A London Transport forum. London Banter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » London Banter forum » London Newsgroups » London Transport
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

London Transport (uk.transport.london) Discussion of all forms of transport in London.

Watford to Heathrow



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old July 1st 09, 10:39 AM posted to uk.transport.london
Frederick Williams
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8
Default Watford to Heathrow

There used to be a very convenient Virgin bus running between Watford
and Heathrow. It no longer runs but there is a Geenline (?) bus: slow
and with inadequate baggage facilities. Is there a convenient train
plus underground route? No stairs please because the passenger will
have both a suitcase and an over-night bag to carry.
--
Which of the seven heavens / Was responsible her smile /
Wouldn't be sure but attested / That, whoever it was, a god /
Worth kneeling-to for a while / Had tabernacled and rested.
  #2  
Old July 1st 09, 11:31 AM posted to uk.transport.london
Mizter T
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,965
Default Watford to Heathrow


On Jul 1, 11:39*am, Frederick Williams
wrote:
There used to be a very convenient Virgin bus running between Watford
and Heathrow. *It no longer runs but there is a Geenline (?) bus: slow
and with inadequate baggage facilities. *Is there a convenient train
plus underground route? *No stairs please because the passenger will
have both a suitcase and an over-night bag to carry.


It's Green Line (http://www.greenline.co.uk/) not Geenline - it's
route 724, and is an express bus service that stops at four places
between Watford and Heathrow. It takes an hour and a quarter or so, a
bit longer during peak times when traffic will be heavier. The actual
bus used is a single decker which has extra luggage racks fitted so as
to cater for flyers heading to or from Heathrow.

The timetable is available from the Green Line website here (PDF):
http://tinyurl.com/lpm2go

Otherwise, if you're trying to do it without stairs then it's a bit
fiddly. From Watford to Euston one would take the train, then from
Euston one could take the 205 bus - which stops on the other side of
Euston Road - to get to Paddington, and then take either the Heathrow
Express (pricey) or Heathrow Connect (cheaper, but only half-hourly
and takes a bit longer) to Heathrow. Or otherwise take a cab from
Euston to Paddington.

If a step-free option is important, I think I'd recommend just taking
that 724 express bus. None of the various Underground options are
entirely step-free.

Where's the passengers starting point - is it Watford or elsewhere? If
it's elsewhere there may be other options.
  #3  
Old July 1st 09, 12:13 PM posted to uk.transport.london
Mr Thant
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 973
Default Watford to Heathrow

On 1 July, 12:31, Mizter T wrote:
None of the various Underground options are entirely step-free.


You can take the hourly Southern service from Watford Junction to West
Brompton. Walk across the platform to a District Line train one stop
to Earl's Court, where there are lifts to the Piccadilly Line, which
goes to Heathrow. Allow 2 hours all in.

Because West Brompton doesn't have a full set of lifts, to do the
reverse journey you need to catch a District Line train from Earl's
Court to Kensington Olympia instead (beware these are a bit less
frequent than other tube trains - worst case a 20 minute wait), where
the District Line platform is adjacent to the northbound mainline
platform (and therefore there are no steps), for the Southern service
to Watford Junction.

U
  #4  
Old July 1st 09, 01:52 PM posted to uk.transport.london
Mizter T
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,965
Default Watford to Heathrow


On Jul 1, 1:13*pm, Mr Thant
wrote:

On 1 July, 12:31, Mizter T wrote:

None of the various Underground options are entirely step-free.


You can take the hourly Southern service from Watford Junction to West
Brompton. Walk across the platform to a District Line train one stop
to Earl's Court, where there are lifts to the Piccadilly Line, which
goes to Heathrow. Allow 2 hours all in.

Because West Brompton doesn't have a full set of lifts, to do the
reverse journey you need to catch a District Line train from Earl's
Court to Kensington Olympia instead (beware these are a bit less
frequent than other tube trains - worst case a 20 minute wait), where
the District Line platform is adjacent to the northbound mainline
platform (and therefore there are no steps), for the Southern service
to Watford Junction.


Very good, clever stuff. Though in this situation I think I'd probably
still recommend taking the bus from Watford - one vehicle all the way
meaning less hassle.

However, your route could work out quite well for some travellers, for
example those with less baggage, especially as one can completely cut
out the District line element by simply walking the 0.2 miles between
West Brompton and Earl's Court stations at street level via Eardley
Crescent - it's likely one would walk further than this within the
bowels of Heathrow, after all.

For reference, here's a street map:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/oldmap.sr...&y=178250&ar=N
  #5  
Old July 1st 09, 02:04 PM posted to uk.transport.london
Frederick Williams
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8
Default Watford to Heathrow

Mr Thant wrote:

On 1 July, 12:31, Mizter T wrote:
None of the various Underground options are entirely step-free.


You can take the hourly Southern service from Watford Junction to West
Brompton. Walk across the platform to a District Line train one stop
to Earl's Court, where there are lifts to the Piccadilly Line, which
goes to Heathrow. Allow 2 hours all in.

Because West Brompton doesn't have a full set of lifts, to do the
reverse journey you need to catch a District Line train from Earl's
Court to Kensington Olympia instead (beware these are a bit less
frequent than other tube trains - worst case a 20 minute wait), where
the District Line platform is adjacent to the northbound mainline
platform (and therefore there are no steps), for the Southern service
to Watford Junction.

U


Thank you, that sounds like a good idea. I'll try it next time I need
to make the journey.

--
Which of the seven heavens / Was responsible her smile /
Wouldn't be sure but attested / That, whoever it was, a god /
Worth kneeling-to for a while / Had tabernacled and rested.
  #6  
Old July 1st 09, 02:22 PM posted to uk.transport.london
burkey[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 16
Default Watford to Heathrow

*Is there a convenient train
plus underground route? *No stairs please because the passenger will
have both a suitcase and an over-night bag to carry.



The passenger could get the London Midland/Southern service from
Watford Junction (Lifts available) to Harrow Wealdstone (99% of the
time this comes into platform 6) ramp available, then cross the road
and get on the 140 bus to Heathrow? No stairs needed here!

Burkey

  #7  
Old July 1st 09, 02:34 PM posted to uk.transport.london
Frederick Williams
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 8
Default Watford to Heathrow

burkey wrote:

Is there a convenient train
plus underground route? No stairs please because the passenger will
have both a suitcase and an over-night bag to carry.


The passenger could get the London Midland/Southern service from
Watford Junction (Lifts available) to Harrow Wealdstone (99% of the
time this comes into platform 6) ramp available, then cross the road
and get on the 140 bus to Heathrow? No stairs needed here!


Does the bus have proper storage for luggage? Will the driver or
conductor help with the handling of luggage? The Green Line 724 fails
on these counts and swapping one such bus for another like it is no
advantage.

--
Which of the seven heavens / Was responsible her smile /
Wouldn't be sure but attested / That, whoever it was, a god /
Worth kneeling-to for a while / Had tabernacled and rested.
  #8  
Old July 1st 09, 03:01 PM posted to uk.transport.london
Paul Terry
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 104
Default Watford to Heathrow

In message , Frederick Williams
writes

Does the bus have proper storage for luggage? Will the driver or
conductor help with the handling of luggage?


The 140 is operated by large double-deckers with ample space for a
suitcase and overnight bag in the luggage area, but you won't get help
in loading it from the bus driver, any more than you would from a train
driver when using the railways - your friend needs a minicab if that
type of service is required.

--
Paul Terry
  #9  
Old July 1st 09, 04:08 PM posted to uk.transport.london
Mizter T
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,965
Default Watford to Heathrow


On Jul 1, 4:01*pm, Paul Terry wrote:

In message , Frederick Williams
writes

Does the bus have proper storage for luggage? *Will the driver or
conductor help with the handling of luggage?


The 140 is operated by large double-deckers with ample space for a
suitcase and overnight bag in the luggage area, but you won't get help
in loading it from the bus driver, any more than you would from a train
driver when using the railways - your friend needs a minicab if that
type of service is required.


Just for the sake of clarity, the 140 is a normal London bus route
(and there's no express element to it). It is operated by standard
London double decker buses.
  #10  
Old July 1st 09, 05:34 PM posted to uk.transport.london
Tony Polson[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 157
Default Watford to Heathrow

Mizter T wrote:

On Jul 1, 1:13=A0pm, Mr Thant
wrote:

On 1 July, 12:31, Mizter T wrote:

None of the various Underground options are entirely step-free.


You can take the hourly Southern service from Watford Junction to West
Brompton. Walk across the platform to a District Line train one stop
to Earl's Court, where there are lifts to the Piccadilly Line, which
goes to Heathrow. Allow 2 hours all in.

Because West Brompton doesn't have a full set of lifts, to do the
reverse journey you need to catch a District Line train from Earl's
Court to Kensington Olympia instead (beware these are a bit less
frequent than other tube trains - worst case a 20 minute wait), where
the District Line platform is adjacent to the northbound mainline
platform (and therefore there are no steps), for the Southern service
to Watford Junction.


Very good, clever stuff. Though in this situation I think I'd probably
still recommend taking the bus from Watford - one vehicle all the way
meaning less hassle.



Agreed. I think the bus also calls at all the terminals, and minimises
the amount of walking involved.

Like you, I would have suggested train to Euston, taxi to Paddington and
Connect/Express from there, but there are some long underground walks
needed at the airport depending on which terminal the OP is flying from.

So bus seems best.

 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:32 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.SEO by vBSEO 2.4.0
Copyright ©2004-2010 London Banter.
The comments are property of their posters.