Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - London Heathrow

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We will be arrive at Heathrow late morning and staying at the Bailey Hotel near the Glouchester Tube Stop. Can we take the Tube directly to the Glouchester stop from the airport? After looking at the Tube map, it looks very easy. It seems that most posts here recommend a private car, the fast train or taxi. Can someone recommend the best (cheapest/most direct) way. Thanks!

It's very easy and cheap to take the tube directly from Heathrow. I've done it many times myself. The Piccadilly line stops at terminal 4 first, then terminals 1,2, and 3. It takes about 48 minutes to get to Gloucester Road, if that's what you meant. Check out www.thetube.com for more information. It will give you a search on the "Tube Planner" as well as costs.

It looks like that option would be easy. People often say to hire a car because you will have luggage to carry, and the tube stops might require walking up and down stairs. Tube is cheapest, cab is expensive, the fast train is quick (15-20 minutes), and costs about 23GBP per person ROUND TRIP. A hired car costs about 34 GBP each way, but per CAR, not PP - and probably will take 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic. Tube is much cheaper, but may be harder to manipulate, and takes about an hour, I think. I think it depends on how much luggage you have. I think we are going to use a hired car when we go in January.

Thanks so much! We'll be taking the Tube.

Yes, DON'T hire a car. Stayed overnight recently on business in Holiday Inn near Marble Arch and 2 days car parking in public car park cost £64 (the company pay!). Take the Tube. It's easy.

Mary- The last time we were in London we took the Tube from Heathrow to our hotel. It was a nice ride, although jet lag started to kick in- that's unavoidable, though! Anyway, we weren't prepared for the fact that we may have to drag our luggage up stairs- our Tube stop had no lift! Be prepared to carry your bags up several flights of stairs (pack light!).

AR: k did not mean RENT a car. He (she?) is talking about a car service where a driver picks you up at LHR and drops you at the hotel. Mary: The tube works great when you are staying right on the Picadilly line - as you are. But be aware - it is not an easy trip if you have anything but small rolling cases or smallish back packs. The tube is direct but there are stairs and long walks to and from all trains. So if you pack light take the tube - if you have large luggage hire a driver.

Janis is right, I meant hiring a car with a driver to take you back and forth. It's worth it, I think, if you have a lot of luggage, or if you are not on the Piccadilly line, as Janis pointed out. Otherwise, you may have to change trains. Plus, factor in a cost of a taxi if you are not within a short distance from a tube stop, although it sounds like Mary is. And it's a "she". Happy travels, Karen

Mary, we always take the tube to our South Ken location because we arrive after rush hour (that's key), as you are. Not fair to come into town and take up space on the tube from the guys who have to get to work. Last trip (2 weeks ago) we took one large suitcase, which fit nicely at the luggage spot next to the doors. Also, my recollection is that the Gloucester Road tube stop has an elevator from the Piccadilly line to the street, which is lucky for you because South Ken didn't and the Piccadilly line is the lowest line in the bowels of the earth under London. When you exit the station, turn right to the corner and the Bailey is right across the street. Have a great trip!

If you can manage your luggage, then the tube is always fine. And it can be dirt cheap; especially if you intend to do something else that day and it is after 9:30. A one day after 9:30 travelcard costs £5.10 for zones 1-6. The zone 1 & 2 card costs £4.10. Singles from Heathrow cost £3.60, singles in zone 1 cost £1.60. Do the math....you use the tube in from Heathrow and buy a travelcard, you pay £5.10. You then can use the buses and trains throughout London for the rest of that day for £1.50...one ride on the tube and you are ahead of the game! People too often denigrate taking the tube in from Heathrow. The big if, of course, is the amount of luggage. I have one piece of luggage on wheels along with a shoulder pack and an attache case, it is no big deal. From the time I leave Heatrow it is 35 minutes to Earls Court where I switch to the District line to my hotel usually in Bayswater. I could pay £11 to Paddington....yes it takes 15 minutes but being at Paddington is really no different than being at Earls Court in terms of getting to a hotel. Surface traffic is subject to horrendous delays as London traffic is to be polite about it quite bad. The tube is reliably the same time every time....35 minutes to Earls Court, 50 minutes to Picadilly. And remember you are getting on the train at the start of its route so you will always get a seat and the carriages do have ample room for luggage. Going back, as you head out of central London, seats almost always become available. The line loops....after the line leaves I think Hatton Cross (doing this from memory) it always goes first to Terminal 4 and then continues to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (all e at one station). Often times, there are 2 trains at Terminal 1, 2 and 3 and to save a couple of minutes you can switch to the earlier train. Train service runs every 3 or 4 minutes and I love the name of the terminal at the other end (Cockfosters) and I think by one of the earlier stations you are hearing that famous London Undergroudn phrase, "Mind the Gap." I have my opinions about people who go to London and insist on taking cabs everywhere and want to avoid the public transportation in London miss so much of the fun of the trip. Now understand, if you have lots of luggage (usually because you bring too much) then of course you do need car service but for most people, no matter what some others say, the tube is a very viable reliable way of getting into town from Heathrow.

Sorry!!!! As soon as I'd re-read my posting, I realised what was really said. Please accept my apologies - and have a great time in London.

That's OK, AR!! I think Janis and I were just trying to clarify for others. And although my trip is still 2 1/2 months away - I am SO excited about it, and I know it will be a blast! Karen

Thanks to all! I can't believe what a great help you have all been. A few helpful responses and I'm ready to go. I don't think I could get lost if I wanted to now.