Krest Shared Transfers and Hotelink look comparable from the info. I have seen on the internet.<BR>I would GREATLY appreciate- if anyone has ever used these services- if you used them how was their service and would you use them again? Hotelink claims to hold the highest standard of service.<BR>Thanks for any input! I will be traveling by myself and I don't want to take a train or tube.

I used Krest Shared Transfers 3 months ago from Gatwick into central London.<BR>My plane arrived at Gatwick almost an hour early and I ended up having to wait for my driver to arrive, so that is the bad news.<BR>The good news is that I had the van to myself and that the ride into London was unevenful. <BR>It was the first time I had arranged for a car service, I usually take the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station and then a taxi to my hotel.<BR>I am iffy on using Krest again, because of having to wait so long for the driver to arive at the airport, but I am sure I will arrange a car sevice the next time I travel to London.

Actually the Paddington express will be faster than a car service and much faster than a hotel transfer service. It is a long drive and the traffic can be pretty bad. If it is for one or two of you, the best for price and convenience is the train to Paddington and tube or a cab to your hotel. And if your hotel is near the station - so much the better. <BR><BR>If there are 3 or 4 travelers a car service makes a lot of sense (but would still take longer than the train)<BR><BR>My last choice would be Hotelink/Krest. The main problem is you have no control over how long it takes. If there are 10 passengers and your hotel is the last stop, it could take more than 90 minutes or more.<BR><BR>And if you are on a budget, don't have too much luggage, and are staying near the Piccadilly line, the tube is a reasonable option.

Hello Karen,<BR>I, too, am a woman who travels to London alone.<BR>May I recommend the Heathrow Express to you?<BR>If you are concerned about getting your self from plane to train let me assure you that it is not a problem, there is adequate signage to direct you.<BR>The Express runs every 15 minutes and the journey from Heathrow into Paddington Station takes only 15 minutes. <BR>You can purchase an Express ticket from self service machines, the machines will accept your credit card.<BR>You can also purchase a ticket once aboard the train (for an extra &pound;2). Credit cards are accepted on the train.<BR>There is plenty of room in the train cars for your luggage.<BR>Once you arrive at Paddington you simply follow signs to the taxi racks outside.<BR>

Hi and thanks for all your input!<BR>One reason I am hesitant to take a train is carrying my luggage- alhtough I am planning on trying to pack light- just a couple of smaller bags- and I am kinda on a budget! Round trip transfers with Hotel link is about 30 pounds and after reading these boards- by the time I take the train and take a taxi and tip it will probably be at about that.<BR>I was hoping to get into the airport early and seeing the city on the drive in?<BR>I am staying in Mayfair- not sure how much a taxi would be for there. <BR>I also read about the blue and white vans that you can take to your hotel from Paddington- but if I do that I might as well catch one at the airport.<BR>I guess i am at that stage oflife I don't feel like hauling bags around!<BR> Thanks for the tip about buying your train ticket with your credit card at the airport- I hadn't read that before an that is a very handy tip!<BR>Thanks for all the input!<BR>

We had Hotelink passes included in our vacation pkg to the U.K. last year. They told us it would take about 3 hrs to get to our hotel - no way! You may want to take the train (attached to the airport) into Victoria Station (the city) and the catch a short taxi to your hotel.

Natalie is obviously talking about LGW, not LHR. <BR><BR>karen: No matter which mode you use there will be some schlepping of luggage. If you can manage with just a 21 inch rollaboard it will help a lot and give you more options for transport. <BR><BR>Since you are staying in Mayfair the tube actually might be a good option - depending on the exact location of you hotel. The Piccadilly line goes directly to Hyde Park Corner and Green Park which are the closest stations for most of Mayfair.

Thanks Janis- I will consider the &quot;tube&quot; option more close! I believe my hotel is close to that area-if it was a nice day- would it be ok to walk? Or would it look dumb me walking about with a suitcase?<BR>I love to walk and have three walking tours to try out!<BR>

Karen: don't give a second thought to looking &quot;dumb&quot; walking with luggage. That is a very common sight in all parts of London. People actually WALK and take public transport in London. Double check the location of your hotel - if it is within a 2 or 3 blocks of Hyde Park Corner or Green Park (or any other Piccadilly line station) go for it.

Forget the shared transfers - it may take you 2 or 3 hours to get to your hotel. Take the tube - even if the Picadilly line does not take you within walking distance of your hotel you could easily flag down a taxi to take you the rest of the way. If you can negotiate your luggage up or down the occasional fight of stairs the tube is the quickest (approx 35-45 minutes to Mayfair) and cheapest (approx $6) way to go. As the above poster said people rolling their luggage around the streets are a very common sight.

Sorry Janis is correct - that was at LHR.

topping for Fred