Travel to heathrow from leeds - advice

[Benj1987]

Hi,

Me and my girlfriend are flying from heathrow T3 on Wednesday 23rd may. We fly at 21:00, but can check-in at 18:30. Google maps states it takes 3 hours, 15 via m1 then m25. Can anyone please suggest what time to set off and any suggestions as to what route to take?

Thanks

Edited by Benj1987 on Friday 4th May 19:57

[iva cosworth]

You have answered your own question there.

There really isn't any practical alternative for Leeds to Heathrow other than M1 and M25.

But allow PLENTY of extra time as there are any number of potential hold up points along

the way

[Deva Link]

Have you booked parking? If you're using a long stay car park (if not it'll be very expensive) then it'll take a fair bit of time to get parked up and get to the terminal.

How much of a drive do you have to the M11 from home? Your desired arrival time is a bit awkward as if you arrive in the Heathrow area of the M25 at 6ish, it'll be pretty busy. 3hrs 15 for that journey, at that time, would be going some.

[gemini]

Fly

[tezzer]

Leeds - Kings cross, across to the Paddington Express, sorted.

[PaulHogan]

Is there anything you have to do in Leeds up to a certain time? Not finish work until 12.30? Have to feed next doors cat at 3?
Assuming not, leave after the local rush hour, dawdle down and have a nice pub lunch along the way. Arrive early, check in, go through the random anal probe selection area and settle down for a few beers and make a start on the latest Lee Child you've bought specially for going away.
The object, unless circumstances dictate otherwise, is to remove all stress and enjoy yourself not to try to arrive with only a nadgers fanny hair of time to get parked, checked in, through security and to gate 345.

[Benj1987]

Thanks for the advice. We are being dropped off by a relative, so won't have to park, and we both have the day off so can set off at whatever time really.

[chilistrucker]

pains me to say it, but these days the train would prob be the best option.
if your staying with the car route, just leave plenty of time. chances are you may get a clear run and it will be a breeze. but only takes 1 bigish incident on the m1/m25, that could cost you hours.

[Sam.F]

chilistrucker said:

but only takes 1 bigish incident on the m1/m25, that could cost you hours.

I'll second that - when I was living in Sheffield the drive to/from my grandparents (A22 jct on M25) could take anything between 3 hours and 5 hours even without incidents. Once there was a big accident near Northampton and it took 7 and a half!

For an evening flight I'd want to leave Yorkshire mid morning at the latest. Anything earlier than that I'd get a hotel + parking deal on lastminute.com, stay the night before and chill out - if you're a long way from London and planning to drive to the airport it just isn't worth messing up the holiday!

I still vote for driving though - the cost of taking the train from up here (Cumbria) plus getting across from Euston to Paddington and then the extortionate Heathrow express makes this a very poor option unless you live near London IMO.

[Planet Claire]

If you have no other option than to drive down then I would be half tempted to take the A63 over to the A1 and go south from there. I haven't been up/down the full A1 for a little while now so I don't know if there are any roadworks at the moment, but I much prefer the A1 over the M1.