Ok, leaving tomorrow - so my questions will stop for 2 weeks ;-)

Looking at the hotel website, and confused on how to get from Aiport to hotel.

Want to get to Thistle Kensington Gardens. They give the option of using the Tube, but thinking that is probably going to be hectic with the luggage.

Does anyone know the best way? Is taxi over the top expensive?

Many thanks,
E&E

Depends on your idea of expensive, how many people and how much luggage you have. You can use one of the services mentioned here on Fodors (Swiss Cottage, Ray Skinner, Just Airports) and probably pay around 30 GBP or more, but this is usually less than a taxi. The Tube IS a hassle if you have a lot of luggage. You can also take the Heathrow Express but that will only take you to Paddington and then you'd have to take a taxi to your hotel. If there are more than 2 people, then it could end up costing as much as one of the car services.

This website runs down the options (most mentioned by bettyk) and will also link you to the official Heathrow website.
http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/heathrow.htm

People were reporting justairports.com were the cheapest and reliable. I haven't seen any recent reports here on car services to contradict that. The nice thing is they'll wait with a sign with your name as you exit so you don't have to wait on the line. The only downside is if your plane is late/delayed there may be an extra waiting charge.

Thanks BettyK & mclaurie!
It is just 2 of us traveling.
Expensive - not 100USD...

I just looked at the Heathrow Express, and it looks like that is an option...our hotel is .75 miles from Paddington station -- so a taxi from there should be cheep.

I am also going to look in to the others that the 2 of you mentioned above...

Thanks for your help.

ps
we will have 3 pieces of luggage...not a lot for 2 weeks.
on our return, proably will be 4...i have a duffle packed to take stuff home

A relatively inexpensive and not unenjoyable alternative is the Airbus to Notting Hill Gate and a taxi to your hotel.

We are either going to do the Heathrow Express and taxi to our airport.
Or
Just taxi from the airport.
Would anyone have a general idea of how much from LHR to Bayswater?

I would take the Heathrow express every time. The traffic on the motorway into London can be horrendous if you're arriving in daylight hours whereas the Heathrow express is quick and easy. Also to anywhere in west London from Paddington is easy in a cab (and there are always lots at Paddington station). I used to live in West Hampstead in northwest London and taking the Heathrow express I could be at home within an hour of landing (hand luggage only of course...).

An added benefit to the Heathrow Express-Paddington train is that, on some airlines, you can check in for you flight at Paddington's Air Terminal. At least this was the plan, similar to one at Victoria Station for the Gatwick Express, until 9/11 and now airlines like BritishAir no longer do it, but last August when I was there some do so check on your airline as this can simplify things greatly, then you just take the train to the plane.

If you've got more than one person and luggage, I might suggest:

http://www.airport-cars.co.uk/index.shtml

They have excellent drivers and very nice cars. I had 4 people, so it was very affordable.

I'm embarrassed, you won't need a taxi if you use the Airbus. I had the wrong Thistle. The Thistle Kensington Gardens is within one block of the Leinster Terrace Airbus stop. You can do a roundtrip for 15 pounds each (adults) and the trip time is about one hour and 10 minutes.

http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/lhr_airbus.htm

I concur with Grenelle. The Heathrow Express to Paddington is easily the fastest way into London, particularly if you're staying west. I do this trip regularly through work (I live here) and always take the Express over a cab all the way, unless it's at, like, 5am before the trains start running.

Cool!
Thanks for setting our transportation in stone -- Heathrow Express it is...

Recent threads on various ways to get to London from Heathrow:
http://www.fodors.com/forums_reg/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

http://www.fodors.com/forums_reg/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

You say you're considering a cab... don't. If you want to take a car, book with a car service.
Cab fare would be roughly £50. Car service about half that.

We used justairports.com for round trip service to and from Heathrow/So. Kensington for a fmaily of 4. The cash option is less epxensive than credit card. OVerall it was great value and very easy. They were exactly where they said they'd be at exactly the time given. This service is quite a bit less than a taxi.

I just checked and we paid 53GBP for roundtrip service from justairports.

Check the justairports.com website to see what their private car service costs to your hotel location. You may find that it's cheaper than the Heathrow Express + taxi for two people. Go to their online booking section. There's quite a difference between their cash and credit card rates so select cash if you want to save money. We paid 43GBP roundtrip from Heathrow to W1 and back.

I was just in London in June. Took the Heathrow express to Paddington and walked to my Bayswater hotel....had a suitcase on wheels and a backpack, no problem at all. Dead easy and hassle free!

Enjoy your trip

Travelmouse

Well, even though you say your decision is cast in concrete, I would suggest you have another look at the Heathrow Airbus (A2) option suggested by jsmith.

I used it recently and it was exactly as advertised on this website. http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/lhr_airbus.htm.

You will be dropped off, and picked up, virtually at the doorstep of your hotel.

That could be less hassle than transferring from a train to a taxi, as well as less expensive.

You could buy a one-way ticket if you think that you will have too many bags to make this a feasible option for your return trip.

I take the Tube from Heathrow all the time and find it quiet easy. I personally don't find the Heathrow Express to be worth the expense, but if you can walk from Paddington it could be worth it. I also live in NYC, so I am very used to taking the subway everyone, so that might be part of the reason that I don't mind taking the Tube. And most times of the day, the Heathrow traffic is lousy. And the car service horribly expensive. I guess I feel that London is so pricey (especially with the exchange rate) right now that I'd rather spend the $$$ elsewhere.... How much is the tube now from Heathrow to Central London, about 5 - 6 quid?