How to get to Heathrow in the early AM
October 18, 2011 12:40 PM   Subscribe

London filter: I need to get to Heathrow airport Terminal 5.

Next Sunday I have a flight leaving from Heathrow Terminal 5 at 7.30 AM.
My hotel is around Hendon Central. I don't want to spend a fortune in a cab. Is there a way to get there on time (2 hours earlier?) or do I have to squat in the terminal since the night before? and would that even be possible? I have one piece of luggage which is moderately heavy. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.
posted by buck:fuller to Travel & Transportation around London, England (9 answers total)
 
Best answer: Book a minicab. They're not that expensive.
posted by w0mbat at 12:43 PM on October 18, 2011


The first Heathrow Express should get you there about 5:30.
posted by vacapinta at 12:43 PM on October 18, 2011


If that doesn't work, there's always the N9
posted by vacapinta at 12:47 PM on October 18, 2011


Response by poster: vacapinta: that sounds great, alas, on the website you linked:


23 October 2011: Amended Timetable

Due to essential Network Rail engineering improvement works, Heathrow Express will not operate between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport from start of service until 09:25 on Sunday 23 October. Please see below for more information. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

posted by buck:fuller at 12:48 PM on October 18, 2011


If you need to do it on the cheap, you can look up a bus itinerary on the Transport for London Journey Planner. Looks like it should take almost two hours by bus, with two transfers to get to the N9. You could always take a cab to an N9 stop.
posted by grouse at 12:51 PM on October 18, 2011


Response by poster: Booked a minicab, no stress, and -only- £35. Thanks y'all.
posted by buck:fuller at 12:57 PM on October 18, 2011


Aha! You beat me on preview, but for future reference if anyone else is looking at the question, I was just about to say...

If you do end up considering a minicab, find out how much it's going to be and check a few of the cheap hotels at T5 - if you're free the previous evening it might be just as cheap and less stress to stay overnight nearby. (Though I guess the ones that tend to be cheap, like Travelodge or Holiday Inn Express, may charge a premium for late bookings, so that might not be the case).
posted by penguin pie at 1:00 PM on October 18, 2011


As an aside to penguin pie's comment, for any future people looking, Yotel in Terminal 4 offers cute, tiny rooms by the hour (minimum 4 hours). It's great for an early start or a layover, the showers are good and the food is reasonably priced and way better than a lot of the stuff elsewhere in the airport.
posted by Cuppatea at 1:16 PM on October 18, 2011


If anyone is looking for airport runs, I can recommend Just Airports. I've been using them for many years and have always been happy with the service. Always on time, cars are clean and well priced.
posted by quiet at 4:13 AM on October 28, 2011


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