moo

So . . . fellow Fodorites have convinced me that I should hire a car service (bag the tube and the train+taxi route) to take my student son from Heathrow to City of London dormitory. So which one? I am tossing around Just Airports (re occurring suggestions on Fodors) and Unicorn Minicabs (most economical price).

Can anyone tell me if the passenger is met in the terminal with a name sign or at the curbside using a car license plate (as with a limo in the US) which would require a phone call upon arrival?

Just Airports refers to a parking fee -- what is that? Is that for the car to park and come in to retrieve the passenger?

He will have one very large rolling luggage piece, one medium/large back pack and a computer case/bag. Would a small saloon car be the one to hire?

Cash payment seems to be cheaper that a credit card payment -- would you pay in cash?

Is a tip required or expected and if yes how much?

Flight lands a 8 a.m. Supposing that he gets he goes through immigration and collects his bag in a normal manner -- how long should that process take and does the car service accommodate for this? I know they say they track flight but I don't want my son to be hit with wait charges.

Any other car services that are reliable and economical?

Please offer and opinion.

Thanks

PegS

We ended up using Blackberry Cars last September because they seemed most flexible. The guy was waiting right outside customs (along with all the other drivers) with a sign--even though their confirmation email said to go to the Airport Info Desk. They also monitored our flight and called our cell phone to let us know they were there. We were impressed enough to use them again going back to the airport. Leaving, the guy actually called to tell us he would be earlier because he was worried about rush hour traffic. We tipped him generously for that!

I did find, though, that the booking folks were a bit less "on it" than the actual drivers, who were great.

dweislaw

Have used http://www.batransfer.com/ several times with positive results. Also trusted them to pick up each of my kids when heading to London for summer studies (FSU). I've had no reason to ever look for any other transport company.

Seamus

Have used justairports in the past and they were OK, but have been more impressed with exclusiveairports.com and have used them the last couple trips to London. Fares run a few pounds less if booked online in advance, driver waiting at customs exit with sign bearing passenger name, they do monitor flight status and adjust accordingly, no additional parking fee.

janisj

They all charge a parking fee -- either as an add on or built into their rates. The drivers are pros - they know how long immigration takes day to day. They mostly will wait at the exit of Customs. Avoid any that require a phone call.

jusatirports is VERY reliable and one of the cheapest. There are several other good ones but justairports is really the most well known airport specialist.

Cash is cheaper -- whether you want to pay cash or use a cc is up to you. A very small tip is good. The tipping culture is entirely different in the UK/Europe. On a £35 fare, tip £3 or £4 max . . . only as much as £5 if there os a lot of luggage and the driver handles all of it.

bilboburgler

"The tipping culture is entirely different in the UK/Europe. On a £35 fare, tip £3 or £4 max . . . only as much as £5 if there os a lot of luggage and the driver handles all of it."

Janisj has it right, the culture is very different. Generally you round up to the nearest £5 thinking £2 to £3 is about fair. That is why cash is normally the right solution. Also the tip element may well not appear in the guy's tax return

You can pick up cash from an ATM as you come through the gate where the driver picks you up (and on the walk through from the aircraft if things have to be changed around), and yes he should be prepared to wait for you to use the ATM.

janisj

There are cash machines near the luggage carousels so the best idea is usually to get some cash while waiting for the bags to come out. That way no one is inconvenienced and you have £££ in hand.

But if he misses those cash machines for some reason, the driver should wait while he hits a machine outside of arrivals.

Or he can arrive at LHR having already got a few ££ from his departure airport or local bank - not many because the exchange rate will be awful, but having a little 'seed money' can be helpful.

ILUVPARIS

Any idea what the parking charges would be approximately for pickup at LHR?

PalenQ

Any idea what the parking charges would be approximately for pickup at LHR?>

probably depends on how long they have to park - plane an hour late or more more parking charges I would think.

janisj

>>Any idea what the parking charges would be approximately for pickup at LHR?<<

Not exactly but normally it is minimal since the drivers monitor the flight ETA they don't park until a few minutes before one is expected to exit the Arrivals Hall.

Dukey1

Sorry, but after being stuck in early morning traffic from Heathrow to the Savoy Hotel for almost two hours while sitting in the back of one of those "car service" vehicles I will, as I did this past August, continue to take the Tube. No, when we got to the hotel the room was not ready but having a bite to eat beats sitting in traffic anytime but to each their very own.

historytraveler

I've been using various car services for some years now, and the trip has never been more than an hour. Assuming that it'll take two hours is shortage- sighted. One trip into London during rush hour doesn't provide the most objective opinion. Certainly if you're traveling into London during the morning rush, it'll take longer. Just plan ahead. You can even check with the car service to determine approximately how long the trip will take if you're concerned. Also consider how close your hotel is to the tube stop. Schlepping your luggage on and off the tube, through the stations and to your hotel can be hellish.

PalenQ

I suppose how long it takes to get to your hotel depends on where the hotel is - if they have to drive across a London with absolutely no freeways or express routes IME it could take much longer than one in the center or west part of London and presumably cost more or is it a flat fare regardless of where they are going> (Curious about that)

janisj

I've taken the tube in the morning and I've taken a car service in the morning (many times each).

Sometimes the car is faster and sometimes the tube is faster. I'd never (ever) book a car to save time -- A car is for when it makes sense due to the hotel location and sometimes even which specific tube station is closest since some are bears w/ even small bags

(or if I'm traveling w/ someone who insists on taking too much luggage)

welltraveledbrit

We've used Blackberry Cars sucessfully a few times as they were on the cheaper end of things. However, I have to say that I'd only use a car service at certain times and (depending on where we are in London) when the Tube is highly inconvenient, otherwise it remains our way of getting into London

Dukey - I hope The Savoy made up for the journey!

PalenQ

Travellers go by Tube - tourists take car shuttles - a great initiation to London is to go by Tube - above ground half the way then into the iconic Tube - but if having to change lines, transfers at certain times can be awful for folks carrying too much or too heavy luggage. and there can be lots of stairs and long walks to get out of the system.

Travellers pack light tourists bring the kitchen sink.

I have never thought of any car service - to me the Tube or Heathrow Express if I'm going to that area - is the way to arrive in London not be chauffeured around but each to their own way.

historytraveler

Pal, have you ever taken a car service? My last trip from LHR to Kings Cross took less than 60 minutes. Left LHR about 16:30 ( flight delayed 3 hours). Your comment about travelers packing light and tourists bringing the kitchen sink is inane. I've been traveling light for years, if a 22" is light enough for you. Tube is fine for those who are on a budget or whose hotel is close to a tube station or for whatever their reasons. Personally after a 9 hour flight, I'd much rather sit in a car for an hour than manage the tube. I use a car service for convenience and, at my age, I prefer to be " chauffeured. " Your comments hint at snobbery. At least Dukey1 's bad experience explains his attitude. Little explains yours.

BTW, when staying at LHR, I have taken the tube into and back to airport hotel, without luggage. Just have no interest in doing it with luggage and jet- lagged.

janisj

>>Travellers go by Tube - tourists take car shuttles -<<

ridiculous!

>>to me the Tube or Heathrow Express if I'm going to that area - <<

PQ: you speak out of both sides of your mouth -- the HEX is the ULTIMATE 'tourist' (or expense account) transport

welltraveledbrit

This is a ridiculous discussion it isn't an "either"/ "or" you use what works depending on the location.

However, the OP was asking about car services quote < fellow Fodorites have convinced me that I should hire a car service> so I guess that's decided anyway!

janisj

welltraveled: >>the OP was asking about car services quote < fellow Fodorites have convinced me that I should hire a car service> so I guess that's decided anyway!<<

The OP asked back in <u>January</u> -- the thread was topped to ask something else by someone else . . .

Whole different discussion going on.