Heading back to Marylebone and heading home – Train vs Plane
In this… comparison.
- A Surreal weekend Out
- Early Morning Virgin Trains and St Pancras International
- Eurostar ES9116 London St Pancras to Brussels Midi (Standard Premier)
- Crowne Plaza Le Place, Roiger, Brussels
- Enjoying time in Brussels and Leuven
- Off to Trainworld
- Back to Brussels Airport, British Airways Terraces Lounge
- BA399 Brussels National Airport to London Heathrow (Club Europe)
- Heading back to Marylebone, and heading home
- Train vs Plane? Which wins in this round?
Whilst I was in the UK, I was in the wrong part of it. And an hour late too. I headed down to the internal transit for the ride to T5A. Least of all, there were deadlines to be made.
And it didn’t help the jetway was soaked for some reason
Why? I had checked my arrival time, and if I timed things correct, I could make the TfL rail service from T2/3. But I would need everything to go right.
Welcome to the far side.
It’s all a journey.
With limited time, I headed to the transit system and to transit back to Terminal 5A.
Tim Peake Welcoming you to the UK
Let’s go!
I headed out of the lift at T5 Arrivals, and towards the ePassport gates.
And for once – they actually worked for me.
ePassport Gates that work? A Christmas Miracle.
From there, I headed down to arrivals, and towards the North Exit ( the exit nearest the Domestic Arrivals and the Heathrow Express).
I checked the clocks – I had a good 6 minutes on the clock. There was no time to grab a drink – rather there was enough time to put my skates on and head through the barrier.
To the trains!!!
All the Heathrow terminals have barriers now, so you either need a Heathrow Express ticket, a contactless card to use TfL rail, or a Free transit ticket to go between the terminals. Allow time as needed
I needed to test the free ticket facility between Heathrow terminals…
With four minutes to go, I made the waiting Heathrow Express service to T2/3. With the train underway, it’s a four-minute ride to T2/3.
Heathrow Express seating
Fancy overhead light.
I got out of the Heathrow Express and headed down the platform at T2/3. Whilst the new Class 345 trains (which will form the backbone of the Crossrail project) are meant to be used, there are of course – delays to Crossrail.
Instead, the Class 360’s that were used for Heathrow Connect are still soldiering on for TfL Rail. They’re not bad trains at all, and pretty comfortable for the purpose they’re used for.
TfL Rail/Heathrow Connect
TFL Rail.. honest.
The one thing to be aware of, the trains now right near the entrance of the tunnel portals – and there are warnings where to stand.
From there, it’s a 25-minute ride to London Paddington, which pretty much happened without incident. Which for a local train, is welcome
Exiting the gate at Paddington, £10.10 was deducted from the card. Oh well. The beauty of where the TfL rail service stops is a simple one – it’s right next to the Bakerloo line entrance to the underground. As this was my next stop, this is perfect.
Exit to the station…
Down into Paddington Underground Station
Another walk, and another tube ride late, I was at London Marylebone station.
This is a Bakerloo Line service to Elephant and Castle.
Time to stop the stopwatch – which gave us a grand total of 6 hours and 12 minutes. A massive win for the train this time.
And one day, I’ll get a clear shot at a Train vs Plane trip without any delays.
With a bit of time before the train home, I made the mistake of visiting the toilets at Marylebone station
Enough for me to hold in everything until I got home
Marylebone station gate line.
With a £30.50 ticket brought, and an expensive Starbucks to keep me awake for the journey home, I headed to the waiting Chiltern Clubman to Birmingham Snow Hill.
London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill
Chiltern Railways
£30.50 – Return ticket
I headed onto the platform and onto a train. where it was starting to load up well. I needed to be in the back railcar this trip – otherwise, the walk at Birmingham Snow Hill is rather… long.
With the train having a slow run to Birmingham, with limited stops between London Marylebone and Leamington Spa, the train turned into a local service for the rest of the journey – netting a 2-hour journey home.
With the train pulling in around 23:10, I got off the train and head to the exit.
Open barriers.
With it nearly midnight – no one was around. Rather quiet really.
Towards Snow Hill and Colmore Row
I headed out and turned right towards the bus stops. My next calculation was bang on. The bus to take me home was waiting
Passing St Philips
I jumped the bus with time to spare and waited for the driver to set off. For me, it’s a 10-minute ride to my front door. And I was happy to take my time riding a bus home.
Eventually – I made my way indoors and headed for my front door.
And that’s it.
Finally: Who wins this battle of Train vs Plane
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