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RailAir is the best, most cost-effective, and most stress-free strategy to get to Heathrow from exterior of London. Right here’s why…
The one trains to Heathrow Airport run from central London. However for these of us who dwell exterior of the capital, travelling into town centre to hook up with Heathrow may be expensive 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 strategy to attain Heathrow by public transport from exterior of London.
I’ve travelled with RailAir to Heathrow many instances – most lately on final month’s journey to Jordan. It’s all the time a very easy, hassle-free expertise and way more cost-effective than paying to park on the airport automotive parks.
Beneath, 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 best ways to get to Heathrow – particularly for these travelling from exterior of London.
This put up 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 all the time had an excellent 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
Very best 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
Very best 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
Very best for these travelling from Birmingham, the West Midlands and the North West.
- Watford Junction Railway Station to Heathrow Terminal 2 & 3
- Grownup single £9
- Kids 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 rather a lot, I do know first-hand how costly parking at Heathrow may be – particularly throughout peak journey instances just like the summer time 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 decide whichever one is most direct for you), then hop on board an expensive RailAir bus which is able to ship you proper to your terminal.
Even in case you choose to drive (or don’t dwell 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 need to use JustPark to discover a safe parking house on 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 charge 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 (verify 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 prices*.
Woking, Studying, Guildford and Watford Junction are all safely exterior the ULEZ space. So by driving to one in all these stations (or taking the practice) as an alternative, you’ll be avoiding any potential ULEZ prices.
*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 price a minimal of £35.
3. Luxurious journey at a finances value with RailAir
With grownup single tickets ranging from £9, you may not count on a lot from the RailAir coaches. However it is a fairly luxurious strategy to journey – particularly contemplating the value level!
You get plush, leather-based armchair-style seats with footrests and loads of legroom. It’s a clean, 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 rest room on board – nothing notably luxurious, however it’s clear and may be tremendous helpful. AND there’s free WiFi and free USB charging, which may be actually helpful in case you’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 driving force will even load your luggage on and off for you, and may help with any awkward gadgets.
On board, there are extra racks above the seat for any cumbersome carry-on luggage. Briefly, that is as stress-free as a journey to Heathrow may 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 in case you miss one by a few minutes (like I did after my latest journey to Jordan), you may chill out in one in all Heathrow’s espresso retailers 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 cell app to purchase tickets
Do you know you may purchase cell 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 ebook a particular coach time: you simply buy the ticket prematurely after which activate it while you’re prepared to make use of it. Then, scan the ticket as you board the coach, and also you’re in your approach. Couldn’t be simpler!
7. RailAir is a stress-free journey expertise
Driving to Heathrow is usually a fairly anxious expertise. Doesn’t matter what number of instances I’ve pushed there, I nonetheless discover it complicated and irritating!
Site visitors jams, the chaos of the M25, complicated highway indicators, and looking for the fitting automotive park… it’s not all the time a pleasing expertise. ESPECIALLY not on the return journey after a long-haul in a single day flight!
So I cherished having another person do the driving for me once I travelled with RailAir. No want to pay attention or hold looking out for carpark indicators! You possibly can simply chill out: learn, hearken to music, or have a chat along with your journey companions (or, in my case, play peekaboo via the seats with my buddy’s son!).
Ultimate Ideas
As talked about above, I’ve used RailAir on quite a few events to get to Heathrow from Woking practice station – and I find it irresistible. This actually is such a straightforward, hassle-free, and cost-effective strategy to get to the airport.
Extra Information
Go to RailAir.com to search out out extra and purchase tickets – or obtain the app for simple buying.
You possibly can verify routes and timetables right here to plan your journey. Make certain to decide on a service that arrives on the airport with loads of time to spare so that you’re not dashing on your flight!
I hope you discovered this evaluate of the RailAir coach service to Heathrow useful. Scroll down to depart a remark you probably have a query!