Heathrow transportation to Kensington?
 

I'm setting up our first trip to London and we arrive from an all-day flight into Heathrow at 10p. We're likely staying near or in Kensington (still looking at hotels) as we're going to be going to a concert at Royal Albert Hall the next night. Is it safe to take the tube to the hotel, or should we take a cab? Is a pre-booked cab that much cheaper than a cab in the cab line at Heathrow? About how much will it cost (2 adults)? I lived in NY for years, and I'd never take the subway after 8p, unless I was short the car fare, so wondering how wise it is to take the tube?

Also our return flight leaves at 7:45a. What's the best way to get back to Heathrow at the crack of dawn? Car service, cab, or tube? Again, from roughly Kensington, about what time would we need to leave the hotel?

Thanks very much!

NOT a cab at any time--too $$$ (well pounds but can never remember how to make the symbol!)

Arriving at 10 means you won't get on any sort of transportation for ??? at least an hour, maybe much longer. I wouldn't worry about the safety of the Tube, but the availability? It runs late but what if you're late? I'd definitely book a car service, round trip (You'll have to be at LHR around 5 or 5:30 am so will want a car service back, too, around 4 am?--some will say pooh no need to be there that early but I'd much rather be waiting 30 minutes or so in the safety of being at my airport gate than fretting in traffic or stuck in passport control or something. LHR will begin hopping before 5 am I was surprised to see--line at the AA counter at 5 am when we arrived for our 7:45 flight.)

I'd say get a car for the convenience. justairports was great for us. It's not called a prebooked cab but a car service.

Definitely use a car service, I too recommend just airports and yes, it will be much cheaper than a cab. If you do feel up to taking your luggage on the tube it is safe, but you may have to chance tube lines to get your hotel. A car service is much more convenient, but obviously costs more than the tube.

To return to LHR, arrange a car service transfer, let the transfer company advice you what time you should depart from the hotel, a reputable company will know how to advise you and will be up to date on road closures/consturtion, etc if any of these might affect your travel time to the airport.

Thanks very much! I'll do a car service round trip.

Be sure to book in advance - we always use www.justairports.com