Best Car service from Heathrow airport to Waldorf Hilton in London
Aug 21st, 2012, 03:12 AM
#21
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Any car service is as good as the driver and the traffic that day. An accident ahead can make for a lot of sitting.
Our wonderful driver on a recent trip in heavy traffic drove like a Bostonian. He got off the motorway at the exits, crossed the intersecting road, and reentered the motorway by coming down the entrance slip roads, gaining roughly half a mile at every exit. I do not mention his company because this is probably illegal, but we did get there in a fairly speedy time. I also like drivers who know when to get off the motorway and drive on suburban streets. Since you are paying by the trip, you don't care about the distance or the route.
Our wonderful driver on a recent trip in heavy traffic drove like a Bostonian. He got off the motorway at the exits, crossed the intersecting road, and reentered the motorway by coming down the entrance slip roads, gaining roughly half a mile at every exit. I do not mention his company because this is probably illegal, but we did get there in a fairly speedy time. I also like drivers who know when to get off the motorway and drive on suburban streets. Since you are paying by the trip, you don't care about the distance or the route.
Aug 21st, 2012, 07:42 AM
#23
travel_nana: "<i>Being we are coming from New York, do you think they would take US dollars? We will be doing our exchange when we get there.</i>"
Two BIG issues there:
1) use £, not $
2) DON'T 'exchange' anywhere. Crazy/expensive idea. Leave your $$ in your checking account and use your ATM/debit card to get currency when you need it. There are cash machines/ATMs inside the arrivals hall at the airport.
(You <i>could</i> buy a few £ from your local bank in NYC, but didn't get too much because it will be expensive)
Two BIG issues there:
1) use £, not $
2) DON'T 'exchange' anywhere. Crazy/expensive idea. Leave your $$ in your checking account and use your ATM/debit card to get currency when you need it. There are cash machines/ATMs inside the arrivals hall at the airport.
(You <i>could</i> buy a few £ from your local bank in NYC, but didn't get too much because it will be expensive)
Aug 22nd, 2012, 05:24 AM
#26
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Janisj and mztery, Thanks for the answers. Some places in Europe did take U.S. dollars last time we went. Have never been to London before. I guess we will just use our credit card. Hooameys, your answer is no, sorry wasn't really thinking in that way. Getting too excited about our trip and all the last minute details. Only three more days!!
Aug 22nd, 2012, 08:28 AM
#27
"<i>Some places in Europe did take U.S. dollars last time we went.</i>"
Sure - LOTS of places take dollars. But <B>1)</B> you pay through the nose w/ a truly lousy exchange rate, and <B>2)</B> that is a really unfortunate reflection on Americans that we might insist on using US$ in Europe! Do you want ¥ or € or £ in NY?
Now there are <i>some countries</i> that gladly take $ and sometimes even at a decent exchange - but that isn't in most European/developed countries.
Sure - LOTS of places take dollars. But <B>1)</B> you pay through the nose w/ a truly lousy exchange rate, and <B>2)</B> that is a really unfortunate reflection on Americans that we might insist on using US$ in Europe! Do you want ¥ or € or £ in NY?
Now there are <i>some countries</i> that gladly take $ and sometimes even at a decent exchange - but that isn't in most European/developed countries.
Aug 22nd, 2012, 03:14 PM
#28
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To answer Seamus' question....(sorry about the delay).
I have used Exclusive Airports twice. The first time was fantastic obviously and thus I booked them again. The car that picked us up was a 7 seater with 1 broken seatbelt and 2 seats fitted incorrectly thus making them impossible to use with a seatbelt. So, that left 4 seats for 5 passengers (including 3 children that were supposed to be in childseats that I had booked but were not provided) plus the driver! The drivers response was "I'll drive slowly" WHAAAT.
Driver refused to call another car, my husband had to dismantle seats with no help from driver nor a manual and reassemble them. Hardly an apology or thanks.
Since found out that EA is effectively a booking agent for 5 companies so it's a bit pot luck which one you'll get. Personally, I won't ever be paying them money for the privilege of not receiving satisfactory service and risking lives.
I have used Exclusive Airports twice. The first time was fantastic obviously and thus I booked them again. The car that picked us up was a 7 seater with 1 broken seatbelt and 2 seats fitted incorrectly thus making them impossible to use with a seatbelt. So, that left 4 seats for 5 passengers (including 3 children that were supposed to be in childseats that I had booked but were not provided) plus the driver! The drivers response was "I'll drive slowly" WHAAAT.
Driver refused to call another car, my husband had to dismantle seats with no help from driver nor a manual and reassemble them. Hardly an apology or thanks.
Since found out that EA is effectively a booking agent for 5 companies so it's a bit pot luck which one you'll get. Personally, I won't ever be paying them money for the privilege of not receiving satisfactory service and risking lives.
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