Ronda

My sis and daughter need to get to Waterloo International from Madam Tussards (they will be leaving a group tour there). When I plugged in the route on Via Michelin, it said that there would be about 12 euros in road tax??? Would that be on top of the taxi cost? They are planning on using a taxi as they don't want to deal with suitcases on the tube. Any idea how they could get a taxi from there or where a taxi stand might be. Thanks.

Sign me,

Trying to Help

Robespierre

T-u-s-s-a-u-d

Taxi fare from that end of town would be about £10. No road tax.

A #139 bus (not hard at off-peak times with one or two bags) would be 80p. The stop (letter <font color="red">B</font is on Baker Street in front of the tube station, around the corner from Madame T's.

wombat7

M-a-d-a-m-e

and would it not be 100p?

Robespierre

Well, &pound;1.50 if you don't have an Oyster, which would make it &pound;1 only before 9:30 M-F or 80p any other time.

wombat7

Probably a reasonable assumption that they do not have an Oyster Card - so three quid for a bus vs 10 quid for a taxi

Robespierre

Maybe they do, maybe they don't. That's why I gave both answers.

m_kingdom2

A bus would be cheapest as outlined above. However, if it's during this hot weather, a bus will be unbearable. Also, buses stop every minute which is infuriating as it delays the whole process. For the sake of saving ten or so pounds, take a taxi and you'll arrive in a far better state of mind and comfort!

m_kingdom2

P.S. The &quot;road tax&quot; is the Congestion Charge of 8GBP that one must pay when driving a private car into Central London. However, chauffeur driven, and public transport vehicles (such as buses and taxis) are exempt.

Robespierre

&quot;...a bus will be unbearable...&quot;

Sorry, but I find that sort of subjective appraisal to be meaningless. If one happens to be from someplace where high temperatures are typical, the buses in London today wouldn't be even mildly uncomfortable. It's 107/42 outside right now, and I just finished working on some things in the garage. So the 90s London is experiencing just now would be pleasantly warm to me. We're expecting 112/44 by Saturday - so this probably wouldn't be a good time for m_k2 to visit here.

Since we don't know where Ronda's family are from, it would be presumptuous to make that judgment one way or the other.

But we don't...and that's why I gave both answers.

Robespierre

DICTION, Max, DICTION!

&quot;Since we don't know where Ronda's family are from, it would be presumptuous to make that judgment one way or the other.&quot;

Should be:

&quot;If one knew where Ronda's family are from, it might be possible to make that judgment one way or the other.&quot;

wasleys

Robespierre,

Your correction might have been even better had it included &quot;… where Ronda's family <b>is</b> from …&quot;.

;-)

Robespierre

<i>family</i> is a collective noun.

In American usage, a collective noun takes a plural verb when it refers to the members of the group considered as individuals.

But I have an English degree, so what do I know?

wombat7

Wasleys - I think that you will find this is a difference between east and west pond english.

Londonlover

I would take the tube. Madame Tussaud's and Waterloo are both on the Bakerloo line so you wouldn't have to change trains.

btw-Most people consider Madam Tussaud's to be a definite DON'T for London.

wombat7

I would not take the tube - have to schlep the bags through the barrier, down the escalator and then the reverse at the other end - there are two people with cases - just split the cost of the taxi

W9London

I'm marginally inclined to vote in favour of a taxi--because of convenience if you have luggages and travelling with someone else. I don't recall seeing a taxi stand, but it shouldn't be a problem finding one around the major roads nr Baker St.

Your sister and niece should specify Waterloo INTERNATIONAL so that the cabbie can drop them off closest to Eurostar gate.

Tube ticket is GBP3 for cash (GBP1.50 if you have Oyster). There should be escalators on both stations. The temperature would not be cooler than buses. (Though taxis don't have A/C either, so not much difference here esp if you're stuck in traffic...)

Robespierre

I would take the Tube, too - just to get it over with as quickly as possible. But &quot;they don't want to deal with suitcases on the tube&quot; was a definite parameter.

p.s. There aren't any escalators or ticket barriers on buses. You get on, turn right, and (usually) dump your gear right there.

Ronda

WOW, you guys are too much. Thanks for the helpful information. I didn't want to go into too much detail but my sis is a bone cancer survivor and has some issues. She will be with my 15 year old niece and two bags and backpacks. Taxi will be easiest for them and I am just trying to help them figure out how to catch one and how much it will cost. Niece is on a choir tour and they have no choice about MADAME TUSSARDS. That is where they will leave the tour. Again, thanks so much for all the info.

So, back to the original question, does she just stand on the curb and hail a cab like in NY or have MADAME TUSSARD call her a cab, or do you know if there is a taxi stand in the area. They are from Colorado but sis was with me in Paris last summer and is pretty savy about traveling. I am in Colorado now tutoring her, printing maps, checking tube closures, helping her plan her itinerary. She is taking the Eurostar to Paris where she will spend a few days with Niece. You may have seen my posts for her under France. Again, I really appreciate the help.

Ronda

PS They would have considered the tube if the cost of a taxi was extremely high but it would be difficult for them.

W9London

Usually you can hail a taxi from the curb. Your sister shouldn't have difficulty finding one nr Mme Tussauds.

If pressed for time and can't find one, you can pre-book a taxi. Though they charge extra for waiting so I won't consider this under usual circumstances. My company uses ComputerCab at 7908.0207 or Dial-a-Cab at 7426.3420