Travel to Heathrow Airport. *Help!*

dzug1

will-in-estoril wrote: »

Sorry if I didn't make myself clear: as OP's journey is from Devon, I advised not to go all the way into London, but to change ay Clapham Junction; in other words to avoid Waterloo altogether.

You did make it clear - but OP has (I think - it's not 100% clear if it's already bought) a cheap ticket that does not allow cutting short the journey at Clapham Junction - it is only valid for travel to Waterloo and could lead to a penalty fare if used elsewhere.

tronator

duchy wrote: »

Another vote for Feltham. Waterloo to Feltham however is DIRECT no need to change at Clapham Junction

I think the poster you're referring to meant to get off in CJ when the OP comes from Devon. What's the point in going to Waterloo if he passes CJ again on his way to Feltham. Ok, it's a bit more difficult with luggage, but if he can carry it a few steps down and up again he'll be fine...

tronator

dzug1 wrote: »

You did make it clear - but OP has (I think - it's not 100% clear if it's already bought) a cheap ticket that does not allow cutting short the journey at Clapham Junction - it is only valid for travel to Waterloo and could lead to a penalty fare if used elsewhere.

I'm new to this forum, but this is nonsense, if not from you then from the rail operators. Who will stop me from leaving the train one stop early if I hold another valid ticket from Clapham Junction to Feltham? At any given time I would have a valid ticket. I'm not using a different route...

dzug1

tronator wrote: »

I'm new to this forum, but this is nonsense, if not from you then from the rail operators. Who will stop me from leaving the train one stop early if I hold another valid ticket from Clapham Junction to Feltham? At any given time I would have a valid ticket. I'm not using a different route...

Not my nonsense I assure you

No one will stop you leaving the train. But you won't be able to get out of Clapham Junction station. The barriers will reject the ticket and ticket inspectors will pounce on you.

And OP's other ticket from CJ to Feltham (Oyster) won't be valid as it will not have been swiped in at CJ - you have to exit the station to do that.

A prepurchased ticket from CJ to Feltham would work.

tronator

dzug1 wrote: »

And OP's other ticket from CJ to Feltham (Oyster) won't be valid as it will not have been swiped in at CJ - you have to exit the station to do that.

There is a reader inside the station downstairs at platform 17 or 18 and maybe at the other exit too. I don't know whether this would work though. To be on the safe side I would buy a paper ticket in advance.

dzug1

tronator wrote: »

There is a reader inside the station downstairs at platform 17 or 18 and maybe at the other exit too. I don't know whether this would work though. To be on the safe side I would buy a paper ticket in advance.

It will be a reader to EXIT the station, I'm pretty sure

tronator

dzug1 wrote: »

It will be a reader to EXIT the station, I'm pretty sure

I don't think so, it's a couple of meters away from the barriers.

I've seen such a reader far far away from the exit in Kings Cross too. I think it's for people who come into London from outside the "Oyster network" so that they don't need to exit and re-enter again.

mackemdave

If you are coming up from the West country by train get one that stops at Reading then catch the Heathrow Express coach outside of the railway station....little if any stairs to negotiate and coaches run 3 times per hour

www.railair.com

kingston_toon

Too late now, but for future info, rail replacement buses do not operate in zone 1, except from the edge out. This is because there are always alternative Tube lines or local buses with spare capacity to make your journey. So there would be no replacement bus between Waterloo and either Baker Street or Finchley Road (depending on what the Met is doing) for a Waterloo - Stanmore closure.

johnnyroper

mackemdave wrote: »

If you are coming up from the West country by train get one that stops at Reading then catch the Heathrow Express coach outside of the railway station....little if any stairs to negotiate and coaches run 3 times per hour

www.railair.com

good idea in principle however first great western route is a lot more expensive than the SWT route,although FGW is quicker so anyone doing this would need to weigh up if it is worth paying more for less hassle and time.
personally if i was not so reliant on the car i would go FGW route but i do have a pass as staff so would be free.