Choices and Consequences: Why I take the night morning coach to Heathrow

Good morning from service 212 to London Heathrow – where I’m barely awake. Or rather, I’ve had minimal sleep.

Again.

I’ve titled this “Choices and Consequences”. And there are responsible reasons for this.

Sometimes I’m asked why I take the early morning coach. And to be blunt -it’s the best of a bad lot.

• Let’s be honest, I hate driving with a passion. Whilst the little Aygo and I have had ups and downs whilst the fuel cost to driving to Heathrow works out around £15 or so, parking fees for a week is a pain. Plus, driving back when jet-lagged… id rather avoid that pain
• The UK has no effective night rail network. Apart from the Caledonian Sleeper, the first trains get me to London way too late to meet the early morning flight I catch.
• Fly from Birmingham Airport? With a lack of Oneworld coverage, it’s a no go for me. That and a lack of direct transatlantic routes makes it unattractive when you just want to get to a destination.

• Getting a hotel room the night before at Heathrow would be the ideal thing. However, costs can vary – plus I would still have to schlep my stuff across London on an evening train. Oh, and pack earlier too.
• An Uber to Heathrow? I think not at £144 upwards.

So we’re back to the coach. At £42 return, it’s not the cheapest way on the face of it (in terms of the pure travel cost). But add in a hotel, parking or a Uber drivers fees… and it becomes reasonable.

The only real downside? Being awake at midnight to finish packing, and then getting a taxi to the coach station for the night/early morning coach.

To some, they would prefer their sleep – and I understand that.

As I said in the beginning – choices and consequences. The choice of convenience and minimal time on my hands forces my hand to a point.

And as for me? Bring on the relative peace of a night coach, a pair of headphones and some relaxing music.

And sit back and enjoy the night coach.

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