Heathrow Piccadilly Line free?

[robbeech]

So the other morning, quite early before i started work i decided to have a run out to Heathrow on the Piccadilly line from where i was staying in Earl's Court.

Is a tube journey between terminals free?

I went to all 3 stops and got off and had a 5 minute wander tapping out and back in each time. My Earl's court to Heathrow T4 was the expected £2.80 but the T3 to T123 and the T123 to T5 were both £0. Are they just £0 or are they only £0 if you've made a journey on Oyster to there and paid for it, i'm assuming they're just £0 as i didn't think Oyster was quite that intelligent.

 

[swt_passenger]

Inter-terminal journeys are free, yes. It is unnecessary to have already used Oyster to get to Heathrow.

 

[bluegoblin7]

Yes. It's part of the Heathrow free-flow scheme, in the same was as the NR shuttles and buses are free.

On the Piccadilly line you can also transfer via Hatton Cross (e.g. T5/1,2,3->T4), but not exit there.

As always, you will have a maximum charge deducted when touching in, with the 'difference' to the actual fare (in this case, £0) refunded back upon touch out.

 

[yorkie]

Details here: http://www.heathrow.com/file_source/Company/Static/PDF/Heathrowcommuter/travel_around_Heathrow.pdf

You can even go via Hatton Cross (but are charged if you enter/exit there)

 

[hassaanhc]

I believe it is always free. On several occasions over the last year, I've used buses on one or both sides of a Piccadilly Line journey between the terminals, and I've not been charged more on any occasion.

Oops, looks like several of us posted at the same time

 

[Scotty]

Londonist released a video the other day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueU0NPz9uLk
[youtube]ueU0NPz9uLk[/youtube]

Did you know there are currently four stations you can travel between on the tube network, and not get charged a penny? Geoff took his trusty Oyster to west London to make sure the rumours were true.

 

[swt class 450]

Am i correct in thinking that you have to have an oyster card or a contactless card to travel on London Underground between the Heathrow Airport terminals for free? I presume people that dont have these have to use the Heathrow Connect or Heathrow Express trains? Or will they let you through on London Underground if you tell them you are just travelling between the terminals?

 

[Kite159]

Am i correct in thinking that you have to have an oyster card or a contactless card to travel on London Underground between the Heathrow Airport terminals for free? I presume people that dont have these have to use the Heathrow Connect or Heathrow Express trains? Or will they let you through on London Underground if you tell them you are just travelling between the terminals?

I believe you are correct, all 3 LU stations have wide barriers, whereas the HEX platforms are open.

 

[Joe Paxton]

Am i correct in thinking that you have to have an oyster card or a contactless card to travel on London Underground between the Heathrow Airport terminals for free? I presume people that dont have these have to use the Heathrow Connect or Heathrow Express trains? Or will they let you through on London Underground if you tell them you are just travelling between the terminals?

Yes, you need an Oyster or contactless card for free inter-terminal travel on the Tube.

No such requirement to use the Heathrow Express for free between terminals.

 

[LordCreed]

Out of curiosity, how does the free bus travel work? Do you have to still tap in with your oyster?

 

[swt class 450]

Out of curiosity, how does the free bus travel work? Do you have to still tap in with your oyster?

No you just board the bus and tell the driver you are only travelling within the Heathrow Airport free zone. There is no need for an oyster card or contactless card. In fact some of the bus routes don't even accept oyster cards or contactless cards.

 

[LordCreed]

No you just board the bus and tell the driver you are only travelling within the Heathrow Airport free zone. There is no need for an oyster card or contactless card. In fact some of the bus routes don't even accept oyster cards or contactless cards.

Brilliant, thank you.

 

[londonbridge]

On the X26 bus there is usually a notice by the drivers cab saying:

"Route X26 is not part of the Heathrow Freeflow scheme. If you do not have a valid Tfl bus pass, travelcard, Oyster pay-as-you-go, or cash fare, you will be charged between Heathrow Central and Hatton Cross".

Now if you don't have any of the first three, given that Tfl buses no longer accept cash, how do they propose to charge you??

 

[swt class 450]

On the X26 bus there is usually a notice by the drivers cab saying:

"Route X26 is not part of the Heathrow Freeflow scheme. If you do not have a valid Tfl bus pass, travelcard, Oyster pay-as-you-go, or cash fare, you will be charged between Heathrow Central and Hatton Cross".

Now if you don't have any of the first three, given that Tfl buses no longer accept cash, how do they propose to charge you??

Why is the X26 not free within the Heathrow Airport free zones? It seems crazy! Especially considering other TFL contracted routes that follow the same route between Heathrow Central and Hatton Cross are free to travel on! Is this something to do with RATP Quality Line not wanting to be part of the Heathrow Airport free zone?

So what routes are still free of charge? I presume the following routes are:

••••Non TFL Buses••••
• Abellio Surrey Route 441
• Arriva Shires Route 724
• Carlone Buses Route 442
• First Berkshire Route 7
• First Berkshire Route 8
• First Berkshire Route 10
• First Berkshire Route 11
• First Berkshire Route N7
• First Berkshire Route 555
• Go Ahead Carousel Buses Route 740
• Go Ahead Carousel Buses Route A40

••••TFL Buses••••
• Abellio London Route 350
• Abellio London Route 490
• Metroline Route 90
• Metroline Route 105
• Metroline Route 140
• Metroline Route 482
• Metroline Route A10
• Metroline Route U3
• RATP London United Route 81
• RATP London United Route 111
• RATP London United Route 222
• RATP London United Route 285
• RATP London United Route 423
• RATP London United Route H98
• RATP London United Route N9

Is there any i have missed out?

 

[Deerfold]

Why is the X26 not free within the Heathrow Airport free zones? It seems crazy! Especially considering other TFL contracted routes that follow the same route between Heathrow Central and Hatton Cross are free to travel on! Is this something to do with RATP Quality Line not wanting to be part of the Heathrow Airport free zone?

So what routes are still free of charge? I presume the following routes are:

••••Non TFL Buses••••
• Abellio Surrey Route 441
• Arriva Shires Route 724
• Carlone Buses Route 442
• First Berkshire Route 7
• First Berkshire Route 8
• First Berkshire Route 10
• First Berkshire Route 11
• First Berkshire Route N7
• First Berkshire Route 555
• Go Ahead Carousel Buses Route 740
• Go Ahead Carousel Buses Route A40

••••TFL Buses••••
• Abellio London Route 350
• Abellio London Route 490
• Metroline Route 90
• Metroline Route 105
• Metroline Route 140
• Metroline Route 482
• Metroline Route A10
• Metroline Route U3
• RATP London United Route 81
• RATP London United Route 111
• RATP London United Route 222
• RATP London United Route 285
• RATP London United Route 423
• RATP London United Route H98
• RATP London United Route N9

Is there any i have missed out?

The 724, 740 and A40 are not part of the scheme as the only stops within the Freeflow Zone are at the Airport.

 

[Joe Paxton]

Why is the X26 not free within the Heathrow Airport free zones? It seems crazy! Especially considering other TFL contracted routes that follow the same route between Heathrow Central and Hatton Cross are free to travel on! Is this something to do with RATP Quality Line not wanting to be part of the Heathrow Airport free zone?

It won't be a decision of the operator (RATP) but of TfL, presumably with the blessing of Heathrow.

The X26 can get pretty busy, and is intended to be a relatively long distance express service serving outer south London rather than a local bus service, so I'd guess it was excluded from the free travel arrangements to stop it filling up with passengers just making the hop between the CTA (T2 & T3) and Hatton Cross.

What I suggest would be crazy would be if Kingston, Sutton or Croydon bound passengers were unable to board the X26 at the central bus station (at the CTA) if it was full up with people just going to Hatton Cross.

This map dates from January 2012 and the X26 bus does not feature, so its exclusion from the free travel arrangements is not a new thing.

 

[Ianno87]

On the X26 bus there is usually a notice by the drivers cab saying:

"Route X26 is not part of the Heathrow Freeflow scheme. If you do not have a valid Tfl bus pass, travelcard, Oyster pay-as-you-go, or cash fare, you will be charged between Heathrow Central and Hatton Cross".

Now if you don't have any of the first three, given that Tfl buses no longer accept cash, how do they propose to charge you??

Presume the stickers just haven't been changed from when you could pay cash (not all the long ago, to be fair!). Plus, you can still pay Contactless (if you have that as an option)

 

[Ianno87]

It won't be a decision of the operator (RATP) but of TfL, presumably with the blessing of Heathrow.

The X26 can get pretty busy, and is intended to be a relatively long distance express service serving outer south London rather than a local bus service, so I'd guess it was excluded from the free travel arrangements to stop it filling up with passengers just making the hop between the CTA (T2 & T3) and Hatton Cross.

What I suggest would be crazy would be if Kingston, Sutton or Croydon bound passengers were unable to board the X26 at the central bus station (at the CTA) if it was full up with people just going to Hatton Cross.

This map dates from January 2012 and the X26 bus does not feature, so its exclusion from the free travel arrangements is not a new thing.

The X26 can also suffer quite badly from traffic congestion on its long route across south/south west London anyway - not much point making it even worse with freeloaders piling on for a journey that has alternative options available anyway.

 

[londonbridge]

Presume the stickers just haven't been changed from when you could pay cash (not all the long ago, to be fair!). Plus, you can still pay Contactless (if you have that as an option)

I'd argue over two and a half years was more than enough time for them to update the notices and remove the reference to cash fares though.

 

[swt class 450]

The 724, 740 and A40 are not part of the scheme as the only stops within the Freeflow Zone are at the Airport.

Doesnt the 724 go to Heathrow Central and then on to Terminal 5? Or has this changed recently? I am pretty sure i have taken it between Heathrow Central and Terminal 5 before.

 

[Deerfold]

Doesnt the 724 go to Heathrow Central and then on to Terminal 5? Or has this changed recently? I am pretty sure i have taken it between Heathrow Central and Terminal 5 before.

It may have done at some point, but it currently terminates at Central.

 

[Mag_seven]

What I suggest would be crazy would be if Kingston, Sutton or Croydon bound passengers were unable to board the X26 at the central bus station (at the CTA) if it was full up with people just going to Hatton Cross.

Just like its crazy that Bristol, Swansea and Exeter passengers are unable to join an FGW service at Paddington because it is full up with people just travelling to Reading.

Anyway getting back on topic, why can't you enter/exit at Hatton Cross on the underground as it is as much part of the free travel zone as the terminal stations are?

 

[higthomas]

Anyway getting back on topic, why can't you enter/exit at Hatton Cross on the underground as it is as much part of the free travel zone as the terminal stations are?

Because Heathrow don't want to pay for it I guess. I'd imagine free travel on the underground would be rather expensive, and unlike inter terminal travel, getting to Hatton cross is adequately provided for by buses.

 

[Ianno87]

Because Heathrow don't want to pay for it I guess. I'd imagine free travel on the underground would be rather expensive, and unlike inter terminal travel, getting to Hatton cross is adequately provided for by buses.

Possibly also to avoid Hatton Cross becoming a drop-off point for a freebie tube ride to any Terminal of your choice.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Possibly also to avoid Hatton Cross becoming a drop-off point for a freebie tube ride to any Terminal of your choice.

That is a very good reason to allow exit at Hatton Cross as it would reduce the number of cars entering the Airport. I am sure Heathrow would get a lot of Brownie points for that.

 

[rebmcr]

That is a very good reason to allow exit at Hatton Cross as it would reduce the number of cars entering the Airport. I am sure Heathrow would get a lot of Brownie points for that.

That's something Heathrow are none too interested in, given their past record. The bare minimum to avoid their projects being too badly opposed is all their bottom line really cares about.

 

[Deerfold]

That is a very good reason to allow exit at Hatton Cross as it would reduce the number of cars entering the Airport. I am sure Heathrow would get a lot of Brownie points for that.

Where are these cars going to stop at Hatton Cross?

 

[matt_world2004]

Why is the X26 not free within the Heathrow Airport free zones? It seems crazy! Especially considering other TFL contracted routes that follow the same route between Heathrow Central and Hatton Cross are free to travel on! Is this something to do with RATP Quality Line not wanting to be part of the Heathrow Airport free zone?

So what routes are still free of charge? I presume the following routes are:

••••Non TFL Buses••••
• Abellio Surrey Route 441
• Arriva Shires Route 724
• Carlone Buses Route 442
• First Berkshire Route 7
• First Berkshire Route 8
• First Berkshire Route 10
• First Berkshire Route 11
• First Berkshire Route N7
• First Berkshire Route 555
• Go Ahead Carousel Buses Route 740
• Go Ahead Carousel Buses Route A40

••••TFL Buses••••
• Abellio London Route 350
• Abellio London Route 490
• Metroline Route 90
• Metroline Route 105
• Metroline Route 140
• Metroline Route 482
• Metroline Route A10
• Metroline Route U3
• RATP London United Route 81
• RATP London United Route 111
• RATP London United Route 222
• RATP London United Route 285
• RATP London United Route 423
• RATP London United Route H98
• RATP London United Route N9

Is there any i have missed out?

90 is not part of the free fare zone either, this is because heathrow is trying to cut the money it pays to tfl neither is the 222 or 81

 

[Joe Paxton]

Where are these cars going to stop at Hatton Cross?

The tube stain car park. North of the A30 on one of the roads in the airport estate. South of the A30 on Faggs Road. There are v several potential spots.

 

[Deerfold]

The tube stain car park. North of the A30 on one of the roads in the airport estate. South of the A30 on Faggs Road. There are v several potential spots.

That's a bit mean on the car park. Or possibly the station.

How many of Heathrow's 200,000+ daily passengers do you expect to use this? There's not a lot of space there.