I have to take the wife to Heathrow for a flight to Australia on Friday 24th July. Her flight is at 21:20, and check-in time is apparently THREE hours before Terminal 3 if that makesa difference.

Which leaves me arriving before 18:20, in other words, right smack bang in the middle of the friday night rush-hour

Any advice? I can arrive much earlier and spend time with her, or just go home.

I was thinking of A1, North Circular etc rather than M25 as I've heard horror stories about the M25.


She arrives home at 07:20 on Wednesday 26th August, so I'm thinking arrive around 6am, beat the rush, wait out the rush with breakfast etc. I'd FAR rather sit drinking coffee for a couple of hours than inch my way forward in traffic

Any tips, advice etc gratefully received. TIA
What do others think?

 

Why not go down early doors and spend the day in London doing some shopping or eating?

 

From experience commuting the other way round that bit of M25 the M1 to M4 on the M25 at that time will be well and truely snarled up. I would aim to hit that bit of road by 3pm at the latest otherwise forget it.

Another option for you is to follow the A412 down from Watford, through Rickmansworth and Slough then turn left and go past Stockly Park to Heathrow.

 

Or say your goodbyes at the train station, pack her some sarnies and a ticket to the tube!!

 

Where about's Opp North? For the price of Petrol/train ticket (as mentioned above) you could get the plane down. Then she's at Heathrow. No chance of her getting lost then.

 

Nowhere near an airport, Manchester best bet and it's 120 miles

I AM looking at the train, mind. Don't fancy the drive, too soon after my back op.

 

See a shrink

 

The only option IMO.

 

Just checked and rail fare one way is £35.50, but tube etc not included.
Also: ONE HOUR 10 Minutes on the tube

 

Pack more sarnies.

Silly question, but have you checked out the price for a return, last time I caught a train a large distance to buy a car so only wanted one way, it was cheaper to buy a return..

 

She could get the heathrow express to the airport from the station. Is expensive but only takes 30 mins approx.

Can you get onto the m40? If so, you then only need to travel 1 junction on the m25, approx 3.5 miles. I do it often o a friday and before 345/4ish it is pretty quick. After 4.30 is busy and takes approx 20 mins.

Chop

 

check in time may well be 3 hours is a crock.

Find out what time check in closes, it will be about an hour before departure.

 

Correct, but will traffic be any better if I have to arrive 7:30-8:00?

 

Who is she flying with?

As for getting to LHR, drive to Man and fly her down, or train it. The M25 round that part of the woods is a 'mare from 15:00 onwards, especially with the current roadworks.

If it says 3 hours on check-in, don't push it. I've heard of people being turned away for turning up late.

 

yes was going to say the current roadworks are a complete nightmare on the M25