how long does it take to get out of heathrow airport?

[polkaday]

Trying to decide what time to book onward bus tickets for. (Cannot believe how expensive getting the train is - about £100 per person each way!). Flight gets in about 8am to terminal 4, how long would it take to get to the bus? Not sure if 9.45 is shaving it fine, but next option is about 1pm :(

If the train is £100 per person for 4 then a taxi transfer pre booked would likely be cheaper and takes the hassle of waiting or going round the airport to bus depots

@wobytide Theres only 2 of us though not 4, so wouldnt be paying £400 on trains (how ridiculous is that!) wont pay £200+ either.

Its out of £135-160 parking (with petrol costs so probably about £200 and similar to rail fares) or bus - can get it for £40 but risky or about£60-75 for "safe" options (eg adding on the change&go) but would need transport/taxi from bus station to home.

Public transport just seems a bit ridiculous in the UK.

Open return bus fare are also £100+ per person. How ridiculous. I'm sure fares were so much cheaper just 10 years ago.

Have you a two together or network railcard. That should potentially knock a third off the £200 (yes a railcard might be £30 or can get through Tesco or other discounts and is useable in future to offset cost)

Are you flying with kids? We waited for 2 hours to get through immigration last Friday as there were so few gates open for families (and for some reason kids can't use the e gates)

In your shoes I’d try and get a cheap ticket on both buses.
if you end up having only a seat on the 1pm bus then guaranteed you’ll be sat all ready for it at 8.30am. Not where I’d want to be if jet lagged.

So it's £100 each return for a 6 hour journey whichever way you travel. That's not so bad. I'd take the car as it's the most convenient and I think most people would.

You're travelling halfway across the world but scrimping on a flix bus that sounds a right pain in the arse. I don't get why you'd do that.

@wobytide No, we really don't use trains at all (used to have a railcard but haven't renewed for this reason).

@RunAwayNow No kids.

@StillWantingADog Yes that would be ideal - the £40rtn (for both) but the return bus times are a bit iffy. I wish there was an inbetween option (before 1pm).

@RideACockHorseToSunburyCross No its potentially £20each rtn but would be stressed about return bus times or <£30each rtn for a comfortable time but would mean a lot of waiting around. Or getting the "change & go" add on which would make it about <£40each rtn. I mean it is precisely this "scrimping" that has meant I can afford to fly halfway across the world for a holiday.

I wonder if 2.5hrs is enough time from landing (T4) to get a bus from T2?

@gogohmm Is it really a £5 add on to be able to change it? It looks like I'd have to get a more expensive fare (i.e not restricted) then add a £5 add on, so its more like £15more person. Whereas some buses are less than that for the actual fare. It's tempting to get a cheap but later fare (otherwise an early one with the add-on).

"I mean it is precisely this "scrimping" that has meant I can afford to fly halfway across the world for a holiday."

Completely empathize with this, OP. I hope your travel plans go smooth.

I don't think you've mentioned when. Remember the Borders Agency cannot cope with school holidays, summer and no doubt the notice period for those arriving for the Coronation is not long enough.

Outside those times I think you'll have no issue.

Have you looked at a coach from Victoria coach station instead? I think you pay a premium from Heathrow. Tube into central is pretty cheap. Or look at Splitticket website for trains.

I would honestly just drive. Have you looked at JustPark? It’s an app where you can pay to rent someone’s space on their drive. I have used it many times and never had a problem. I paid £75 to park on someone’s drive for two weeks and it’s a 10-15 minute walk to T4 (could just get a taxi or TfL bus if you don’t fancy walking). At least you don’t have to worry if your flight is delayed.

I seriously couldn’t be bothered to be fucking around with the coach/train. Terminal 4 is poorly connected compared to other terminals for public transport and the Elizabeth Line only runs every half an hour (compared to every 10-15 minutes to Heathrow Central/T5). And this is coming from someone who used to trek from Birmingham to Heathrow via coach/train so I know how frustrating things can be when they don’t go to plan! I no longer do it for those reasons.

@Londre Oh my gosh! I just found one for £44 on Justpark about a half hour walk away (which is nothing considering how much walking occurs at airports). Are these things legit?! Seems like a steal. We have quite a nice car... is this safe?!

@Londre perhaps I'm being silly but worried about the space possibly being taken when I get there, does that ever happen?

I have a 2020 reg Jaguar F Pace and I’ve parked at many spaces at peoples houses. My car has never been scratched or stolen. Never had a problem. Yes they are legit. Isn’t it a godsend!

Now it’s important to read the reviews carefully. I only park at spots with a minimum of 4.5 star so I know it’s decent! Have a look at street view to get a feel for the area. Try not to worry - it’s genuine.

To answer your question about spaces being taken, I have never ever had that problem and I’ve been using it 5 times a year since 2020, parking at various peoples houses. I’d go for it if the reviews are good.

I’ve used just park and never had a bad experience. Use street view though to have a better idea of the area.
a lot of people will advertise car parking spaces where they are close to an airport or big stadium for obvious reasons. I’s
say most are legit (some folks on there try and charge people for parking on a public road). Doesn’t stop your car getting nicked though.

Get a taxi quote.
Might surprise you.
Try a local firm where you live

I have no idea which areas are nice around heathrow. @Londre where do you normally park? This has just opened up a whole new world, I could even park a little distance away but close to a tube station/bus stop that can get me to terminal 4 easily. Any suggestions?

I PM’ed you