that's what the
term means.

No, I normally mean "step free for luggage" - so escalators are OK.

I was sure there were steps the last 20 feet or so down to the platform
level (as is extremely common for deep tube stations of that age; so the
best way to bypass them would be a lift.
--
Roland Perry

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

On Mar 19, 9:36*am, Roland Perry wrote:
In message
, at
02:16:35 on Thu, 19 Mar 2009, MIG
remarked:

There is step-free access from the Bakerloo to the concourse at
Paddington.

That's a major improvement. Previously iirc there was an escalator down
to a minor concourse, with stairs from there to the platforms.

Where is the top of the lift?

Ah, I see the confusion on rereading. *I was including escalators as
step-free, because the discussion was about luggage.

This obviously wouldn't be wheelchair-accessible, if that's what the
term means.

No, I normally mean "step free for luggage" - so escalators are OK.

I was sure there were steps the last 20 feet or so down to the platform
level (as is extremely common for deep tube stations of that age; so the
best way to bypass them would be a lift.
--
Roland Perry

Ah no, not at Paddington. Perhaps because it was originally a
terminus, and very unlike most of the original Bakerloo, there's quite
a wide gap between the platforms and you get straight to the
escalators with no steps.

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

On Mon, 16 Mar 2009, Joe wrote:

wrote:
Why not use the Piccadilly?

Given I'd be coming from Cockfosters, I think I would probably die from
bordeom (it's bad enough coming from Covent Garden!) :p

If sitting in crowded metal tubes for extended periods of time with
nothing interesting to see out of the windows is not your thing, are you
entirely sure that an airport is a wise destination for you?

tom

--
In my view, this is no different than a parent introducing his child to
Shakespeare (except that the iambic pentameter is replaced by a framework
of profanity, misogyny, substance abuse, violence, retaliation, crime
and infidelity). -- Dad Gone Mad, on rap

Central London Heathrow PAYG
 

Tom Anderson wrote:
If sitting in crowded metal tubes for extended periods of time with
nothing interesting to see out of the windows is not your thing, are you
entirely sure that an airport is a wise destination for you?

I wasn't actually travelling - I just wanted to have a look around,
especially the new Terminal 5.

Thanks to all the respondents though!