Leicester to Heathrow National Express any data on arrival times?

[suzanneparis]

Hello can anyone please help with some information.

I need to be at Heathrow at about 4.45am. Departing from Leicester.

I can't do it by train so am planning on using the National Express coach that departs Leicester at 01:45am and is timed to arrive in Heathrow at 04:40am.

Does anyone know of any data that gives arrival times for this journey? In other words how likely is it that it will be more than half an hour late?

Thanks for any help

 

[Volvodart]

If you are early enough to see it listed, could you not look at National Express Coach Tracker and see how it looks for a time?

https://coachtracker.nationalexpress.com/

 

[northern506]

Hello can anyone please help with some information.

I need to be at Heathrow at about 4.45am. Departing from Leicester.

I can't do it by train so am planning on using the National Express coach that departs Leicester at 01:45am and is timed to arrive in Heathrow at 04:40am.

Does anyone know of any data that gives arrival times for this journey? In other words how likely is it that it will be more than half an hour late?

Thanks for any help

You could view previous tracking history here to see how the service has been operating recently.

Vehicles – 230 – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

Look for the 00:10 departure from Derby which is the starting point. For example, today the service arrived at Heathrow 10 minutes early: https://bustimes.org/services/230-nottingham-heathrow-airport/vehicles#journeys/576095189

 

[Temple Meads]

I've looked back through the last week on the bustimes.org history and it has run punctually - Monday didn't track, but this is likely to be a GPS error.

However I would urge the usual caution when using intercity coaches, especially if you have a flight to catch. Breakdowns and motorway hold-ups can happen at any time of day, and you also have the possibility of night time roadworks. I see there is a 2345 230 service from Leicester and this would probably be my preference if the 0145 feels like a tight connection.

 

[Smethwickian]

Hello can anyone please help with some information.

I need to be at Heathrow at about 4.45am. Departing from Leicester.

I can't do it by train so am planning on using the National Express coach that departs Leicester at 01:45am and is timed to arrive in Heathrow at 04:40am.

Does anyone know of any data that gives arrival times for this journey? In other words how likely is it that it will be more than half an hour late?

Thanks for any help

Bear in mind also NX's Conditions of Carriage urging customers not to book a coach arriving at an airport less than 180 minutes before a flight.

 

[suzanneparis]

You could view previous tracking history here to see how the service has been operating recently.

Vehicles – 230 – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

Look for the 00:10 departure from Derby which is the starting point. For example, today the service arrived at Heathrow 10 minutes early: https://bustimes.org/services/230-nottingham-heathrow-airport/vehicles#journeys/576095189

Many thanks Northern506. Very helpful. Best wishes

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 May 2024 ==

I've looked back through the last week on the bustimes.org history and it has run punctually - Monday didn't track, but this is likely to be a GPS error.

However I would urge the usual caution when using intercity coaches, especially if you have a flight to catch. Breakdowns and motorway hold-ups can happen at any time of day, and you also have the possibility of night time roadworks. I see there is a 2345 230 service from Leicester and this would probably be my preference if the 0145 feels like a tight connection.

Many thanks Temple Meads that's very useful information. Kind regards

 

[suzanneparis]

Many thanks both. But sorry, I think I am not being clever as I cannot work out how to view recent data for my journey.
I am now travelling on the 23:45 from Leicester St Margarets to Heathrow on National Express. How can I view recent data on this coach journey to see how reliable it has been with arrival times at Heathrow.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jun 2024 ==

Sorry I meant to say thanks for any help.

 

[TravelDream]

I need to be at Heathrow at about 4.45am. Departing from Leicester.

I can't do it by train so am planning on using the National Express coach that departs Leicester at 01:45am and is timed to arrive in Heathrow at 04:40am.

Talking as someone who has taken NX to the airport many times, I would advise to be very cautious when booking tight connections to an airport. Especially on what is a fairly long journey.

Traffic jams are less likely at night, but there can be diversions, breakdowns and driver changes which can delay things unexpectedly. I have found NX's timetable can be pretty tight and doesn't allow a coach much time to catch up if it's running late.

You can't account for everything, but I would saw the 180 minute advice from National Express is the absolute minimum I would risk. Also your travel insurance should pay out if you miss your flight due to public transport failure - but it will only do so if you follow any recommended published times i.e. 180 minutes in National Express' case. You also need to take into account the airline's recommendation which is usually 2-3 hours.

 

[markymark2000]

Many thanks both. But sorry, I think I am not being clever as I cannot work out how to view recent data for my journey.
I am now travelling on the 23:45 from Leicester St Margarets to Heathrow on National Express. How can I view recent data on this coach journey to see how reliable it has been with arrival times at Heathrow.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jun 2024 ==

Sorry I meant to say thanks for any help.

You have to click into bustimes in the link above, then change the dates and check the tracking for the bus on each day.

To assist though,
Monday - Bus arrived 5 early
Tuesday - Bus arrived 5 late
Wednesday - Bus arrived 15 late
Thursday - Bus arrived 45 late
Friday - Bus arrived on time
Saturday - No tracking
Today, Sunday - Bus arrived 8 late

Complete mix bag. Sometimes early, sometimes on time, sometimes late.

 

[suzanneparis]

Many thanks markymark2000. Very kind of you to spend the time sorting that information out for me.

I was rather surprised at the Thursday result of 45 late. Useful information.

Thanks again and best wishes

 

[Smethwickian]

You have to click into bustimes in the link above, then change the dates and check the tracking for the bus on each day.

To assist though,
Monday - Bus arrived 5 early
Tuesday - Bus arrived 5 late
Wednesday - Bus arrived 15 late
Thursday - Bus arrived 45 late
Friday - Bus arrived on time
Saturday - No tracking
Today, Sunday - Bus arrived 8 late

Complete mix bag. Sometimes early, sometimes on time, sometimes late.

Saturday morning (2345 ex-Leicester on 31 May) arrived Heathrow Central Bus Station 57 minutes late and Terminal Five 48 minutes late.

 

[markymark2000]

Saturday morning (2345 ex-Leicester on 31 May) arrived Heathrow Central Bus Station 57 minutes late and Terminal Five 48 minutes late.

I hadn't seen that bit of new information. I was using the 00:10 from Derby (01:45 from Leicester).

Times below are for the 22:10 from Derby, which is timed to depart Leicester 23:45. Arrival times given are for Heathrow Central Bus Station. Links go to bustimes.org for the tracking on that specific trip.
Sunday 26th - Arrived 02:51 (11 late)
Monday 27th - Arrived 02:51 (11 late)
Tuesday 28th - Arrived 03:05 (25 late)
Wednesday 29th - Arrives 02:50 (10 late)
Thursday 30th - Arrived 03:23 (43 late)
Friday 31st - Arrived 03:37 (57 late)
Saturday 1st - Arrives 02:47 (7 late)
Sunday 2nd - Arrives 02:44 (4 late)