I won't be renting a car in London. I don't think my driving on the "wrong" side of the road would be prudent. Speaking of which, I wonder how many accidents were caused by Americans. Anyway, I am coming from Miami to London via Heathrow and love the idea of the Heathrow express being a direct shot. But, it's limited me to Paddington hotels. Is that really the best idea or is there some simple alternative I am missing? Maybe taking a tube from the airport to better location..... (love pubs, touring gardens, foodie, and nightlife - won't be going to museums)

1) You have to be out of your mind to rent a car in London. It's like wanting to rent a car when you visit Manhattan.

2) Heathrow express is expensive and you don't want to stay near Paddington really. If you stay anywhere along the Piccadilly line on the tube, it's also a "direct shot" from Heathrow - no change needed. Along the Piccadilly line, you can consider hotels in Bloomsbury (Russell Sq stop), or S Kensington area.

Why is it so important to take the Heathrow Express? I've been to London many times, and I have yet to do so.

My favorite locations are around Covent Garden, or in Bloomsbury.

You can always get a car service if it's too overwhelming to consider the tube, but if you get a hotel located near the Piccadilly Line, then it's quite easy.

Thank you. I have problem of missing planes. Yes, even international flights. It usually happens that we are having a good time and then find ourselves sprinting through the airort. Only reason why we would want to stay right next to a direct shot.

You can always stay right next to a Piccadilly Underground line station....

If that is your concern, you could book a Paddington hotel or an airport hotel for your last night in London.

If you're concerned about getting to the airport and want to be right next to a tube station on the Picadilly line try the Bailey's Hotel...the Gloucester Tube station is right across the street and very handy to the airport and all of central London as it's connected to three tube lines.

If you're that worried about missing your flight, here are your options:

1) Pre-arrange a car service to pick you up from your hotel to take you to the airport

2) Head to the airport the night before and stay at an airport hotel

Most trans-atlantic flights from London-US depart in the AM, so unless you're partying all night the night before, you really won't have time to do any sightseeing in the morning of your flight home.

We've stayed at Bailey's at Gloucester Rd tube station at least 20 times asrecently as last month.. We love the convenience of the neighborhood.

I can usually find a good rate on Londontown.com Paid 88 GBP for a LARGE room last month

Just to be clear for the OP... NOT including wait times:

Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes to get from Paddington to Heathrow

Piccadilly line on the tube takes 30-45 minutes to get from Central London to Heathrow

Once you arrive at Heathrow, depending on which terminal, it can easily be another 5-10 minute walk from the station to the check-in desks.

The bottom line is, leave yourself with PLENTY of time to get to Heathrow for your departure flight, no matter whether you're taking HEX or the Tube. There are a gazillion of duty free shops inside the terminals that they can keep you busy for hours (don't forget to board your plane though!).

funny yk

Hi; Last time in London, from Heathrow, I think I remember getting off at Victoria Station and walking to our hotel. The hotel is in a decent location near Buckingham Palace. Richard www.limetreehotel.co.uk

Richard, I suspect you are thinking of taking the Gatwick Express from Gatwick. There's no direct route to Victoria Station from Heathrow.

>>There's no direct route to Victoria Station from Heathrow<<

But there's an easy change at Hammersmith (just walk across the platform). So the basic point, that the OP needn't be tied to Paddington, applies - lots of much more central places are within easy reach of Heathrow for the return flight.

And if I may say so, if you're the kind of person who tends to cut it fine, the answer is not to make arrangements that depend on your cutting it finer by 20 minutes or so.

I don't understand why you think you have to stay in Paddington hotels even if you take the Heathrow Express. There are ways of getting around London other than renting a car, such as taking a cab. I have taken Healthrow Express and liked it a lot, but I was staying in South Kensington, so took a cab from there to my hotel. It didn't cost that much, maybe 10 pounds, I forget, but it wasn't that much.

<i>I have taken Healthrow Express and liked it a lot, but I was staying in South Kensington, so took a cab from there to my hotel. It didn't cost that much, maybe 10 pounds, I forget, but it wasn't that much.</i>

But that involves making a change in Paddington; vs a direct ride from Heathrow via Piccadilly line. I don't think it will be any faster than taking the tube all the way to S Ken. Plus, the OP is worried that they will miss their flight by cutting it close. So, on their departure day, taking a cab from S Ken to Paddington risks getting stuck in traffic.

In addition, there is a huge difference in costs. Since the OP says "we", I assume there is 2 of them. HEX is £18pp one-way. So £18x2 + £10 (cab ride) = £46

If they take the tube, even if they pay cash fare, it's only £4pp, for a total of £4x2 = £8. The HEX + taxi option will be almost 6 times more expensive, and not necessarily faster nor simpler.

Thank you all. You helped me from making a poor choice. I chose the Metropolitan hotel off of Hyde Park and a block away from the Piccadilly line. It is right where I would want to be. Thanks again.