Virtually all the platforms at Paddington will give you good views of trains coming into the station. The best platforms are probably the Heathrow Express platforms as you can easily get access to them. Nowadays all the Great Western platforms have barriers on them which can be a bit of a bummer if you are looking for that elusive HST carriage.

The best way to get to any of the London terminus's is by a travelcard which you can use on buses, trains, tube, DLR and Croydon Tramlink. This also means that you can get access to platforms with barriers such as Marylebone, Liverpool Street, Victoria and Waterloo.

All platforms are available to go on and you dont need a ticket! Just walk along platform 1 until you reach the footbridge, all platforms are available. There are ticket barriers but they are never manned. Platform 1 also has lots of restaurants like Mcdonalds and the West Cornwall Pasty Shop. Toilets are on this platform but you have to pay 30p.

Can view coming/going from all platforms, plenty of eating outlets on concourse and nearby outside. Parking meters around if your name is lucky !