Can anyone advise me on what's the quickest way to get too Copthorne Tara Hotel? Landing around 8am and I am a bit rusty on using the tube, so any helpful shortcuts would be greatly appreciated. Lastly, by purchasing a Travel Card zones 1-6 will I be covered?

Thanks for the help
Sydney

You haven't given us enough info to respond to your questions.

How many of you -- solo or a group? and if a family -- what ages?

How much luggage?

How long will you be in London?

Are you mobile?

Weekday or weekend . . .

The closest station to the Copthorne Tara is High Street Kensington -- but that requires a change. So whether you have a boatload of luggage or not would make a difference. Or -- Gloucester Rd station doesn't require a line change - but you'd have to walk several blocks.

A car service would be easiest -- but would take longer on weekdays than weekends.

And whether you just need a one day travelcard or an Oyster w/ either PAYG or 7 days loaded -- depends on how long you are in London.

So give us the info we need and we can give you better answers.

I love taking the tube around London but speaking only for myself it's not worth the savings after a long flight, especially if you have very much luggage.

I recommend Just Airports:

http://justairports.com/

I was going to recommend justairports too -- but the OP said 'fastest' and a car service probably wouldn't be fastest on say a Monday morning. A car service would definitely be easiest and most comfortable. So it depends if 'fastest' is the only criteria.

(W/ an 8AM landing you'd probably be leaving LHR after 9AM)

This trip by tube isn't horrific but be aware...

It's the Picadilly line (navy blue on the maps) to Hammersmith. Most of the trains will be in the direction of cockfosters. At Hammersmith walk across the platform and take the first district line train (green on the maps) to Earls Court. Walk across the platform and take the first train to Edgeware Road. The last two are on branches of the district line and have brand new trains and even have functional a/c in the summer! The first stop on the Edgeware Road train is High Street Kensington. 29 steps to walk up; no lifts or escalators. Walk out the station turn left past the fast food Japanese place, turn left again past Boots and at least you're walking downhill about 2 blocks and you'll see at the end of the street the Kensington Close. Turn left again and you'll see your hotel next door.
It's likely to be the fastest way given London traffic and like I said, and I do agree with Janisj, you have to decide; the two changes are simply across the platform fromm one train to the other but the stairs at High Street Kensington with luggage could be the determining factor.

sorry xyz but I would never actually recommend taking the tube to High Street Kens (even though I did explain it is the closest station) . . . that climb w/ anything other than a briefcase is long and steep.

W/ an 0800 arrival and being a fair walk from a Piccadilly Line station the only thing I'd personally do is a car service.

The other (but very expensive) option would be the Heathrow Express to Paddington and a cab to the hotel.

The quickest way which is what the OP asked has NOTHING to do with how many people, how much luggage, or much else. Walk out and get a taxi would be the quickest way rather than hoping that driver from your car service is there and waiting and you see him or her immediately.

I did not recommend it, Janis if you read the post as a whole. I aimply said it was not horrible but not as convenient as car service not so much for the two simple changes but the stairs at the end and the walk from the station. Time wise, it is more reliable than anything involving London traffic and it far less costly but it's a decision everybody has to make for themselves after surveying the choices.

>>Walk out and get a taxi would be the quickest way <<

Nope dukey . . .

A taxi would not be faster --

I stayed at the Tara and thought it was nice, in a sort of 1970s style. One tip: The hotel consists of two blocks. One of them backs on the open cut of the Tube line where the trains clatter. It's quieter in the front block so request a room on that side. I can also recommend the nearby Britannia pub as a quiet local retreat with good meals: britanniakensington.co.uk