Hi All,

I am travelling frim Belfast on the 5th March for the Stoke game. I am taking my 13yr old son for his first Chelsea game.

My flight home from Heathrow is departing for Belfast at 7.45pm, whats it like getting back to Heathrow on match day? Any advice? Would I need to leave the game early to be on the safe side? As I have said, any advice/info would be great.

Thanks

Pete

I don't know in detail but I would recommend walking to Parsons Green from the Bridge so that you avoid Fulham Broadway station and get on the tube before most of the rest of the crowd.  The TFL site reckons FB to Heathrow is 51 minutes so even if it takes twice that (and once you're on the tube there's no real reason why it should) you should be ok to see the end of the match I think.

Thanks Beerqueen. We have tickets for the Shed end upper, whats the view like frkm there? Think its row 10.

Shed End upper is great - though I can never remember which blocks and rows are which!  View is good - better than lower as obviously you're higher but it can still be a bit tricky to see what's happening at the far goal.  But for me, because it has much, much better atmosphere, it beats the East and West stands for match-day experience.

Happy days. Sounds like its going to be a great experience. Thanks!?

Please be aware that on Sat 5th March, the Piccadilly line that serves Heathrow is partially closed, as is the District Line. So if I were you, take the Paddington Express train - it's quite expensive but a lot more convenient than a replacement bus that will get stuck in traffic. At Paddington, take the District Line direct to Fulham Broadway. After the match, don't use this station but go to Earl's Court. It is very straightforward, use a map or your phone and then reverse the journey as above. Paddington Express runs every 30 minutes and gets there in 15 minutes. Hope this helps and enjoy the game. 

Thanks Mark. Appreciate you letting me know about the partial closure. We arrive into London around 9am so we have plenty of time to get to the Bridge, its getting back to Heathrow lol.

I'll be in the lily before the game the kid will have no problem in the lily if your looking for somewhere to go for a pint

Enjoy your day out

Don`t sing spurs songs

Have a great time! :D

May I suggest you pre-set your television to record match of the day, then you can hopefully enjoy watching the goals we're going to score !

Before you fly, I would pre-book your Heathrow / Paddington express train tickets, as they're usually cheaper than buying on the day.

Have a great day

I would also suggest you buy an Oyster card ( for the tube travel between Paddington & Fulham Broadway) for you and your son, they cost about £ 5 each, and that is cheaper than buying individual tube or bus tickets and whatever credit is left on the card can be topped up for your next visit !

On arrival at the stadium, you've got the mega store, and also I would take your camera and try to get some autographs / photos of the players before and during the match.

They usually stay overnight at either one of the two hotels next to the stadium. Ask one of the regular guys at the stadium. They usually do the short walk from the hotel to the east stand official main entrance at about 12.30 (about 2,50 hours before kick off to miss the crowds)

Brilliant advice guys. Thank you!! My son is so excited now as it gets closer. We wont sing spurs songs lol. Thanks for the info Maidstoneblue, if we can get a few pics and autographs that will make the day perfect. And of course a chelsea win ?

P.s. Where is the Lily?

The Lily is a couple of minutes walk from West Brompton Station. Turn left out of the station and walk a couple of hundred yards.

Brilliant advice guys. Thank you!! My son is so excited now as it gets closer. We wont sing spurs songs lol. Thanks for the info Maidstoneblue, if we can get a few pics and autographs that will make the day perfect. And of course a chelsea win ?

P.s. Where is the Lily?

I'll be in lilly Friday night and after the game I'll drink in Putney before the game. The kid should be fine in the lily.

I am a Belfast lad....I have never flown back from Heathrow, only ever Gatwick and Stanstead! Who did you fly with? How much were flights?

Good luck with getting back on time, You'll probably be ok to leave at the final whistle but if the game is sown up well nipping out on the 90 min mark may not be a bad idea.. that way you will know for next time!

Hi Zola. Flying with Aer Lingus, cost £217 but could have got that alot cheaper but because I was waiting on getting the tickets and ensuring the game wasnt going to get moved, cost a bit more.

If i decided to get a taxi to heathrow, from say Paddington, whats the traffic like on a sat night heading towards Heathrow? Not too worried about the cost.

If i decided to get a taxi to heathrow, from say Paddington, whats the traffic like on a sat night heading towards Heathrow? Not too worried about the cost.

I'd probably walk to Earls Court or West Brompton station to get a taxi (try to book one), it will be take you less time than going to Paddington. Roads around Stamford Bridge will be chaos as they close Fulham Rd on match day, but walking to Earls Court or West Brompton means you are closer to the A4 that goes to Heathrow.

Thanks motorhead. Was planning on heading to Earls Court anyway.

Thanks for all the great advice guys. My son had a wonderful time, and really enjoyed his first game at the Bridge! Shame about the late equalizer