Before jetting off to India, I decided to kick things off with a bit of posh-on-rails: Heathrow Express in Business First from Paddington to Heathrow. Was it lush or just overpriced train cosplay? Let’s dig in.
In This Post
Booking: Cashback or Bust
I booked directly via the Heathrow Express website, and like any card-carrying deal-hunter, I slinked over to TopCashBack for that sweet 10.2% rebate. It’s not exactly life-changing, but it’s enough to cover an overpriced oat latte at Pret. (You can read more about TopCashBack here if you’re not already milking those micro-savings.)
Paddington Station: A Mild Quest
Ah, Paddington. It’s charming, chaotic, and weirdly proud of its floor signage. Depending on where you’re coming from, finding the Heathrow Express platform can feel a bit like a scavenger hunt, but follow the yellow floor signs like Dorothy on the Yellow Brick Road, and you’ll eventually find your way.
Signage rating: 6/10. Vibes: Decent if you enjoy trainspotting and mild cardio.
Seating: Business Class, Baby (Kinda)
Business First has 22 seats: 8 up front, 14 in the middle, and a few tables thrown in like a nod to civilisation. Travelling with the fam? Grab a shared table. Riding solo? The pull-down tray is your trusty companion. Each seat comes armed with a plug socket and a reading light, so you can charge your phone and pretend to read something intellectual before diving into airport snacks.
Comfort rating: Pretty decent if your journey’s short and your expectations are… grounded.
WiFi: Surprisingly Functional
Now, this was a glow-up. The onboard WiFi was strong, stable, and super easy to access. Just log in with your British Airways Executive Club (BAEC) account and boom, you’ve got access to flight info, newspapers, and enough digital distractions to get you to Heathrow without even realising it.
Arrival: Quick & Painless
Five minutes of walking after arrival, I was at Terminal 3. It was all very straightforward, no faff, no fuss, no frantic “Where’s Gate 22B!?” energy. You just follow the signs like an obedient airport sheep, and voilà, you’re there.
Final Thoughts: Not Bad, But Bring a Bladder
I used to scoff at the idea of the Heathrow Express. “Who even uses that?!” I’d mutter from my Piccadilly Line seat, £3.60 poorer but smug. But now? I get it. This is it if you live in Central London and want a clean, comfy, no-drama route to Heathrow.
Would I use it regularly? Nah, my postcode doesn’t make it worth the detour. But for a treat-yourself start to a long-haul journey? Sure. Just one gripe: no loo on board. For a ‘premium’ experience, the absence of a toilet feels… criminal. Especially if you’ve just downed a flat white in record time.
Want to earn a few extra Heathrow points while you’re at it? Click here to check out their rewards program.
8 comments
If you were headed onward to tERMINAL 5 YOU WOULD HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE A MASS OF HUMANITY BOARDING THE BUSINESS CLASS CAR FOR ITS FREE TRANSFER TO TERMINAL 5.
Haha well that answers the question why they were so many people coming aboard the train at T3
I have been through this article a few tines and cannot find the cost of this trip.
Without the cost it becomes nothing more than mindless drivel.
The article about cost will be a separate post coming shortly.
Per their website, the cost is GBP 32. That is for 15 – 20 minutes of travel time. It is the single most overpiced and unneccessary first class ticket you will ever buy.
YEs while that’s true i can kind of see why some people would buy it good for business travel to and from the city quickly.
hi, the heathrow express do have toilets onboard
Thanks for that Jack, i must’ve missed it then