2 days in London - advice needed!
Jan 5th, 2008, 03:20 PM
#1
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2 days in London - advice needed!
Hello!
My 16 year old son & I will be spending 2 days in London on the way to Italy -- we arrive Sunday 6/16 at 9AM (from LA) and need to fly out Tuesday AM.
We fly into Heathrow -- what is the best budget option for getting into London?
I would like advice on where to stay so that we are centrally located -- will try to book on priceline per the advice here.
Also, for our flight to Rome Tuesday AM should we fly out of Heathrow or Gatwick (we will go on BA, which has morning options out of both)?
And last but not least, what are "must sees" for our short time there? Are the tour-type buses worthwhile and, if so, which one is best and where do we get them?
Thank you very much!!
Michele
My 16 year old son & I will be spending 2 days in London on the way to Italy -- we arrive Sunday 6/16 at 9AM (from LA) and need to fly out Tuesday AM.
We fly into Heathrow -- what is the best budget option for getting into London?
I would like advice on where to stay so that we are centrally located -- will try to book on priceline per the advice here.
Also, for our flight to Rome Tuesday AM should we fly out of Heathrow or Gatwick (we will go on BA, which has morning options out of both)?
And last but not least, what are "must sees" for our short time there? Are the tour-type buses worthwhile and, if so, which one is best and where do we get them?
Thank you very much!!
Michele
Jan 5th, 2008, 03:46 PM
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The least expensive way into London from Heathrow is the tube, but if you have a lot of luggage it can be a hassle. The next best if you are going to Paddington is the First Capital Connect train. If you are staying near Victoria you can take a National Express bus to Victoria Coach Station.
Personally, I would fly out of Gatwick -- it's a smaller airport than Heathrow. Take the Southern Train from Victoria Train Station to Gatwick.
If you do decide to fly out of Gatwick I would stay in the Victoria area to make getting to the airport easier. We have stayed at the Thistle Victoria and really enjoyed it, but it can be pricey.
Enjoy your trip,
Personally, I would fly out of Gatwick -- it's a smaller airport than Heathrow. Take the Southern Train from Victoria Train Station to Gatwick.
If you do decide to fly out of Gatwick I would stay in the Victoria area to make getting to the airport easier. We have stayed at the Thistle Victoria and really enjoyed it, but it can be pricey.
Enjoy your trip,
Jan 5th, 2008, 04:22 PM
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If you have limited luggage and can manage stairs, tube would be the cheapest option to get in from Heathrow to London.
If you're staying close to Paddington, Heathrow Express may make sense, but you'll probably end up paying less--especially with two people--to get a car service than two people paying Heathrow Express then taking a taxi from Paddington. (BTW, HEX tickets will more more expensive if you buy on the train. Gatwick Express train tickets would cost the same if you buy in advance or onboard.)
"Must See"? Hard to recommend not knowing your interests. Hop on/hop off buses are good to give you general sense of the city. Days are quite long in June--good for walking around southern bank of Thames. Don't miss Regent's Park--you might get there in time for early roses. Go to popular destinations (eg London Tower) early.
You really have 1.5 days as you probably won't get to London/check-in till probably close to mid-day, and you'll probably have to head to the airport Tue morning.
If you're staying close to Paddington, Heathrow Express may make sense, but you'll probably end up paying less--especially with two people--to get a car service than two people paying Heathrow Express then taking a taxi from Paddington. (BTW, HEX tickets will more more expensive if you buy on the train. Gatwick Express train tickets would cost the same if you buy in advance or onboard.)
"Must See"? Hard to recommend not knowing your interests. Hop on/hop off buses are good to give you general sense of the city. Days are quite long in June--good for walking around southern bank of Thames. Don't miss Regent's Park--you might get there in time for early roses. Go to popular destinations (eg London Tower) early.
You really have 1.5 days as you probably won't get to London/check-in till probably close to mid-day, and you'll probably have to head to the airport Tue morning.
Jan 5th, 2008, 04:40 PM
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Thanks for the advice! I was "playing around" on Priceline and ended up getting the Hilton Olympia in the Kensington area (or on the outskirts) for $77/night. From what I read, not the most central location or most desireable hotel, but at that price I will take it!
So, now the transport question is how to get to the hotel from Heathrow Sunday morning (tube to Kensington High Station and then a bus? We are traveling light in terms of luggage) and then how to get to Gatwick Tuesday morning -- our plane leves at 8 am.
Thanks!
Michele
So, now the transport question is how to get to the hotel from Heathrow Sunday morning (tube to Kensington High Station and then a bus? We are traveling light in terms of luggage) and then how to get to Gatwick Tuesday morning -- our plane leves at 8 am.
Thanks!
Michele
Jan 5th, 2008, 05:37 PM
#5
The Olympia Hilton is just fine. It is between Kensington and Earls Court, is well kept and the service is great.
The only downside is the Olympia tube station doesn't have quite as frequent trains as most other stations and you have to change trains at Earls Court. But there are bus stops right outside the hotel that will get you anywhere in the city.
To get there from LHR, take the tube to Earls Court and then change to an Olympia District line train just one more stop.
To get from the hotel to LGW you can catch a train (regular train - not tube) right to Gatwick. To get to LHR - tube to EC and then Piccadilly line to Heathrow.
The only downside is the Olympia tube station doesn't have quite as frequent trains as most other stations and you have to change trains at Earls Court. But there are bus stops right outside the hotel that will get you anywhere in the city.
To get there from LHR, take the tube to Earls Court and then change to an Olympia District line train just one more stop.
To get from the hotel to LGW you can catch a train (regular train - not tube) right to Gatwick. To get to LHR - tube to EC and then Piccadilly line to Heathrow.
Jan 5th, 2008, 11:32 PM
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Why are you flying out of Gatwick?
The fact that it's smaller than Heathrow is a good argument for avoiding it: it still handles more international passengers than any airport in the US (yup: inlcuding JFK and LAX) and can be every bit as ghastly or (most of the time) utterly painless as Heathrow. Indeed with only one runway, and only two overcrowded terminals, the chances of true horror are, in my experience, a great deal higher than at Heathrow.
But early in the morning, from "Kensington" (or in your case, Olympia), it's much more of a pain to get to than Heathrow.
Apart from the wonderful London City (virtually always a joy to use), there are only two sensible criteria for choosing an airport in London:
- how convenient is it to where you're going to be. There simply isn't, apart from London City, one airport that's more convenient - or pleasant to use - than the others
- how good a deal you can get.
The fact that it's smaller than Heathrow is a good argument for avoiding it: it still handles more international passengers than any airport in the US (yup: inlcuding JFK and LAX) and can be every bit as ghastly or (most of the time) utterly painless as Heathrow. Indeed with only one runway, and only two overcrowded terminals, the chances of true horror are, in my experience, a great deal higher than at Heathrow.
But early in the morning, from "Kensington" (or in your case, Olympia), it's much more of a pain to get to than Heathrow.
Apart from the wonderful London City (virtually always a joy to use), there are only two sensible criteria for choosing an airport in London:
- how convenient is it to where you're going to be. There simply isn't, apart from London City, one airport that's more convenient - or pleasant to use - than the others
- how good a deal you can get.
Jan 6th, 2008, 01:48 AM
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The Kensington Olympia Hilton is quite a hike from Olympia station:
http://tinyurl.com/3x9mcl
From Heathrow, you could take the tube. If you're going to Olympia station, change at Hammersmith to the District Line eastbound, as you only have to cross the platform there, and when you get to Earl's Court wait on the same platform (if you stay on the Piccadilly Line to Earl's Court, you've got stairs and escalators to negotiate).
You might be able to find a taxi at Olympia, and there's level access to the street, which may be a consideration with luggage. You're more likely to find a taxi at Earl's Court, but you'd have to go up a couple of flights of stairs and walk a bit to the Warwick Road exit (rear of the train) - any taxi from the Earl's Court Road exit will have to go round the block.
I didn't pick up what time your flight out to Rome would be, but for what it's worth trains from Olympia to Gatwick this coming Tuesday start at 6.17 am, arriving 7.11am, and there appears to be one every 15 minutes at that time of the morning - www.nationalrail.co.uk.
However, you'd have to get a taxi from the hotel to Olympia, or to Earl's Court for Heathrow (more frequent service but taking about the same time).
I agree with flanner: all airports can be zoos - it all depends what sort of deal you get on the flight.
http://tinyurl.com/3x9mcl
From Heathrow, you could take the tube. If you're going to Olympia station, change at Hammersmith to the District Line eastbound, as you only have to cross the platform there, and when you get to Earl's Court wait on the same platform (if you stay on the Piccadilly Line to Earl's Court, you've got stairs and escalators to negotiate).
You might be able to find a taxi at Olympia, and there's level access to the street, which may be a consideration with luggage. You're more likely to find a taxi at Earl's Court, but you'd have to go up a couple of flights of stairs and walk a bit to the Warwick Road exit (rear of the train) - any taxi from the Earl's Court Road exit will have to go round the block.
I didn't pick up what time your flight out to Rome would be, but for what it's worth trains from Olympia to Gatwick this coming Tuesday start at 6.17 am, arriving 7.11am, and there appears to be one every 15 minutes at that time of the morning - www.nationalrail.co.uk.
However, you'd have to get a taxi from the hotel to Olympia, or to Earl's Court for Heathrow (more frequent service but taking about the same time).
I agree with flanner: all airports can be zoos - it all depends what sort of deal you get on the flight.
Jan 6th, 2008, 05:31 AM
#9
PatrickLondon: I think you've confused the Kensington Olympia Hilton w/ the Kensington Hilton. (at least the arrow on the map you linked is to the wrong one.) The "Kensington Olympia" is on Kens High street just up the road from the Exhibition Centre. The "Kensington" is up on Holland Park Rd.
But never mind since the trains to Gatwick don't start early enough for the OP's 0800 flight in any case.
mslambert: It sounds like you've already booked your flight out of LGW so not much to do about it now. Just get a cab from the hotel to Victoria and train from there.
But never mind since the trains to Gatwick don't start early enough for the OP's 0800 flight in any case.
mslambert: It sounds like you've already booked your flight out of LGW so not much to do about it now. Just get a cab from the hotel to Victoria and train from there.
Jan 6th, 2008, 06:28 AM
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As for "must sees," I would try to get your son to review some of the many choices and help you decide. However if he is like my 17 year old son this may be hard, especially if the main focus of the trip is Italy.
Knowing our son and his interests I would probably suggest the following to him:
Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament
Inns of Court and Old Bailey
British Museum
A show
Hyde Park Speaker's corner
Many people would list the Tower as
a must see--I just don't think my own son would be as interested in it as in some of the other sights.
I would not bother with the Changing of the Guard
The hop on/hop off buses are probably the best way to get a good overview
Knowing our son and his interests I would probably suggest the following to him:
Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament
Inns of Court and Old Bailey
British Museum
A show
Hyde Park Speaker's corner
Many people would list the Tower as
a must see--I just don't think my own son would be as interested in it as in some of the other sights.
I would not bother with the Changing of the Guard
The hop on/hop off buses are probably the best way to get a good overview
Jan 6th, 2008, 06:35 AM
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The Olympia tube stop(outdoor tracks, no real station) is right behind the Hilton Olympia, but service is very spotty. You have to change at Earl's Court to a branch that ends there, and you can wait a long time (and be late for your play) for a train.
The Kensington High Street station is about 15 minutes walk. There are very frequent buses up and down Kensington High St to take you to the High Street station, with lots of trains, ticket machines and a manned ticket booth.
The Kensington High Street station is about 15 minutes walk. There are very frequent buses up and down Kensington High St to take you to the High Street station, with lots of trains, ticket machines and a manned ticket booth.
Jan 6th, 2008, 07:39 AM
#12
I've stayed at the Olympia Hilton a couple of times - and only a very few instances took a bus to get to the tube station - especially since it is only on the Circle and District lines. Usually it is easier and quicker to just get on the right bus that takes where you want to go. The bus service along there is excellent and you can get to Victoria, Trafalgar Square, Oxford Circus, Knightsbridge - just lots of places w/o having to change.
Jan 6th, 2008, 05:19 PM
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From LHR to Hilton Olympia by pubilc transport (I have done the route quite a few times), it will be easier to take Piccadilly Line from Heathrow to Hammersmith, take lift upstair, then take escalator up to the bus terminal, bus #9, #10 or #27, in less than 10 minutes will drop you off right in front of Hotel.
