Is Windsor Castle worth it??
Jul 2nd, 2011, 08:52 AM
#23
Buying tix on-line is OK -- but really doesn't save one much if any time since everyone still has to go through the security queue.
Rosiesantos: Now that we know the State rooms are open -- PLEASE follow alanRow's (I <i>think</i> that is who posted it) suggestion on your other thread.
Don't faff about going all the way to Windsor -- all the way back into central London -- and THEN all the way back almost to Windsor (LHR). That is just crazy.
Check out of your hotel, travel to LHR, drop your bags at Left Luggage, and then take the bus 7 miles to Windsor. This will save you nearly 2 hours of extra travel time.
Rosiesantos: Now that we know the State rooms are open -- PLEASE follow alanRow's (I <i>think</i> that is who posted it) suggestion on your other thread.
Don't faff about going all the way to Windsor -- all the way back into central London -- and THEN all the way back almost to Windsor (LHR). That is just crazy.
Check out of your hotel, travel to LHR, drop your bags at Left Luggage, and then take the bus 7 miles to Windsor. This will save you nearly 2 hours of extra travel time.
Jul 4th, 2011, 04:12 AM
#24
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Hi Rosiesantos - you are welcome and I'm sure you are getting excited for your visit!
Based on your other posting, you are going to be very busy so I echo the suggestion to write down all the opening times and really prioritize your sightseeing on each of the days so you don't miss out on your "must sees".
Since it sounds like Windsor is on your "must see" list and on your last day, I agree with the advice to consider dropping bags at Heathrow (LHR) on way out to Windsor as it is a bit more efficient despite the hassle of dropping bags.
So, your original plan would be approx 1 hour to Windsor (easiest would be overground from Victoria to Clapham Junction and then direct train to Windsor), then 1 hour back, and then 1 hour to Heathrow so three hours in actual transit assuming you take trains/tube. If you drop bags at Heathrow, you will be just under 1 hour to Heathrow by train/tube and if you take a car(see below), you can get to Windsor in 20-25 minutes or if you take the 71 or 77 bus lines, it is 35-45 minutes. Don't take the train from LHR to Windsor as it will be an hour and not save you any time. So, going via the airport should save you at most an hour of train travel but more inportantly, it might give you that extra hour or so in the afternoon to spend in Windsor assuming you're willing to get up at the crack of dawn to get your stuff to LHR and then get to Windsor early. BTW, on a weekday morning, I doubt the line will be much at the castle if you get there around opening.
If you go by car service, pre-book as a regular metered taxi will be a rip off. I use "Ascot Cars" to get from my house (Sunningdale) to Heathrow and it costs £25 one way(compare that to £85 a black cab charged me when I first moved here and didn't know any better). Windsor is closer to LHR than my house so it should be less than £25 and there are Windsor based car companies such as "5 Star" and others I'm sure you'll see if you research.
Hope you have a great time and we'll be interested to hear how your whirlwind visit goes!
Based on your other posting, you are going to be very busy so I echo the suggestion to write down all the opening times and really prioritize your sightseeing on each of the days so you don't miss out on your "must sees".
Since it sounds like Windsor is on your "must see" list and on your last day, I agree with the advice to consider dropping bags at Heathrow (LHR) on way out to Windsor as it is a bit more efficient despite the hassle of dropping bags.
So, your original plan would be approx 1 hour to Windsor (easiest would be overground from Victoria to Clapham Junction and then direct train to Windsor), then 1 hour back, and then 1 hour to Heathrow so three hours in actual transit assuming you take trains/tube. If you drop bags at Heathrow, you will be just under 1 hour to Heathrow by train/tube and if you take a car(see below), you can get to Windsor in 20-25 minutes or if you take the 71 or 77 bus lines, it is 35-45 minutes. Don't take the train from LHR to Windsor as it will be an hour and not save you any time. So, going via the airport should save you at most an hour of train travel but more inportantly, it might give you that extra hour or so in the afternoon to spend in Windsor assuming you're willing to get up at the crack of dawn to get your stuff to LHR and then get to Windsor early. BTW, on a weekday morning, I doubt the line will be much at the castle if you get there around opening.
If you go by car service, pre-book as a regular metered taxi will be a rip off. I use "Ascot Cars" to get from my house (Sunningdale) to Heathrow and it costs £25 one way(compare that to £85 a black cab charged me when I first moved here and didn't know any better). Windsor is closer to LHR than my house so it should be less than £25 and there are Windsor based car companies such as "5 Star" and others I'm sure you'll see if you research.
Hope you have a great time and we'll be interested to hear how your whirlwind visit goes!
Jul 8th, 2011, 11:15 PM
#25
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Thank you so much for the information, nor cal. I am actually leaving later today for Paris and then I fly to london on the 18th. I am very excited. I have written all the opening and closing and basically the times that it should take to get to the attractions. Thank you for the advice about Windsor Castle. I have written down all the information that you have mentioned especially the car service.
Thanks. I will be informing when I return on the 27th from Lisbon.
Thanks. I will be informing when I return on the 27th from Lisbon.
