Best way from Plymouth to Heathrow

A question about : Best way from Plymouth to Heathrow

I'm travelling to Heathrow in about 2 weeks. Trying to decide between train or coach.

I haven't travelled on a coach for years and wonder how it compares with train travel?

Ant advice would be welcome thanks.

Best answers:

• Seats on coaches seem to be smaller than FGW mainline trains, 5 hours on a busy coach isn't going to be that pleasant.
  If you get the train and sit on the right hand side, the view between Plymouth and Exeter is stunning.
  It depends on how important price is to you.
• Thanks for your reply. I agree that the view is fabulous-just hope that the trains aren't delayed or stopped by bad weather again.
  I'm going on a long haul flight so I don't want to be feeling exhausted by the journey to the airport.
  I don't particularly like travelling by train, especially with luggage and thought the coach might be easier in this respect?
• Coach travel is usually cheaper, but train travel is usually quicker and (in most people's opinions) a much more pleasant mode of transport. You will have to make your own mind up based on these considerations!
  If you do go by train, the easiest way of getting there would be to alight at Reading and then get the Rail Air bus from the station for the final leg to Heathrow airport. I think you can buy a through ticket.
• [QUOTE=alexanderalexander;67342507]Coach travel is usually cheaper, but train travel is usually quicker and (in most people's opinions) a much more pleasant mode of transport.
  Oh dear-coach travel must be terrible then!
  A few years ago I travelled to Heathrow fom the North West and said never again. Changed train once then bus from Watford to the airport. I found it very difficult to lift my case on and off the trains and the coach link had changed to a local bus. On the return journey I took the coach to Reading which was easier but I still struggled with my suitcase on the trains.
  At least with a coach the luggage is handled by the driver.
• Always found the NE from Bretonside to Heathrow quick and reliable.
  Consider getting an airport lounge before your long haul in order to chill out a bit.
• whether coach or train, pack light and it's not a problem. You should be able to go 2 weeks on 12kg, possibly 10. We met a couple in Egypt who did 1 week on hand lugagge only.
• Another option is to fly.
  Exeter to London City.
  Newquay to Gatwick.
  Probably not a solution as it involves travel to Heathrow at the end - but I'll let you be the judge of that.
• I've used the National Express Plymouth to London/Heathrow several times in the last year or so (also travelling alone) and it's been fine - perfectly comfortable, fairly speedy and very reasonably priced. It also drops you right at Heathrow, no changing trains while struggling with luggage.
  Personally I'd happily forgo the 'luxuries' of the the train when the financial saving is that drastic (around Ј40 on the coach, Ј130 on the train).
• Last time I got a coach (National Express), it left over half an hour late, waiting for someone on another late running coach. The driver then ran through a couple of red lights before phoning control to tell them he couldn't see through the misted up windscreen. The coach was terminated at the next stop and we waited for an hour for another one to turn up. We finally got under way again around two hours late.
  At least with the train you can usally get rail vouchers reimbursing your ticket for such a delay, and the journey is usually quicker than a coach.