We arrive in London at 9:00am Friday morning. What is the best way to get from Heathrow airport to Pimlico station? How long does it take? Do we catch the tube from terminal 3 or do we have to go to a different terminal?


Also - we will be there through Monday noonish....should we buy the Oyster card at airport....or a travelcard?

Thanks in advance for any help!

The oyster is just the plastic card that stores your transit ££ whether a travel card or pay-as-you-go - A travel card is one fare type you can place on an Oyster.

The "best" way to get to Pimlico depends - how many is "we"? How much luggage? etc.

If you want to take the tube all the way - the most direct route is Piccadilly line from LHR (you don't have to go to a different terminal but you do have to walk to the tube station) to Green Park. Then change to the Victoria line heading south two stops to Pimlico. But it does involve a lot of walking underground - that is why the "how much luggage?" question. Also - depending on where you are walking from the Pimlico station - there could be quite a few steps up to the street.

another option would be to take the tube from LHR to Hammersmith, walk across the platform a few yards, and catch a district line train to Victoria. Then catch a cab from there to Pimlico. That avoids the worst of the walks/stairs.

a 3rd option -- You could pre-book a car service from LHR, It would cost quite a bit more but be door to door.

You said you wanted the "best". To me that means a private car service to meet you, take your bags and drop you off at your hotel.

Sometimes "best" means "least expensive."

If you load a 7-day Travelcard on your Oyster at Heathrow, you can get to town for a £ or two by loading some cash for the fare from LHR (Zone 6) to Hammersmith (Zone 2).

Huh, less is more? So I state that I want the "Best" hotel in London and you are telling me that the lest expensive one is the best? Best means best.

Don't be so fatheaded.

"Best" means what the poster wants it to mean. That's how English works.

Yes, the poster's asking an absurdly vague question, and fully deserves any number of recommendations for helicopters, Virgin motorbikes or ten-seater limos. Because none of us can know for certain what the poster's definition of "best" is.

But that's no excuse for the utter solipsism of assuming the poster means what we think the term 'best' ought to mean.

Sorry, I stand corrected. Best doesn't mean best.

Sorry...we are committed to just carry on luggage...and by 'best way' I did mean best value for your money. We (2 of us) don't mind taking tube at all...or walking a bit...

Hi. How opportune. This is my first posting on Fodor's. I just had to get on cuz karenr2 asked my question exactly. But a follow-up question re janisj's 'But it does involve a lot of walking underground - that is why the "how much luggage?" question.'

I will be travelling with 4 and some luggage. How much walking underground exactly? Will it involve stairs? And how much is a 'lot of walking'?

Thank you. People on this board have been so generous and helpful with their advice. When I started researching this trip, I was nervous about the entire process. Was used to being picked up by package tour operators and being led. Now with you guys, I've ventured out of my comfort zone.

Quest - yes it (taking the tube and transfering lines) will involve stairs in most cases. Assuming you are going to the same place as the OP, I would recommend following janisj's advice and take the tube if you can handle your luggage. How much walking - depends. Could be like a city block but with lots of people coming and going. Still - I did it with my family of 5, and they weren't toting carry ons. They complained of course, but we got there for very little cost - we were too many for a taxi - and i just see no reason to spend money that way (unless you simply can't be bothered or have too much luggage).

every station/line change is different. Some are quite easy - and some you have to walk the equivalent of several city blocks underground and up and down stairs

The Green Park interchange will be something like (from memory) a couple of dozen steps up, sixty to a hundred yards or so of corridors (it's well lit and signposted), and a couple of dozen steps down again. All lines are colour-coded as well as named, and platforms are signposted by the general direction of travel (in this case, Piccadilly Line northbound to Green Park, at Green Park you'd be looking for Victoria Line southbound).

To follow janisj's other suggestion (via Hammersmith to Victoria), exiting at Victoria involves (if memory serves) escalators up to the tube station concourse, a couple of steps up to the exit corridor and a couple of dozen steps up to street level and the queue for taxis.

Check on the www.streetmap.co.uk or www.mappy.com or Google maps where your hotel actually is - is Pimlico the nearest station?

What can I say? You guys are the best! By the way, as I am new at posting, wonder if I can post a couple of maps for karenr2. She might find it useful as it relates to heathrow- pimlico stations and the route the #24 bus takes from pimlico heading north. I dont want to break any board rules. The maps are from tfl (transport for london) and buses at work. Again, thanks guys.

Yeow.. I didn't see that Patrick had posted some maps too. Was too excited to contribute something. This internet thingy is amazing.

And yes Patrick, Pimlico is our nearest station. The apartment we are sighting is supposedly an 8 minute walk from said station.

Thanks too Janis and Joe. Let me hear about 'my' maps. Cant be too sure.