Heathrow and £10+

[ATS3]

Is there technically a way to arrive/depart into Heathrow via the Elizabeth Line and avoid having to pay £10+? Like can you for example interchange with the Piccadilly line and exit from their ticket hall or are the rail stations and tube stations completely separate with no interchange?

 

[SWT_USER]

They are separate stations and separate gatelines - I don't think there is an OSI set up but others will be able to confirm.

No way to avoid the rip off charges as far as I'm aware, other than getting the bus to Hayes.

 

[SargeNpton]

For classic fares retailing, Heathrow is set up purely as a destination/origin and not an interchange point. Separate fares exist for travelling to/from the airport by Rail, by Underground and by bus.

However, as both the Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line use Oyster there is nothing to stop you interchanging at Heathrow; just that you will be charged whatever Oyster thinks your journey costs is having passed through the respective gatelines. I'd be willing to guess that it treats your inbound and outbound legs as completely separate journeys.

 

[ATS3]

They are separate stations and separate gatelines - I don't think there is an OSI set up but others will be able to confirm.

No way to avoid the rip off charges as far as I'm aware, other than getting the bus to Hayes.

Thought so, but the interchange is crucial here. Am I right In thinking technically you could trick the system into thinking you've travelled via the piccadily line, lets say you tap in at Tottenham Court Road and then tap out at picc gateline at Heathrow?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jun 2023 ==

However, as both the Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line use Oyster there is nothing to stop you interchanging at Heathrow; just that you will be charged whatever Oyster thinks your journey costs is having passed through the respective gatelines. I'd be willing to guess that it treats your inbound and outbound legs as completely separate journeys.

Thats the theory but what I'm curious about is if there a interchange (ie a tunnel that connects both of the lines together) at any of the Heathrow terminals or if they're all gatelined separately with no way of accessing the Piccadilly line without tapping out?

 

[bcarmicle]

No, there is no way to access the Piccadilly gateline having arrived at the Heathrow Express/Elizabeth line platforms, or vice versa.

 

[ATS3]

No, there is no way to access the Piccadilly gateline having arrived at the Heathrow Express/Elizabeth line platforms, or vice versa.

From any terminal? On carto metro the T5 platforms look to be side by side.

 

[Watershed]

There's no special trick available here; the National Rail and Underground platforms are only connected on the "unpaid" (i.e. public) side, not the "paid" side. The cheapest way to Heathrow is using the Underground, for which "splitting" at Hatton Cross adds an additional saving.

It's worth noting that if you have a Railcard and will be returning from Heathrow within a month, a Railcard-discounted Anytime Return for the Heathrow Express is £24.40, so it doesn't cost much more than the Elizabeth line on a per-leg basis. This includes Network Railcards, which everyone is eligible for.

If you are travelling from further than central London, it may be cheaper to split somewhere en-route.

 

[Paul Kelly]

The classic way to avoid the expensive Oyster/Contactless fares to Heathrow is to use a Travelcard (valid on Elizabeth Line trains to Heathrow). If you are travelling from outside London (and thus can buy an out-boundary Travelcard) and have a railcard, this can be very good value.

 

[ATS3]

There's no special trick available here; the National Rail and Underground platforms are only connected on the "unpaid" (i.e. public) side, not the "paid" side. The cheapest way to Heathrow is using the Underground, for which "splitting" at Hatton Cross adds an additional saving.

It's worth noting that if you have a Railcard and will be returning from Heathrow within a month, a Railcard-discounted Anytime Return for the Heathrow Express is £24.40, so it doesn't cost much more than the Elizabeth line on a per-leg basis. This includes Network Railcards, which everyone is eligible for.

If you are travelling from further than central London, it may be cheaper to split somewhere en-route.

Ah thats a bummer. I'll be travelling from Zone 1. I'd do the HEX but the Elizabeth Line is convenient enough that it goes to my station, so I'll just go with that.

 

[redreni]

The classic way to avoid the expensive Oyster/Contactless fares to Heathrow is to use a Travelcard (valid on Elizabeth Line trains to Heathrow). If you are travelling from outside London (and thus can buy an out-boundary Travelcard) and have a railcard, this can be very good value.

Yep.

Flying back from Lisbon a week last Sunday was the first time I've ever bought a Z1-6 Travelcard essentially to make a single journey (Heathrow terminals 2&3 rail to Slade Green), but I couldn't really find a cheaper way of doing it. £10 for a Network Railcard-discounted paper travelcard versus £9.95 for a single ticket or £14.10 on contactless. Couldn't face the Piccadilly Line.

I paid the extra 5p for the convenience of having the option to take the bus at the Slade Green end of the journey, which I don't normally do. Worked out well in the end as it was raining and I had my luggage with me.

I bought the travelcard the Wednesday before because I don't know if it would be possible to get a railcard discount on a travelcard bought at the airport. Should be in theory as EL is national rail, but I didn't want to risk it.

 

[Watershed]

Ah thats a bummer. I'll be travelling from Zone 1. I'd do the HEX but the Elizabeth Line is convenient enough that it goes to my station, so I'll just go with that.

No problem. Worth noting that the inflated Heathrow fare does at least count towards daily capping, and Travelcards are valid on the Elizabeth line.

Also, if you're happy to step back a train (which won't even necessarily cost you any time, as Heathrow Elizabeth line services aren't that frequent) then "splitting" (i.e. touching out and back in at the barriers) at Hayes & Harlington gives a small saving - making it £12.20 at peak times or £10.40 at off-peak times, vs £13.30 at all times for the "through" journey.

 

[SWT_USER]

Yep.

Flying back from Lisbon a week last Sunday was the first time I've ever bought a Z1-6 Travelcard essentially to make a single journey (Heathrow terminals 2&3 rail to Slade Green), but I couldn't really find a cheaper way of doing it. £10 for a Network Railcard-discounted paper travelcard versus £9.95 for a single ticket or £14.10 on contactless. Couldn't face the Piccadilly Line.

I paid the extra 5p for the convenience of having the option to take the bus at the Slade Green end of the journey, which I don't normally do. Worked out well in the end as it was raining and I had my luggage with me.

I bought the travelcard the Wednesday before because I don't know if it would be possible to get a railcard discount on a travelcard bought at the airport. Should be in theory as EL is national rail, but I didn't want to risk it.

You can, I regularly buy from the machines at T4.

 

[redreni]

You can, I regularly buy from the machines at T4.

Thanks!

 

[yorkie]

If travelling off peak, the cheapest way to make this journey is to use the Piccadilly Line, but tapping out and immediately back in at Hatton Cross. This ensures the appropriate off peak rate is charged, and the Heathrow 'tax' is avoided.

For my journey from King's Cross to Heathrow, this would provide an overall journey time of around 60 to 70 minutes but I'd allow more time than that. If I have time, and am making a single journey off peak, I am likely to use this method.

If I am making a return journey then I would be much more likely to buy a Network Railcard discounted Anytime Return from Paddington to Heathrow Rail, plus PAYG between King's Cross & Paddington, especially if I am using Terminal 5. From King's Cross, this only costs me about £1.50 each way extra to use Heathrow Express, compared to Crossrail's through fare.

I am very reluctant to pay the Crossrail tax; either I will pay more to use HEX or I will use the Piccadilly Line, depending on the exact circumstances. However if I really wanted to use Crossrail, then I would consider tapping out and back in at Hayes & Harlington; this would reduce the fare from £13.30 to £10.40.

As others have said, if making other journeys in London (or are travelling from the other side of London) a Travelcard can be well worth considering. For journeys beyond London, an outboundary Travelcard (where available) is well worth considering; these are generally avaliable for journeys made within the (former) Network (SouthEast) area.

 

[Deerfold]

Then there's changing at Hayes and Harlington onto a bus (278 or X140) to Heathrow (£6.85 Peak, £5.25 Off Peak in total for Elizabeth Line and bus from Zone 1).

The bus takes about 15 minutes and there's up to 9 an hour.

Edit after Yorkie's comment: the above details are for Terminals 2 and 3.

 

[yorkie]

Then there's changing at Hayes and Harlington onto a bus (278 or X140) to Heathrow (£6.85 Peak, £5.25 Off Peak in total for Elizabeth Line and bus from Zone 1).

The bus takes about 15 minutes and there's up to 9 an hour.

Yes depending on the exact terminal and time of day etc, it's probably best to use a bus

 

[Kenny G]

I have an annual zones 3 to 6 travelcard with gold card on my oyster. Would this mean I can avoid the additional fare from Heathrow on the Elizabeth line? I will be traveling to Upminster on the Elizabeth with a change at Romford onto the overground. On the way out we took the bus from Hayes but if I can avoid that all the better.

 

[matt_world2004]

Is there technically a way to arrive/depart into Heathrow via the Elizabeth Line and avoid having to pay £10+? Like can you for example interchange with the Piccadilly line and exit from their ticket hall or are the rail stations and tube stations completely separate with no interchange?

Touch in at Hayes travel to Heathrow, travel back from Heathrow touch out at another station between Hayes and Abbey wood not very useful if planning on exiting at Heathrow but if you want to ride the trains in the tunnel fine

 

[redreni]

I have an annual zones 3 to 6 travelcard with gold card on my oyster. Would this mean I can avoid the additional fare from Heathrow on the Elizabeth line? I will be traveling to Upminster on the Elizabeth with a change at Romford onto the overground. On the way out we took the bus from Hayes but if I can avoid that all the better.

My understanding is travelcards are valid on the Elizabeth Line to and from Heathrow, as long as they cover the relevant zones. So you wouldn't be charged the Heathrow premium and there should be no need to take the bus to avoid it.

I'm sure you'll know better than me what happens if you travel through zones 1-2 on your oyster card. I presume you keep some PAYG credit on the card to cover the fares for any travel outside of zones 3-6?

TfL wouldn't be underhand enough to apply the Heathrow premium to the PAYG supplement for travelling through zones 1 & 2, just because the journey originated at Heathrow, would they? When the part of the journey that passes through the Heathrow tunnel is covered by the travelcard?

 

[Benjwri]

My understanding is travelcards are valid on the Elizabeth Line to and from Heathrow, as long as they cover the relevant zones. So you wouldn't be charged the Heathrow premium and there should be no need to take the bus to avoid it.

I'm sure you'll know better than me what happens if you travel through zones 1-2 on your oyster card. I presume you keep some PAYG credit on the card to cover the fares for any travel outside of zones 3-6?

TfL wouldn't be underhand enough to apply the Heathrow premium to the PAYG supplement for travelling through zones 1 & 2, just because the journey originated at Heathrow, would they? When the part of the journey that passes through the Heathrow tunnel is covered by the travelcard?

The Heathrow fares also cap normally, so unless you have a railcard there is no benefit to buying a travelcard.

 

[redreni]

The Heathrow fares also cap normally, so unless you have a railcard there is no benefit to buying a travelcard.

Well it's a zone 3-6 travelcard season, so presumably that was bought for a reason unconnected with the trip to the airport.

Kenny G - You might find a definite answer more readily over at oysterfares.com

If there is an issue where TfL are going to apply the heathrow premium to a part-travelcard, part-PAYG journey on oyster, I agree with matt_world2004's suggestion that, rather than take the bus, it would be better to tap out somewhere in zones 5, 4 or 3 in west London, then tap back in again. That way your journey through zones 1 & 2 will be a separate journey from the one that originated at Heathrow, so you could only be charged the standard add-on fare.

 

[Benjwri]

Well it's a zone 3-6 travelcard season, so presumably that was bought for a reason unconnected with the trip to the airport.

Ahhh I did not see that, was looking at the original post. I don’t believe they would charge more than the 1-2extension when it involves Heathrow.

 

[Kenny G]

Well it's a zone 3-6 travelcard season, so presumably that was bought for a reason unconnected with the trip to the airport.

Kenny G - You might find a definite answer more readily over at oysterfares.com

If there is an issue where TfL are going to apply the heathrow premium to a part-travelcard, part-PAYG journey on oyster, I agree with matt_world2004's suggestion that, rather than take the bus, it would be better to tap out somewhere in zones 5, 4 or 3 in west London, then tap back in again. That way your journey through zones 1 & 2 will be a separate journey from the one that originated at Heathrow, so you could only be charged the standard add-on fare.

Thanks. I am tempted to try the whole journey without tapping out and in midroute to see whether they are doing anything underhand. I have a big case so the least movement the better.

 

[blakey1152]

When I've visited Heathrow recently I've used the split at Hatton Cross on the Piccadilly Line which is very handy unless of course you've got lots of cases!
There are several buses from Hatton Cross into Heathrow and they are all free of charge because of the free travel zone as is the split from Hatton Cross into the terminals.
Only thing I would be weary of is if you use Oyster or Contactless keep an eye on the time to avoid falling foul of the maximum journey time.
Travelling from Bexleyheath to Heathrow last month and just missing a train at Bexleyheath meant that the journey to Hatton Cross took 1 hr 50 minutes (Max journey time is 2 hours!)

 

[Alex365Dash]

There are several buses from Hatton Cross into Heathrow and they are all free of charge because of the free travel zone as is the split from Hatton Cross into the terminals.

Doesn't the Heathrow free travel zone no longer exist for bus services?
Of course, it still exists on National Rail and the Piccadilly line, but it's interchange only at Hatton Cross.

Edit: Turns out you can enter/exit as part of the free travel zone at Hatton Cross now, and there's also a H30 free bus service, except that only runs 03:12 - 04:32 from Hatton Cross.

 

[Deerfold]

Most routes (including all TfL routes) stopped being free around the airport in June 2021. Some were a slightly different date, presumably due to different notice periods in contracts.

 

[Class800]

When I've visited Heathrow recently I've used the split at Hatton Cross on the Piccadilly Line which is very handy unless of course you've got lots of cases!
There are several buses from Hatton Cross into Heathrow and they are all free of charge because of the free travel zone as is the split from Hatton Cross into the terminals.
Only thing I would be weary of is if you use Oyster or Contactless keep an eye on the time to avoid falling foul of the maximum journey time.
Travelling from Bexleyheath to Heathrow last month and just missing a train at Bexleyheath meant that the journey to Hatton Cross took 1 hr 50 minutes (Max journey time is 2 hours!)

Yes but you needn't tap in until your train at Bexleyheath is nearly due, it's not a big station, don't need to be on platform ages in advance

 

[yorkie]

When I've visited Heathrow recently I've used the split at Hatton Cross on the Piccadilly Line which is very handy unless of course you've got lots of cases!

Yes if travelling alone with cases the Hatton split may not be worth it; of course if in a group, only one person needs nip upstairs to tap everyone out and back in!

Doesn't the Heathrow free travel zone no longer exist for bus services?

Correct

Of course, it still exists on National Rail and the Piccadilly line, but it's interchange only at Hatton Cross.

Edit: Turns out you can enter/exit as part of the free travel zone at Hatton Cross now, and there's also a H30 free bus service, except that only runs 03:12 - 04:32 from Hatton Cross.

Yep, Hatton Cross to Heathrow is free. London to Hatton Cross isn't charged at a premium, so tapping out and back in at Hatton Cross magically reduces the fare.

 

[Joe Paxton]

[...]
No way to avoid the rip off charges as far as I'm aware, other than getting the bus to Hayes.

Then there's changing at Hayes and Harlington onto a bus (278 or X140) to Heathrow (£6.85 Peak, £5.25 Off Peak in total for Elizabeth Line and bus from Zone 1).

The bus takes about 15 minutes and there's up to 9 an hour.

Arriving at Heathrow recently in the middle of the day, partly out of curiosity I took the limited stop X140 bus to Hayes & Harlington. It was a very easy journey, though admittedly I'm reasonably familiar with the layout of Heathrow and its central bus station. The change from bus to train at Hayes & Harlington presents no issues at all - the bus stops are right outside the station. Tesco Express very nearby too for an inexpensive lunch.

Perhaps worth noting that from 26 August (2023) the X140 is to be renumbered as the SL9, as part of TfL's 'Superloop' bus scheme.

 

[Kenny G]

I ended up tapping in and out at Hayes as had a few minutes to spare waiting for a Shenfield train. Unfortunately not in a position to report whether this was necessary to avoid the additional charge when using an oyster with annual zone 3 to 6 travel card. I suspect not. Total fare was £1.80 to cover the zone 1 and 2 off peak journey with gold card discount.