Von

Will be leaving in less than a week for London. Our tickets are minus a transfer from the airport Heathrow to Downtown London (our hotel is by Hyde Park). Were told to catch a bus or taxi, save the receipt and our travel agent will reimburse us. Any idea on the cost (US preferred, Pounds OK), lenght of the drive and taxi vs bus pros and cons? Also will taxis only take pounds (meaning we will exchange money at the airport).

Luz

I lived in London for 4 years so here's my best shot at your question -- There is an underground (subway) from Heathrow into the city -- very inexpensive, easy and fast if you don't have tons of luggage. If I recall correctly, you will have to transfer trains to get to the Hyde Park station. <BR>The London underground and double decker buses are a fantastic way to get around. <BR>Taxi is about 30 pounds and the ride is about 30 to 45 minutes. London taxi drivers are the best in the world. They are very honest and know excatly where everything is located. Good luck and have a great trip.

Gabi

I actually prefer taking the bus to the tube. The past couple of times I've taken the AirBus which is located right inside Heathrow and runs frequently to various destinations in downtown London. The tube is certainly faster but the bus is more scenic and more relaxing after getting off a plane (and you're above ground!) Can't recall the exact amount but the cost of a one-way ticket is about $7 per person (cheaper if you get a roundtrip ticket)

Aj

First of all, get your start-up cache of British pounds at home before you leave (Thomas Cook, American Express, some banks). Don't wait until you arrive in London, or wherever. You can then get money exchanged at branch banks in the airport, although it can be wearing. Lots of people are getting money by using credit cards and bank card at money machines. Never exchange money at your hotel; you'll get the worst rate. The lines at the branch banks at LHW are always long and who wants to stand in line after a long plane trip? Get about $100 in pounds before you leave and ask for as small bills as you can get. The exchange rate will be lousy but it sure speeds things up when you arrive.. <BR> <BR>Getting to and from: Everyone has been talking about a new high-speed Tube line -- 15 to 20 minutes -- to LHR but I've yet to hear from any one who has taken it. The bus is cheap and it's kinda fun to see London as you travel along. At rush hours, however, it can be a drag. Remember, too, that when you get to the bus depot, you still have to get to your hotel. You CAN take the Tube or another bus but it's a real, literally, with baggage, drag. Take a cab <BR> <BR>A cab from LHR is expensive; if you can share the cost, the unit cost can be do-able. Thus, if there are 4 passengers going to the same destination, the unit cost would be 7 pounds or so, and not so bad. <BR> <BR>There's now a shuttle type service at LHR using vans (or was, last time we came in). For about10 pounds you get delivered right to the door. Very convenient. And you can pay for a round-trip and be picked up at the door when you return. We tried it and it worked just fine. <BR> <BR>If you have any choice about it, try to arrive in the mid morning or early afternoon. The earlier the better (after the early-morning rush hour, of couse). My ideal timing is British Airways' LA-London flight which leaves late-afternoon in LA. There's time for dinner and a movie, and then you can sleep through the night. You wake up in time for breakfast and arrive in London about 11 a.m. local time. By the time you get to your hotel, it's 2 p.m. and most hotels have rooms ready by then. Nap for a couple hours and you're all ready for London! <BR> <BR>The only other thing I can recommend is to, as I did one trip, strike up a conversation with a businessman who was being met by his driver--and offered us a ride in his Rolls. Very classy. That only happens once in a life time but it's one to remember. <BR> <BR>Bon voyacge!

Roger

Are you sure that your travel agent will reimburse you the cost? I have never heard of this so be quite sure before you spent a lot of money. If in fact the transportation is free to you, by all means take a cab. If you find out otherwise take the new Heathrow Express train. 10 pounds each way and it only takes 15 minutes to Paddington train station. From Paddington you can take a cab.

Frank

Message for Gabi: Do you know if that air bus that you speak of stops at Waterloo station? I'm still trying to find an easy way from the Chunnel to Heathrow with a lot of luggage. Guess I'll resort to a taxi.

Louis Dameson

You agent may pay your transportation cost but regardless you still have to get to your hotel. If you do not tire from long plane trips, can handle your luggage easily, can find your way around airports easily, and can easily cope with transportation systems take public transportation. Otherwise take a taxi which will cost about 30 pounds for the two of you. If you took public transportation and walked to your hotel from the nearest stop, you might save 15 pounds total. <BR>That sounds like a foolish economy to me unless your budget is really very tight. By all means get 50 to 100 pounds in small bills before you leave. Then use a debit or your bank card at ATM's for currany. Don't use credit card except to pay for meals, hotels, purchases etc. Have a 4 digit PIN with no letters and make certain that your card companies and banks know that you will be using cards out of the country. The other alternative is to use travelers checks. The penalty in exchange rate is not all that much, perhaps $30 on a $1,000. Big deal. The main advantage of ATMs is that they are convenient, open 24 hours and you don't have to carry much money around.

Alison

<BR>Hi there, <BR> <BR>I would certainly suggest you get money before leaving for England, it's a lot less hassle. I was reading about a new service called the Heathrow Expresse and pulled the following information from their website. <BR> <BR>It's a bus that runs from Heathrow Terminals 1,2 and 3, and it goes to Paddington Station. The whole trip takes about 15 minutes. It leaves every 7, 22, 37 and 52 minutes past the hour, and for an Express Class single adult ticket it cost 10 pounds (return is 20 pounds). Once you arrive at Paddigton they have a service that hits some of the major hotels (sorry, but I can't recall names off the top of my head). <BR> <BR>This may be another option you might want to consider. <BR> <BR>Hope it helps <BR> <BR>ALI. <BR>

Roger

The Heathrow express is a train not a bus. Don't think a bus can do this trip in 15 minutes. Maybe you just keyed the wrong word. The bus service is is quite good, called the Airbus and cost 7 pounds I believe.