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Taxi or Tube from LHR to Gloucester Road Tube?

Taxi or Tube from LHR to Gloucester Road Tube?

Old Dec 16th, 2014, 07:57 PM
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Taxi or Tube from LHR to Gloucester Road Tube?

Hi all,
Starting to think about the options for getting to our flat in London, located near Gloucester Road tube station, and would appreciate your help sussing out the choices.

1) Private car service: most expensive option, but is it worth it?
2) Taxi: what's the typical fare for a family of 4 with 1 piece of small luggage each?
3) Tube: obviously the cheapest option, but will it be hard to navigate with kids and luggage? Lifts, escalators, etc?

If I go with the Tube option, can I go ahead and get my 7 day Travelcards at LHR? Would I also fill up our Oyster cards there and use the Oyster cards to take the tube into London?

Also, re: the kids' Oyster cards, I will have to mail ahead for those before our trip... so should I just order all 4 of our Oyster cards ahead of time with a nominal amount of $ loaded onto them?
Thanks!
-skatterfly
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Old Dec 16th, 2014, 10:28 PM
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Your first misconception is >>1) Private car service: most expensive option, but is it worth it?
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Old Dec 17th, 2014, 01:34 AM
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I completely Agree with Janis ,book a car service. Gloucester road tube has stairs and is very crowded . 4 kids and luggage no way. Get your travel cards there or at a train station to take advantage of 2 for 1 offers.Justairports are great and reliable,
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Old Dec 17th, 2014, 09:03 AM
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Oh, good to know! Thanks to you both. In Paris, I always get a car service (esp after the long flight) but for some reason had the impression that the tube was a more straightforward option in London. Car service it is!

And Janisj... you'll be proud of me I'm including "Road" in Gloucester Road Tube.
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Old Dec 17th, 2014, 09:08 AM
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Some car services are more expensive. But others like justairports are much cheaper than a limo or taxi.
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 04:26 AM
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I agree with the above that a car service is a great option, but don't be put off the tube...I've stayed a number of times at the Crowne Plaza opposite Gloucester Rd tube and it is a very easy option to tube from LHR....I've done it with my wife and one kid, first time he was 10 years old. There is a small set of stairs to navigate once you get off the tube, but then you take a large lift to street level. Only you know whether your kids can do that, but I still think it's a good option.
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 05:28 AM
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The Gloucester station was closed for refurbishment on the Piccadilly line (the one that goes to LHR) when we were there in early October. I would double check to be certain it has reopened.
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 07:25 AM
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>>but don't be put off the tube…
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 08:53 AM
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no kidding, I can't even imagine doing that with 2 young kids and all that stuff. If you have to ask if it will be too much trouble, it will be because that means you've never done such a thing before. I stayed near that location and was alone and didn't even take the tube to the airport.
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 09:19 AM
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>>for some reason had the impression that the tube was a more straightforward option in London
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 10:37 AM
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As stated in the reply, I agreed car service is a great option, and one I have used myself depending on who is travelling with me...I was simply stating ANOTHER opinion (fully used by myself after an overnight flight with luggage and 1 kid)based on experience...at the end of the day, the op will choose what is best for their family...
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 02:49 PM
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The car service is a great option but the tube from LHR to Gloucester is so easy -40 minutes and the lift ito the main level floor. Buy your Oyster Cards once you are in London at any tube station. The fare is going to run less than 8 pounds a person so if there is a lot of you and you are not staying close by then use JustAirports as they are wonderful!
It's a great area to be located in!
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 04:45 PM
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Hi folks, thanks for the lively debate!
No doubt about it, we'll have a car arranged for pick up at LHR. After a long flight, even I'm often too exhausted to deal with public transit. Let alone the 2 kids.

I originally posed the question because it seemed like I saw so many posts from people who took the tube in, and on paper, it's a point to point direct shot. I hate the idea of leaving good money on the table if a cheaper option exists that is *just as easy*. Schlepping luggage up stairs is beyond my interest level after a long flight. I'm really glad I asked.

On the morning of our flight home, I think we'll be perfectly fine taking the tube from our hotel at Hyde Park Gate to LHR.
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 10:13 PM
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You're probably right, skatterfly: from what I think you said on another thread, your children might well be at the age where they can become your tube experts pretty quickly.
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Old Dec 20th, 2014, 07:48 AM
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Hi, skatterfly. On your return via Tube to Heathrow, you'll want to know which terminal you're flying out from. My memory may be a bit faulty, but I seem to recall when taking the tube to Heathrow, there are two/three stops for the airport (I believe Terminal 4 is one stop, and Terminals 1,2,3 another, and Terminal 5 may require ensuring you're on a Piccadilly line going to that Terminal). Can't imagine it's a huge issue if you get off on any of those stops, but you may have a longer walk within the airport.

On one of my first returns from England back to Chicago, I remember not seeing that information en route (in the station/posted in the train), and learned to always look up my departure terminal before getting on the tube.

Have a wonderful time in England!
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Old Dec 20th, 2014, 09:11 AM
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>>but you may have a longer walk within the airport.
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Old Dec 20th, 2014, 01:44 PM
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Justairports estate car from central London to LHR 30 pounds a few weeks ago.
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Old Dec 20th, 2014, 10:03 PM
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There are recorded announcements to remind you which terminal the train is going to, and where to change trains if you need to.
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Old Dec 21st, 2014, 11:54 AM
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HEX trains are free between terminals. Our return tickets said Terminal 3 but it had been changed to 5, so check-in told us just to hop on the HEX to Terminal 5. No one checked anything on the train.
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Old Dec 21st, 2014, 09:28 PM
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Last couple London visits we used www.exclusiveairports.com and were quite pleased. Main advantage is that unlike justairports, one can book and pay online with cc. Also thought the vehicles were nicer/newer than we had with justairports.
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