Britain/United Kingdom/England/how to get to Hastings

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Expert: - 8/8/2009


Question
QUESTION: I'm arriving at Heathrow on Sunday(9th August) and have to get  to Charing Cross by tube and take the train to Hastings.Help me please and tell me how to travel by tube.Which line is the best.Is it difficult to find accurate platform and train ?Thank you

ANSWER: Hi - I'm happy to help - and to make a suggestion, which will make the journey easier!

Victoria station is much easier to get to than Charing Cross, so I would suggest you go there instead - trains leave at 47 minutes past each hour tomorrow.

There is only one underground line at Heathrow - it's called the Piccadilly line - so that is very easy - there is only one platform, as it's the end of the line.

Take this to Earls Court, and then take the District Line, coloured green on the Underground map, direct to Victoria.

The trains are very clearly signposted - and are very busy, so anyone will be happy to help you - there are lots of staff around, too, ready to assist you.

For Charing Cross, you would need to stay on the train until you get to Embankment station, and there's then a long walk and a lot of steps to Charing Cross station.

You can see why I recommend Victoria, instead!

For the underground ticket, the fare is £4 - if you have this ready, or a credit card, you can buy from a machine and avoid the queues.

For Hastings, you will need to buy a separate ticket at Victoria. If you are coming back from Hastings, a return (round trip) is often only pennies more than a single (one way) ticket.

Let me know if anything is unclear, please!

Alun Hill, MCIJ

Editor, http://www.IsLondonExpensive.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: well, I have to get to Charing Cross from Heathrow.Do I have to change or it is one line Picadilly Circus until Embankment from Heathrow.Thank you very much

Answer
No - change at Earls Court for the District Line for Victoria or Embankment.

However, it is much easier to get from Victoria underground to Victoria station and the Hastings train.

To get to Charing Cross, you have to walk from Embankment - and climb steps.

That's why I suggest you take the Hastings train from Victoria, not Charing Cross.

You can take the Piccadilly line from Heathrow to Piccadilly Circus and then change, but it's a longer journey.

Trust that helps!

Alun

Britain/United Kingdom/England

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Alun Hill MCIJ

Expertise

As a full time, UK based, travel journalist, I travel almost constantly around the whole of the UK, searching out restaurants, hotels and "must see" places. Visitors for both business and pleasure are welcome to ask questions. I almost always travel by public transport, so questions on rail, air and coach / bus travel are also very welcome. I also regularly write about and use the "Eurostar" rail service between London and Continental Europe - which uses a tunnel under the English Channel - so I am able to help with any questions there, too.

Experience

I'm a full time, UK based, travel journalist. I travel almost constantly around the whole of the UK, searching out restaurants, hotels and "must see" places for my readers. I have been writing about, filming and reporting from UK tourism destinations for over 12 years. I cover both "business" and "pleasure" trips for my readers.

Organizations
I am a member of the "Chartered Institute of Journalists" (the world's oldest professional body for journalists), the "British Association of Journalists" and "The International Travel Writers Alliance". I hold a full UK Press Card, issued by the Metropolitan Police at Scotland Yard, London.

Publications
National and local press in UK. Local and National TV in the UK and Europe (Germany, Hungary), reporting on travel and tourism in the UK.

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