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RailAir is the simplest, least expensive, and most stress-free option 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 reside exterior of the capital, travelling into town centre to connect with Heathrow will 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 prepare stations – forming the simplest and most cost-effective option to attain Heathrow by public transport from exterior of London.
I’ve travelled with RailAir to Heathrow many occasions – most just lately on final month’s journey to Jordan. It’s at all times a very easy, hassle-free expertise and way 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 finest for you. Then I’ve shared my tackle why RailAir is the easiest way to get to Heathrow – particularly for these travelling from exterior of London.
This publish 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 important expertise.
The RailAir Bus Routes
RailAir buses run to Heathrow from 4 of the closest main prepare 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
Splendid 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
Splendid 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
Splendid 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 loads, I do know first-hand how costly parking at Heathrow will be – particularly throughout peak journey occasions just like the summer season holidays.
Travelling to Heathrow Airport by public transport can work out less expensive. You may take a prepare 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 should you favor to drive (or don’t reside by a prepare 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 area 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 price for driving to Heathrow
In August 2023, the ULEZ (Extremely Low Emission Zone) was expanded and now contains Heathrow. In case your automotive meets the mandatory emission requirements (test them right here) this gained’t have an effect on you – but when it doesn’t, then dropping off and gathering at Heathrow by automotive now prices £35 with the brand new costs*.
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 prepare) as a substitute, you’ll be avoiding any potential ULEZ costs.
*ULEZ financial savings: The zone prices £12.50 to enter, which now contains Heathrow. That is payable twice if dropping and choosing up. As well as, it prices £5 to drop off through automotive at Heathrow. Subsequently, to drop off and gather at Heathrow through automotive would price a minimal of £35.
3. Luxurious journey at a funds value with RailAir
With grownup single tickets ranging from £9, you won’t anticipate a lot from the RailAir coaches. However it is a fairly luxurious option to journey – particularly contemplating the value level!
You get plush, leather-based armchair-style seats with footrests and loads of legroom. It’s a easy, straightforward experience 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 significantly luxurious, but it surely’s clear and will be tremendous useful. AND there’s free WiFi and free USB charging, which will be actually helpful should you’ve drained your telephone watching Netflix on the prepare!
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 might help with any awkward objects.
On board, there are extra racks above the seat for any cumbersome carry-on luggage. In brief, that is as stress-free as a journey to Heathrow will 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 should you miss one by a few minutes (like I did after my current journey to Jordan), you possibly can calm down in one in all Heathrow’s espresso retailers till the subsequent one.
Journey occasions 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 need to use the FirstBus cell app to purchase tickets
Do you know you possibly can 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 straightforward to make use of.
Merely obtain the FirstBus app, click on on tickets, and purchase the one you want. There’s no must guide a selected coach time: you simply buy the ticket prematurely 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 method. Couldn’t be simpler!
7. RailAir is a stress-free journey expertise
Driving to Heathrow generally is a fairly aggravating expertise. Doesn’t matter what number of occasions I’ve pushed there, I nonetheless discover it complicated and irritating!
Visitors jams, the chaos of the M25, complicated street indicators, and looking for the proper 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 may simply calm down: learn, take heed to music, or have a chat along with your journey companions (or, in my case, play peekaboo by way of the seats with my pal’s son!).
Last Ideas
As talked about above, I’ve used RailAir on quite a few events to get to Heathrow from Woking prepare station – and I like it. This actually is such a straightforward, hassle-free, and cost-effective option to get to the airport.
Extra Information
Go to RailAir.com to seek out out extra and purchase tickets – or obtain the app for straightforward buying.
You may test routes and timetables right here to plan your journey. Be certain that 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 assessment of the RailAir coach service to Heathrow useful. Scroll down to go away a remark when you have a query!