From LHR to Eurostar
 

We will be arriving into LHR on BA108 from DXB. Since it gets into LHR at about 7am, in J.

How long should we allow to get to the Eurostar station (Waterloo?) from LHR using the HEX, to take the train to Paris?

I haven't purchased my tickets yet, as I am wondering about the time needed. I was thinking that a train leaving Waterloo at about 3pm would be safe.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

You should probably allow an hour, an hour and a half to clear immigration and customs. From there, the HEX runs every 15 mins and takes 15 mins to Paddington. Another 30 mins to get to Waterloo, and I'd say you are fairly safe from 11.00-11.30am onwards.

Another option would be to take the tube from Heathrow for a one stop - via Green Park - connection to Waterloo. Would probably take about the same time as the HEX all up.


I know you haven't asked it, but I take it you have condsidered flying from LHR-CDG instead of having to trek into London? I am a big fan of the Eurostar, but if you happen to be at Heathrow.....

That would be my suggestion. While LHR is no picnic, it will still be an easier option than traipsing all the way into town, although if your final destination is close to Gare du Nord it might narrow things slightly.

285 bus
 

The other option could be the 285 bus to the train station and then into Waterloo direct. Could some of the Clapham residents comment on this option?

3pm is too late. Check-in at Eurostar only closes 30 minutes before departure, I think, and theres not much to do if you get there too early.

If you land at 7am, you'd be fine for an 11am departure to Paris as long as the flight is on time, even if your bags are slow coming out and immigration has a long queue.

That would be my choice although you would have to get a bus from T4 to Hatton Cross to pick up the 285 from there.

As an aside I think its the BA106 that arrives usally at 06:20 except on Tue/Fri when it arrives at 05:55. The BA108 is a lunchtime arrival.

Edit: Don't however get the trains departing at xx:11 or xx:41 as they do go to Waterloo but go via the Brentford loop and take much longer!

Certainly this is the best option for Clapham Junction alright.... but all the way to Waterloo I don't think it's really any quicker and it's a bit of hassle

As a variatoin on what The Specialist stated even from T123 it's quickest to get the tube one stop to Hatton X, then you can get the 285 and also the 490, 90 and maybe one or two other buses to Feltham (If you've ever wondered you can walk it in about 20-25 mins too - maybe not too scenic but it's an easy enough walk)

The problem is there's only 4 fast trains an hour from Feltham to Waterloo and they're not evenly spaced (from memory they're 05,16,35,46) so you could easily end up hanging around Feltham for 15-20 mins and then the fastest trains take 25 mins to get to Waterloo

So overall journey time I don't think it's a winner really ... I'd take the HEX to Paddington and the Bakerloo line to Waterloo which should be easily possible to do in less than an hour ... I don't think you'd beat that going via Feltham.

It's a long time since I thought about it, but one option might be the coach to Woking, then train to Waterloo. It probably isn't quicker, but I would have thought that was easier than, for example, dragging baggage onto the the tube, assuing the coach still exists?

Another thought - some of the stations around Egham / Staines / Windsor have services into Waterloo. Perhaps a taxi to the nearest station, then the train straight to Waterloo.

I wouldn't advice that. All trains from there go via Feltham, which is likely to be the closest station from Heathrow anyway. And I think that black cabs can refuse to take you outside of London, and can charge more or less whatever they want.

So if you're going to take a taxi, take one to Feltham station, and take the train to Waterloo from there. Likely this will be the quickest way to get to Waterloo.

I had thought of just flying, either with BA or AF. The cheapest AF ticket was about 80 pounds I think. I am not sure about BA. If I buy the BA ticket, can I just check in for that flight in DXB, even though they will be on seperate tickets?

We are going to be staying in the 11th arrondissement, about 15 minutes walk from the Bastille (and bout 5 from the cemetery...).

The Eurostar was 118pounds for two return tickets, so it seemed a lot cheaper than flying, as we won't need a taxi all the way from CDG on arrival or departure. When we return to London, we are planning on staying with friends in Gerrards Cross. I think that it is on the tube so getting there from Waterloo should be ok....(I had better check that though. Google is saying it is a village in Buckinghamshire..oops...)

Yes, at least you will be able to check the luggage to the final destination. Most likely you can also get the BP - but if you want to be 100% sure you can always PYOBP.

London Marylebone is the rail station where you need to go to catch your train to Gerrards Cross. Marylebone is a quick hop on the Bakerloo line from Waterloo. The journey time to Gerrards Cross is about half an hour from Marylebone.

For the romantic side of things I would go Eurostar. But looking at the situation from a practical perspective, I would connect at LHR to CDG.

CDG to central Paris is not that bad. For me the average has been 30 mins, with taxi or AF Shuttle. Plus you get to see the truly beautiful Stade de France :)

Better check your return date. There are rail replacement buses on the lines out to Gerrards Cross etc a lot at the weekends at the moment.

Thanks for all of the help. The BA board has been really great. One can only hope to get this much service on board BA!

We booked on BA.com last night, and are flying LHR-CDG return. The flight from DXB arrives at 6:20am and the flight to CDG leaves at 10:20am. We are travelling DXB-LHR in Club, but then LHR-CDG is in economy. We are still able to access the MB spa as we are coming off a business class long haul, and as AAPlat, we have lounge access as well right? There isn't any terminal change, as both arrival and departure are T4.

Thanks again for all of your help.

Our pleasure - Do remember the 'only ONE carry-on bag per pax' rule at LHR though.

Personally, with 4 hours, I would collect a Fast-Track Immigration Slip and have a shower and Buffet Breakfast in the Arrivals Lounge. Beats a boring Bacon Butty.