Is it safe to take the Heathrow Express at midnight?

[budmeister]

We will be coming into Heathrow at about 10:40 pm. I assume that by the time we get our luggage an hour or so will have gone by. Is the Heathrow Express to the Paddington station safe at that time? I would never take the Chicago subway or EL at that time.

Thanks for any advice!

[Twickenham]

Originally Posted by budmeister

We will be coming into Heathrow at about 10:40 pm. I assume that by the time we get our luggage an hour or so will have gone by. Is the Heathrow Express to the Paddington station safe at that time? I would never take the Chicago subway or EL at that time.

Thanks for any advice!

I've taken the Underground at nearly midnight alone and felt fine. The HE is much more destination-specific than that so I would not hesitate to take it at that hour.

[handfordr]

You should not be unduly concerned about your safety on this journey.
If you feel stressed out by safety concerns when you get to Paddington take a black cab from the rank at Paddington to your hotel, but London where visitors go is a safe city, assuming you take the usual common sense precautions.

[budmeister]

Thanks! That was the answer I was hoping for.

[Globaliser]

Originally Posted by budmeister

Is the Heathrow Express to the Paddington station safe at that time?

It will be safe. And you'll find that Paddington station should still be reasonably busy and bright, with lots of normal people around. Obviously, you're by then in the middle of a big city, so just take normal big city precautions. In particular, don't turn your back on your luggage for any extended period of time - it's something that many travellers do, and it mystifies me.

I would, however, second the suggestion that you then get a cab to your hotel - mostly because it's the only practicable thing to do at that time of the night.

To get to the main cab rank, turn right when you get to the end of the platform into the main body of the station, and walk towards the far wall. There's a shortcut through that far wall, which is a little corridor marked "ladies toilets" and "way out" (or "exit"). The leads you out almost directly to the head of the cab rank. The official signs make you walk a long roundabout route to allow for the queue which sometimes forms, but you can save yourself a few minutes' walk by using the shortcut.

[jfhandel]

The tubes are generally a pretty safe place at night, and around midnight they are actually quite busy as people catch the last train home. The Heathrow Express should also be safe.

Agree with Globaliser that, after probably 12 hours of travelling, you'll be wanting to cab it from Paddington to your hotel...

[handfordr]

A big difference between the UK and US cities is that the 'downtown' areas do not empty out outside business hours to the suburbs resulting in ghost towns at night. The city centres are vibrant in the evening/night and is where everybody goes. This is reinforced by public transport which everyone including the affluent use out of choice in London - its not a second rate system for poor people.
The net effect is thats its very busy in Central London during the night with plenty of people about both on the streets and using public transport and as a consequence relatively safe.

[azalice]

We took the train to Paddington at about 10 p.m. in late July this year. We were then advised to grab a taxi to our hotel. It worked out very well and we felt quite safe at the stations.

Alice

[PennyAgain]

I am an old woman who walks slowly and with great care. I find no problems with the Heathrow Express at night other than the issue of baggage.

You are on your own with handing baggage.

I always make sure that I can easily manage all that I have with me with no help at all.

If you have a huge amount of heavy baggage, have phsycial limitations or are just not up to it, I would make other arrangements.

[celle]

Originally Posted by PennyAgain

I am an old woman who walks slowly and with great care. I find no problems with the Heathrow Express at night other than the issue of baggage.

You are on your own with handing baggage.

I always make sure that I can easily manage all that I have with me with no help at all.

If you have a huge amount of heavy baggage, have phsycial limitations or are just not up to it, I would make other arrangements.

This is generally true of most travel by rail in the UK. While there are a few people availalbe to help with luggage, you may have to search for them. It is not like the US, where porters flock to help you (and get their tips ).

If you are considering travelling by train, it is best to restrict your baggage to what you can handle without assistance. This includes being able to negotiate escalators and stairs.

[O_George]

Originally Posted by budmeister

We will be coming into Heathrow at about 10:40 pm. I assume that by the time we get our luggage an hour or so will have gone by. Is the Heathrow Express to the Paddington station safe at that time? I would never take the Chicago subway or EL at that time.

Thanks for any advice!

I've taken the Heathrow Express at a pretty late hour and did not feel unsafe at anytime.