andy

Hi- has anyone used www.citytransfers.com in LONDON for airport pickup and return?

What happens if you are more than 1 hr past you expected arrival time? These people were recommended to me but they say a complimentary 1 hr waiting time is included in their price, yet their website says only 10 mins...after that a 25 pence per minute charge will start.... So.........if I am an additional 1 hour later than expected, what does 1500 pence translate into US dollars?

Help!

Jen

1500 pence is 15 pounds. At about $1.50 per pound, you're looking at $22.50, which is probably close to doubling their fee and certainly brings it well above the cost of a regular taxicab.

You might consider one of the other car services that doesn't charge for waiting time -- they check your arrival with the airlines, so are prepared if your plane is late arriving.

Patrick

I use Swiss Cottage Cars which does check with the airlines for flight arrival time. Once we were over four hours late and concerned about the car service. But they were there waiting and said they had just arrived after finding out the delayed arrival time. They do not charge extra at all if your flight is late. No website, but phone quote and booking at 44-207-431-2700. I've also found them to be less money than any of the other services I've found on the internet. Last summer was still 25 pounds total from Heathrow to central Covent Garden. Know your flight number, time, and address of destination if you call.

andy

Thanks to both of you-- for both the currency conversion and the heads up on Swiss Cottage-

Patrick- I was trying to do everything on the internet and not get hung for a long distance overseas call, but I guess I will have to bite the bullet as everyone I have talked to as far as car service has these ridiuculous hidden charges---I wonder if there are any honest car services that can just charge a flat rate,meet and greet and drive you into London without all this bait and switch problem.....??? and still be available ON LINE ???

Thanks for your help--

Jen

Andy, try Ray's London transfers, at www.london-transfers.com. They cost a bit more than Swiss Cottage, but are very reliable. Their airport pickup fee is 5 pounds higher than drop-off, because they do pass along their parking cost, but they do NOT charge any fee for waiting.

One word of caution: there have been occasional reports on Fodors and other travel boards of this company taking 2 or 3 days to reply to e-mails, but NO reports of missed pickups!

Andy

Jen- I have emailed Ray--and am awaiting reply--but he is NOT working on Xmas Day and that is the 2nd time I would need an airport transport service to get from the hotel to Heathrow--

Any more suggestions??????

xxx

Be a sport and make the phone call. It won't break you and talking to a "real Person" will answer all your questions. The call won't cost more than a couple of $.

Patrick

As I mentioned on another similar post, the last time I checked Swiss Cottage Cars was 9 pounds cheaper than Ray's. Even more difference from many other car services. If price is really the issue, I doubt that the phone call will cost $13 or $14.

Georgian

Has anyone used the Hotelink services before? I have seen their site it seems like a good service...plus another possiblity for Andy

Andy

Patrick= I broke down and called Swiss Cottage- they do not have vans and we are a family of 5 with 6 large suitcases and carryons---So far no one has a larger enough van except for 1 service-- and they are a fortune--
I have emailed a number of different services and are waiting to hear from them.....

But I was looking for a service that someone had used before.

Ray is not working on Xmas Day--and he still hasn't answered . I expect it to take him a few more days before I get an answer. and then I need to know if he has a larger enough van for our family.

Keep helping me,you guys! and thanks!!

Patrick

I am sorry I wasn't aware that there were five of you or I would have told you about the lack of vans. The one time I didn't use Swiss was when there were four of us traveling with a lot of luggage and I had to use another service as well. You are right. It was also a fortune.

sharon

People traveling with a family of five have to realize that it is at least twice as expensive as traveling with two. You'd have to get two rooms normally instead of one. So why not just bite the bullet and get two cars instead of one? You won't be paying any more for either one than the average couple would be paying.

marciab

Andy, use 1016868 to call London. 7.9 cents a minute. You can make a lot of overseas calls at that rate. You just dial that access number, then dial as you normally would. It gets billed on your local phone service. Beats the heck out of MCI and everybody else.

Andy

Marcy- thanks for heads up on the cheap calling "card" number--

Patrick- no problem-forgot to mention that there were 5---

Sharon- I am aware that they will cost twice as much-- But we want to all be together and it is doeable- it is just finding out who does it with the right size van at a normal rate without all the hidden charges that seem to pop up on some of these websites==and also need to make sure that the van can hold 5 people with 6 pieces of luggage and carryons--
Some of these companies will tell you anything to get a booking--then when you ask specifics, they do not answer--

I have already found out from one car service that a minivan-Previa- will NOT hold 5 people plus luggage while another company said that it would--the company that said that it would hold us also stated in their small print that I was responsible for booking the CORRECT size transport- Which is reduntant if they won't answer WHICH of their vans I need....See my problem---

That is why I wanted someone's rec on who they have use previously....

Thanks!

Mara

I used Hotelink last March but it was part of a package deal. However, I think anyone could walk up to their counter and buy a ticket. Their vans seemed large enough for your needs. I believe there was six people when I went. I don't have a number for them, however. Possibly a websearch or else a call to your hotel will get it for you. As it was part of an air/flight/transfer package I had, I didn't pay separately and I don't remember the sign (jet lag)! HTH

Mara

www.hotelink.co.uk/
I could have figured that out without going to Google! That certainly looks like the one I took - it seems large!!!

Andy

Mara- thanks- but Hotelink is a shuttle and they stop at numerous hotels-- we wanted a private van....


thanks though

Mara

But if there are so many of you, it might be filled up or make maybe one other stop, right?

sos

Message for Andy: Mara is right. There are already 5 of you, so that would be one stop for all of you and one other stop for the 6th. person. Perfect solution. I used Hotelink last month. They are reliable and punctual.

sos

Message for Andy: Here is the phone number for Hotelink 01293-532244. Enjoy your trip in London. It is a great city.