Long drive home from airport - what do you do?

[Mrs Red C]

We've done National Express coaches for LHR, train for Gatwick via Reading both from Exeter. These were fine for us, think we prefer this as we get older.
We have driven straight back from LHR, just stop for comfort breaks and share the driving. Neither of us sleep well on the planes, we just want to get home.
Easiest of all was flying out of Bristol, so the journey home was a breeze!

[FAcup14]

Originally Posted by KarenG

Hayes and Harlington to Reading and then change is a MUCH better option. More luggage space, less travel time, easier connection.

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100% this. You don't need to go into central London to get to Heathrow. I'd avoid the tube with luggage at all costs. I've done the tube with a suitcase and two sets of skis and it wasn't the best experience.

Changing at Hayes will be about the same amount of time as going into Paddington from Heathrow but easier. Changing at Slough for a direct from or to Reading might make it even quicker.

[sully301]

Originally Posted by duchy

I never use the tube with luggage . I don’t do steps or escalators with luggage .

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All the major stations are accessible so works well for cases

[princess allie]

We are South Devon and we try and get the latest flight out of Miami on the way home, that way it’s about 10.30 when you land in the Uk. For us, it feels easier to rest on the plane as the take off is later and 10.30am is psychologically better for driving home. If dh is tired, we stop for him to sleep for an hour and then get a strong coffee. We tried the coach once and never again! It was awful, couldn’t pre book seats, split up on both journeys and on the way home ds was only 8 and no one would swap to let him sit with one of his parents, he was so tired and upset. The driver of the coach cheerfully told us that he’d driven up overnight and had had no sleep and his driving was horribly erratic, he had to stop near Exeter and get another driver to meet the coach in a lay-by and take over the driving, I thought we wouldn’t make it home alive. Personally, I’d get a day room, or use a campsite as previously suggested or drive home taking care and having stops when needed. My friend had a taxi and it was approx £500 from south Devon to Heathrow return, so if you add up the overnight hotels/dayroom, parking, petrol costs etc., it’s not that expensive really, but we like having the car with us.

[Dmc14]

Thanks all, I lost the thread so has taken me a while to reply! I think nearer the time we will book a day room or a campsite is a great idea that I never would’ve thought of. Plus lots of coffee 😁

[MrsBC]

Originally Posted by Dmc14

Thanks all, I lost the thread so has taken me a while to reply! I think nearer the time we will book a day room or a campsite is a great idea that I never would’ve thought of. Plus lots of coffee 😁

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If you look down the side of the group, on 'The Dibb Menu' there's a 'My Active Threads' button so it's easy to see your posts etc.

[twogoto]

We drove from Gatwick back up to Teesside last trip and about an hour in we had to pull into a service station and go to sleep - we didn’t wake up for over two hours! We said we wouldn’t do it again after that as with stops and sleeps it took us longer to get home than the flight back to the UK did 🤣

[7SeasSailor]

We live near Weymouth. The drive up to LGW takes about 3 - 4 hours. The drive back is a bit longer. I aim for Fleet Services on the M3 and pull over. If I need to sleep then I'll have about 30 minutes then have a large coffee. If I'm really tired I set an alarm clock or my mobile for an hour and a half and then get back on the road. If DW managed to get more sleep than me on the flight she will take over the driving. The drive back can take up to 5+ hours but I'm happy with that.

[fluffychicken]

I would never drive home and we are only 2.5 hrs from manchester. DH has driven home and then gone straight to work for the day but he's mad.
If DH isn't with us we get the train or pay the money for a taxi transfer.

[cornishfrogboy]

We generally arrive at LHR and then pick up our car, driving perhaps as far as Almondsbury or Cribbs Causeway whilst adrenaline is still present from the arrival and pick up. We then stay in a Prem Inn... cheapest I can find.

Next morning when we get in the car, we only have another 3 hours or so to Falmouth!