Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 4/27/2008

Question
We are arriving at Heathrow about 10am on flight from Dulles.  We need to get to Charing Cross Station for the train to Dover.  I had thought we would take a cab but that would be expensive,I suspect, since it is 20 miles.

What is the best transportation to get there?  We will have bags since we are heading for a cruise ship in Dover.

Answer
Hi - I'll give you 4 options and my suggestion!

Getting from the airport to the underground station is easy - there are lifts / elevators and escalators, so luggage isn't a problem.

A taxi will be expensive at about £50 to £70, so here's some public transport journeys:

1) Take the underground (Piccadilly line - the only line which runs from the airport) from Heathrow to Barons Court. Cross the platform and get any District Line direct to Embankment - Charing Cross is a short walk, (say 2 or 3 minutes and is unmissable, plus there's lots of signs) but there's a lot of steps both from the underground and up into the station - not ideal! The fare will be £4 each and allow about an hour for the journey.

2) Getting better - trains to Dover also run from London Victoria, so take the underground (Piccadilly line - the only line which runs from the airport) from Heathrow to Barons Court. Cross the platform and get any District Line direct to Victoria. There's still steps up from the Underground, though. The fare is also £4 each and allow about an hour for the journey.

3) Bit dearer, but easier! Take the Heathrow Express from Heathrow to Paddington - it's a non stop service, taking only about 15 minutes. You can then take a taxi from there to Victoria (or Charing Cross) - Victoria would be my choice, as the trains from each only run once an hour and Victoria is a much bigger station, so a greater choice of things to do! However the train fare on the Heathrow Express is a rather high £15.50 each and the taxi will add about £10 to £15 ... but you will have no problems with luggage. If there's more than 2 of you, this would be more expensive than a taxi all the way, though.

4) You can take a coach, for £4 all the way from Heathrow to Victoria - and you get to see a little of London, too! Only downside is that the ride terminates at Victoria coach station, which is a 5 to 10 minute walk with bags to Victoria rail station. It's a level, direct,walk, though, and everyone else will be doing the same journey, which makes it easier. The coach station at Heathrow is well signposted and they leave very often - there's usually 1 in, which you can board (you can buy the tickets from a machine or from the staff and there's plenty of room for your luggage). This way is the easiest overall though (at the price!)  

Whichever route you take, when you get to Victoria, you will need to buy a separate ticket Dover (the station is called Dover Priory): these can be bought by card or cash at any of the ticket machines which are spread across the station or you can go to the ticket office.

The fare from London to Dover is £24.30 each, but if your cruise is returning to Dover and you are returning to London, do buy a return (round trip) ticket, as that's only £26.

I do hope this helps, and I haven't given you too many options, but do come back wherever I can help further, won't you?

Alun Hill MCIJ