On Fri, 09 Feb 2007 19:12:38 GMT, Kiran <[email protected]> wrote:

>Ken Wheatley <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>: Bus X26 runs from LHR to central Croydon - from there you could gat a
>: cab, local bus or get met by your contacts. It won't be quick but is
>: fairly low-hassle.
>
>I appreciate the low hassle factor. When you say leaves from LHR, does
>that mean from one of the terminals themselves or some public road
>nearby. I could find out all this at the airport but want to be as
>prepared as possible.

It goes from central bus station you can walk there from terminals
1,2,3, from Terminal 4 either take the tube to hatton cross and get it
on it there, quicker, but will cost 1 or 2 pounds extra, alternatively
take the Heathrow Express to terminal 1,2,3 and get the bus there.

>Paying for the bus: Do I need exact change? Can I buy some pass/ticket
>in the airport itself?

you could get an oyster card - if you're staying in London for some
time that is worthwhile (it's even worthwhile for the 1 journey if
you're prepared to put up with the hassle), it will cost a 3 pound
deposit, and you'll need to load on enough money for the journey,
which is 2 pounds if you go the tube route, or 1 pound just from
Central bus station.

You can get the 3 quid deposit back in the end. You can get the oyster
card from the underground station, but I'm not sure about the central
bus station.

Jim.

On Fri, 09 Feb 2007 18:48:08 GMT, Kiran <[email protected]> wrote:

>Jim Ley <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>: On Fri, 09 Feb 2007 01:28:33 -0600, Kiran <[email protected]> wrote:
>:
>: >I would be reaching Heathrow in the morning and need to get to "South
>: >Croydon". What are various options and how much would they cost?
>:
>: The X26 bus to croydon, 2 quid without an oyster card, will get you
>: close.
>
>Tentatively this looks attractive. How often does it run? (That's one
>advantage of trains, they run frequently and you are waiting indoors).

Not that often:

http://www.metrobus.co.uk/timetable.php?route_idÂ?&type=week

Jim.

Jim Ley <[email protected]> wrote:

: Not that often:
: http://www.metrobus.co.uk/timetable.php?route_id=97&type=week

Actually not too bad, about once an hour, so typical wait might be 30
min. Most importantly there is a schedule and much of the waiting could
be done comfortably inside the airport.

Do you need exact change for the bus, as in some cities of the world,
or can I get the ticket at the airport?

Between East Croydon train station and West Croydon bus station, which
would be the better choice to either wait for someone to meet me or to
get a cab to go to Ruffetts Close in South Croydon?

"Jim Ley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 09 Feb 2007 19:12:38 GMT, Kiran <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Ken Wheatley <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>: Bus X26 runs from LHR to central Croydon - from there you could gat a
>>: cab, local bus or get met by your contacts. It won't be quick but is
>>: fairly low-hassle.
>>
>>I appreciate the low hassle factor. When you say leaves from LHR, does
>>that mean from one of the terminals themselves or some public road
>>nearby. I could find out all this at the airport but want to be as
>>prepared as possible.
>
> It goes from central bus station you can walk there from terminals
> 1,2,3, from Terminal 4 either take the tube to hatton cross and get it
> on it there, quicker, but will cost 1 or 2 pounds extra, alternatively
> take the Heathrow Express to terminal 1,2,3 and get the bus there.
>
>>Paying for the bus: Do I need exact change? Can I buy some pass/ticket
>>in the airport itself?
>
> you could get an oyster card - if you're staying in London for some
> time that is worthwhile (it's even worthwhile for the 1 journey if
> you're prepared to put up with the hassle), it will cost a 3 pound
> deposit, and you'll need to load on enough money for the journey,
> which is 2 pounds if you go the tube route, or 1 pound just from
> Central bus station.

Not at 8:00 in the morning. The peak fares will apply.

And it is not valid at all on the mainline railway from Victoria to Croydon.

As to the poster's question, the X26 leaves the airport central
bus station at 7:40, 8:45 and 9:50 and is booked to take 81
minutes.

tim



>
> You can get the 3 quid deposit back in the end. You can get the oyster
> card from the underground station, but I'm not sure about the central
> bus station.
>
> Jim.

On Fri, 9 Feb 2007 20:21:19 -0000, "tim....."
<[email protected]> wrote:

>> you could get an oyster card - if you're staying in London for some
>> time that is worthwhile (it's even worthwhile for the 1 journey if
>> you're prepared to put up with the hassle), it will cost a 3 pound
>> deposit, and you'll need to load on enough money for the journey,
>> which is 2 pounds if you go the tube route, or 1 pound just from
>> Central bus station.
>
>Not at 8:00 in the morning. The peak fares will apply.

What peak single fares on buses? and the tube between heathrow and
hatton cross is 1 pound on oyster all day too.

Oyster Peak fares are also 7am to 7pm (which only make sense on a zone
1 to 6 fare), and it's not possible to put a day travel card on an
oyster, so I'm really not sure what you're talking about.

Jim.

"Jim Ley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 9 Feb 2007 20:21:19 -0000, "tim....."
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>> you could get an oyster card - if you're staying in London for some
>>> time that is worthwhile (it's even worthwhile for the 1 journey if
>>> you're prepared to put up with the hassle), it will cost a 3 pound
>>> deposit, and you'll need to load on enough money for the journey,
>>> which is 2 pounds if you go the tube route, or 1 pound just from
>>> Central bus station.
>>
>>Not at 8:00 in the morning. The peak fares will apply.
>
> What peak single fares on buses? and the tube between heathrow and
> hatton cross is 1 pound on oyster all day too.

Oh yeah, they got rid of the OP bus fare. I forgot

Why would anyone pay a pound to go ftom T123 to HC. The bus is
free. I digress, the claim was that the fare from T123 to Croydon
would be 2 pounds.

>
> Oyster Peak fares are also 7am to 7pm (which only make sense on a zone
> 1 to 6 fare), and it's not possible to put a day travel card on an
> oyster, so I'm really not sure what you're talking about.

I'm refuting the claim that the fare on the undergound will be
2 pounds.

tim

On Fri, 9 Feb 2007 20:36:13 -0000, "tim....."
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Why would anyone pay a pound to go ftom T123 to HC. The bus is
>free.

There's on free route from T4 any more (which is where I suggested
you'd possibly use the tube at a cost of 1 or 2 pounds), and the
reason would be to save 5 minutes or more.

> I digress, the claim was that the fare from T123 to Croydon
>would be 2 pounds.

Yep, or 1 pound with Oyster, The X26 does it direct, and faster than
any combination of trains, unless you have a wait longer than 20
minutes for the X26.

>> Oyster Peak fares are also 7am to 7pm (which only make sense on a zone
>> 1 to 6 fare), and it's not possible to put a day travel card on an
>> oyster, so I'm really not sure what you're talking about.
>
>I'm refuting the claim that the fare on the undergound will be
>2 pounds.

I never suggested it would?

Jim.

On Fri, 09 Feb 2007 21:36:33 GMT, [email protected] (Jim Ley) wrote:

>On Fri, 9 Feb 2007 20:36:13 -0000, "tim.....">
>>I'm refuting the claim that the fare on the undergound will be
>>2 pounds.
>
>I never suggested it would?

Ah I do see the confusion, the tube route I spoke of was the T4-HC
tube to pick up the X26 which is what I do although generally 285 only
rarely X26, whilst the alternative is free, it's also much slower,
with a long wait for the Heathrow Express, and then the slow T123 to
HC journey.

I wasn't suggesting there was a tube route to Croydon that didn't
involve the bus. The cost of the tube/train route would be an all
zones travel card, as you note pushing 10 quid at that time (although
I guess the feltham route wouldn't go into zone 1 ?)

Jim.

>You can get the 3 quid deposit back in the end. You can get the oyster
>card from the underground station, but I'm not sure about the central
>bus station.

The central bus station is above the tube station. From T123 walk
there, and get the oyster card before you go up the escalator. From
T4 the Heathrow Express runs every 15 mins and is free between T4 and
T123.

If you're planning to to any travelling around London, an oyster card
is indispensible, much cheaper than cash fares and much less hassle.

R's,
John

"Kiran" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:090220071409583444%[email protected]...
> Jim Ley <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> : Not that often:
> : http://www.metrobus.co.uk/timetable.php?route_idÂ?&type=week
>
> Actually not too bad, about once an hour, so typical wait might be 30
> min. Most importantly there is a schedule and much of the waiting could
> be done comfortably inside the airport.
>
> Do you need exact change for the bus, as in some cities of the world,
> or can I get the ticket at the airport?
>
> Between East Croydon train station and West Croydon bus station, which
> would be the better choice to either wait for someone to meet me or to
> get a cab to go to Ruffetts Close in South Croydon?

It doesnt answer your question but:

www.streetmap.co.uk will give you printable maps of the area.

www.baa.co.uk will give info on the airport

someone earlier gave you www.tfl.gov.uk

"Kiran" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:090220071409583444%[email protected]...
> Jim Ley <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> : Not that often:
> : http://www.metrobus.co.uk/timetable.php?route_idÂ?&type=week
>
> Actually not too bad, about once an hour, so typical wait might be 30
> min. Most importantly there is a schedule and much of the waiting could
> be done comfortably inside the airport.
>
> Do you need exact change for the bus, as in some cities of the world,
> or can I get the ticket at the airport?

You'll buy your ticket for this service on the bus. You shouldn't need
exact change, although it's always appreciated by drivers. You'll have, or
will get, some £ sterling at the airport so get yourself a coffee and then
you'll have the large (£20) note broken down a bit, which will help.

> Between East Croydon train station and West Croydon bus station, which
> would be the better choice to either wait for someone to meet me or to
> get a cab to go to Ruffetts Close in South Croydon?

Hop off at the train station. East Croydon is a large-ish, busy commuter
station and you should find a cab easily. It's not far to your final
destination (2.5mi or less), and is slightly closer than West Croydon.

http://tinyurl.com/25w5q2 [Google Maps route showing start and end]

There is a station at South Croydon but you'd still have to walk a good mile
or so. The cab fare to final destination will be £6 - £8 I should think.

Kiran wrote:
> Roland Perry <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> : But before we can be certain, perhaps you can pin down the destination
> : a little more precisely. If it's nearest to South Croydon station, then
> : I'd go:
> :
> : Piccadilly line to Hammersmith, change to District line (cross
> : platform), Victoria, then train with a change at East Croydon.
>
> The destination is some place called Ruffetts Close in South Croydon. I
> would like a "least hassle" plan that gets me to a place which is close
> enough and where I can get a cab easily.
>
> For example, if it makes sense, I could get a cab from East Croydon
> itself, rather than train to South Croydon and then cab.
>
> Another suggestion elsewhere in the thread is X26 bus to Central
> Croydon. Theoretically that is appealing for its low hassle factor. But
> I don't know how frequently the buses run and how long I might have to
> wait on a cold sidewalk! My plane lands at 7AM, so it will be at least
> 8AM when I get out.

http://www.metrobus.co.uk/timetable.php?route_idÂ?&type=week#return

There's one leaving at 8.45am from the central bus station (NOT from in
front of any of the terminals - it's well signed, though, from the
subways that connect terminals 1, 2 and 3 to the tube station. If you're
arriving at terminal 4, that's a little more complicated, since it's not
in the central terminal complex).

--

Stephen

You can't take something off the Internet. It's like taking pee out of a
swimming pool.

"Traveller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Hop off at the train station. East Croydon is a large-ish, busy commuter
> station and you should find a cab easily. It's not far to your final
> destination (2.5mi or less), and is slightly closer than West Croydon.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/25w5q2 [Google Maps route showing start and end]
>
That aerial photo shows the taxi rank quite clearly. It is the area just to
the right and above the station building (that is the one with the lattice
roof). So turn left and left again as you come out of the station main
entrance.

You can also see the bus station (with the Green/Blue roofs) where you could
get a T33 or 64 bus.

On Sat, 10 Feb 2007 08:49:16 -0000, "Albert" <albert@se-england>
wrote:

>You can also see the bus station (with the Green/Blue roofs) where you could
>get a T33 or 64 bus.

That's new, isn't it? I don't remember there being a bus station at
*East* Croydon. Is the West Croydon one still there, too?

Peter.

"Peter" <[email protected]> kirjoitti
viestissä:cd5rs2le5qamj1r602ecfpd0g2sfc3iq2j@4ax. com...
> On Sat, 10 Feb 2007 08:49:16 -0000, "Albert" <albert@se-england>
> wrote:
>
>>You can also see the bus station (with the Green/Blue roofs) where you
>>could
>>get a T33 or 64 bus.
>
> That's new, isn't it? I don't remember there being a bus station at
> *East* Croydon. Is the West Croydon one still there, too?
>
> Peter.

http://uk.geocities.com/busroutes/placesindex/eastcroydon.htm