Black cabs in London
 

We'll be taking a taxi from Heathrow into London...after our very early arrival in the morning. I was thinking of reserving one of those black cabs..my husband has a bad back..and I thought a roomy taxi would be good after the long plane ride.Are they really more comfortable than a regular taxi? Anyone ever try one? <BR>

Fodors <BR> <BR>For us Londoners, black cabs are the regular cabs, and mere ordinary cars are "mini-cabs". Black cabs are indeed roomy, comfortable, and easy to board and leave (in a wheelchair, if you like !) but they cost a bomb. So you might think of two seats on the Heathrow Express, fifteen minutes in spacious comfort to Paddington station, at ten piunds each. Then at Paddington the walk from the train to the taxis is a short one. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to London. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR>

Renee, <BR>Don't take a regular cab (way too expensive) and I'm afraid I must disagree with Ben Haines (who is a wonderful contributor to this Forum) and say do not take the Express Train into Paddington and then take a taxi to the hotel - that will cost as much as a Driver Service will. We always use a service to pick us up/drop us off and it is wonderful. There are several on line (London Transport - forgot their web address, www.chauffeur.uk is another, plus there are a few others). You contact them, they meet you as you come out of immigration holding a sign with your name on it. You are taken door to door in a car (normal car, not a black cab) for about 30-35 pounds plus tip. It's the only sane way to do it. I'd never even think about dragging luggage on the Underground (I know people will tell you to do this) just to save some money - it has to be the worst beginning to any trip to turn yourself into a pack mule trying to get up and down escalators and stairs in the underground. Go with a driver pick up service, you won't regret having a pleasant, relaxing beginning to your vacation. Also, services charge a flat fee so if you are stuck in traffic you know it won't be higher (unlike a regular cab). If you want to do the black cab thing wait till you are in London and take one to the theater or something - or some day when you are totally pooped from sightseeing!

Sorry that should have been www.chauffer.co.uk - the other one I know of is www.airport-transfers-uk.com. We also used a company called Ambassador Cars from London out to Heathrow and I believe Patrick, another regular on the Forum recommends Swiss Cottage Cars. We've never had a problem with the ones we've used, punctional, clean cars, nice drivers, etc.

Yes, Lori, I heartily agree. (Sorry, Ben, this is the one piece of advice you give that I disagree with). Swiss Cottage Cars (last I knew this summer) still charges 25 pounds for meeting you at Heathrow, helping with your luggage and delivering you right to your door in central London. That's less than the cost of two people taking the Heathrow Express plus a taxi, even with a 2 pound tip, and a whole lot less effort. Swiss Cottage Cars number is <BR>207-431-2700.

Has anyone ever tried the London Shuttle car service from LHR to central London?? <BR> <BR>www.londonshuttle.com -- we are looking for a service for our spring trip.

I just looked at their website, apparently it is shared transport, meaning you might or might not be the first person let off, which can be OK I guess, but if you are numb with jet lag as we are (west coast to Europe is bad) we want to be the only people in the car! If you do use them please post a review tho, it's a subject of great interest on this Forum. I think it also said you can book a private car, but it appears that was more expensive then, for example, London Transport or Swiss Cottage Cars.

Last April we took the black cab from HolidayInn Bloomsbury to Heathrow & The fare was 8o#. I didn't have quite that much so I put it on my charge card. They charged a 10% charge card fee to my tab. What a ripoff. I join the crowd against Ben if your husband has back problems he doesn't need the train with bags.

Lori: How long does it take to fly from the west coast to Heathrow? <BR> <BR>It takes a minimum of 23 hours to fly from Sydney to Heathrow. Now that's bad jet lag.

I just used the Black Cab service at Christmas from Heathrow to London. After a long flight, I could not be bothered dragging my luggage on a train. It was expensive, that part I agree with. However, it was nice to be met with a sign as you exit cutoms and not worry. If you can find a less expensive service thats what I would vote for.

Jenny, <BR>Los Angeles to Heathrow cannot compare with Sydney to Heathrow - a flight of that long really can give the term jet lag new meaning I guess :-) From L.A. it's about 10 hours, but you need to be there 2 hours ahead of time and then there is just "getting to the airport" so you can add in more time. Basically it's l o n g!! Coming back is about 11.5 hours so that's not a joy either. After any of these long flights (yours or mine!) having someone holding up a sign with your name on it and taking a comfortable ride into your hotel is a God send tho - I would not do it any other way, at some point comfort is worth more then saving a few pounds/dollars we always say.

Renee, <BR> <BR>Skip the black cab. Like others have said, if you want to catch one later on in your trip, go for it and make sure it's a short trip. Way too much money for my budget. <BR> <BR>We used a transport company, Solar Cars and were very happy we did. They meet you at the airport, take you right to your hotel, and assist with luggage both at the airport and the hotel! What could be better? You may be able to request a minivan, which may cost a pound or two more than a car, but lots of room. From Heathrow, we paid 35 GBP for 3 passengers. In addition to the convenience, our driver was a wonderful "tour" guide, pointing out the sites as we passed by on the way into town. I would highly recommend thier service. Contact Mr. Alan Sage at his fax number of +44(020)8874 3228. <BR> <BR>Safe journeys.