Getting into London from Heathrow
 

We're arriving on a 7am flight into Heathrow Monday morning, going to a hotel near the S Kensingon tube station. The question is whether to take the tube at that hour of the day or ???. What have been your experiences and recommendations?
thx, alan

Take the tube. You are guaranteed a seat and will avoid all the traffic.

..take the tube (assuming you are travelling light)..another option is the rail link...very fast but more expensive...I would avoid taxi as rush hour..(unless holiday and big budget or a 4 people).I think there have been MANY similar querries and you can type heathrow into the box and get lots more info..have fun

Here's the Heathrow information site for getting there and back by the Tube: http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/h...ere_frame.html

Nobody has mentioned Heathrow Express. It cost 12 GBP one way and takes about 20 minutes to get to Paddington. From there I take a taxi and get a fun minitour for less than 10 GBP.

It's early in the morning, you're going to hit rush hour!

For 40GBP take Aircars2000.com straight from the airport to your hotel hassle free.

I took the tube once and it was less expensive than any other option, but it seemed like the ride was close to an hour. When we arrived at Victoria Station we had to carry our bags up the stairs. For some people this would be no problem, but if you would have difficulty with this, I don't recommend the tube. Personally I would do the Heathrow Express then a cab.

The value of the Heathrow Express is somewhat diluted by the fact once you arrive at Paddington you still need what might be a long taxi ride especially during rush hours.

Despite the nay sayers, there is nothng wrong with taking the tube; especially to S Kensington as the Picadilly line stops there. You will be gettong on the train at the start so you will certainly get a seat and the cars have room for baggage. As you come in towards central London, the train will crowd up but so what, you will be sitting.

Do remember that you will have some stairs to navigate at South Kensington; I believe you will have a lift to near street level as the Picadilly line is in a deep tube there.

If you can manage your baggage without too much trouble, there is nothing wrong with the tube.

The tube is really a good option for S. Ken as long as your luggage isn't too much. You will annoy people if huge suitcases are blocking aisles and taking up seats. Park yourselves as out of the way as possible, by the set of doors that is opposite the platform, and you'll be fine. It goes by fairly quickly, and a good portion of the ride is above ground too.

We always take the tube into London. As long as you can handle your luggage up a flight of stairs, the tube is a great way to get into London inexpensively.

It will take you about an hour - but your hotel room probably isn't ready yet anyway. And the Heathrow Express advertises Heathrow to Paddington in 15 minutes. That may be true, but waiting for the train, the ride in, then either taking a taxi or the tube from Paddington will amount to about the same time as the tube.

You're tired after a long flight, in a strange city, and you want to start going on one of the most uncomfortable, dirty and crowded train systems in the world?

I had the same question and after reading foder's posts, decided the tube would be the best option. One post included the following tube link, which allows you to enter your departure and arrival stops and get detailed instructions:

http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/cgi-bin/tpquery3.exe

Well, m k2, I have taken the tube in from Heathrow 8 times since 1994. Perhaps I was so tired that I didn't notice how uncomfortable, dirty and crowded it was. But I do notice that I saved over £250 over the period and that the money was put towards things a lot more important to me than transportation.

<i>&quot;You're tired after a long flight, in a strange city, and you want to start going on one of the most uncomfortable, dirty and crowded train systems in the world?&quot;</i>

If it saves me lots of money, that's a definite yes. Not all of us can afford a chauffeur driven limo to our Mayfair apartment, Prince Philip. :D

And London's underground system is a lot cleaner than the underground systems in most other major cities.

MK, I looked at the website you referenced but there was no indication of price. Every other car service seems to be in the 50 to 60 GBP range. This one is really 40 GBP?

I'll be arriving at 7 am on Thurs. and I surely won't be riding the tube. I'm taking my niece for her graduation gift and the tube isn't the greatest first impression. I've found Heathrow Express to be a great, comfortable, clean alternative (faster than a taxi) and I really enjoy the short taxi ride from Paddington through the Serpentine as my first glimpse at London.

The tube gives me terrible claustrophobia. For some reason the H. Express doesn't. Probably because most of it is above ground.

to m kingdom2

Now if I were arriving in Frankfurt say it might pain me to take an underground u bahn train as I don't speak a word of German (well may be a word or 2)

The fact is that believe it or not the language of the UK is......English. All signs are in English, the Underground personnel speak.....English. London is far from strange.

The Underground signs in the various terminals at Heathrow are very clear, there are some moving walkways. You bravely march up to the clerk in the booking office and make your needs known (BTW you can buy 7 day passes at Heathrow with extensions for that day or you can buy, if it is after 930, an all day pass which makes the trip in from Heathrow even cheaper.

So you bravely march down to the platform, as tired as hell probably and if you are terminal 1,2 or 3, there will be a train waiting. If it is crowded, amble across to the opposite platfor, put your luggage in the luggage areas provided on the carriages on these trains, plop yourself into a seat and relax. The Picadilly line runs express from Acton Town to Hammersmith, suddenly you will be at Barons Court, then Earls Court, then Gluester Rd and voila South Kensington. The signs are clearly marked in.......English. You will see signs on the train telling you the train is headed for Cockfosters (love that name). At several stops you will hear a recording telling you to mind the gap. You will hear annoucements saying this train is ready to depart. Mind the closing doors. And guess what...all the annoucements will be in....English.

London is really a great European city for Americans to start in because throughout the city you will see lots of tributes to our common heritage like it or not. You will see lots of McDonalds, Burger Kings, KFC's, 7-11's, Pizza Huts and the food will taste exactly the same. Lots of great differences, of course, but you will rarely get home sick in London. And when you get to your hotel and turn on the telly, guess what.....most of the stations will be in.....English. You can even watch the Weakest Link with the same brash woman who did the show when it was on in America.

I just don't buy all these admonitions about travelling to London. Now, if we are talking about Paris or Frankfurt, I might buy into being apprehensive about public transportation. But come on guys, not in London.

We loved the London tube..fast, fairly cheap and very extensive. Makes me wonder whether mkingdom2 has every left the States let alone visited London!!

No lifes at South Ken just 2 short flights of stairs and usually crowds to push thru!

Sorry that is LIFTS..what is your hotel, it may be further than you thik!

Very few London residents appreciate the tube, it's not comfortable, it's not luxurious, it's not clean.

As for Aircars2000's prices - give them a call, ask for Iain Meyer and explain your requirements and that you'll be paying cash - he should offer it to you for 40GBP cash.

You're right...the tube is not comfortable, it's not luxurious and it's not all that clean.

But it's cheap and will get you from point A (Heathrow) to point B (S. Kensington) in about 50 minutes. And as indicated, if it is after 0930 and you are taking at least 2 more tube trips that day, it costs about &pound;1.50 compared to &pound;15 for the Paddington Express plus whatever the taxi fare is.

Thank MK. I will call.

Gee everyone. Different strokes and all that. Some people just travel differently. You don't have to justify your choices.

Are you sure that the tube ride from Heathrow in is about 1.50?

I thought that a single-ride ticket within Zone 1 alone is 2.30.

By the way, if you take the tube from Heathrow and plan to take the tube again, you should get a Zone 1-6 Travelcard, good for the entire day. It will save you a lot of money this way. Should be a bit over 5 pounds. In any case, the tube ride from Heathrow to the city center is close to 5 pounds (I think), so getting the Travelcard isn't much more expensive and it will probably save you money. I tend to forget to do this and then regret it.

Even after I've made a two/three/four hour flight between two European destinations it is rather tiring, I couldn't imagine having to step out of the airport, go on a train that I'm not familiar with, wheeling my heavy cases behind me, having to watch for my stop, change lines, and all with lots of people in the way.

For the sake of a meal, a drink (if you have to sacrifice something) take a private car or taxi (i wouldn't advise taxis in London as these are more expensive than private chauffeur drive) and arrive quickly, comfortably and with minimum fuss.

Then, of course, the tube also offers a carnet (like the Paris Metro), which gives you ten (?) rides at reduced prices. You should probably compare this with getting a Travelcard. If you plan to use the tube a lot upon arrival, I'd say the Zone 1-6 Travelcard is probably a very good deal.

Sorry xyz, I misread the 1.50. We're probably suggesting the same sort of deal with a Travelcard.

<i>&quot;Very few London residents appreciate the tube, it's not comfortable, it's not luxurious, it's not clean.&quot;</i>

I'm willing to bet that a great many Londoners appreciate it when it isn't running for whatever reason (strike, repairs, etc...) and they have to find an alternative way to work.

Coming from a country that doesn't have a good public transportation system, I can appreciate the advantages of such a system. I would take public transportation to work if it were available. And if it were clean, comfortable and luxurious, it would be prohibitively expensive as a mass transportation system.

The tube is poorly priced - you pay the same price for a round trip on the circle line (just an example of a long distance) as one stop - it's expensive. I never ever use it - too many unpleasant odours and people. Walk or take a taxi - far more pleasant.

As I remember fares...

A single from Heathrow to Central London is something like &pound;3.60

Central London singles are &pound;2

Zone 1 to 6 travelcard is around &pound;5.10 off peak.

Single day off peak zone 1 &amp; 2 travelcard is &pound;4.30

So if you're taking at least one more trip that day on the tube, it pays to get the zone 1 to 6 travel card

If you were buying a zone 1 &amp; 2 travelcard which is &pound;4.30 the zone 1 to 6 travelcard is only about &pound;1.50 more....

There are many references for car services if you do a search in the box for chauffer services (justairports.com; ray skinner, etc.) I have to agree that after about 15-18 hours all said and done between home and London, I don't want to deal with much more than getting to my hotel and certainly don't want to be lugging our luggage around after me like a reluctant puppy. We are using Just Airports/cash basis and paying about 40 gbp round trip, worth every penny in my book.

Have fun planning, there are soooo many options out there, londontown.com has car services listed at discount prices as well.

J!

Agree with m_kingdom2 that a car service is a good option. I can recommend JustAirports, I believe pick-up at Heathrow is @25GBP cash - return is @22GBP cash.

Disagree with m_kingdom2 that the tube is dirty and uncomfortable.

JoeG

There are many references for car services if you do a search in the box for chauffer services (justairports.com; ray skinner, etc.) I have to agree that after about 15-18 hours all said and done between home and London in tight quarters on an airplane, I don't want to deal with much more than getting to my hotel and certainly don't want to be lugging our luggage around after me like a reluctant puppy. We are using Just Airports/cash basis and paying about 40 gbp round trip, worth every penny in my book.

Have fun planning, there are soooo many options out there, londontown.com has car services listed at discount prices as well.

J!

oops...puter burped! Sorry for the duplication!
J!

<i>&quot;The tube is poorly priced - you pay the same price for a round trip on the circle line (just an example of a long distance) as one stop - it's expensive. I never ever use it - too many unpleasant odours and people. Walk or take a taxi - far more pleasant.&quot;</i>

I can see where a Londoner wouldn't use it for short distances, but for people commuting in from further out, or for tourists who make frequent trips in a single day, it is very economical - especially if using a TravelCard. I drive 80 miles a day to/from work and fill up my gas tank about twice a week. I'd gladly take public transportation if it were available.

KayB, I surely agree with you about the wish for good public transportation, especially in the southwest..nothing here and about the same drive to work that you have. We have our travel card for after we arrive in London and will use it generously for the tube and bus. The tube/bus system, for non-londoner's, is easy to use, relatively clean, and takes a burden off of trying to drive in a huge/new city. Quite frankly, after having lived in a city with pretty good transportation and then moving here, I really miss having the back up of a god transportation system.

o.k. have the inexpensive typing fingers on today apparently...meant the &quot;good&quot; instead of &quot;god&quot; transportation...blah...blah.

J!

Well said Kayb95. I take the tube to get out to the B&amp;B. Very easy and very cheap. 40 GBP for one car ride in London? I paid 38GBP for a London-Rome return. MK2 maybe you should stop traveling if a 2 or 3 hour flight tires you out. I fly 11 hours to London from California and I start my holiday immediately. And you are the person I see standing at the carousel waiting for your heavy suitcases while I take my one carry on bag out of the airport.

I am a fan of using the tube to get to and from Heathrow and have no trouble dealing with it after an 8 hour flight (always evening arrivals).

Here's what I did on a recent trip.

My flight arrived in Heathrow early on a weekend morning via AC.

As a member of the AC Maple Leaf Club, I took advantage of their arrivals lounge which you can get to after passing through UK immigration and customs. There, I showered, changed, had a relaxing continental breakfast, and read the papers.

Then I walked about 10 steps to the Airbus stop which is in the median just outside the Maple Leaf Club. The bus arrived on schedule and, about 45-50 minutes later, dropped me off virtually in front of my hotel door (in the Gloucester Road area). Fare was about 8GBP. There were about 7 people on the bus altogether. Traffic was not a problem. If arriving on a weekend and if your hotel is en route, this seems a great way to go.

For the return trip, and as I was staying at the Basil in Knightsbridge, I used the tube from Knightsbridge Station (Piccadilly line is a straight run to Heathrow). It was mid-morning - the tube was quite empty, clean and fast. There were about 15 stairs to navigate at the Knightsbridge end, but no biggy.

Rj007 my dear, whilst I might wait for my luggage from the carousel, you'll be waiting on a dirty platform for a tube train whilst I slip into a car and arrive at the hotel in style.

With your all carryon set-up you'll be wearing the same outfit every day of the week my dear.