Londoners: What's the best public transport option from Heathrow to Kings Cross?

[Dogtrousers]

Sounds like a more expensive way to add complication to the journey and save perhaps a few minutes.

That's exactly what the Heathrow express is now. The Elizabeth Line has completely undermined its main selling point. I used to use it cos it is quick & frequent. But only if you happen to be at Paddington.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Well, this is turning out to be the complete nightmare I expected: Now I can't get a Britrail pass. I'm eligible, I have a MasterCard, I have the funds, but my banks' confirmation app "doesn't work on your phone".

Why don't I trust mobile phones with my banking and tickets? Ah, yes that's why...

 

[accountantpete]

Via Green Lane, Oxford Circus, Latimer Road, Piccadilly and Mornington Crescent.

 

[markemark]

Piccadilly takes forever. The correct answer is Lizzie line to Farringdon then change to circle etc to kings X. This will be much quicker. The Lizzie line train itself is lovely, air con, spacious, newer and cleaner. No Londoner would take the Piccadilly by choice any more.

Only issue is Lizzie line is often shut for engineering at weekends or has issues at the Heathrow end if the line.

Do not get the Heathrow express. It’s pointless, expensive and drops you off in the arse end of London. It’s main draw is unwitting tourists who think it’s any good.

 

[sungod]

Thanks for the thoughts. Looks like it's a Piccadilly Line then.

I'm working on a Britrail pass now, so I'm flexible if/when the plane is late. Because life can't be simple, the seller is trying to force me to use a cell-phone ticket.

i live in central london and have used lhr/lgw/lcy airports a lot over the decades

if you're at terminal 2 or 3, that's the best one for all services, t4/t5 are split (lines converge at t2&3)

piccadilly line is the simplest option for kings cross and trains run every few minutes - i'd sit in the rearmost carriage, then at kings cross you'll be at the end of the platform for the escalators up to the front of the mainline station

the heathrow express and elizabeth lines don't run as often, if you just miss one you'll have a longer wait, and then have the same risk wherever you change, which can kill any nominal advantage vs. the tube

before travel, have a peek at the status page on https://tfl.gov.uk/tube-dlr-overground/status/ to check for any issues