What is the Best Way to Travel to Heathrow Airport by Train? Heathrow Express vs TfL Rail Review

In this video, I will be providing the answers as to which operator, Heathrow Express and TfL Rail, is best to travel on between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport, both having received new Class 387 Electrostar trains and Class 345 Aventra trains respectively. So this will be an interesting one to see how their fleet "upgrades" perform!

Journey details:

Date of Travel - January 2021
Operators - Heathrow Express and TfL Rail
Origin - London Paddington
Destination - Heathrow Terminal 5
Trains - Class 387 Electrostar and Class 345 Aventra
Prices - £16.50 (HEX) and £10.40 (TfL Rail)

Thanks for watching and hope you enjoyed the video!

#HeathrowExpress #Class387 #TfLRail #Class345 #ElizabethLine #Crossrail #Heathrow #HeathrowAirport #TripReport

[devon]

From my experience the 387s don't need table seats as 1) the journey is very short and 2) people prefer to have their luggage close by like myself to having a wide open area is really handy. In terms of price the Heathrow Express is worth it if you're limited on time like I was. 6am train from Newbury into Paddington at 7:30, quick swap to Heathrow express and at Heathrow by 8:10, then the long walk to Terminal 2 departures taking about 20-25 and my flight leaving at 9:55

[Northernlightshow]

An organisation that did some work for once booked my journey first class on Heathrow Express, on a class 332. The train interior was the most comfortable and lavish that I’ve ever seen. They were amazing and wonderfully totally over the top. Should be for the cost of the fare.

[damiagunbiade]

Great review I liked you mention the London Underground Piccadilly line also serves Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Express is the best if you want speed but its the most expensive. Elizabeth line or TFL Rail is the second fastest and its much cheaper. However its kinda more expensive than other TFL journeys due to the charge they imose on journeys to Heathrow. London Underground is the last one. Its the slowest of the 3. It takes about an hour between King's Cross and Heathrow. Its the cheapest among the 3. Although the trains are older and much smaller and busier. However this will change when the new trains are introduced in 2025. So depending on what you want there's some options for you. However the Elizabeth line will be much more attractive when it's fully open later this year as you will be able to reach Central London in less than 45 minutes.

[anthonywarrener]

Thank you for this interesting review. It is sad that both the Class 345s and refurbished Class 387s are inferior to the trains they replaced. I used the Heathrow Express quite frequently when the excellent Class 332s were in use, but won’t use the replacement 387s. The TFL trains are only alright, for as you say, passengers on a journey of this nature tend to prefer forward or rearward facing seats, and not the far too many Metro style seats. It’s only a week or so away from the opening of the Paddington to Abbey Wood section of the Elizabeth line, and it will be interesting to hear what passengers think of the trains when they are used on the high frequency service then.

[DJ_Darly]

Should add on this that if you get an advanced ticket for the Heathrow express, you can get it as cheap as going on the conventional underground lines (got a single from swindon to heathrow for £15.50, soo about £3 for the HEX portion!)

If you dont buy it in advance however, feel like that the Elizabeth line will be a lot better in terms of value :)

[corpsimmons]

I think that (Having only used HEX and being american so only for visiting family) HEX is tailored for airport travelers, and it shows. The Departure boards (while not being incredibly handy) are still good, the ample space for bags is incredible, the seating just works for keeping your carry on near you. TfL, being a metro service, lacks all these little details that makes it, in my opinion, not super worth it compared to HEX, unless you live near the TfL line or are looking for a cheap rail service.
TfL is for London residents.
HEX is for tourists.

[jacobporrett]

Excellent review mate. Never been on Heathrow Express before but have been on the 345s many a time.

[colinp]

I live in Harlington and the TFL is my preferred route to London if I am going to that side of the city or onto say Euston or Liverpool Street. If I'm going to Covent Garden/Holbrook then of course the Piccadilly line is better. I take it the Reading line of the Elizabeth covers West Drayton? If you are going to Reading do you have to change at Harlington-Hayes if you get on a Heathrow bound train?
You left out a very important thing - the Cornish pasty shop on the platfrom at Paddington.

[BensPlanesTrainsProductions]

I've been looking at the price comparison's between Heathrow Express and TFL Rail. Heathrow Express will charge £16.50 with railcard included. where as the TFL Rail service will go as low as £7.65 using Railcard discount of a third from £11.60 If you book in advanced onboard Heathrow Express, Fares will be £10 and less using Railcards.

[Felto]

I purchased a HEX ticket in advance and paid 5.5GBP each way. So was a great deal.

[seanxjrurwin]

Great review as always . You need to invest in a better mic. On many of your reports there is drop off on your commentary where it is difficult to hear what you are saying...

[johncrosby]

Is you Oyster card the same as used in Sydney Australia?

[manomaylr]

I think all bays of 4 should have tables, if not for any other reason because it stops people from putting their feet on the opposite seats.

[zacmirza]

As of now, the elizabeth line is probably the best journey since it's a through route now.

[danielspencer]

Heathrow express need go beyond the airport have quickly to Weybridge join on 3rd rail on South West trains it cut down overcrowding all so anthoer branch to Windsor Eaton for same prices from Waterloo and Paddington people can use go other places not just airport i think be good service just like Gatwick express go beyond airport?

[interest]

Wow like it tell the driver I need class 185 train too

[barrieshepherd]

No toilets on the Elizabeth Line trains - how did they get away with that?

[TheArkamedBat]

The best way to get to Heathrow is the Line.

[heyshyara]

I’m looking to purchase a ticket with train line from Ely to Heathrow Terminal 5. Is that a straight shot to the terminal? Like I don’t have to get out anywhere until arrival?

[marykuttymathew]

Can i carry two big trolley bag (alone)from LHR airport to Russell square in tube service, Is thier Lift access?