LHR train questions

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Oct 9, 2014, 10:31 am

#31

:D!

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So given that my tickets have never been marked when they are checked (not that I take the HEx or HCon very often, only when I'm near Paddington and I will otherwise miss my flight), what's to stop you from riding it back and forth all day on just one ticket?

Oct 9, 2014, 3:41 pm

#32

stut

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Boredom?

Oct 11, 2014, 10:35 am

#33

stifle

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Quote:

Originally Posted by :D!

I have only once ever not had my HEX ticket marked/scanned, which was when the train was full to bursting owing to some disruption or another.

Oct 12, 2014, 2:02 am

#34

Swanhunter

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Quote:

Originally Posted by stifle

I have only once ever not had my HEX ticket marked/scanned, which was when the train was full to bursting owing to some disruption or another.

Same here, they are very dilligent about ticket checking. HCon a little less so but they still get through the train most times.

Oct 29, 2014, 10:11 pm

#35

BearX220

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Quote:

Originally Posted by stifle

I have only once ever not had my HEX ticket marked/scanned, which was when the train was full to bursting owing to some disruption or another.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swanhunter

Same here, they are very dilligent about ticket checking. HCon a little less so but they still get through the train most times.

Took Heathrow Connect from Paddington today with my "backwards" ticket and needn't have worried -- there was zero ticket checking in evidence on board, despite regular pre-recorded scoldings about surcharges levied between Hayes & Harlington and LHR if you haven't got the proper ticket. I could have bought a ticket to Ealing Broadway and travelled all the way to T5.

The only thing I don't really like about Heathrow Connect is that you have to collect prepaid tix from the dedicated HeX kiosks at platforms 6-7, then march over to platform 12 for the train. The regular First Great Western ticket kiosks won't help -- they don't like the 9-character Heathrow Connect booking codes.

Oct 30, 2014, 2:08 am

#36

stut

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You can, however, book HEX and HCon tickets from FGW or any train operator, and pick them up at the FGW kiosks (or indeed any station's kiosks). Just search for Paddington to Heathrow, and select the correct level of ticket. This also allows you to apply national railcard discounts.

I always prebook my HEX tickets through the East Coast site, so I can collect the rewards points.

Oct 30, 2014, 7:19 am

#37

BearX220

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Quote:

Originally Posted by stut

Stut, thank you, that's very good to know -- like a naif I just went through the branded Heathrow Connect online storefront. Another wee disconnect is that there is no HCon branding at Paddington that I could see -- when you do as I did you have to approach the Heathrow Express-branded area although you are not using that service.

But I mind neither that nor the involuntary tour of Hanwell, Hayes, etc. in exchange for the 10 quid savings.