Even if you may possibly make it in time for the tube it seems like the stress of dealing so isn't worth the $60 or whatever it is the prearranged car would cost. I would book it, you won't be freaking out about getting through immigration quickly, and that time of night it will be faster to take a car than the tube. If it was earlier it wouldn't be but that late it would be.
I don't have anything to add, but I suggest that when you arrive, if you're asking people about where to go to catch, you call it "The Tube" for the underground/subway, Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect, as applicable. Since you'll be close on time, it could make a difference in terms of where people direct you, since to be honest I am not even really sure which one you were originally looking at. Not trying to be nitpicky, just trying to save you a minute or two that might end up being crucial!
Also, do you definitely need to check a bag? It might be worth the hassle of doing some bathroom washing of socks and underwear partway through the trip to avoid the hassle of trying to get a checked bag quickly in order to make your train.
This is a good tip - thanks! I think I had originally planned on the Tube but it sounds like the other options may run later so I may need to adjust.
Unfortunately, I don't think I am enough for a travel "pro" to pack for a 16 day trip in a carry on. I do hate dealing with checked bags, though.
£44 is a good fare for a cab to Russell Square. Russell Square is a bit further in than where I used to go in West London. I myself would spring for it but that's because I don't like the stress of running around at that time of night.
Not quite related but when I was in London recently on a Sunday night, I was trying to take the Tube after 11 PM. I was in one of the outlying zones trying to come back into Central. It actually started shutting down much earlier than I'd anticipated (and I've got a lot of experience in London). I basically got back to my hotel by the skin of my teeth. (I was changing lines a few times). I was on the last Tube going in my direction and I saw other Londoners who were screwed because their lines had already shut earlier than anticipated. Basically, I think that the Tube leans towards shutting down early on Sunday nights.
Worse to worse, if you aren't going to book a cab in advance and want to chance it with the train, I'd keep the numbers of multiple cab companies in my pocket on a napkin or something just in case. Also, if you are looking for an ATM, the Brits call it a cashpoint.
I am just saying that you should have a list of multiple numbers just to be sure.
Oh London is very safe at night by and large, especially in the areas that you are going in. Frankly the whole of London is a lot safer than it used to be and you aren't going anywhere sketchy. You should be more worried about someone trying to con you especially at the airport. I had a mini-cab driver whose company was on the list at Heathrow try to pull that shit on me once. It turned into ridiculous haggling in the cab and he threatened to drive me back to the airport if I didn't pay his fee (but also to charge me some bullshit convenience fee). I did not end up paying what he wanted but I still got ripped off by £20. That's why I got really cautious about what companies I used and stopped just relying on the airport list.
In general though I found mini-cabs to be very helpful for airport connections at odd hours.
Also, I know you aren't going to get a hotel there but FYI, a number of the hotels around Paddington and Bayswater have got bedbugs. There are a few good ones and I've stayed in several but I have read some BAD reviews with photos about hotels in that area that would make your jaw drop. It's probably better that you are just going onto Russell Square.
This is a good tip - thanks! I think I had originally planned on the Tube but it sounds like the other options may run later so I may need to adjust.
Unfortunately, I don't think I am enough for a travel "pro" to pack for a 16 day trip in a carry on. I do hate dealing with checked bags, though.
I almost certainly wouldn't do carry-on only for your trip either, but I figured I'd bring up the possibility since you might decide that mid-trip laundry and only wearing a few outfits sounded less stressful than the transportation situation. I definitely do not think that wanting some more clothing options on a 2 week trip means someone is necessarily a travel newb