LeslieC

Arriving at LHR, Terminal 3, on a Monday at 2:15 pm after an overnight flight. Two of us, ages 60 & 65. Staying at the Ashburn Hotel in S. Kensington, a few blocks from the Glochester Rd. Tube Station. Have ruled out the HEX since it goes to Paddington and the hassle / cost of then carrying bags to grab a taxi to S. Kens. Considering either:

1) Tube to Gloschester Rd station.
2) Just Airports car service GBP 32 quoted but they want to be paid cash. Will we have time to exchange our $ at LHR first? Ray Skinner's service is GBP 44.
3) Express Coach to Victoria station.

Any recommendations?

janisj

"<i>Will we have time to exchange our $ at LHR first?</i>"

You don't want to 'exchange currency'. Just stop at one of the ATMs and get cash there (do the same for the rest of your trip as well - don't take/exchange US$, use your ATM/debit cards)

As for car service or tube -- if you can handle your bags easily, the tube is fine. If it is pouring down rain -- then catch a cab from Gloucester Rd.

But a car service is certainly more restful after an over night flight, being door-to-door.

LeslieC

Thank you. Yes, I suppose I should have asked if there are ATM's in the arrivals hall we could use before meeting our driver. Sounds like a yes.

annhig

I don't want to stop you getting a cab, but last time I looked, the cirle line goes from Paddington to south Ken.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...d-tube-map.pdf

We often get a cab at the beginning of our trip, when we are tired, and public transport at the end, when we know our way round a bit better.

janisj

to clarify, I only mentioned a cab (from Gloucester Rd tube station) in case it is pouring down buckets.

I definitely would NOT take the HEX + a cab since that would cost twice what a car service does. And the HEX + the tube would cost about £8 or £9 more than a car service and be twice the bother . . .

Rastaguytoday

ATMs.

Here is a simple link that says
http://www.heathrowairport.com/heath.../cash-machines

Fiddle with the link to see all services.

alanRow

Unless you are travelling with steamer trunks I can't see any reason why you shouldn't take the Tube. You aren't travelling in rush hour and it's only a few hundred yards to the hotel. The coach service is definitely a non-starter as Victoria is miles from your hotel, the coach station is 10-15 minutes walk from Victoria Station and you'll still have to pay for the Tueb ride to Gloucester Road.

I trust that you do know about the offers on daysoutguide.com which would require you to travel to Victoria train station to pick up the correct Travelcards

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...coupons.cfm?36

Phil

Leslie:

In general I am all for taking the tube from LHR: Gloucester Road is on the Piccadilly (dark blue) line that runs from Heathrow to Central London, service is frequent and rather faster than by car, van or bus.

There might however be a problem with Gloucester Road tube station: no escalators. The deep-level platforms are served by lifts which are located a flight of stairs (26 steps to be precise) above platform level.

So, if you are not comfortable lugging your bags up a flight of stairs, you should consider a car service.

Hope this helps.

Phil.

LeslieC

Thank you all for your kind replies. We decided to book the car service with Just Airports. I have done the Piccadilly line into London some years ago with my cousin. I thought it was fine but, hubby and are a now in our 60's and would like to avoid too much luggage hassle if we can anticipate ways to avoid it.

annhig

Hi Leslie,

in your place, i might well have done the same. apart from Paris, where we deliberately book hotels within walking distance of an RER B station to make the journey from CDG as easy as possible, we tend to get a taxi from the airport to our accommodation; on the way back, when [hopefully] we are a bit more comfortable with public transport, we often use it on the return journey.

hope you have a terrific trip!