Heathrow: Hiring a driver/car versus taking the train. Recommendations?
 

Hi there,
My husband and I have taken the train from Heathrow or Gatwick to Bath several times over the years. This time I am wondering about using a car service. Of course more expensive (but we treat ourselves to first class rail travel in England). And of course a driver and car would be door to door ; wouldn't have to drag luggage here and there in train stations; no worries about trying to catch a particular train if the flight is delayed or customs is, faster, etc. etc. Has anyone done that? Who did you use and what was your experience?

Thanks for your help,
Lea

We have never tried the, but we have used a car service, once from Heathrow to Brigton, once for Heathrow to Dover and once from Salisbury to Heathrow. Plus a couple of time just into London itself. We have always felt the door-to-door service and the lack of feeling a need to rus to the train made it worth while. We have used Ray Skinner (except from Salisbury which was a local guy) on all our trips and been very happy with the service and felt it was a reasonable price.

A car service to Bath would cost a fortune and not really be worth the extra ££ IMO. Especially from LGW - that would be very expensive. And a car service wouldn't really save much (or any) time.

From LHR: I'd choose the express coach and then once in Bath a cab to the hotel. I wouldn't bother w/ the trains since there is no direct rail service from LHR to Bath and you have to change somewhere - either bus>train or train>train.

From LGW: I'd take trains. But what I'd personally probably do, all things considered, is take a train from LGW to London and spend the first night there and then the next morning catch a train from Paddington to Bath.

AS a regular user of taxis from the Cotswolds to London's airports, I'd say you're very unlikely to find anyone offering LGW-Bath much under £200, though you can probably find LHR-Bath for around £100 (each way in both cases). I'd also say there's no point worrying too much about other people's experience: most local taxi firms within 100 miles of central London offer LGW and LHR pickups, and you just google till you find a couple of operators based wherever you want to get to from the airport to choose from.

Do NOT use London-based car operators like Skinner or Just-Airports.

First class as far as Reading from LGW is below third world levels. Since Standard class from Reading to Bath is fine, lashing out on First is a total waste of money IMHO.

Excellent insight! Thanks so much! The price we are being quoted is 145 pounds from London Heathrow to Bath for car and driver and about 2 hours. Never used the coach before -- our family in Bath is saying it is a long journey. Anyone know how long?

-always treated ourselves to first class in the UK and France - but if you say it's not worth it on this particular journey, maybe I'll look at those prices, too.

Thanks all,

Lea

" our family in Bath is saying it is a long journey"

About 150 mins.

The car and driver turned out to be an excellent idea. Nick picked us up and whisked us away in a very well kept and spacious car. We were in Bath in what seemed like no time flat and dropped at the door of our aunt; certainly we were there far earlier than if we had gone by train.

It was a super experience and worth the 145 english pounds in our view. While I love train travel, this really was wonderful after flying. I recommend it and will definitely do it again!
Lea

No-one suggested take the train. They suggested taking the coach which would have cost about one-third of what you were charged

In 2009 we used this car service to go from Gatwick to SOUTHAMPTON CRUISE PORT (2 hr trip on Sunday). Driver showed up on time, called my cell (so had trouble finding him) and it turned out very economical and fast for 7 of us (I think it was 140GBP with tip). Check them out if interested http://www.airportonly.co.uk/

I meant "I had no trouble finding him"

I recognise that we spent much more than going by coach OR train. That was not an issue on this particular trip. The convenience and comfort was. We have done the train (Heathrow or Gatwick to Paddington and then the train to Bath Spa) on numerous occasions. Given that the pound is so much closer to the dollar, we decided to try this to see what it was like. Have to say I really enjoyed it, particularly so as my back was really troubling me and not having to stand around in line or cart luggage up and down stairs was very very nice.
Lea

Sounds like it worked out quite well for you, tansay. Great illustration of the concept of value as opposed to simply cost.

Tansay: do you remember the name of the company you used for your car and driver transport from Heathrow to Bath? I'm travelling with my elderly parents and a car and driver would be perfect for us.