Trying to move son to London- need transportation for 9 bags and 3 adults

Rates don't look to bad by
TAXI. L40-60 and you can arrange the Black Cab ahead of time.

A Black Cab taxi holds up to 5 people and can be picked up from outside the airport. There is no need to pre-book a taxi, simply go to the taxi rank on each of the terminal forecourts. However, to avoid the inevitable queues for taxis, you can book in advance through London Black Cabs. 48-hours notice is required for airport transfers. Flights arrival times are monitored by reservation staff so you do not need to worry about delays to your flight. You will be met outside the customs area by your driver who will assist you in carrying your luggage to the vehicle. London Black Cabs can also arrange your return journey at the time of booking.

Duration:
Journey time by private taxi or Black Cab into central London is 50 - 75 minutes.

Price:
Average cost from the airport into central London ranges from £40 - £60.

Credit cards are accepted, although there is a 10% handling charge.

A 'meeting fee' of approximately £7 is often required for journeys from the airport, to cover parking and waiting times.

Contact:
To book a London Black Cab or for more information call: 07957 696673.

To contact the individual taxi desks at Heathrow call:

Terminal 1 Arrivals : + 44 (0)208 745 7487

Terminal 2 Arrivals : + 44 (0)208 745 5408

Terminal 3 Arrivals : + 44 (0)208 745 4655

Terminal 4 Arrivals : + 44 (0)208 745 7302.

rent a large car or van

I am just curious as to why your son needs so much luggage to move to the UK for University.
I took a backpack and one suitcase. My daughter on the other hand took 4 pieces of luggage and two mailed boxes to move cross country so maybe this is a generational difference.

Which companies did you contact? That you are using a list several years old suggests that you've missed a number of possibles especially as asking about car services is a weekly occurrence - were you looking for "limo services" rather than the UK term "car service".

As for 9 bags - where on earth is your son going to put them? Most student rooms aren't very big so unless your son is going to sleep on top of his cases he's going to have a separate room just for his luggage

I am totally amazed there are 9 suitcases. I've never seen student digs large enough to hold that much 'stuff' -- ever.

He probably won't have more that a 2 foot cupboard (closet) and one chest of drawers.

Not sure what jhager's talking about - nine pieces of luggage won't fit in a taxi

Contact justairports.com and www.london-transfers.com/ -- Ray at London transfers transported 6 adults from LHR to St Katharine's Marina for about £60 (though the 6 of us had much less luggage than you are talking about)

Nine cases aren't going to fit into a black cab (or a student study/bedroom), especially with three adults.

If you do decide on the black cab route, you'll almost certainly have to hire two cabs.

I also can't believe for a nanosecond that one cruise ship has soaked up London's supply of large minicabs. Even were anything so impossible to happen as an entire 20-strong fleet of ships cramming themselves into the Pool of London.

As AlanR says, just google in English - a language in which "limo" is scarcely ever used, and NEVER to refer to big minicabs.

Never mind the 9 suitcases, why are 2 other adults required to get a graduate student to London?

Or better yet, why is it your business why 2 other adults are required to get a graduate student to London? Good lord, chill out.


Try justairports.com or google Addison Lee.

I also recommend justairports.com -- I've used them twice. From Heathrow to Old Street tube area I got a minivan for 40GBP. From Paddington to Heathrow, I got a sedan car (with less luggage) for 24GBP. Their prices are reasonable and you can get an immediate online quote.

And I got the same reactions (regarding amount of luggage) when I posted about moving to London for 3 months with 3 large suitcases and 2 carryons. As long as you're not asking anyone here to schlep or store your luggage, I'm not really sure why people get into a tizzy.

I know...when I moved to London it was through work and I was only supposed to be here for 6 months. I had probably 7 suitcases because a) I effectively had no home in the States in which to leave anything behind and b) my employer paid for me to bring it all out to the UK and transport it.

I don't know why people feel the need to comment at all. To each his own, I say.

My husband and I moved to London, permanently, in January. Between the two of us, we brought 7 suitcases and 2 cats. And we were able to fit it all in one of the black cabs, although it was a tight squeeze.
www.changehere.wordpress.com

<<< And I got the same reactions (regarding amount of luggage) when I posted about moving to London for 3 months with 3 large suitcases and 2 carryons. >>>

9 bags in UK student digs won't go - well they will but there won't be space for anything else not even the student

They might not be student digs. Most of my grad school friends at UCL or LBS live in flats near campus that are quite roomy.

7 of the bags belong to the parents (pre-cruise, heavy packers) and the student has 2 bags.

OK, I made that up but I think people need to focus on the question!

Good luck to your son dutyfree!

FYI-or why I need to explain to everyone...
My son is MOVING to London as in having a 1 bedroom flat near his university for graduate school(read NO dorms) and is hoping to stay over there after school finishes in 13 months to work as he will have a 2 year work visa.He doesn't "need" his parents' help as he has lived all over the world-we just wanted to go as we have airline benefits and thought by us going with him that we could carry some bags and get him settled along with a "mini vacation".

My daughter is finishing graduate school in the UK this next month and is hoping to stay on for awhile so I have things for her I am bringing.

6 of the bags are for him along with our 3 carryon. I don't think that those of you who have never moved or lived overseas understand how much easier and cheaper it is to sometimes buy some of the things here in the states.Shopping at Target,Walmart,Tuesday Morning and TJ Maxx makes finding inexpensive stuff alot easier as IKEA is way out in London for hauling stuff.Clothes in the UK are expensive and he is very tall so alot doesn't fit.

I have two adult kids who happen to enjoy living overseas whether it is in India,Sicily or the UK so I try to make sure that they have the basics they need when they get there.

All I wanted to know was a limo or car service to London guys!

"I don't think that those of you who have never moved or lived overseas understand how much easier and cheaper it is to sometimes buy some of the things here in the states."

I did move to the UK (for 5 years) and there are LOTS of inexpensive options in the UK. Plus there is the issue of beds being different sizes/lines not fitting, etc. But it is true the some things are cheaper in the States.

"All I wanted to know was a limo or car service to London guys!"

. . . and you got recommendations for at least 3 . . . .

Another vote for justairports. They are efficient, clean vehicles, on time and a fair value.

Shopping for household goods in London SUCKS. Your son is smart to bring everything out. Bedding is not an issue...my sheets from the States have lasted me through a few moves and more than one bed.

...not that you owe us any explanation, Dutyfree! I'm just annoyed on your behalf

well you DID get your question answered, right? just along with the usual comments from the peanut gallery.

if people only answered the questions asked, it would make for a very dull forum.

We were pleased with Eddie Manning who picked us up at LHR..
Can't figure out the amount of luggage though.

Eddie Manning www.limo.uk.com

BTW... London has TKMaxx which is the exact same thing as TJMaxx. But the one I've visited (on Charing Cross) does not have the same homegoods section as the US. But it might be worthy to mention to him since clothing there is definitely cheaper than at a department store.

Good luck!

Have shopped at TK MAXX in London and other cities in the UK and they are not even close to what we have here in Chicago both in selection and in price.
Thanks for your imput as always my dear Fodorites!
Now with the strike scheduled for our arrival....

Anything to avoid the dreaded Argos! Imagine Service Merchandise "updated" for the aughts.

Yeah, definitely buy the stuff in the States and take it with you.
Family and friends in the UK often appreciate having us as house guests when we visit and aren't shy about 'hinting' they'd like towels or bedlinens from the US as hostess gifts!

Good luck with the final hurdles of the move dutyfree.

Shopping for household goods in London SUCKS. >>

john Lewis?

dutyfree,
You may be facing some excess baggage charges from your airline. Check your allowances, number and weight. If the charge will be high you might want to investigate air freight. The bags will arrive a couple of days after you do but your personal arrival logistics will be much simpler.

Honestly, I will take your John Lewis and raise you a Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel, Target, Container Store, Bed Bath & Beyond, West Elm, Macy's....there's no comparison. John Lewis is fine for what it is, but ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Designers Guild is the only place I've found that quasi competes. Would welcome suggestions, seriously.

Lizziea06, I'm with you but Designers Guild is $$$.

My suggestion is buy online, then ship to friends/family in US who then deliver the purchases to you on their next visit.

If you're stuck I'll be over in November!

lizzie - sadly I have never been to any of the stores you mention, which I accept are excellent, but we are only talking about a one bed flat.

John Lewis and M&S can surely cover most household goods that even a graduate student could need. MY M&S towels [which I can date exactly as they were wedding presents] are still going strong after 32 years, worst luck as I'd like to change my colour scheme!

and if you've got to pay excess baggage, there's no cost saving either.

"Shopping for household goods in London SUCKS."

Yeah I mean how do those poor souls live in such a 3rd rate city with no shops.

and on a more helpful note...apart from John Lewis and Marks and Spencer...

Argos ...cheap but does the joone on New Oxford St, one on Edgeware road)
Tesco (large branches, Tesco Extra)
Sainsburys (large branches)
Waitrose (stock some John Lewis stuff)
And probably some of the other supermarkets
Debenhams
IKEA
Debenhams
TKMAxx

That's without thinking too hard, there will be more. And if he needs stuff form somewhere not too easy on public tranport, they pretty much all have online stores that deliver, or he could hire a car for the day (not v expensive and do all the places in one day)

I've stocked up 2 flats for daughters at university in England, and have got virtually all of the needed stuff at Wilkinsons.
Wilko is brilliant, cheap, and the quality isn't that bad! You get pricier options as well as very cheap ones. Thing is, you probably don't want to be spending a lot as surely you won't be shipping it all home in a couple of years time?

There are 14 stores around London - none central but you can put your postcode into the store-finder to find the one closest to you.

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/page/store?searchbox=london+NW1&submit=search

Yup forgot Wilkinsons, they are filling the hole Woolworths left rather well....and possibly better

Yes, there are plenty of stores at sell reasonably priced household stuff in the UK.

Try shopping for this stuff in the US though and you'd save a bucket!

Try shopping for this stuff in the US though and you'd save a bucket!

we have cheap shite in the UK too....

We enjoyed going through the Pound store. Cheap kitchen ware, etc.

dutyfree - I just contacted a couple of different airport transfer people, including justairports. They quoted me 56 pounds for the trip - considerable less than the others. HOWEVER - when I went to arrange the booking, they told me it would 72 pounds because I wanted to pay with a credit card. A 16 pound credit card fee? Yikes!

HOWEVER - when I went to arrange the booking, they told me it would 72 pounds because I wanted to pay with a credit card. A 16 pound credit card fee? Yikes!>>

why not get some cash from an ATM?

Well, a couple of reasons:

1. We arrive late, and are only passing through England on our way to Florence, so I would have no other use for the pounds in the near future.

2.) I want the miles on the credit card transactions. I'm currently under a bonus of 1.2 miles per dollar spent - and I am fanatical about getting miles. It's what allows me to travel. I just booked 4 one-world all partner award business class seats round trip to Africa next year using miles because I am so diligent.

well, cyn, you pays your money and takes your choice!

you could just get say, £60 out of the ATM, which would cover the cab fare and a tip. [the tip being, don't charge people who want to use credit cards so much extra]. or pay a huge surcharge to get the points.

do you want the points enough to pay through the nose for them?

Ah - I didn't clearly say that I can get the same trip for nearly the same amount (2 pounds more) using my credit card. I don't think that's "paying through the nose".

It never occured to me that there could be a different amount for paying with cc vs cash, and if I hadn't asked how to make the payment prior to arrival, I would not have known about it and then had a problem when I got there. In the states, it's against the merchant rules to charge a different price for cash vs credit.

Thanks for your suggestions annhig. I do appreciate your concern.

Cynstalker-we used Justairports and it was great! The guy came with a big van and was most helpful. I remember reading somewhere on one of those sites that using a credit card would cost extra but cannot remember.
I am a Million Miler with a major airline (even though I work for another airline)and try and get miles on everything.However, when I am overseas it really is easier to use cash from the ATM for EVERYTHING rather than getting all of the surprises on my credit card statement when I get home.

dutyfree,
So how much did it cost you?