It’s racing towards Christmas with less than a week to go. However, if you’re coming to the UK via London Heathrow, you might need to make additional plans if you’re planing to take the train to Central London.
Mainly because Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect won’t be operating some days.
Heathrow Express Class 332 train at Heathrow Terminal 5 – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
So here is what happening then?
Heathrow Express
https://www.heathrowexpress.com/timetable-schedule/service-plans#1203
- 24th – 29th December 2016: No service between Heathrow and London
- 30th – 31st December 2016: Departures every 30 minutes
- First departure from T5 at 05:27 and then at 57 and 27 minutes
- First departure from T2-T3 at 05:33 and then at 03 and 33 minutes
- First departure from Paddington 05:25 and then at 55 and 25 minutes
- 1st January 2017: Late start of service at 6:00
- First departure from T5 at 06:10 and then every 15 minutes
- First departure from T2-3 at 06:06 and 06:23 and then every 15 minutes.
- First departure from Paddington at 06:00 and 06:18 and then every 15 minutes.
- 2nd January 2017: Every 30 minutes between 05:00 – 16:00, then normal service
- First departure from T5 at 05:27 and then at 57 and 27 minutes until 16:27 then every 15 minutes
- First departure from T2-T3 at 05:33 and then at 03 and 33 minutes until 16:23 then every 15 minutes
- First departure from Paddington 05:25 and then at 55 and 25 minutes until 15:55 then every 15 minutes
Heathrow Connect
Heathrow Connect Class 360 service arriving at Heathrow Central – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
https://heathrowconnect.com/train-times/advance-service-alterations?eid=546
- 24th – 29th December 2016: No service between Heathrow and London
- 30th – 31st December 2016: Operating – will not call at Hanwell or West Ealing
- First service from T2-T3 departs at 05:18, with an hourly service 23:18
- First service from Paddington departs at 05:03 with an hourly service until 23:03
- 1st January 2017 – Operating every 30 minutes- will not call at Hanwell or West Ealing
- 2nd January 2017
- First Service from T2-T3 depart at 05:18 then at 48 and 18 minutes past the hour. Services restored from Hanwell and West Ealing from 16:00.
- First Service from Paddington at 05:03 then at 33 and 03 minutes past the hour. Services restored from Hanwell and West Ealing from 16:00.
Thankfully, there are some alternatives so you aren’t completely cut off from the United Kingdom’s main air gateway. Be aware however
24th December
- The Piccadilly Line – There are going to be heavy delays over Christmas due to a lack of trains. Note that services will be run down by 23:30.
- National Express to Victoria around £16 each way.
- Taxi and Uber are also options. Be prepared to scream when you open your wallets though as pricing will rise as the day comes to an end. So don’t be on the last flight into Heathrow on Christmas Eve.
25th December
- National Express to Victoria – around £16 each way.
- Taxi and Uber are also options. Be prepared to scream when you open your wallets though as taxis charge a higher rate over Christmas day
- There will be no Underground service at all on Christmas Day
26th December
- The Piccadilly Line – There are going to be heavy delays over Christmas due to a lack of trains. Services start around 07:45, with a Sunday service booked.
- National Express to Victoria around £16 each way.
- Taxi and Uber are also options. Be prepared to scream when you open your wallets though as taxis charge a higher rate over Boxing Day
27th December
- The Piccadilly Line – There are going to be heavy delays over Christmas due to a lack of trains. A Sunday service is expected to operate with weekday operating times
- National Express to Victoria around £16 each way.
- Taxi and Uber are also options.
28th – 30th December
- The Piccadilly Line – There are going to be heavy delays over Christmas due to a lack of trains. A Saturday service is expected to operate with weekday operating times
- National Express to Victoria around £16 each way.
- Taxi and Uber are also options.
If you’re planning to travel to and from Heathrow over Christmas and New Year, please allow extra time for your trip – especially as Heathrow Express is closed for the majority of it.
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