I'll be traveling to London next month with 3 other adults. What is the best way to get from the airport to london's west side? Do taxi's accomodate 4 adults w/luggage? Should we take the Heathrow Express to Paddington and then a cab from there? thx

"West side" is meaningless in London, and there are dozens of ways to get anywhere. For much of western central London, the HEX is a rotten way to travel. Be more specific and you'll get a useful answer

Black taxis will take 4 adults and most normal 4 aduklts' luggage foe a week's holiday. They'll also cost in excess of £50 to most places in central London from the airport. Pre-booked cars generally won't unless you specifically request a larger car, but the larger car will still be a great deal cheaper than a black cab from the airport to mostr central locations. It'll also be cheaper than four adults' HEX tickets to most locations.

Thanks for the info! All the travel sites refer to west side etc and now I know not to. We'll be staying at the Mandeville hotel (which has mixed reviews on tripadvisor) in Marylebone. Can you recommend a car agency to pre-book a ride with? CC

Many people on this board recommend www.justairports.com. They give a sizeable discount for paying in cash. Your hotel is in postal code W1. The cash price for an estate (station wagon) is 31 GBP and for a MPV (minivan) it is 41 GBP.

This is a huge help. thanks!

Has anyone had experience with National Express bus service from Heathrow to Central London? It appears as if it would only be 16 pounds for a family of four which is much less than a cab. Thanks in advance.

It's slow, it's more expensive than using a PAYG Oystercard on the Tube and unless you are staying in Victoria it means another journey on Tube / bus / taxi

If you decide to take the bus to Victoria - mind your belongings. A couple years ago I was minding the bags of my friend & I while she went to the toilet. I stupidly put my purse on my suitcase & took my eye off it for a minute & VOILA - stolen. Passport, credit cards, prescriptions, money. I realized another bus had come in next to where I was standing & someone seized the opportunity to take my purse. Had to spend the next day at the Embassy, doctor, on phone with banks.