Paddington to Heathrow (& back) via Tfl Rail

[whole diary]

[GBM]

Hello,

Looking to take the family into Paddington, then platform transfer to Tfl Rail to Heathrow.
Only have to cart the luggage across platforms and on to another train rather than Underground/coach via Reading, etc.
Don't want to pay for Heather Express, Tfl will be fine.

Questions are when we book tickets, are the Tfl Rail valid that day, or do we need to purchase a specific train time to/from Paddington.  Just thinking of a late arrival at Paddington and the unknown question of how long we will take to clear Heathrow.
As they seem to run every half hour, it would be convenient to take 'any convenient' train.

Are we able to purchase tickets for Tfl Rail in advance?

Thank you

[Surrey 455]

Tfl rail was previously known as Heathrow Connect. It's the stopping service between Paddington and Heathrow (If you're going to T5, change at T2/3 station). It's often very busy between Paddington and Hayes and is almost empty after that.

You can buy tickets online from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) and other ticket outlets. I used destination "Heathrow Rail". The Tfl rail trains are £10.50 single, you don't have to specify a particular service.

Incidentally you might be able to get the HEX for £5.50, normally £25! (if you book at least 90 days in advance and travel at the weekend) https://www.heathrowexpress.com/advanced-fares

[GBM]

Tfl rail was previously known as Heathrow Connect. It's the stopping service between Paddington and Heathrow (If you're going to T5, change at T2/3 station). It's often very busy between Paddington and Hayes and is almost empty after that.

You can buy tickets online from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) and other ticket outlets. I used destination "Heathrow Rail". The Tfl rail trains are £10.50 single, you don't have to specify a particular service.

Incidentally you might be able to get the HEX for £5.50, normally £25! (if you book at least 90 days in advance and travel at the weekend) https://www.heathrowexpress.com/advanced-fares

Thank you very much Surrey 455. Very much appreciated, and yes, the Bank Holiday reduction would pay for one tea and one coffee on an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) on the return journey! 

[GBM]

Booked HEX with a bank holiday discount, which makes it slightly cheaper than TfL^» (Transport for London - about) Rail fare for the return trip.
However, the outward leg to Heathrow will have to be via TfL Rail.
I emailed them asking about advance purchase/paper tickets and were told it was either Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) or contactless only.

As there are 4 of us travelling together, can we all tap in with my bank card (and tap out at the end of course)?
My wish would be - passenger 1 taps in; passes the card back to passenger 2 who taps in; passes card to 3 to tap in; then passes to 4.  And repeat at Heathrow.

Many thanks Surrey 455 for your helpful suggestion on HEX.

[didcotdean]

Each person needs a separate card. It is possible to buy a paper ticket online though as above.

[grahame]

As there are 4 of us travelling together, can we all tap in with my bank card (and tap out at the end of course)?
My wish would be - passenger 1 taps in; passes the card back to passenger 2 who taps in; passes card to 3 to tap in; then passes to 4.  And repeat at Heathrow.

No - see other advise. A very very dim view would be taken if you even tried this.

Ironic ...

My wife and I flew to Newark, New Jersey (yes, direct flights available from Heathrow) and used that PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) into New York City.  Struggling to work out our tickets at the machine (that's the same the world over!) a helpful member of staff told us to buy a multi-journey ticket, go through the gate one at a time and pass it back for the next person to come through.    Standard practice there.

Is it any wonder that overseas visitor sometimes have trouble working out our systems, and we have trouble understanding how theirs work - in each case with penalty notices and warnings displayed to leave no doubt that you'll be in big trouble if you break the rules that you're not actually familiar with!

[eXPassenger]

Is it any wonder that overseas visitor sometimes have trouble working out our systems, and we have trouble understanding how theirs work - in each case with penalty notices and warnings displayed to leave no doubt that you'll be in big trouble if you break the rules that you're not actually familiar with!

We have had a similar problem at an unmanned Brussels suburban station in the evening.

[GBM]

Tickets now purchased through GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), as suggested.

Thank you all for great help.

All that remains is to try and clear Heathrow security and baggage, etc to rush over to Paddington asap.  Need to catch the 12h03 latest back West. 

[Oxonhutch]

When I first used the Heathrow Express one could check one's luggage in at Paddington in the area of the Lawn - all the airlines had their check in desks.  I checked in there for my flight to Chicago. It happened to be the morning of the Ladbroke Grove disaster. I only found once in the US when the airline announced that my luggage hadn't made it through to Heathrow.