The Heathrow Pods Return!

Back in November last year Heathrow suspended their driverless Pods linking the pod car park straight to Heathrow T5. After being unsure when/if they would return, it now appears (according to Heathrow’s website) that the Heathrow Pods are back.

What are the Heathrow Pods?

The Heathrow Pods are a driverless pod system that links one of Heathrow’s car parks (the pod car park) to Heathrow T5. This is a quick & easy (kids find it fun too) way of getting from the Heathrow pod car park to the terminal or vice-versa. You can view our sped-up journey on the pods below…

If you are interested in booking parking for your holiday at the pod car park you can do so here – https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/heathrow-parking/heathrow-pod-parking-terminal-5 – simply choose the POD Parking Terminal 5 option.

A week (Saturday – Saturday) in the summer holidays cost currently costs around £190 if prebooked.

Heathrow Pods & Thistle Heathrow T5

Perhaps lesser known is the fact that if you stay at the Thistle Heathrow T5 you can also use the pods to get to the terminal or from the terminal to the hotel. It isn’t a fantastic hotel and you will take a leap back in time but our last stay was acceptable (cheap, clean & convenient.) You can read our review here – https://pointsuncovered.com/hotels/thistle-heathrow-t5-and-driverless-pods-to-t5

The hotel backs onto the pod car park & easily accessible by a short signposted route. The journey only takes 5 minutes and is far more comfortable than getting on a bus to the terminal. The only downside is you need to pay £6 per person for the pin code to open the door to access the car park. The hotel claims it passes this fee in its entirety onto Heathrow so they aren’t profiting from allowing you access.

You can read more about access on the hotel’s website here – https://www.thistle.com/heathrow-terminal-5/heathrow-pods

Parking at Thistle Heathrow T5

If you are looking for parking at Heathrow and want to use the pods you also have a 2nd option at the Thistle Heathrow T5. When booking accommodation you can add car parking for a fee of £12 per car per night. They also offer Stay, park & fly packages which allow you to park your car for 4, 8, 15 or 22 days at a discounted parking rate (15% off.) Currently, a one-night stay and 8 days of parking in the summer holidays will cost you £107.25. If you add two returns for two people on the pods at £6 each way it equals a grand total of £131.25. Over £50 cheaper AND you get a night’s stay beforehand!

Conclusion

The pods offer a great way to get to Heathrow T5 if you need parking or if you are staying at Thistle Heathrow T5. Don’t forget it’s likely to be cheaper to park at Thistle Heathrow T5 than the pod car park and you will have virtually the same experience so bear that in mind when booking…