Interesting discovery. Trains to Heathrow.

[CCFCRJ]

Originally Posted by Warkman58

We go Leamington-Reading-Paddington the HEX to t4 and stay at the premier inn connected to the terminal

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I'm starting to consider the train for the summer. Our closest station is Leamington or Banbury and didn't realise they had direct line to Reading. Was debating pros and cons last night

[Gill H]

Anyone done the air coach from Reading?

We are in South Wales now so could do train to Paddington and either Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line. (Done the cheaper Heathrow Connect in the past too - I presume that is now the Elizabeth Line?)

However, there is also the option of train to Reading and the ‘air coach’ straight to Heathrow.

Anyone done it? Pros and cons?

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by CCFCRJ

I'm starting to consider the train for the summer. Our closest station is Leamington or Banbury and didn't realise they had direct line to Reading. Was debating pros and cons last night

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I think that the biggest factor besides convenience in terms of time spent travelling, is the number of you.

We have up until this October, been a four. Being a two next time halves the cost of the train whilst the cost of petrol and parking if taking the car, remains identical.

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by Gill H

Anyone done the air coach from Reading?

We are in South Wales now so could do train to Paddington and either Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line. (Done the cheaper Heathrow Connect in the past too - I presume that is now the Elizabeth Line?)

However, there is also the option of train to Reading and the ‘air coach’ straight to Heathrow.

Anyone done it? Pros and cons?

See more...

We have friends who have done the air coach. It travels every half hour?.. but it is a coach and I would sooner travel the same route in a train, having more legroom and possibly a cheaper fare, given that it is a continuing journey. The actual journey times seem very similar.

On the coach, I would then have to get to my Hotel from the airport and then back again next day for my flight. With the train and the Hotel next to the railway station, I simply have to get from that Hotel to the airport terminal next morning.

I am looking to train, hotel next to station and then Uber or taxi to the airport next morning as a package, looking at convenience, comfort, journey time and price.
The air coach would seem to negate some of the advantage gained in my case.

Likewise, a train to Paddington and then a further one to Heathrow is an option… but it costs a fair bit more, takes a bit longer and I still have to get to Hotel and back after arriving at Heathrow station.
I am resigned to a Hotel whatever I do, as I must have that safety built in, given length of journey and contingency management (delays).

[Orlandobelle]

Just booked a trip for OH - travelling from Cardiff, refuses to use coaches.
Ended up booking PI at Paddington and HEx for the morning (10am flight)
Hotel was cheaper than the so called 'airport hotels' and saved on the cost of the hoppa. Plenty of eating option in Paddington Basin as well.
Travel time by HEx will likely be less than the time faffing about with buses too

[RockTheDots]

Originally Posted by Gill H

Anyone done the air coach from Reading?

We are in South Wales now so could do train to Paddington and either Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line. (Done the cheaper Heathrow Connect in the past too - I presume that is now the Elizabeth Line?)

However, there is also the option of train to Reading and the ‘air coach’ straight to Heathrow.

Anyone done it? Pros and cons?

See more...

We live in Reading so have used the RailAir coach many times to get to and from LHR. Always found it really reliable (runs every 30 minutes) and it drops off outside terminals 2, 3 and 5. If travelling from Terminal 4 you have to transfer to a free airport shuttle. It picks up from Terminal 5 and the Central Bus Station which is a short walk from Terminals 2 and 3. We prefer it to taking the train as it's a dedicated airport coach service so they load your suitcases into the hold for you meaning you don't have to lug them on and off the train, find somewhere convenient to store them etc.

I have colleagues who live in Exeter and they usually go the train to Reading + RailAir route when travelling to Heathrow rather than the train to Paddington + Heathrow Express. Of course this was before Cross Rail opened, in future maybe that will be easier if already taking the train.

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by RockTheDots

We live in Reading so have used the RailAir coach many times to get to and from LHR. Always found it really reliable (runs every 30 minutes) and it drops off outside terminals 2, 3 and 5. If travelling from Terminal 4 you have to transfer to a free airport shuttle. It picks up from Terminal 5 and the Central Bus Station which is a short walk from Terminals 2 and 3. We prefer it to taking the train as it's a dedicated airport coach service so they load your suitcases into the hold for you meaning you don't have to lug them on and off the train, find somewhere convenient to store them etc.

I have colleagues who live in Exeter and they usually go the train to Reading + RailAir route when travelling to Heathrow rather than the train to Paddington + Heathrow Express. Of course this was before Cross Rail opened, in future maybe that will be easier if already taking the train.

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That would work well for you as you probably do not need to overnight before travel and therefore a delivery to the Airport is preferable.

My priority is to get to my chosen Hotel the evening before flights as we tend to do hand baggage only and therefore twilight drop is irrelevant. In probability your friends may now look at Reading to Harlington in order to avoid going past Reading and into London.. before doubling back to Heathrow.

[Gill H]

We would be staying at a hotel the night before, but looking at Sofitel so we can walk between the hotel and the terminal. The fact that you can do bag drop at the hotel is a bonus too.

Still dithering about options!

[Warkman58]

Originally Posted by Talland 2016

Is the fare any cheaper if you get a railcard?

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Yes, around 30%

[Warkman58]

Originally Posted by CCFCRJ

I'm starting to consider the train for the summer. Our closest station is Leamington or Banbury and didn't realise they had direct line to Reading. Was debating pros and cons last night

See more...

Yes, try doing a dummy booking on the Trainline as it comes up with both change at Reading and alternativly Marylebone, so you need to choose the right train