News

The rail service connecting Heathrow Airport to central London through Paddington station has appointed ex Airline Business Development Director, Keith Greenfield to be the new Managing director.

In 2012 the focus on Heathrow Express will be continuous improvement to its operating and customer service through extensive investment.

Heathrow Express offers the quickest journey between the airport and central London with non-stop trains which run every 15 minutes. The journey between London Paddington and Heathrow Central takes 15 minutes. Allow a few extra minutes for Terminals 4 and 5.

The trains have been designed with comfort in mind and offer air-conditioning, plenty of baggage space, wireless internet and free TV. There is also technology in place so that you can use your mobile phone when the train is in a tunnel. Every train has a Quiet Zone carriage for those who wish to sleep or just relax in peace. First class is available at an extra cost which provides larger seats, extra legroom, tables to work from and complimentary newspapers and magazines.

Trains run between 05:10 and 23:25 from Paddington and between 05:07 and 23:42 from Heathrow. Tickets can be purchased on the internet, at the station or on board the train. The standard single fare is £18 and standard return costs is £32.

For more fares, timetables and special offers, or to book tickets, visit HeathrowExpress.com

Quick and easy transfers are available between Heathrow Airport's four terminals. Terminals 1 and 3 are a short walk from each other. Terminals 4 and 5 are served by free trains and buses.

If you are a connecting passenger and your ticket was purchased as a flight connection and any baggage is checked through to your final destination, you will normally use dedicated transfer buses within the passenger-only zone.

Otherwise Heathrow Terminals 1 and 3 are close together at the centre of the airport and linked by a pedestrian underpass with moving walkways. You just need to follow the signs for your terminal. It will take approximately 10 minutes to walk between the terminals.

To get from terminal 1 or 3 to terminal 4 you will need to use the Heathrow Connect rail shuttle which offers a convenient transfer between terminals. Trains run approximately every 30 minutes and the journey takes approximately six minutes. Double check that you take the correct train, as the Heathrow Express service also leaves from Terminal 5 direct to Paddington.

Heathrow Central is located between Terminals 1 and 3, which are a few minutes' walk away via underground walkways and are signposted from the platforms. The Terminal 5 rail station is in the basement of the terminal and linked to check-in and arrivals by express lifts.

Alternatively buses provides a free transfer between the terminals, taking 10 and 20 minutes.

Services stop at the Terminal 5 bus station  and the Heathrow central bus station.

To get from terminal 4 to terminal 5 you can take a free bus transfer which is available between the terminals, taking 12 to 15 minutes. Services 482 and 490 stop outside Terminal 4 and at the Terminal 5 bus station (next to the terminal building). Otherwise, free rail transfers are available using Heathrow Express.

Buses are also available between the two terminals. The destination will be clearly displayed on the front of the bus but if you are unsure, please check with the driver.

Shoppers have been warned as potentially dangerous fake goods have been flooding into the country for Christmas. Fake UGG Boots, GHD hair straighteners, iPhones and iPads are among the tens of thousands of counterfeit items that have been seized by border officers at Heathrow airport in recent months.

The UK Border Agency has warned buyers that they can be left with products which are inferior and at worst, harmful or unsafe.

Grant Miller, from the agency's Heathrow International Trade Division, said: 'We're warning people to be particularly wary of buying cheap items online or from unofficial traders. It's easy to be tricked into thinking you're getting a bargain, but in the run-up to Christmas our message is that if something appears too good to be true it probably is.'

At Heathrow Airport alone 1,100 seizures were made of items valued at around £10million in the first eight months of 2011 worryingly the same number of seizures as in the whole of 2010.

The UK Border Agency officers are operating 24 hours a day at ports, airports and mail sorting centres and are being particularly vigilant during the run up to Christmas.

Most business travellers have to spend lots of time in airport hotels. Some are a relaxing experience; others only seem to benefit from the convenience of being a short walk from the terminal.

So what makes a good airport hotel? Obviously it depends on the requirements of the individual, but there are a number of factors which can help narrow your decision.

Location

A lot of the big brand hotels have a location very close to the airport. For example London's Sofitel Heathrow Terminal 5 is ideally situated just one lift and two corridors from British Airways' main hub at T5. This makes it ideal for passengers arriving or departing from terminal 5, but not so convenient for those arriving in terminal 3.

Some hotels that are located further from the airport do offer some great deals, so if you’re prepared to travel you are more likely to pick up a good package.

Soundproofing and blackout curtains

If you’re stopping over at an airport hotel, one of the factors high up on the priority list will be to get a good night’s sleep. As we all know airports are not known for being the quietest of places. In addition airport hotels have guests arriving and departing at all hours of the day and night.

Therefore good soundproofing is a must-have and for that extra comfort effective blackouts are also important.

International power points and Wi fi

These days business and leisure travellers need to take all sorts of equipment with them like laptops, tablets and smart phones. So it always helps if the hotel has a universal power point handily located on each side of the bed and extra power points at desk surface levels.  Numerous modern hotel rooms are designed with power points in mind and do this well.  Along with this, decent wifi is a must. Hotels should offer a free, fast and reliable service although this is not always the case.

Helpful Staff

A great airport hotel has staff who are multilingual and who can anticipate the needs of today’s business travelers, with a smile at any time of the day or night.

That means they need to be able to communicate to tired, jetlagged travellers in their own language, whatever that might be.

Services, especially room service and technical support need to be available 24-hours a day.  A great airport hotel also has a decent restaurant within it, where business travellers can get a good meal and a pleasing drop of wine.

A good variety of Heathrow Airport Hotels can be found and compared at www.heathrowhotels.com

As London's gateway to the world, Heathrow is amazingly well connected. Travelling to London Heathrow by car is a great option for most people. If you are going to take your own car there are plenty of cheap airport parking options to choose from. For those who have an early morning flight or would rather be closer to the airport the day before your flight the easiest option is to book an airport hotel which includes a parking package. www.heathrowhotels.com offers a wide variety of packages to suit your requirements and budget, whether you’re looking for long or short term parking.

If you’re just looking for a parking package then check out www.heathrowparking.com who offer parking only packages specified to your needs.

Directions to Heathrow

Heathrow Airport is 15 miles west of central London and easily accessible from the M4 and M25 motorways.

Terminals 1 and 3

Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are close together at the centre of Heathrow Airport. Exit the M4 at junction 4 or the M25 at junction 15 and follow signs for Heathrow Terminals 1 and 3. The Satellite navigation postcode for Terminal 1 is TW6 1AP. The Satellite navigation postcode for Terminal 3 is TW6 1QG.

Terminal 4

Terminal 4 is in the southern part of Heathrow Airport and has a separate entrance. Exit the M25 at junction 14 and follow signs for Heathrow Terminal 4. If you're coming from the M4, leave at junction 4b and follow the M25 south to junction 14. The Satellite navigation postcode for Terminal 4 is TW6 3XA.

Terminal 5

Terminal 5 is on the Western Perimeter Road and has its own separate access road. It can be reached from junction 14 of the M25. If you're coming from the M4, exit at junction 4b and follow the M25 south to junction 14. The Satellite navigation postcode for Terminal 5 is TW6 2GA.

Setting down and picking up passengers

There are set-down lanes outside the terminals. You can unload on the terminal forecourt but waiting is not allowed. Police and airport staff will be hovering around the forecourts and will ask waiting vehicles to move on. If you are meeting someone from a flight you must use the short stay car park. Charges will apply. Waiting is not permitted on the terminal forecourt.

We at City Hotel Reservations Limited (CHR) are very proud to have launched our new site today. Our aim is to make finding and booking a hotel at Heathrow Airport as straightforward as possible. Whichever terminal you are flying from and whatever your budget we're confident that you will find the right hotel here. Please get in touch with any comments or questions regarding our service.