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LHR transport dilemma - need help thinking outside the box . . .

LHR transport dilemma - need help thinking outside the box . . .

Old Apr 5th, 2014, 02:42 PM
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LHR transport dilemma - need help thinking outside the box . . .

Hi, OK - here's the deal. Two ladies arriving T3 approx 10:30 am, two ladies arriving T1 approx the same time. Well, w/i 20 mins of each other anyway. Need to get to St. Kath's Marina. Problem is the two ladies arriving at T1 are depending on me to get them to the flat (too scared to do this on their own)

I'd take the tube but the trek over from Tower Hill station is a bit too too w/ jet lag. None of us will know if the other flight is on time/late/early until we land. Car service . . . Where would they collect us since we are at two different terminals? Then there is the issue of access to the flat - we are to ring up when arriving at the marina (past visits the driver has always called for us just before getting to the docks)..

So other than booking two separate car service rides and meeting up at say the Dickens Inn and ringing the manager from there . . . Any other ideas?

HELP! Pretty please
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Old Apr 5th, 2014, 02:46 PM
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Well 2 car services meeting at dickens inn was my first thought!

Why don't you give just airports a call and see what they propose...?
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Old Apr 5th, 2014, 02:47 PM
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Central bus station? Or could you pick a restaurant in one of the terminals and plan to wait there?
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Old Apr 5th, 2014, 02:55 PM
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Two car service drivers/dickens Inn may be our best option.

Thursday: the problem is one of the T1 ladies is one who blew it when we were all arriving at the SAME terminal on the SAME airline . . . Read the beginning of the six ladies TR . . . nuff said
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Old Apr 5th, 2014, 03:04 PM
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You're traveling with them again? In that case I agree, two cars!
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Old Apr 5th, 2014, 04:22 PM
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It sound like you should make whatever arrangements are easiest and just leave it to the others to make sure they meet whoare supposed to. Not fare to make you the mommy.

(I got stuck with a work "friend" on a long weekend trip to London once and she was afraid to go down to the hotel lobby by herself. And constantly asked questions about a "cheaper and safer" way to do everything. Thank god it was only 4 nights.
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Old Apr 5th, 2014, 04:26 PM
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Definitely 2 car services in that case!!
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Old Apr 5th, 2014, 10:41 PM
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1 and 3 are either side of the central bus station rather than on opposite sides of the airport. It boils down to whether either or both party can or should be expected to

(a) go to a designated cafe in the arrival area of one terminal and told not to move until you all get there (see terminal guides on the airport website

(b) meet up with a driver on their own without you

Will you all need to go around in a group with you as mother hen all the time?

If someone needs reassurance, can you get/give mobile phone numbers from/to the car company(ies)?
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Old Apr 5th, 2014, 11:30 PM
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As Patrick wrote.

The walk from T3 to T1 via central bus station (underground connector tunnel) is not that long.
IF you preferred to meet right at the airport, the T1 group could wait at the coffee shop immediately after leaving intl customs and entering the intl arrivals area (I think it's a Costa coffee shop).
The only thing you (the T3 group) had to do was to walk over there and follow signs to T1 after arriving at T3.
In T1 follow signs for international arrivals, not UK/ROI arrivals.
The intl arrivals area is not really huge so you should be able to spot the Costa coffee shop easily.

But I still find the "2 cars option" more convenient.
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Old Apr 5th, 2014, 11:35 PM
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You could also book a singe car service and you can mention that you want the driver to pick-up 2 passengers from Terminal 1 and 2 passengers from Terminal 3. Most taxi companies do monitor the flights so if you give them the details for both flight they will know exactly at what time they should arrive. The only thing would be that the driver will need to pay for 2 parking tickets but that's just an extra 5-6 pounds. Do a search on google "heathrow airport transfers" and you should find lots of companies.
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Old Apr 6th, 2014, 03:48 AM
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I'd certainly ask the car service if they can organise this. I'd also make sure I had all the phone numbers. Meeting at cafe seems to make sense today, but after a long flight and with fear involved it sounds a bit weak.

The is an APP for finding a friend. I don't hold with these new phone things but if I did https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/find...466122094?mt=8 might help.
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Old Apr 6th, 2014, 04:22 AM
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Janisj, I sense this is only the opening salvo to a VERY interesting trip report…
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Old Apr 6th, 2014, 04:52 AM
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Here's the TR Janisj mentioned: Well worth the reading!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-england.cfm
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Old Apr 6th, 2014, 04:55 AM
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just look at it this way, jj, it can only get better!
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Old Apr 6th, 2014, 10:03 AM
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Patrick and Cowboy. Yes, I know the proximity of the two terminals, the bus station, etc. But you need to know who we are dealing w/ here

Patrick - I'm hoping not to be mother hen too much - kick them out of the nest so to speak (Wish me luck). But arrival day, w/ jet lag etc, I just want things to go smoothly to get things off on the right foot.

Last time, with very clear/easy instructions . . . Total screw up.

I think two drivers is probably the best. But then I'll have to worry about my flight being late and them getting to the apartment first and not rembering what to do . . . So meeting up at the Dickens Inn may be best - at least I can have a stiff drink while wondering where they are.
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Old Apr 6th, 2014, 10:16 AM
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I do not envy you but I think I can relate to your problem.
I travel regularly with two people who can get lost in a phone booth.
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Old Apr 6th, 2014, 10:29 AM
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"Not remembering what to do"

That's what writing is for. If you had sent written instructions last time, instead of a flaky friend, things might have gone better.
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Old Apr 6th, 2014, 10:59 AM
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Thursday: Uh - no. Not only were the instructions in TWO emails, we had a conference call a few days before the trip were everyone 'said' they had everything written down and we were all on the same page.
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Old Apr 6th, 2014, 11:12 AM
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Oh, dear. You do have challenging friends.

Cowboy, I love your line about the two people who can get lost in a phone booth!
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Old Apr 6th, 2014, 11:20 AM
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A-mazing. How on earth do they manage at home? You are certainly brave to do this again - but I am looking forward to the TR!
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