Hey boys and girls,
I am planning on taking a day trip down to our marvellous capital city some time in June. Going down and back up on the Caledonian Sleeper from either Waverley or Glasgow Central. I will get to London Euston at around 7 am (just before I think) and have to get back at Euston for 11 pm. I am planning on doing as many of the obvious sights in as quick a time as possible. However as a deprived Edinurgh resident that still gets excited about B767s I’d like to lay eyes on the best aircraft flying A340-600s and the A380. My question then to residents of the London area is what is the cheapest quick way to get from Central London to Heathrow and get to an OK spotting location that is easily accessible by public transport. Also if the above proposition is possible, when do Virgin (or other airlines) operate A346 flights and when’s the best time to see an A380 (any clothes). I will probably be down on a weekday in June!
Kind regards
AJ
By: cloud_9 - 3rd May 2011 at 19:39
If it is 27R for landings, Myrtle Ave defo isnt the best spot to be at…you’re better off at the roundabout near the BA hangers. This can easily be accessed by getting a bus from Hatton Cross or Central Bus Station, depending on which direction you are coming, and is also free of charge!
As for your travel arrangements, I have found out the following for the 22nd/23rd June…
Train = £152.60rtn (this includes all travel to Heathrow and back again!)
Dep Edinburgh 23.40 (22nd)
Arr London Euston 06.43 (23rd)
Dep London Euston 06:43
Arr London Paddington 07:31 (this won’t take you 45mins, more like 20 mins journey time, but does depend on how smooth your connections are and how busy it is due to rush-hour, so that’s why they allow extra time!;))
Dep London Paddington 07:40
Arr Heathrow Terminal 5 08:01
And on the way back…
Dep Heathrow Terminal 5 22:27
Arr London Paddington 22:49
Dep London Paddington 22:49
Arr London Euston 23:37
Dep London Euston 23:50 (23rd)
Arr Edinburgh 07:16 (24th)
Plane = £188rtn (flying with bmi/BD)
Dep EDI 06:30
Arr LHR 08:00
Dep LHR 21:00
Arr 22:20
So, although the flights are more expensive, its not that much more, and as others have already suggested, the plane will take you direct to LHR and back again, whereas the train involves various stops and connections…just a thought worth taking into consideration?!
Hope this all helps.:cool:
By: nJayM - 3rd May 2011 at 09:40
If you go BA T5 at LHR is a cinch
(I’m sure catching a plane from LHR is a time consuming thing).
AJ
Not if you fly BA as T5 is dedicated to BA and the return check-in including security check (pre boarding picture, bag screening, personal screening) are usually handled very quickly.
Presuming of course that you are hoping to take a regulation size carry on.
It’s been slick at T5 each time I have travelled and relatively faster than EDI which does not have as many security channels open.
By: EGPH - 3rd May 2011 at 09:29
Thank you FrequentFlyer and nJayM for your guidance. I will look at the price of flights down to LHR over the next few weeks but at the moment it’s looking far cheaper just to get the sleeper down as it also gives me a few extra hours (I’m sure catching a plane from LHR is a time consuming thing). I will try and go as late in June as I can, it will probably be after the 20th seeing as I am not back from Tenerife until the 12th. Though according to the plane-mad website, from the 20th until the 27th it will be 27R for landings so Myrtle Ave. doesn’t look like all that prime a spot (or is it OK if you just want to watch and not take photos?).
Once again thank you for your hints and tips.
AJ
By: nJayM - 2nd May 2011 at 21:13
Definitely best option fly BA/BMI EDI-LHR-EDI
Definitely best option fly BA/BMI EDI-LHR-EDI
And if you opt for a mid week as far in to June as possible or ideally July then unless you have some special deal going with the Railways (ie a student railcard, etc) you will fly there and back cheaper than a sleeper fare.
Think of the convenience. Then all you have to do is to travel in to Central London to see the sights.
A day return is always marginally higher than staying overnight.
Fly down earliest flight, stay overnight and return on latest flight the next day. That way you will get your fill of aircraft and see London too.
I always fly BA from EDI if I am going down for Airshows, etc
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May 2, 2011 at 3:14 pm