Coming to the end of my UK holiday, it’s now time to head back to Heathrow Airport for my flight back to KL and Singapore. As I had purchased an Off-Peak Return ticket to Oxford, I’m heading back to the airport by train too. While not as convenient as getting a direct bus, they are trains, and that’s the purpose of RailTravel anyway.
My return ticket from Oxford to Heathrow Rail (for all stations in Heathrow Airport).
Taking quite a few trains from here already, I think I know which platform my train will be departing from.
My train to Slough seems to be arriving on time.
The refreshment trolley prepares to board here too.
My GWR Class 800 IET train for London Paddington (I’m getting off at Slough though) arriving about 5 minutes prior to departure time.
My train’s destination sign, with the departure time stated as 00:00. Hmm.
The crowded train with almost no seats available from Oxford, as this is a long-distance train from Hereford to London Paddington.
Luckily I managed to snag a seat just in time before the train became standing room-only.
The view out of the train from my aisle seat.
Disembarking at Slough from the Class 800 IET to change to a stopping service to Hayes & Harlington.
My train was 2 minutes delayed, which means I have just 4 minutes to cross over to Platform 5 with my luggage over the step-only bridge to catch the next departing stopping service to Hayes & Harlington.
Just as I got down from the bridge, the GWR Class 387 Electrostar on the 18:17 stopping service to Hayes & Harlington for London Paddington pulled in.
This was a very quick and efficient transit at Slough as compared with my onward journey.
The interior of the GWR Class 387 Electrostar with lots of empty seats.
Heading eastward to London.
Making a brief stop at West Drayton with a Class 800 IET overtaking on the fast line.
If I was really on a shoestring budget but yet still want to take the train, I could get a bus to Heathrow from West Drayton to avoid paying the Heathrow tunnel ticket surcharge.
Approaching Airport Junction.
Crossing with another Class 800 IET.
Disembarking at Hayes & Harlington for the final leg of my train journey to Heathrow Airport.
Crossing over the step-only bridge to Platform 3.
The station sign of Hayes & Harlington with the Johnston 100 font of TfL in place for the conversion of the branding to the Crossrail Elizabeth Line.
As I got to Hayes & Harlington quite early, the next train for Heathrow was still 23 minutes away. Oh well, time for some trainspotting.
The view of Hayes & Harlington station from my bench at Platform 3.
An incoming TfL Rail Class 360 Desiro bound for London Paddington.
The TfL Rail branding on the side of the Class 360 Desiro, replacing the former Heathrow Connect logo.
TfL Rail Class 360 Desiro 360 202 departing for London Paddington.
An incoming TfL Rail Class 345 Aventra bound for Hayes & Harlington, terminating at the bay platform.
An incoming 8-car GWR Class 387 Electrostar bound for Didcot Parkway.
A fast GWR Class 800 IET zooming by on the fast line.
Another GWR Class 800 IET following very closely behind.
The Class 387 Electrostar departing for Didcot Parkway.
A Heathrow Express Class 332 zooming by on the fast line, probably the last time I would see them running here since the service will be replaced with the Class 387 Electrostar by the end of 2019.
Finally, after almost half an hour, here is my TfL Rail train for Heathrow Terminal 4, where my UK holiday terminates.
TfL Rail Class 360 Desiro 360 202 entering Hayes & Harlington for Heathrow Terminal 4.
Boarding the Class 360 Desiro. Push the button to open doors.
The interior of the TfL Rail Class 360 Desiro.
I just grabbed the seat nearest to the door since it’s just going to be a short ride.
Departing from Hayes & Harlington.
Approaching Airport Junction.
Surprisingly, there are TfL revenue inspectors doing their rounds on this leg of the journey. I showed them my National Rail paper ticket and the checks were done in a flash.
Flying over the Great Western Main Line.
Entering the tunnel into Heathrow Airport.
Making a brief stop at Heathrow Central (Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3).
From here on, the TfL Rail service for Terminal 4 is known as the free train transfer to Terminal 4.
Heading on to Terminal 4.
Arriving at Terminal 4.
Disembarking from my last train ride in the UK on this trip.
This train will form the next service to London Paddington.
Exiting Heathrow Terminal 4 Railway Station through the ticket barriers.
Heading out of the station to the terminal.
Heathrow Terminal 4 Railway Station is linked by lifts to the terminal building.
Heading up the next lift to the departures level to check in for my Malaysia Airlines MH1 flight back to Kuala Lumpur.
Overall, a nice train journey from Oxford to London. I did this since I had a Railcard and like trains, but for a regular adult, it might be better to use the direct Oxford – Heathrow bus instead for convenience since this train journey involves 3 trains with 2 transfers, and one more if you’re travelling to and from Terminal 5.