As we are getting older and arriving in London this summer in the evening (maybe leaving Heathrow ~10 PM), what is the easiest way to get to our hotel in Westminster? We'll be exhausted and have both one carryon and one checked bag each. We haven't been to London in about 20 years, so any advice would be appreciated.

A car service such as justairports - much cheaper than a Black Cab, and easier than either the tube or the Elizabeth Line + tube or taxi to the hotel.

https://www.justairports.com

They've been around decades and are very reliable

When booking don't count the carry-ons as luggage -- just plug in the number of checked suitcases. I always travel roll aboard/carry on only so I plug in zero luggage . . . otherwise they'll assign a larger/more expensive vehicle.

Underground Piccadilly line to Baron's Court - walk ten feet to the other side of the same platform and take the District line on to St. James's Park station. The Conrad is literally the other side of a very quiet road from the station. All you need to do is cross a zebra crossing, it's about 75 feet to walk. That journey will be £5.50 each and take 50 minutes. A car will be slower (even at night) and a lot more expensive. Don't go near the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express as they send you in the wrong direction.

Yes -- tube to either Hammersmith or Barons Court and transfer to the District line. We've all done it. But with a 10PM arrival and the OP saying they'll likely be exhausted - The schelpp to the tube station- and either buying an Oyster or using contactless can be a lot to deal with after a long haul flight. It IS an easy enough journey. But a car service will be door-to-door - the driver will meet you just as you exit Customs and take the bags to the car. You will have already walked what will seem like 3 miles from the gates to Immigration/luggage carousels/Customs.

IF you survive the flight feeling terrific -- the tube is the logical option. The problem is -- if you feel like rags it is too late to get a car service - they must be pre-booked. So at that point it is either the tube or a really expensive taxi. It is a nice start to a holiday with a driver waiting with an iPad with your name on it and hand the bags over to him/her.

Justairports will cost around £45 or £50 cash (more for credit card)

. . . I see the website has changed a bit and now they have separate pull down menus for checked bags and carry-ons so it is more straightforward than before.

Given you discounted the "Elizabeth line + tube" and didn't even mention the Underground only route I suspect it's because you didn't know where the hotel is actually located. The walk to the taxi isn't especially different to the walk to the Underground, and the latter then incurs about 85 feet of additional walking. It's a valid option and much more sensibly priced than that taxi company, who regularly do very poorly in reviews.

And if you must use that ugly word, at least spell "schlepp" correctly.

Thanks so much, janisj and HOTR, I will look into these. Very helpful!

My goodness - such a reaction!?

I know exactly where the hotel is . . . 'nuff said.

I know which car services are reliable and which are cost effective.

I've taken the tube from LHR into London probably close to 75+ times over the years. I've taken justairports from LHR into London at least 25 times. I've taken other car services 4 or 5 times. I've taken the Elizabeth line in 3X.

Why is 'schlepp' an ugly word???

@HOTR, welcome to Fodors

please play nice

@OP
One "minicab" company which is worth avoiding is AddisonLee whose owner has a reputation for recommending violence and paying for legal services for his drivers who commit violence against any other road user. In London there are real differences between taxi, minicab and car-service. If you are likely to be exhausted book the car-service.

Just circling back to say thanks again; I booked the car service from the airport. We plan to mostly walk to the sights we want to see while in London, but that first day with luggage, I thought it would be worth reserving a ride.