I have read (somewhere) that the Airbus makes 2 or 3 stops and I'm hoping that one of them is in Greenpark. If not, do you know where the Airbus does stop? And if there is a 3 star hotel within walking (and rolling luggage!) distance?

The AirBus makes many stops between LHR and Kings Cross but none at/near Green Park. All of the stops are in the northern part of central London - i.e. Bayswater, Marble Arch, Baker St, etc.

But the tube does stop at Green Park, so if green Park is where you want to stay and budget is an issue - just take the tube. . . .

I agree with Janis. If you are travelling from Heathrow to Green Park don't get the Airbus, get the tube. It takes 40 minutes or so and is direct.

Why are you set on getting the Airbus, so much so that it sounds like you'll pick your hotel based on where it stops?

Thanks for the reply, Janis and Dave. The reason I was thinking so hard about the airbus was because of the luggage issue - not having to carry it upstairs at the tube stop for example. Somewhere (I think) I read that the Airbus stop was directly at a hotel, so was hoping to get an idea where the stops are. What about the Green Park Tube stop - are there many steps up to ground level? I don't think there is a lift there.

To be honest - rather than picking a hotel because it is at an AirBus stop so I wouldn't have to schlepp luggage, I would pack light enough I could manage the tube.

Pick a hotel that sounds good to you and then re-post and we can tell you the best way to get there . . . .

We just returned from London and did take the A2 bus and it was great. We stayed at the Columbia Hotel on Lancaster Gate and our room faced Bayswater and overlooked Hyde Park. The A2 bus stopped just steps from the hotel so it was perfect. The hotel was typical old and creaky, but we were happy there, and it did have an elevator. YOu know some of the old small hotels don't and you have to lug your luggage up 3 flights of stairs. So you might want to check out this hotel. We decided on the A2 bus because it did go right by our hotel. The tube would have meant 2 changes. BUT if our hotel had been on the Piccadilly Line, I would have taken the tube and suffered with the 'once only' lug up and out of the tube. ONce , I could handle!
I'm not really sure where there are any budget hotels around Green Park.
Good luck.

At Green Park station, after the escalator up, there are 2 short sections of stairs (each about 5-6 steps) up to the street level.

Great answers and thanks for taking the time.

Kodi - just what I was hoping for!!! I have already emailed the Columbia (Friday) and hoping to hear from them today or tomorrow. I do have a couple of questions for you if you have the time to answer.

Did you notice the rooms being noisy - hall noise etc? I read some TripAdvisor reports and they were about half and half - the negative half talked about a "rock & roll hotel with parties in the halls" (!) Just wondering, as we have good earplugs just in case.
And the busstop - did you ask to be let off at the Columbia? I did a bus schedule check and it only listed the Lancaster Gate Station and it's about 1/2 mile, so I was wondering how you got so lucky.

And JudiC, thanks for the info about the GreenPark tube - that will be our 2nd choice if the Columbia does not work out.

HI Brahmama,
I read the same reports that you did and was also a bit worried. But the hotel was very, very quiet. NO sign of any rock bands or partiers for that matter. In fact for the first few days we joked and wondered if we were the only ones there. Even the breakfast room was mostly empty. We saw only a few other people. The weekend got busier ( in the breakfast room, I mean) but still quiet.
I know what you are saying about the bus stop. I had read the same thing.
But the hotel is actually about halfway between the Queensgate tube and the Lancaster Gate tube. But the actual bus stop is between the two stations right near the hotel. So as soon as you pass Notting HIll and start to see Hyde Park and see the Queensway tube station, you'll know to get up to get off. But the Bus driver will let you know. He pointed out the hotel to us as we got off the bus. So just keep walking in the same direction as the bus was going and right there at the next corner (on the far corner, so cross the side road)you will see the hotel...a white building. Maybe a 2 minute walk at most. Clear as mud???
Good luck.
And if you do stay there, catch the number 12 bus at the same stop to get to the tourist sights. This bus has a great route.

kodi - GREAT!
Thanks so much for the detailed explanations. I have copied it all and pasted to my London file. Now if they will just email me back! Probably tomorrow...
more questions? Where do you catch the A2 bus? It's our first time to land at Heathrow, so we are going to have to find our way around. We need to find an ATM and get our luggage of course and then find the Airbus. I found some info - but none about when or how often it runs.
Was it crowded? Did you sit on top? I am really wanting to ride the red double decker bus in from the airport! I hated the idea of being in the tube for an hour. Did you find any great places to eat in the vicinity of the hotel? We just have the day - want to go to Phantom that night and then leave the next morning for Dover, so it's a fast trip this time.
Thanks again - looking forward to hearing from you. If you would prefer you can email me at [email protected]

The AirBus is not a traditional red London double decker. It is a modern touring coach with luggage below and seats up top.

It is convenient if you stay somewhere like the Columbia (it used to be the American Officers' Club in London). The hotel is certainly not 1/2 a mile from Lancaster Gate tube station. Probably more like 100 yards.

The route in from LHR is not particularly scenic - until you get close in, nearer to Bayswater Rd/Hyde Park where you will be getting off the bus, there isn't much to see except motorway, suburban housing and industrial areas.

AirBus A2 schedule- 2 buses/hr from 05:30 til 22:00

You can find out more info (where the bus stop is, how much it is etc) about the bus at the website. Just click on "bus" on the Left hand column.

http://www.baa.com/main/airports/hea...ere_frame.html

Hey, Janis,
I just got back from London on Monday, and I definately rode the A2 bus and it definately WAS a double decker bus. I honestly can't swear that it was red, but it sure was double decker. And our luggage was not underneath like on a coach. But rather, there was space for it as we got on. Then we sat upstairs in the front seat.
It was my friends first time in London, so all the views were exciting to us, although perhaps not so for a seasoned traveler.
Again, when we left to come home, we were on a double decker and again sat in the front seat upstairs.

HI Brahmama,
I jsut sent you an email. Hope you got it.
I forgot to answer one question. NO the bus was not crowded. Coming in, we were the only ones on the bus. And , since we were sitting upstairs in the front, we were hoping the driver wasn't going to forget us! Going back again, thre were only about 5 of us.

If I may moderate twixt Janis and kodi: the Airbus is a double decker but not like the other London Transport dds. The luggage is stored in an area behind the driver and the stairs to the upper level are behind that instead of at the rear of the bus. There is no conductor so you must handle your own luggage.

After numerous trips to London, we still take the Airbus whenever it is convenient to our hotel. It's inexpensive and, in my opinion, a nice ride into London.

Thanks, JSmith for being moderator. YOu are very close to being correct. At least for the bus I was on.
No, it was not the traditional bus where you grab the back pole and swing on ....luggage flapping behind
you!!!!! LOL
It was a double decker bus where you do get on the front door, there is a luggage rack on the right as you enter, not behind the driver, and then , yes, the steps go up behind the driver.
I noticed this time that many many local london buses have been upgraded to this newer model, not just the A2.
Traditions always modernize don't they?
There is no longer a conductor to collect fares on the A2 or on regular newer replaced) city buses. YOu deal with the driver. And Oh BTW, the driver DID help with our luggage both ways.

Brahmama,

The Bayswater are where Columbia is located is full of 2-3* hotels. If Columbia doesn't work out, then look here for a nice list:

http://www.london-hotels-guide.co.uk...ater/index.cfm

BTW, I've stayed at the Columbia about 3-4 years ago. It was nothing special, but fairly clean. I did not hear any rock and rollers partying in the hallways. I believe that's a reputation the hotel still has from 60's and 70's. Now it's mostly a family budget hotel. Many eastern Europeans and some Oriental families were there when I stayed. I do like the location.

Don't think that was the reputation from the 60's and 70's either. Back then it was a bachelors' officers billet and the officers' club for the American services. It was open to American officers and their dependents as a hotel when space was available. No rock stars . . . . .

oh - back then it cost $7 per night for a double room

$3.50 per person was pretty good even back then when the average London B&B went for about £8 or £9 per person.

My comments about the bus - I know the AirBus is a "two story" bus. I was just trying to explain it is not a regular London Transport double decker like Brahmama might be expecting by what she said in her post.

I do appreciate all the help and suggestions that all of you have given.
I'm not sure what my expectations were of the bus - I did think that it was a double-decker and had read that it was a nice way to get to London without having to haul your luggage around a lot. And of course I was particularly interested in seeing if there were suitable hotels on that line!
I have contacted both the Columbia (86 pounds inclusive Tax &Eng.Breakfast)and Lancaster Gate (76 pounds inclusive Tax & Eng Breakfast)
They both are located very close to the bus stop. I'm sure we will stay in one of them.
We will probably splurge for a big London Cab (as recommended by mason barge!) and take it to the station to catch our train to Dover.
So what I need now are pubs - Kodi has mentioned The Swan as being handy. And now I need to figure out how to get to the Haymarket to see the Phantom. And the British Museum. That's all we are intending to do! Not enough time this trip, but we will make the most of what we have.
Thanks again, and Cheers!