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RailAir is the best, least expensive, and most stress-free solution to get to Heathrow from outdoors of London. Right here’s why…
The one trains to Heathrow Airport run from central London. However for these of us who stay outdoors of the capital, travelling into the town centre to connect with Heathrow could be pricey and time-consuming.
That’s the place RailAir is available in. They’ve bus routes between Heathrow and 4 of the closest main practice stations – forming the best and most cost-effective solution to attain Heathrow by public transport from outdoors of London.
I’ve travelled with RailAir to Heathrow many instances – most just lately on final month’s journey to Jordan. It’s at all times a very easy, hassle-free expertise and rather more cost-effective than paying to park on the airport automotive parks.
Under, I’ve outlined the three bus routes that will help you see which one is greatest for you. Then I’ve shared my tackle why RailAir is one of the simplest ways to get to Heathrow – particularly for these travelling from outdoors of London.
This submit was sponsored by RailAir – however all phrases and opinions are my very own. I’ve used these coaches on numerous journeys to Heathrow and have at all times had an ideal expertise.
The RailAir Bus Routes
RailAir buses run to Heathrow from 4 of the closest main practice stations: Guildford, Woking, Watford Junction, and Studying. These 4 stations have rail hyperlinks with the south, southwest, midlands and northwest of England – in addition to with Wales (Cardiff – Studying). See beneath for extra particulars…
RailAir 1 – Studying to Heathrow
Preferrred for these travelling from Wales and the Southwest (together with Bristol, Oxford, and Penzance).
- Studying railway station to Heathrow Terminals 2, 3 & 5.
- As much as each half-hour
- Grownup single £22
RailAir 2 – Woking/Guildford to Heathrow
Preferrred for these travelling from Dorset, Devon, Hampshire, and Gatwick Airport.
- Guildford railway station and Woking railway station to Heathrow Terminal 2, 3 & 5
- As much as each half-hour
- Grownup single £9.50 (£6.50 with a railcard)
RailAir 3 – Watford to Heathrow
Preferrred for these travelling from Birmingham, the West Midlands and the North West.
- Watford Junction Railway Station to Heathrow Terminal 2 & 3
- Grownup single £9
- Youngsters below 16 go free with adults
7 Causes to Use RailAir to Get to Heathrow
1. Keep away from Heathrow Airport parking prices with RailAir
As somebody who travels quite a bit, I do know first-hand how costly parking at Heathrow could be – particularly throughout peak journey instances just like the summer season holidays.
Travelling to Heathrow Airport by public transport can work out less expensive. You possibly can take a practice to Studying, Watford Junction, Guildford or Woking (simply choose whichever one is most direct for you), then hop on board an opulent RailAir bus which is able to ship you proper to your terminal.
Even if you happen to favor to drive (or don’t stay by a practice station), it may be less expensive to park additional away from Heathrow and take the RailAir bus. There’s a long-term time period carpark at Woking station which prices £51 for the week – or you should use JustPark to discover a safe parking house to your journey dates. I paid round £40 to park for per week on a driveway 5 minutes stroll from the Woking station – vs £150 for a similar dates at Heathrow’s lengthy keep automotive park!
2. Keep away from the ULEZ payment for driving to Heathrow
In August 2023, the ULEZ (Extremely Low Emission Zone) was expanded and now consists of Heathrow. In case your automotive meets the required emission requirements (test them right here) this gained’t have an effect on you – but when it doesn’t, then dropping off and accumulating at Heathrow by automotive now prices £35 with the brand new costs*.
Woking, Studying, Guildford and Watford Junction are all safely outdoors the ULEZ space. So by driving to considered one of these stations (or taking the practice) as an alternative, you’ll be avoiding any potential ULEZ costs.
*ULEZ financial savings: The zone prices £12.50 to enter, which now consists of Heathrow. That is payable twice if dropping and selecting up. As well as, it prices £5 to drop off through automotive at Heathrow. Due to this fact, to drop off and accumulate at Heathrow through automotive would value a minimal of £35.
3. Luxurious journey at a finances worth with RailAir
With grownup single tickets ranging from £9, you may not anticipate a lot from the RailAir coaches. However it is a fairly luxurious solution to journey – particularly contemplating the worth level!
You get plush, leather-based armchair-style seats with footrests and loads of legroom. It’s a easy, simple trip and the coach drops you off proper on the terminal so that you gained’t have far to stroll.
There’s even a small bathroom on board – nothing significantly luxurious, nevertheless it’s clear and could be tremendous useful. AND there’s free WiFi and free USB charging, which could be actually helpful if you happen to’ve drained your cellphone watching Netflix on the practice!
4. Assist along with your luggage!
There’s an enormous maintain so that you don’t want to fret about your baggage. The motive force will even load your luggage on and off for you, and may help with any awkward gadgets.
On board, there are further racks above the seat for any cumbersome carry-on luggage. Briefly, that is as stress-free as a journey to Heathrow could be!
5. RailAir coaches are tremendous frequent and quick
There are buses as much as each half-hour – so that you’ll by no means be ready lengthy. And if you happen to miss one by a few minutes (like I did after my latest journey to Jordan), you’ll be able to calm down in considered one of Heathrow’s espresso outlets till the following one.
Journey instances are tremendous fast, too: from most stations, the journey to Terminal 5 is lower than 45 minutes, and from Guildford, it’s below an hour. It might be even faster than that, relying on site visitors: the journey from Woking to T5 was round half-hour on my final journey.
6. You should use the FirstBus cellular app to purchase tickets
Do you know you’ll be able to purchase cellular bus tickets utilizing the FirstBus app? As a result of I solely simply discovered! I used the app for my most up-to-date journey to Heathrow and it’s SO simple to make use of.
Merely obtain the FirstBus app, click on on tickets, and purchase the one you want. There’s no must e-book a selected coach time: you simply buy the ticket upfront after which activate it whenever you’re prepared to make use of it. Then, scan the ticket as you board the coach, and also you’re in your means. Couldn’t be simpler!
7. RailAir is a stress-free journey expertise
Driving to Heathrow could be a fairly anxious expertise. Doesn’t matter what number of instances I’ve pushed there, I nonetheless discover it complicated and irritating!
Visitors jams, the chaos of the M25, complicated highway indicators, and looking for the fitting automotive park… it’s not at all times a nice expertise. ESPECIALLY not on the return journey after a long-haul in a single day flight!
So I beloved having another person do the driving for me after I travelled with RailAir. No want to pay attention or preserve looking out for carpark indicators! You possibly can simply calm down: learn, take heed to music, or have a chat along with your journey companions (or, in my case, play peekaboo by means of the seats with my pal’s son!).
Remaining Ideas
As talked about above, I’ve used RailAir on quite a few events to get to Heathrow from Woking practice station – and I like it. This actually is such a straightforward, hassle-free, and cost-effective solution to get to the airport.
Extra Data
Go to RailAir.com to seek out out extra and purchase tickets – or obtain the app for simple buying.
You possibly can test routes and timetables right here to plan your journey. Be sure to decide on a service that arrives on the airport with loads of time to spare so that you’re not dashing to your flight!
I hope you discovered this evaluate of the RailAir coach service to Heathrow useful. Scroll down to depart a remark when you have a query!