Hello, My daughter leaves tomorrow for London. She is enrolled in a college program through Emperial College. She will be staying in South Kensington on Hyde Park Gate. She is plannign on getting a taxi from the airport. How much would cost ? Any info about the area wuld be appreciated.
Thanks

I'm sorry I can't help with the taxi cost but I have stayed in the area twice in the past year. I have only taken the National Express bus. A friend of mine is a professor at Imperial College as well. I think she will find the area on the hip side. There are lots of shops and pubs and restaurants. The area right around Imperial seems to be full of young people - surprising right? The college itself is right across the street from Hyde Park. There are nice museums in the area as well. I hope she has a great time.

Last time we took a black cab from Heathrow to Kensington, it was about 50 pounds.

Thanks for the information. Do you have any suggestions for hotels in the area. I am planning a visit to see her in March.
Thanks !

Its much more cost effective (I don't know if price is an issue for you) to take the tube. It leaves right from Heathrow, and you just transfer where necessary. Plus, I think there's no better way to get acquainted with a city right away than taking public trasnportation.

http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/cgi-bin/TPQUERY3.EXE

That's the route finder on transport for London's website.

The tube and other public transportation will certainly save money. But there is NO reason to take a taxi. If you want a splurge you can still save big by arranging for a private car service. Recently prices seem to have gone up, but still less than a taxi. I'd call Swiss Cottage Cars at 011-44-207-431-2700 with the time of arrival and the address she's going to and getting a quote. I suspect it will be less than on their website. Another option is www.justairports.com

We took the Heathrow Express which took us to Victoria Station, but the underground will take her to S. Ken for about $8 I think. Taxi would be about $100. Big difference for a student.

My teenage son and I visited the same neighborhood last year from the US and one of the great attributes of the area is it's convenience to 3 tube lines. We stayed on Queen's Gate, one block from Imperial College. When we arrived at Heathrow, we simply followed the signs to the Underground and took the blue line straight to S. Kensington station for 5 pounds, took approximately one hour. We got off and walked 2 blocks with our wheeled suitcases to the hotel. Now, if she is taking loads of luggage since she is staying for a while that might be a different story but it worked out great for us. That neighborhood is wonderful, safe, residential with many cute cafes, coffeeshops and walking distance to Hyde Park, Kensington. Victoria and Albert museum is just around the corner and is fantastic. Just a couple tube stops on the Picadilly line and you are in the theater district (Covent Garden etc.). Hope she has a great time.

For a visit in March, highly recommend considering the London Elizabeth. (Not to be confused with others with similar names.)

This one: http://www.londonelizabethhotel.co.uk/index.htm

Haven't stayed there myself, but plan to based upon rave reviews everywhere, especially Great Sleeps in London (Sandra Gustafson).

Until March 31st, they're offering rates at £=$ which is unbelievably fantastic with the falling, falling dollar.

Though not located in South Kensington (but only about 2km away), it's convenient enough with the Tube and buses. Check out the hotel location on the map at the website.

Otherwise, if you're on a budget, consider having using Priceline after studying tips at biddingfortravel.com

I've stayed at the Imperial college/ Beit Hall. I caught the tube from Heathrow to South Kensington.About a 5 minute walk to the uni.

A taxi will cost US$100, possibly more. The tube (subway) will cost a little over US$5. The taxi will not save you much time but it will get her to her new address without having to look for it or walk as far...

Calamari,

The Heathrow Express does not go to Victoria.

Take the Heathrow Express into Paddington and get a cab from Paddington. The cab ride from Paddington to South Kensington will be around L6, the train is L12, and the whole things is MUCH faster than just cabbing from the airport and easier than lugging luggage on the tube.

If you can get a bargain, the Cranley Hotel in South Kensington is absolutely lovely, and they often run deals through londonnights.com

Your daughter will have a wonderful time. I look back on my college semester in London as one of the best times of my life.

i have stayed - and will be staying again next week - at the london elizabeth hotel located at lancaster gate. during my last stay (march '03) i was upgraded from a double to one of their "suites" which had a very large bathroom and a sitting area. while the rate for doubles is 115 pounds a night, it was $115 a night as well because of their dollars = pounds deal. i found this to be extremely reasonable compared to some of the other prices for doubles in the area. the staff was helpful, my room was clean and breakfast was very nice. the rose garden out back gives the hotel a nice charm.

the only flaw in my stay was that they were repairing the central underground line at the time of my visit (due to a serious accident that had occurred prior) so using the tube station right across the street was out. but i simply hopped on the bus which ran frequently downtown. with hyde park being directly across the street, the tube station and the dollars = pounds deal, i can't think of a better place to stay in london.

I stayed at the Ramada Jarvis Hyde Park for both of my visits. The first time, I was originally scheduled to stay at the Ramada Jarvis Kensington but they overbooked and moved me. The Hyde Park one really over looks the northern part of Kensington Gardens - not Hyde Park. I had a room with a view and LOVED it.

The second time I went for cheap (88GBP) and had a smaller room in the back. It was still nice but no view to swoon over. All of the rooms have hairdryer, iron, and pant press, coffee maker (or was that tea?). It is on the opposite end of the Gardens/Park but still nice. The staff was very helpful and friendly.

The Ramada Jarvis Kensington is closer to Imperial College but I never got a chance to stay there so I cannot comment on it.

Enjoy!

I see from the date on your message that your daughter has already left. However, I'd like to say that many years ago I lived about a block from where she will be staying--and I been back to visit. It was a wonderful area then, and it is just the same now. She will simply love it there. It is convenient to several tube stops, lots of shopping, dining, pubs, etc., and a very, very safe area. The park is just right there--you can walk to many, many museums and even to Harrods (10-15 minutes). I have nothing but very fond memories of that time and that area--when I go back I always stay within a few blocks of there. I wish her the best.