Flight time from LHR

[mom23guys]

I have a flight out of LHR on hold. It is at 12:15. We are departing from Harwich. When I checked with Celebrity they said with their transfers the earliest is 1PM but it should be fine with a private transfer. What time have others gotten to the airport from Harwich. I can still switch to the following day but the flight is $200 more plus the cost of staying another night.

[John Bull]

Broadly I agree with Celebrity, but a more concise answer needs your date/day-of-the-week & your airline.

This is one of the few routes where I recommend ship's transfers.
By train or Nat Express bus is complicated & frought, and a private transfer quite expensive - at a guess, around £160 for a sedan.

If you elected to fly next day, then taking the train from the quayside to central London, a central London hotel, then various options to LHR next morning would give you time to explore central London.

JB

[Ashland]

Originally Posted by John Bull

Broadly I agree with Celebrity, but a more concise answer needs your date/day-of-the-week & your airline.

This is one of the few routes where I recommend ship's transfers.
By train or Nat Express bus is complicated & frought, and a private transfer quite expensive - at a guess, around £160 for a sedan.

If you elected to fly next day, then taking the train from the quayside to central London, a central London hotel, then various options to LHR next morning would give you time to explore central London.

JB

Consider this exact advice very carefully..It's the best you'll get considering your situation...I would opt to at least spend sometime in London if possible and taking the train into London post-cruise is exactly what we did.

[mom23guys]

We decided to fly the next day instead. better to be safe than sorry.

[nybumpkin]

Hi mom23guys - Not sure if you remember me from sailing together on Carnival Victory to Canada (I think 2007?). My 3 guys are a bit older now. We're doing a Baltic cruise out of Dover this summer; still trying to figure out flights. So far Heathrow is winning out over Gatwick. We're hoping to spend two days in London, then take the train to Dover; on the return, fly out of London the day after the cruise ends. It does mean an extra night, but we figure it's safer.

[mom23guys]

Kathy, yes I remember you and nights in the Jazz lounge on the Victory. I was just too chicken to try to make the flight at 12:15 so we too are staying an extra night. Just gives us more time to see some sights. Enjoy your Baltic cruise.
Terry

[lilbit chick]

Originally Posted by mom23guys

I have a flight out of LHR on hold. It is at 12:15. We are departing from Harwich. When I checked with Celebrity they said with their transfers the earliest is 1PM but it should be fine with a private transfer. What time have others gotten to the airport from Harwich. I can still switch to the following day but the flight is $200 more plus the cost of staying another night.

We have the exact same problem in July. In researching car services one said it takes 2 hours 10 min to get to Heathrow from Harwich. I am wondering how early we should leave the ship. I know it won't be inexpensive. I now wish we were leaving the next day. I know we'll be stressed. I don't think I want to do trains unless it is really uncomplicated. It sounds like you have to change at Paddington and take a taxi to Victoria, then another train to Heathrow? Yikes

[John Bull]

Originally Posted by lilbit chick

I don't think I want to do trains unless it is really uncomplicated. It sounds like you have to change at Paddington and take a taxi to Victoria, then another train to Heathrow? Yikes

No, you're a bit confused there. But it's not simple, and it is a little time-consuming.
Train from pier to London's Liverpool Street station (unless it's a cruise-special there's one simple change at Manningtree), journey time about 90 minutes, cost about £33 pp http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
Then taxi to London's Paddington station, 6 miles, about 30 mins at that time of day mon through fri, vague guess £15 - £20
Then Heathrow Express from Paddington to Heathrow, service every 15 mins, journey time 15 mins, cost about £18 pp.
https://www.heathrowexpress.com/
So total journey time about 2.5 hrs, cost about £125

Other & cheaper options (as little as £6 pp) from central London to Heathrow, but not if time is an issue.

JB

[Cotswold Eagle]

Originally Posted by John Bull

Then Heathrow Express from Paddington to Heathrow, service every 15 mins, journey time 15 mins, cost about £18 pp.

JB

Just for reference, HEX is now £20 single (£25 onboard), JB.

[MATHA531]

Agree with the decision to spend one night in London......always good to unwind after a cruise and try to get used to hving to pay for dinner and for first classx entertainment.....just kidding in a way but London has so much to offer. Either a pleasant evening in a restaurant and it need not be a really really expensive one or a pre-theatre dinner and then a nice show (which will last between 2.5 and 3 hours, not the 1 hour on a cruise not that I'm being negative of course). But what if the ship is a bit late getting into port at Harwich? Why sweat it. It's just a few more dollars or whatevers for that extra night and London is such an enjoyable place to visit!

JMHO