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You’ve booked a break with the kids during the holidays. The little ones can’t hide their excitement. But then the dreaded fear kicks in. How will you get the whole family to the airport in a stress-free way? Heathrow Express is the answer.

Not only is the Heathrow Express the perfect solution for a smooth trip to Heathrow for families, but the airport itself is geared up for travelling with babies, toddlers and older children too. In this blog, we’ll look at why Heathrow Express is ideal for kids and the many things to make your journey more enjoyable – for the entire family.

Children 15 and under travel for free on Heathrow Express

Simply hop on the Heathrow Express at London Paddington and you’ll be at Heathrow Central station in just 15 minutes, with an extra six minutes to Terminal 5. Plus, our trains leave Paddington every 15 minutes too.

And the best part for family travel? Kids aged 15 and under travel for free with an accompanying adult, whether you buy Standard Class or Business First Class tickets. They can even travel solo for free with proof of air travel (a valid flight booking or boarding pass) and photo ID.

That’s boxes ticked for convenience and cost-effective travel.

The Heathrow Express gives your kids time to relax and play games on their short journey to the airport

Yes, the train journey to Heathrow is just 15 minutes, but that’s plenty of time for children to relax and settle into their comfy seats. They’ll enjoy ample space and legroom to stretch out, and our free Wi-Fi means they can connect their devices to enjoy their favourite games on their quick journey to the airport.

There’s plenty of space for luggage too, so there’s a lot of room for bags and for strollers - which means no stress for the adults either.

Kids under 12 can eat for free at the airport during school holidays

There’s nothing worse than hungry children. Luckily, once you step off the Heathrow Express at the airport, you can easily get food and drink for free at a range of participating restaurants during the school holidays. An adult simply needs to choose an item from the main menu and your under-12s can eat completely free.

Key dates for the offer to be aware of include:

• Summer holidays: 18^th July – 2^nd September
• October half-term: 27^th October – 3^rd November
• Christmas holidays: 19^th December – 5^th January

Top options include the likes of Big Smoke in Terminal 2, Spuntino in Terminal 3, Wild Olive in Terminal 4 and Giraffe in Terminal 5. For full details of participating restaurants, check the Heathrow website.

The fun doesn’t stop when they get to the airport

The fun times just keep on coming before you jump on your flight, with the selection of play areas at Heathrow. Each terminal includes at least one play area to help the kids blow off a little steam and tire themselves out before their big flight.

There are slides, soft play areas and separate baby and junior zones. They’re suitable for children aged 0-9, and are easy to find using the dedicated Heathrow terminal maps.

Top tips for travelling with kids

Your journey to the airport is sorted, you know where you’re eating and where the play areas are. We’ve just got a few more airport tips for smooth sailing at Heathrow.

Give yourself some extra time at the airport

You might be used to travelling solo or as a couple and know exactly how much time you need at the airport. But it’s a whole different experience for children. There are shops where they can marvel at toys, games and sweets. And don’t forget the planes to watch out of the window. You need much more time to explore the airport and let the smaller people in your party take it all in.

With Heathrow Express, our trains leave London Paddington every 15 minutes and run from 4:34am to 11.25pm. It’s simple to plan your journey to the airport, with plenty of time before your flight.

Upgrade for Fast Track through security

If you choose Business First tickets on Heathrow Express, not only will you enjoy premium transport to the airport, but you also get free Fast Track Departures through security. This helps the whole family glide through with ease. Then it’s just a simple stroll to the gate or a pit-stop at the play area.

Pre-book airport services

For a little helping hand when you arrive at the airport, simply pre-book Meet and Assist . If you’re worried about navigating Heathrow with the little ones in tow, airport staff can help guide you through check-in, deliver any buggies to the gate and even take you to the plane in a cart. It’s ideal to avoid long and tiring walks through the airport for little legs.

Consider when you board the plane

Parents travelling with tots are allowed to board the plane first. While this means you’ll be amongst the first on the plane and can avoid long queues, it also means the kids are confined to their seats for a little longer until you reach your destination.

Sometimes it makes more sense to let them walk around the gate a little to burn off some more energy, and board the plane in the final groups. The choice is up to you.

Make your transfer to and from the airport as smooth as possible with Heathrow Express

Once you’ve booked your family holiday, let the excitement begin. Don’t forget to book your Heathrow Express tickets in advance to save money and get ready for a smooth journey to or from the airport with the little ones.

Breathe, relax and let the kids enjoy themselves. Your holiday starts now.