National express to heathrow?

Question

I m hoping to fly from Heathrow in January. But I dont know which National express coah to take...

a) One that arrives about 6 and half hours before depatures...it safe for my flight, but Heathrow is an AWFUL place to wait so long.

b) One that is due to arrive 3 and a half hours before depature...my airline says allow 3 hours before depature...so if the bus is on time no problem. The risk is, with big traffic problems I could easily be very late.

Anyone know how well National Express run to time...ten minutes late is ok...and hour and a half wouldnt be...

Answer 1

To be honest, I wouldn't use National Express. Considering they have had two coach crashes, this year alone, caused by speeding and drunk drivers, I couldn't put my life in their hands. As you are travelling in January, check the rail fares, to London and use the Piccadilly Line from there. As you will be booking the train with loads of advance notice, you might find the train as cheap or even cheaper than coach. Trains are safer, more comfortable and much quicker. However, if you must go by dangerous, unroadworthy coaches that are driven by drunken drivers that like to do an eskimo roll on the M25 then get the one that is due to arrive 6.5 hours early as you can almost guarantee that it will be running late. If you get the one that is due to arrive 3.5 hours before departure, it is highly likely that it will arrive late. As you are flying long haul (require three hours for check in), they will not allow you to check in with less than 1 hour before departure. Therefore, if the coach is delayed by 2 or more hours (which happens regularly) you will miss your flight. Get the train, even if it costs an extra £5 to £10 as you will have luxury of knowing that you will get on your flight safely and on time.