Paddington tube station - just 1?

[fee-is-me]

Following on from my question, yesterday, about travelling from London Liverpool Street to Heathrow, I have another, I'm afraid.

I have decided to go via Paddington and to use the Heathrow Express (bought the ticket this morning - blimey that's expensive!).

Yesterday I was advised to use the Cirlce line from LLS to Paddington but the woman at the ticket office said to use the Hammersmith and City line.

I've looked at a tube map and both lines go through Paddington but they look miles apart. Is there just one Paddington station and they've done that to make the map easier to read, or are there different stations and I need to use the H&C line rather than the Circle for the Heathrow Express? Does it matter which I use?

Sorry if this sounds daft, but I never go into London and the tubes scare me!

[dzug]

The Hammersmith and City line platforms (?16-17) are part of the mainline station at Paddington where the Heathrow Express leave from (platforms? 7-8). You just have to cross a bridge between the two

The circle line platforms are underground (just) on the street in front of the mainline station and connected by an underground walkway.

It doesn't matter which you use - the walk from the Circle Line is a little longer but not desperately so. I'd get the first train (Circle or H&S - not Metropolitan, they turn off before Paddington) to turn up at Liverpool Street.

[sense4all]

Signage is not bad on Tube generally, and I have always found the staff to be very helpful even with some of my sillier questions, the staff are usually found by the entry exit barriers - if there is no one wandering. There are some exceptions, but lines are generally a short walk from each other ( I hate pointless route marches. ) Do not worry about proximity on the map in most cases it is just for illustration.
I have just treated myself to an Oyster card, as cash fares are getting to be a pain in the proverbial. I have been Liverpool Street recently and everything is pretty clear and easy to use due to volume of traffic, allow a couple of mins extra at Paddington to cross over but dzug is right either is good depending on which arrives first. I was stressing about two changes last week with the kids and turns out I only had to walk four feet for one of them. You'll be fine Fee.
How extortionate is the Heathrow express if you don't mind me asking?

[fee-is-me]

Thanks both.

Feel somewhat better now at the prospect :0)

My ticket today cost �52 - includes my journey on the Southend to Liverpool street line and then across London and on to the Express - it is a return.

I could have done it cheaper (approx �26 I think) by going by tube all the way.

I believe Paddington to Heathrow on the Express is just under �15 one way.

I was positively shocked!

[sense4all]

Blimey ... still ... cheaper than parking I suppose. Have a pleasant journey Fee.

[new_squizza]

yeah, the heathrow express is pretty pricey, but it's reliable and much much quicker than the tube - i think it only takes about 15 minutes, whereas the tube ride from central london to heathrow takes about an hour.

i know you've already bought your ticket, so this probably isn't much help (sorry!), but in the past i've used the express from paddington on the way to heathrow and the tube on the way home - cos generally, you're not on a tight schedule when you get off your flight.