Heathrow ?

RobUSA

Well-Known Forumite
Has anyone traveled to or from lately?
Seems like it’s the only airport you can fly into from the USA right now. I usually do Manchester but that’s a no go, as is BHX.

I’m not aware there’s a Stafford Heathrow train. And the cab company I used to use folded during the pandemic.

Anyone out there with recent experience?
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Has anyone traveled to or from lately?
Seems like it’s the only airport you can fly into from the USA right now. I usually do Manchester but that’s a no go, as is BHX.

I’m not aware there’s a Stafford Heathrow train. And the cab company I used to use folded during the pandemic.

Anyone out there with recent experience?
My last experience of Heathrow was about 6 months before lockdown and it convinced me that I never, ever wanted to go there again.

Not much help but...

As regards transport I always find it best when arriving at airports to hire a car rather than having to rely on public transport or others. If you have transport lined up for when you reach your final destination then hire companies like Enterprise will let you hire a car from one location and drop it off at another so you're not stuck with it.
 

RobUSA

Well-Known Forumite
My last experience of Heathrow was about 6 months before lockdown and it convinced me that I never, ever wanted to go there again.

Not much help but...

As regards transport I always find it best when arriving at airports to hire a car rather than having to rely on public transport or others. If you have transport lined up for when you reach your final destination then hire companies like Enterprise will let you hire a car from one location and drop it off at another so you're not stuck with it.

I am debating renting a car. I could get a connection to Manchester but that involves another layover (maybe 3 hours).
Enterprise UK don’t gouge you for one way rentals?

They used to have a place on Silkmore Lane.

Tried them twice. 1st - we don’t have any vehicles to rent - but would you like to hear our prices? (Ummm - no)
2nd - do you pick customers up? No.
That’s literally their byline in the USA.
 

The Hawk

Well-Known Forumite
Has anyone traveled to or from lately?
Seems like it’s the only airport you can fly into from the USA right now. I usually do Manchester but that’s a no go, as is BHX.

I’m not aware there’s a Stafford Heathrow train. And the cab company I used to use folded during the pandemic.

Anyone out there with recent experience?
No recent experience, but the easiest public transport option is probably the direct train service between Stafford and Reading, coupled with the RailAir link between Reading station and Heathrow.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
I am debating renting a car. I could get a connection to Manchester but that involves another layover (maybe 3 hours).
Enterprise UK don’t gouge you for one way rentals?

They used to have a place on Silkmore Lane.

Tried them twice. 1st - we don’t have any vehicles to rent - but would you like to hear our prices? (Ummm - no)
2nd - do you pick customers up? No.
That’s literally their byline in the USA.
I only use Enterprise, mainly for work purposes and can't say I've ever had a problem with them. They're based on Astonfields now.
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
No recent experience, but the easiest public transport option is probably the direct train service between Stafford and Reading, coupled with the RailAir link between Reading station and Heathrow.
Yes, probably the easiest option but 2¼ hours on the train and an hour on the bus makes it nearly an hour longer than just trains and using the underground between Euston and Paddington.



 

c0tt0nt0p

Well-Known Forumite
It's a long time ago since we flew to the US from LHR (14 years) and we drove down the night before, stayed in a Travelodge (we paid a tenner for the room) then parked up at the airport the the morning of the flight.

Even though we have a daughter now we'd probably do the same (and would have to if we wanted to go back to Florida)...

For that trip, the wife won a pair of return flights to one of 5 destinations in the USA with United so we had 5 days in the windy city....
 

Chillybean

Well-Known Forumite
Came back through Heathrow T3 yesterday from the US. There are two train options, travel via London or take the Reading link bus to Reading and catch the Cross Country service to Manchester which stops at Stafford. The Reading route is longer by an hour but if you have lots of luggage it might be easier as the bus stops outside the Station and it's and a short walk to the Platform. Going via London, the cheapest way is the Tube from T3 or T5 on the underground for £6 to Kings Cross and then a short 10min walk down Euston Road. The alternative is the Heathrow Express to Paddington station, bought in advance by a few days it's £22 and is the quickest route, a taxi black cab from Paddington to Euston station is £13 and takes 5-10mins depending on traffic. The advantage of the black cab is that they use the bus lanes which speeds up the journey. There is a bus and tube alternative between the stations but I've never used it. Euston to Stafford: two train services are the faster Avanti or slower Midland trains. Tickets can be bought online via Trainline.com. After a redeye flight over 6-10 hours I would take the more comfortable Avanti with tickets and seats bought in advance. There is National bus services but it takes ages and the nearest and most frequent stop is in Penkridge, only used it once and never again.
Yesterday I went via the Paddington station route and it took 2.5 hrs which was slightly less than waiting in the immigration queue. If you're travelling soon I would be careful about booking tight connections due to delays at immigration.
If flying to Manchester catch a taxi to Stockport £20 and then take the train directly to Stafford. There is a train from Manchester Airport station to Stafford but you need to change at crewe and it's not as frequent to the Stockport - Stafford service.
There are some flights to the US you can still catch if you catch the first train to Euston and grab a taxi to Paddington Station and then the Heathrow express. for a checkin at 9am.
 
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Chillybean

Well-Known Forumite
I only use Enterprise, mainly for work purposes and can't say I've ever had a problem with them. They're based on Astonfields now.
I looked at that option and was quoted £140 LHR to Astonfields for "mini" car but the if there is more than +1 person it makes it a more economic option.
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
I looked at that option and was quoted £140 LHR to Astonfields for "mini" car but the if there is more than +1 person it makes it a more economic option.
I've just seen £177 for a Stafford to Heathrow taxi and maybe £37 isn't bad for not driving.
 

The Hawk

Well-Known Forumite
With the added bonus that you clear immigration in Dublin so when you land in the US is treated like an internal flight....
I did that at Shannon a few years ago. Less than 5 minutes to clear US immigration, then straight out on arrival in Boston.
 

Chillybean

Well-Known Forumite
With Covid, direct is better unless you want to fill in health/passenger locator forms for transit countries.
 

Chillybean

Well-Known Forumite
True enough but for a while last year flying from the US only required only a quicker Lateral flow test for entry to the UK where as flying via other European countries required the full PCR which is considerably harder to get in time for travel from the US. I'm not sure if the covid travel requirements for entering Europe are easier these days, if so it would certainly be an option
 

RobUSA

Well-Known Forumite
With the added bonus that you clear immigration in Dublin so when you land in the US is treated like an internal flight....
I looked at this and couldn’t find Manchester as a destination on Aer Lingus. (I flew Hartford to Manchester a few times via Dublin. But I moved out of CT).

easiest seems to me my town to Philly then Heathrow.

car rentals are looking more and more likely.

Getting to Stafford by train would be viable. But getting back reliably in time for a return flight isn’t something I have high confidence in.

Got quoted 360 for a return taxi from Stafford to LHR. Not much less than a 10 day rental.
 

RobUSA

Well-Known Forumite
Came back through Heathrow T3 yesterday from the US. There are two train options, travel via London or take the Reading link bus to Reading and catch the Cross Country service to Manchester which stops at Stafford. The Reading route is longer by an hour but if you have lots of luggage it might be easier as the bus stops outside the Station and it's and a short walk to the Platform. Going via London, the cheapest way is the Tube from T3 or T5 on the underground for £6 to Kings Cross and then a short 10min walk down Euston Road. The alternative is the Heathrow Express to Paddington station, bought in advance by a few days it's £22 and is the quickest route, a taxi black cab from Paddington to Euston station is £13 and takes 5-10mins depending on traffic. The advantage of the black cab is that they use the bus lanes which speeds up the journey. There is a bus and tube alternative between the stations but I've never used it. Euston to Stafford: two train services are the faster Avanti or slower Midland trains. Tickets can be bought online via Trainline.com. After a redeye flight over 6-10 hours I would take the more comfortable Avanti with tickets and seats bought in advance. There is National bus services but it takes ages and the nearest and most frequent stop is in Penkridge, only used it once and never again.
Yesterday I went via the Paddington station route and it took 2.5 hrs which was slightly less than waiting in the immigration queue. If you're travelling soon I would be careful about booking tight connections due to delays at immigration.
If flying to Manchester catch a taxi to Stockport £20 and then take the train directly to Stafford. There is a train from Manchester Airport station to Stafford but you need to change at crewe and it's not as frequent to the Stockport - Stafford service.
There are some flights to the US you can still catch if you catch the first train to Euston and grab a taxi to Paddington Station and then the Heathrow express. for a checkin at 9am.
Thanks for the details.

I do recall the NE Penkridge option. Used them one time when I was trying to get to Warsaw via Heathrow.
 

kilmaccumsey

Well-Known Forumite
Hello I'm looking for advice for getting from Stafford to Heathrow. My lads and mate are flying out at 09.30 27th April We have looked at prices on the train as we do want to see them off and stay the night as they are away for 3 months prices are crazy. Any advice for cheaper ways to get there. Never been to Heathrow before. Lads are flying to Vancouver so it was cheaper to fly from there. Thank you
 
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