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HEATHROW EXPRESS AND HEATHROW CONNECT
Heathrow Airport is not connected to the mainline national rail network.
To make a connection to the national rail network you need to take
advantage of the Railair coach services from
the airport.
Services running from the airport are the London underground Tube
network on the Piccadilly line, the Heathrow Express and the Heathrow
Connect services into Paddington.
*Note: The Heathrow express and the Heathrow Connect route between Hayes
& Harlington CANNOT be used with a
travelcard. Only the
tube service from Heathrow can be used with
a travelcard.
Since 2007 its been possible to pickup a Wi-Fi signal on Heathrow Express trains as
well as buy minutes on the train. These minutes can also be used
throughout Heathrow Airport and places such as Starbucks.
Heathrow Express
Owned and operated by BAA the Heathrow Express came into service in 1999
at a cost of some £450 million pounds, and has gone from strength to strength.
This is a non-stop train service between Heathrow Airport and Paddington
Station. Trains operate every 15
minutes from 5.07 until 23.47.
The journey time is 15 minutes from
terminals 1,2 and 3 and 23 minutes from terminal 5. (does not stop at
terminal 4, for this terminal change at the central area to the Heathrow
connect, no extra fare involved)
The 100 mph+ trains include baby changing facilities and handicap
accessible toilets. Other facilities on the train include a TV,
specially fitted electronics to allow the use of mobile phones
throughout the journey, even in the tunnels and designated quiet zones.
The Quiet Zones are available in Express Class and are special areas
where there is no TV and mobile phone use is not permitted.
There are two class types for Express journeys, First Class and Express
Class. In First Class you have a place to hang your coat, a larger than
normal seat and extra leg-room compared to Express Class..
Fares:
A Carnet ticket is 12 fares in one ticket valid for one year.A small
discount is available on all fares when booked online and there is also
£2 surcharge if you wait till you have actually bordered the train
before buying a ticket.
enquiries: 0845 600 15 15
Heathrow Express have used since October 2006 illuminated images on the tunnel walls to give the affect
of an advertising movie. The idea is that people on trains simply gaze
through a window and so now it will appear you are watching a moving
image. This of course is for the use of advertising and is being used in
partnership with Canadian firm. This was notable as being the first such
scheme in Europe.
Heathrow
Express Website
Heathrow Connect
Following the success of the Express service BAA introduced a new
in June 2005 service in conjunction with First Great West Link that
makes stops on route to Paddington. This is called the Heathrow Connect.
The service uses brand new electric
trains. The service does not run along the same high speed line as the
Express but uses a slower section of the rail network.
The stations the Connect train stops at are Hayes,
Southall, Hanwell, West Ealing, Ealing Broadway and finally stopping at
Paddington Station.
Cost depends on which station you travel to and tickets range from £4.90 to
£6.90 one way.
Please be aware that Travelcards are NOT valid on Heathrow
Connect services between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport.
Heathrow to Ealing can now be travelled in less than 20 minutes using
this route.
Trains run from 5.30 till half past midnight at 30 minute intervals.
The
journey time between Heathrow 1,2 and 3 and Paddington is 23 minutes.
The Heathrow Connect also stops at terminal 4 which takes around another
5 minutes journey time. For terminal 5 change over to the Heathrow
Express at the central area (free for this conenction).
Click here for
the Heathrow Connect website
The Underground and Heathrow Express/Connect entrances are separate. Do
not use one thinking it can also be used for the other services. From
terminals 1 and 2 you will pass by the
underground entrance before you come to the Heathrow Express and
Connect entrance. From terminal 3 the Express/Connect entrance is before
the tube entrance. When following signs at Heathrow make sure you follow
the symbols for the express and Connect and not the underground symbol.
Heathrow Connect:
Heathrow Express:
Underground:
HEATHROW EXPRESS/CONNECT ENTRANCE FROM TERMINALS 1,2 AND 3
On arrival at Paddington in West London you will need to make further
arrangements for completing your journey. Paddington is a busy mainline
station where you can make the transfer onto the National Rail network
or London underground tube system. There is also a busy Taxi Rank for
continuing your journey by cab.
Click here for
the Heathrow Express Website
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