Fastest/best way Heathrow to Blackfriars - Summer 2022

[Alex Mihai]

Hello everyone, this summer I'll visit London and I was wondering what is the fastest and/or best way to get from Heathrow to Blackfriars.
Supposing Crossrail will be completed and up and running by the time I visit (end of July), would Crossrail to Farringdon and then walking to Blackfriars be the fastest way(and also optimal - as it would also mean no changes)?
Thank you.

 

[Starmill]

Unfortunately, you'll still need to change at London Paddington, i.e. two Crossrail services one after the other. However, that probably is the 'best' way as you say, providing the walk along Farringdon Street to your destination is no trouble to you.

Strictly, it may be faster to use Heathrow Express to London Paddington. It depends if they're running at quarter hourly or half hourly, and which terminals are open when you arrive (do you know which one you're scheduled to use?)

 

[Bald Rick]

Assuming Crossrail is open by then, there won’t be direct trains from Heathrow to Farringdon. That won’t happen until the Autumn. However Heathrow Express or TfL Rail to Paddington, then Elizabeth Line to Farringdon, then either Thameslink (or 15 minute walk) will certainly be an interesting way to do it.

 

[Starmill]

How far are you comfortable with walking? If not changing trains is important, the Piccadilly line is direct to Holborn. Unfortunately it is approximately a 50 minute journey from Heathrow Terminal 2&3. This option is also the least expensive of the three mentioned so far.

 

[Hophead]

How far are you comfortable with walking? If not changing trains is important, the Piccadilly line is direct to Holborn. Unfortunately it is approximately a 50 minute journey from Heathrow Terminal 2&3. This option is also the least expensive of the three mentioned so far.

Though a cross-platform change at Hammersmith will get you direct to Blackfriars, albeit not particularly quickly

 

[duncanp]

The easiest way from Heathrow would be to take the Piccadilly Line to Hammersmith, and then change for the District Line to Blackfriars.

It is an easy cross platform interchange between the Piccadilly and District lines at Hammersmith, and Blackfriars tube station has lifts if you have luggage or mobility issues.

 

[Alex Mihai]

Unfortunately, you'll still need to change at London Paddington, i.e. two Crossrail services one after the other. However, that probably is the 'best' way as you say, providing the walk along Farringdon Street to your destination is no trouble to you.

Strictly, it may be faster to use Heathrow Express to London Paddington. It depends if they're running at quarter hourly or half hourly, and which terminals are open when you arrive (do you know which one you're scheduled to use?)

From what I've seen the carrier usually operates to/from Terminal 4, but it seems as of now they are diverted to Terminal 2 since 4 is closed (I have no idea if it will stay the same in the summer).

Assuming Crossrail is open by then, there won’t be direct trains from Heathrow to Farringdon. That won’t happen until the Autumn. However Heathrow Express or TfL Rail to Paddington, then Elizabeth Line to Farringdon, then either Thameslink (or 15 minute walk) will certainly be an interesting way to do it.

I'd rather walk than take the Thameslink, since I'd pay extra for a rather short journey.

How far are you comfortable with walking? If not changing trains is important, the Piccadilly line is direct to Holborn. Unfortunately it is approximately a 50 minute journey from Heathrow Terminal 2&3. This option is also the least expensive of the three mentioned so far.

I have no problem walking (I'll have a backpack and a piece of luggage I can carry along). I am aware that the tube is the slowest, so I was looking at a middle ground variant (not taking the HX as it is more expensive and not taking the tube because it is the slowest).
I considered Crossrail because I thought it would run direct so I'd get a sitting spot (I'd be out of Heathrow at around 3-4 PM so it will probably be quite busy on the tube etc. in the central areas).

Given all this, would you guys still go with Crossrail, even with the change at Paddington? Asking because I am aware Paddington is quite a busy station and I'd also consider other ways if it means easier transfer with luggage.

 

[Peregrine 4903]

The easiest way from Heathrow would be to take the Piccadilly Line to Hammersmith, and then change for the District Line to Blackfriars.

It is an easy cross platform interchange between the Piccadilly and District lines at Hammersmith, and Blackfriars tube station has lifts if you have luggage or mobility issues.

I find changing at Baron's Court better than Hammersmith as its still cross platform, but Baron's Court station is less busy, so easier to change.

 

[Starmill]

If you use pay as you go it probably won't cost you any more to go on a Thameslink train from Farringdon to Blakckfriars. But of course you may prefer to walk anyway to see the area.

It may be necccesary to wait for a timetable to be out to see how much time saving there is, if any, changing at London Paddington and Farringdon / walking from Farringdon, rather than Hammersmith (or Barons Court, as above).

You may of course have some novelty value out of seeing the new stations at Paddington (Crossrail) and Farringdon (Crossrail). So you might want to go that way regardless.

 

[Alex Mihai]

If you use pay as you go it probably won't cost you any more to go on a Thameslink train from Farringdon to Blakckfriars. But of course you may prefer to walk anyway to see the area.

It may be necccesary to wait for a timetable to be out to see how much time saving there is, if any, changing at London Paddington and Farringdon / walking from Farringdon, rather than Hammersmith (or Barons Court, as above).

Since you mentioned pay as you go (if I recall correctly this method means using my contactless bank card), what would the best way of paying be? I will be staying in London for 3 nights (Fri-Mon). I heard about Oyster being cheaper, but would it be worth the hassle for just 3 days?

 

[Starmill]

Since you mentioned pay as you go (if I recall correctly this method means using my contactless bank card), what would the best way of paying be? I will be staying in London for 3 nights (Fri-Mon). I heard about Oyster being cheaper, but would it be worth the hassle for just 3 days?

No, just using a contactless card is entirely fine. Oyster wouldn't be cheaper unless you were going to buy a railcard.

 

[Class 170101]

Assuming Crossrail is open by then, there won’t be direct trains from Heathrow to Farringdon. That won’t happen until the Autumn. However Heathrow Express or TfL Rail to Paddington, then Elizabeth Line to Farringdon, then either Thameslink (or 15 minute walk) will certainly be an interesting way to do it.

Or as Bald Rick says above to Paddington (Praed Street) then take the Circle Line from Paddington via Notting Hill Gate direct to Blackfriars.

 

[Bald Rick]

Pay as you go with your Bank Card is the same price as Oyster Pay as you go. And both are cheaper than a one day travel card.

If travelling from Heathrow by TfL Rail via Paddington to either Farringdon or Blackfriars, it will cost you £10.40 off peak (anytime after 0930). If travelling via tube (Piccadilly then District) it will only be £3.30. (All fares Pay as you go with Oyster or Contactless).

However if you are to make further trips that day on any part of the London Rail, tube, bus or tram network the maximum you will pay for the day is capped at £13.50, regardless of how you travelled from Heathrow.

£13.50 is also the maximum you will pay for a days travel in London, peak or off peak, if using pay as you go.

The only thing to consider if using contactless is whether your bank will charge you a fee per foreign currency transaction - assuming your bank card is not a from a U.K. bank in £.

 

[Brooke]

One more option, since the OP mentioned ‘fastest’…

Currently if the OP is quick on their toes, this may be Heathrow Express to Paddington, trot down the road, then Central from Lancaster Gate to St Pauls, trot to Blackfriars.

(Note that i don’t recommend it per se, but it is how I used to do it fastest when my office was on Ludgate Hill)

Once crossrail is open, almost certainly Heathrow Express / Crossrail / Thameslink will by then be fastest.

 

[Horizon22]

Unfortunately Crossrail have taken down the journey planner off their website so times aren't known but from a vague memory, I think Paddington - Farringdon should take about 8 minutes.

So If you take a Heathrow Express Train its ~15 minutes with a TFL service ~25/30 minutes. Then walk down to the new Crossrail station which is probably about 5 minutes. Train to Farringdon (as discussed around 8 minutes). Change at Farringdon (lets says 5 minutes), and about 5 minutes Farringdon to Blackfriars which is a regular service.

So ultimately the time is going to be down to how quickly you can connect (versus one of the slower but more direct options listed above) as the service is going to be at least every 5 minutes (allegedly) from Paddington (Crossrail) & Farringdon (Thameslink) from around June this year.