London hotel need help
Jun 1st, 2009, 02:21 PM
#22
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Don't be stressed about using the tube. I was just in Minneapolis and I got all flustered using their ONE LINE tram system! Lol. There's a good guide on how to use the tube here: http://www.moneysavinglondon.com/Tra...derground.html
(and incidently there's something about using Priceline for London hotels on the same site: http://www.moneysavinglondon.com/Hot...on-hotels.html)
I would maybe be thinking of the Kings Cross areas as convenient both from Heathrow (on the tube) and St Pancras (for the Eurostar). It's cheap too.
(and incidently there's something about using Priceline for London hotels on the same site: http://www.moneysavinglondon.com/Hot...on-hotels.html)
I would maybe be thinking of the Kings Cross areas as convenient both from Heathrow (on the tube) and St Pancras (for the Eurostar). It's cheap too.
Jun 1st, 2009, 03:12 PM
#23
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If your budget will allow it, I would consider booking a car service to get from Heathrow to your hotel on your arrival day. Just Airports is good, and I'm sure other posters could recommend other companies.
The website is justairports.com
If your hotel budget is under $90 CAD/night, I would seriously start researching Priceline and Hotwire.
There are a lot of posts here on fodors about them, and yk has already given you the two websites you'll need to comb through. They will give you give you tips on how to use Priceline & Hotwire, a list of the current Priceline & Hotwire hotels in London, and the prices people are currently paying for them.
Try taking a look at this thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...on-lodging.cfm
People were getting the Holiday Inn Express Earl's Court for $50-$60 US on Hotwire. Last Christmas I got the Holiday Inn Camden Lock for the equivalent of $66 CAN per night.
So it is certainly possible to get a fairly nice hotel room in London for under $90, but you might have to be a bit flexible in terms of the neighbourhood.
If a particluar location is your priority, then you might have to be more flexible on the price.
The website is justairports.com
If your hotel budget is under $90 CAD/night, I would seriously start researching Priceline and Hotwire.
There are a lot of posts here on fodors about them, and yk has already given you the two websites you'll need to comb through. They will give you give you tips on how to use Priceline & Hotwire, a list of the current Priceline & Hotwire hotels in London, and the prices people are currently paying for them.
Try taking a look at this thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...on-lodging.cfm
People were getting the Holiday Inn Express Earl's Court for $50-$60 US on Hotwire. Last Christmas I got the Holiday Inn Camden Lock for the equivalent of $66 CAN per night.
So it is certainly possible to get a fairly nice hotel room in London for under $90, but you might have to be a bit flexible in terms of the neighbourhood.
If a particluar location is your priority, then you might have to be more flexible on the price.
Jun 1st, 2009, 03:42 PM
#24
Budget or not - you really do NOT want to take the Heathrow Express to Paddington. Honest. It would not be easier, would not be faster, and would be a LOT more expensive.
Paddington is a long distance from Kings Cross, so once you got to Paddington you'd either have to take a very expensive taxi, or the tube, or an even more confusing bus the rest of the way. You would not save time or money and would have a lot more schlepping of luggage.
The <u>only</u> practical ways to get from LHR to King's X is the tube: cheap, no line changes but some luggage schlepping -- OR -- a car service: much more expensive but door-to-door w/ no schlepping of luggage.
But I don't agree that you need to stay near Kings Cross. Anyplace along the Piccadilly tube line (the dark blue one) would be very convenient and most would be much nicer than at Kings Cross. Don't even try to figure out the tube mat until you are there. You are psyching yourself out - once you use the tube a couple of times it will all fall into place.
I just got back from a 2 week London trip w/ 6 friends -- all of them ladies "of a certain age" who had never taken a subway before. And every single one mastered the tube w/i a day or two. I did have to "hold a couple of hands" the first ride or two. But before long they were all old pros.
Paddington is a long distance from Kings Cross, so once you got to Paddington you'd either have to take a very expensive taxi, or the tube, or an even more confusing bus the rest of the way. You would not save time or money and would have a lot more schlepping of luggage.
The <u>only</u> practical ways to get from LHR to King's X is the tube: cheap, no line changes but some luggage schlepping -- OR -- a car service: much more expensive but door-to-door w/ no schlepping of luggage.
But I don't agree that you need to stay near Kings Cross. Anyplace along the Piccadilly tube line (the dark blue one) would be very convenient and most would be much nicer than at Kings Cross. Don't even try to figure out the tube mat until you are there. You are psyching yourself out - once you use the tube a couple of times it will all fall into place.
I just got back from a 2 week London trip w/ 6 friends -- all of them ladies "of a certain age" who had never taken a subway before. And every single one mastered the tube w/i a day or two. I did have to "hold a couple of hands" the first ride or two. But before long they were all old pros.
Jun 2nd, 2009, 11:39 AM
#25
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Despite the comments by janisj the Heathrow Express is definitely worth considering for travel into London (i have travelled this route may be 50-60 times over the last 5 years!). Yes it IS more expensive 16.50 compared with 4.00) but it is quicker (approx 35 mins compared with 55mins + IF there are no problems on the Tube). Admittedly you will have one change - when arriving at Paddington just head for the Underground and get on a Circle Line train (yellow line) heading for Edgeware Rd. If in doubt ask any of the LU staff who will help you.
The reason I suggested KC as and area to stay is that there are lots of budget chain hotels all along the Euston Rd around KC/St Pancras and Euston Stations plus you will be close to the Eurostar terminal for your departure. There are also lots of inexpensive hotels in Bloomsbury just accros teh Euston Road. The main benefit is that KC is a major tube interchange station with access to teh piccdilly, Victoria, Northern and Circle lines which will provide easy access to most of the sights in town.
To say "anyplace along the Picadilly Line would be very convenient" is misleading as it is a very long line and the distances on the map bear no relationship to the distances on the ground. West London is very nice and most Londoners would indeed aspire to live in places like Kensington and Knightsbridge but it is a bit out of the way if you are visiting the sights.
For cheap accomodation, keep an eye on www.travelodge.co.uk as they have been having some great deals over the last week (like 9 pound per night) and
http://www.yha.org.uk/find-accommoda...avel_info.aspx
I dont think you can book online yet but it would be worth giving them a call via Skype.
Otherwise www.hostelbookers.com are usually a good bet for accomodation in your price range.
Have fun in the greatest city in the world!!
The reason I suggested KC as and area to stay is that there are lots of budget chain hotels all along the Euston Rd around KC/St Pancras and Euston Stations plus you will be close to the Eurostar terminal for your departure. There are also lots of inexpensive hotels in Bloomsbury just accros teh Euston Road. The main benefit is that KC is a major tube interchange station with access to teh piccdilly, Victoria, Northern and Circle lines which will provide easy access to most of the sights in town.
To say "anyplace along the Picadilly Line would be very convenient" is misleading as it is a very long line and the distances on the map bear no relationship to the distances on the ground. West London is very nice and most Londoners would indeed aspire to live in places like Kensington and Knightsbridge but it is a bit out of the way if you are visiting the sights.
For cheap accomodation, keep an eye on www.travelodge.co.uk as they have been having some great deals over the last week (like 9 pound per night) and
http://www.yha.org.uk/find-accommoda...avel_info.aspx
I dont think you can book online yet but it would be worth giving them a call via Skype.
Otherwise www.hostelbookers.com are usually a good bet for accomodation in your price range.
Have fun in the greatest city in the world!!
Jun 2nd, 2009, 11:58 AM
#26
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I'm sorry, but for someone traveling on a tight budget, I have a hard time recommending the Heathrow Express. For 2 people (since the OP used "we" in her initial post), we're talking about £33 to get from Heathrow to Paddington; PLUS tube fare from Paddington to _______ (assuming Kings Cross). £33 = $60CAD, which is 2/3 of the OP's lodging budget per night... and this is for what? To save 20 minutes on travel time?
Most of the time, with overnight flights from N Am, early arrival to London = room NOT ready for check-in at hotel. I don't see the difference between arriving at 9:30am vs 10am for the casual tourist.
I am not saying that Heathrow Express is not the fastest way to get into London. However, it's not the best way for everyone. It's totally fine for people who have the money to ride it, or on a business account, or business people who are in a rush and have to attend morning meetings. However, for the casual BUDGET tourist, the 20-30 minutes saved is NOT worth the extra cost, IMO.
Most of the time, with overnight flights from N Am, early arrival to London = room NOT ready for check-in at hotel. I don't see the difference between arriving at 9:30am vs 10am for the casual tourist.
I am not saying that Heathrow Express is not the fastest way to get into London. However, it's not the best way for everyone. It's totally fine for people who have the money to ride it, or on a business account, or business people who are in a rush and have to attend morning meetings. However, for the casual BUDGET tourist, the 20-30 minutes saved is NOT worth the extra cost, IMO.
Jun 2nd, 2009, 03:09 PM
#27
Crellston: The HEX really ONLY makes sense if one is staying near Paddington station. (And for most visitors that is not the best area to stay) For any other (better) part of the city it actually takes longer, or only saves a very few minutes. Paddington is not in the center of anything. So once you arrive there you either have to schlepp your bags down into the tube station - or schlepp your bags out to the buses - or schlepp your bags to the taxi rank and pay another £10-£20 to get to your final destination.
It is a comfortable service to be sure -- but it is very expensive and only gets one to Paddington. I have ridden it many times - but only when it fit into my plans and that is maybe 1/10 of the time . . . . . .
It is a comfortable service to be sure -- but it is very expensive and only gets one to Paddington. I have ridden it many times - but only when it fit into my plans and that is maybe 1/10 of the time . . . . . .
Jun 2nd, 2009, 03:13 PM
#28
and meant to add -- I meant anyplace along the Piccadilly line <u>between Earl's Court and King's X</u>. Or better yet - between Gloucester Rd/South Kens and Russell Square.
From any of those areas, one would be centrally located and on a direct tube ride to KingsX/St Pancras w/o changes.
From any of those areas, one would be centrally located and on a direct tube ride to KingsX/St Pancras w/o changes.
Jun 3rd, 2009, 11:20 AM
#29
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We have decided to use the tube from Heathrow. You're right YK, the Hex wouldn't save us much time. I am watching the Travelodge King's Cross. It's $106 a night which is more than I wanted to spend but seems to be the best option so far. Other hotels recommended on here aren't available. Price line and Hotwire don't seem to have King's Cross area offered (I couldn't find it anyways).
Jun 3rd, 2009, 12:44 PM
#30
"<i>Price line and Hotwire don't seem to have King's Cross area offered </i>"
Kings Cross is in the Bloomsbury/Marble Arch zone on Priceline. (which also includes Russell Square). But you could also possibly get a place farther west.
I still don't think you need to concentrate ONLY near King's Cross. It really isn't the best area. Nothing dangerous or particularly nasty - just REALLY congested, noisy and busy.
It would be a real shame IMO if one picks a less than comfortable area mainly because they think the tube map is confusing. I'd personally pick a nice place to stay (or get a real bargain on PL) and then ask here the best way to get to King'sX from your hotel.
Kings Cross is in the Bloomsbury/Marble Arch zone on Priceline. (which also includes Russell Square). But you could also possibly get a place farther west.
I still don't think you need to concentrate ONLY near King's Cross. It really isn't the best area. Nothing dangerous or particularly nasty - just REALLY congested, noisy and busy.
It would be a real shame IMO if one picks a less than comfortable area mainly because they think the tube map is confusing. I'd personally pick a nice place to stay (or get a real bargain on PL) and then ask here the best way to get to King'sX from your hotel.
