London Traveler

I am staying at the Travel Inn County Hall--will either take taxi or a transfer service (London Transfers?)..what do you recommend? What is the cost difference? Is London Transfers private cars or a shuttle type service where there are multiple parties and stops in the car?

Bill

Taxi's to Heathrow are expensive - about £40. You could get the tube (Westminster circle line, change at Hammersmith to Piccadilly line) or go to Kings Cross and get the Heathrow Express. The bus is an alternative - but I'd plump for a taxi, especially if you have a lot of luggage.

kate

It depends on how many of you there are, but the quickest way intro Central London is the Heathrow Express train (takes just 15 minutes, and goes every 15 minutes). Bill was mistaken though, it goes to Paddington (West central London) not Kings Cross (in North central London). There are then loads of black cabs at Paddington to take you to County Hall (good choice of hotel, by the way, right opposite the Houses of Parliament and next to the London Eye). Taxi will take c.15 minutes, if that. Total price for 2 about £35 one way. <BR> <BR>Compare that to a black cab from Heathrow, which could cost you between £45-60 depending on traffic and the time - maybe an hour into central London depending, again, on traffic. <BR> <BR>A cheaper taxi would mean booking a minicab before you arrive, which would cost about £35-40, but to be honest, I'd go with the train. <BR> <BR>I have never taken a shuttle service, mostly because I'm not keen on coaches and you can still get stuck in heavy traffic. <BR> <BR>I would avoid the tube as it's slow (Heathrow is a long way out and there are many many stops on the way), often crowded, especially in the rush hour, and a pain with luggage. <BR> <BR>I'm a Londoner who travels a lot, so have had to negotiate this question frequently

???

Kate--A cab from Paddington to the hotel would be 35 GBP?

Joanne

If you choose to use London Transfers, you will have a personal driver who will meet you as you come out of customs, help you with your luggage, and give you a private ride to your destination. This is a very pleasant way to go, especially if you have lots of luggage, or mobility problems. The vehicle that picked us up was what Americans call a minivan -- designed for 7 passengers, but great for 4 plus luggage, too.

kate

No. ???, £35 is based on 2 people and comes from £12 each for the Heathrow Express, and £10 for the taxi (which is an over estimate).

Patrick

You say "I" so I assume you are traveling solo. If there are two or more people there is a big difference. I always use Swiss Cottage Cars. I call them about a week before I go and schedule a car and driver. They meet you as you exit customs with your name on a sign. They help you with your luggage to a private car (independently owned cars -- not taxis) and take you directly to your hotel. They will even show you where the ATM is and give you time to get some cash if you want. If your plane is late there is no extra charge as they check your arrival times with the airport. In 2000 the charge was 25 pounds from airport to central London hotel, but it may be slightly higher now. I'm no math whiz, but I can easily figure that two tickets on the Heathrow Express plus a taxi to your hotel from there will cost more than this private transfer service with a whole lot less effort. (Yes, I consider wheeling my luggage about half a mile through Heathrow to get to the Express terminal, getting off the Express and to the taxi stand at Paddington, waiting in cue for a taxi --which is quite a line every time the Express comes in, and then taking a taxi to my hotel -- a whole lot more effort than a private car. Their number is 011-44-207-431-2700. They do not have a website. The similar companies that do have websites all seem to charge quite a bit more. Unless you are really on a low budget, in which case, I'd just bite the bullet and take the underground, I really think it's worth it to take a private transfer even if traveling alone.

Julie

I have to second Patrick's suggestion. I always use Swiss Cottage Cars and have found them reasonable, reliable and extremely convenient.

Lori

We have used www.london-transfers.com and found them great. I've recommended them several times on this forum. Between Patrick and myself I think we answer every question about "how to get into London from the airport". Trust me, you cannot go wrong with a private car transport company. Mathematically speaking it costs more to take Heathrow Express and then a taxi. You cannot beat being picked up as you exit immigration and taken to your doorstep. No hassle dragging luggage on and off trains or lining up for a taxi. Frankly we find it the most civilized way to get into London (unless you travel with no luggage).

Patrick

Hi, Lori! Yes we always seem to do these posts together. Maybe we should start our own business or website?

Lori

Hi Patrick - Maybe if things get rough we can start our own transfer business My husband is French so maybe we can corner the Paris market too <BR>

London Traveler

Thanks everyone for the great response! There will be two of us and it sounds like a transfer service is the way to go. And it sounds like both Lond Transfers or Swiss will work just fine! How far before do I have to book with them?

Patrick

With Swiss Cottage Cars I usually call about a week ahead -- maybe two at most. Once I forgot until just two days before arrival. When I called the guy was very apologetic and said they were pretty well booked up, but he'd check and get right back to me. Within an hour he called me back (to the US)and said, yes, he had another driver who would be happy to meet us. I make sure now I give them a week just to be safe. <BR>

Patrick

Ooops, Lori, I missed your last response. Yes, Paris could really use a service like that!! Why is it that hotels are so much nicer and cheaper in Paris than London, but the airport transfer thing is so much more expensive?

Sandy

I do NOT recommend Swiss Cottage Cars! We just got one last week (11/22) from Gatwick to our hotel, because they were highly recommended on this site by others. It must depend heavily on the driver you happen to get. Ours was TERRIBLE!!!! Most important,he was an unsafe driver. The trip from Gatwick took over 3 1/2 hours (compared to 45 minutes going back on the Thameslnk). <BR><BR>Part of the problem was that we sat in traffic for a long time on the M 25. But, the driver took over an hour to drive around the immediate vicinity of our hotel, because he could not locate the street. The street is off the main street and on the map -- very easy to find. He would not ask directions. We would NEVER use this service again!!!!

Patrick

Wow, Sandy, I feel terrible for your experience -- especially since I'm usually the one recommending them. I have never heard of anyone else having a problem and they have always been perfect for me -- probably about 10 times now. Anyone else? I'd like to know if this was a one-time event or if anyone else has ever had a similar problem. Of course, there's not much they can do if there is a traffic jam on the M-25, but not knowing where he was going in the city is inexcusable assuming you had given them the address in advance which they always ask for.

Grasshopper

The best thing about Heathrow Express is that it takes a fraction of the time a cab takes! And you zoom past the boring stuff and then take a cab from Paddington (I've never paid more than 15 pounds and I haven't paid more for 1 vs. 2 people! A couple pounds extra for luggage)past all the interesting things. You could take the tube to your hotel but I feel like taxi rides in London are like mini tours. You see so much interesting stuff.

Nancy

London Transfer sounds like what we need. How do I get in touch to arrange transportation upon our arrival at Heathrow to our central London location?

monica

This really isn't a reply, but a question. Has anyone ever used (or heard of) the Airbus service from Heathrow into London? <BR>Thanks!

janis

yes - AirBus is a good alternative if you are going anyhere along the north side of central London -- i.e. Bayswater &gt; Kings Cross.<BR><BR>The coach leaves right from the terminal and you have a shorter walk than to the tube or Paddington Express.<BR><BR>I used to take it frequently - but I stay in Pimlico or on the South Bank, and AirBus has discontinued the south route to Victoria that serves those areas.