Luton Airport???
Sep 5th, 2004, 05:38 PM
#1
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Luton Airport???
Has anyone flown into Luton Airport in London?? Whats the best way to get from there to Piccadily, I'll be staying at the Ritz... although I don't have a Ritz budget, so I'm looking for the most cost effective route.
Sep 5th, 2004, 08:05 PM
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You can take the Thameslink train to King's Cross (app. 10 pounds if I remember..) and then take the tube (Picadilly line) to Picadilly Circus or Green Park. I am not sure which is closer- Haven't had the pleasure of staying at the Ritz myself.
Note that from Luton airport, you will take a shuttlebus (free) to the Thameslink station where you will catch the train. It is approx. a 25 minute train ride from there. The ticket agent will assist you in working out which type of ticket is best for you.
Note that from Luton airport, you will take a shuttlebus (free) to the Thameslink station where you will catch the train. It is approx. a 25 minute train ride from there. The ticket agent will assist you in working out which type of ticket is best for you.
Sep 6th, 2004, 12:19 AM
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Green Park underground for the Ritz (it's virtually next door). Be aware that there's quite a long walk from the Kings Cross Thameslink station to the Underground lines, but it's well signposted through dedicated underground walkways.
Sep 6th, 2004, 12:33 AM
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In fact, from September 11 for 9 months, the southbound Thameslink from Luton and Bedford will NOT call at Kings Cross Thameslink.
It will terminate at St Pancras: the nothbound Thameslink from Gatwick and Brighton will terminate at KX Thameslink.
Oddly, the walk from St Pancras to the tube at KX is rather shorter than from the Thameslink station. But at the moment, it requires you to thread your way through construction works and across a road.
The good news, though, is that if this is a hassle, it's easy to get a cab at the St Pancras rank - something that's always been close to impossible at KX Thameslink.
It will terminate at St Pancras: the nothbound Thameslink from Gatwick and Brighton will terminate at KX Thameslink.
Oddly, the walk from St Pancras to the tube at KX is rather shorter than from the Thameslink station. But at the moment, it requires you to thread your way through construction works and across a road.
The good news, though, is that if this is a hassle, it's easy to get a cab at the St Pancras rank - something that's always been close to impossible at KX Thameslink.
Sep 6th, 2004, 02:43 AM
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If you stay at The Ritz, you organise a private car to take you to the hotel. You say you haven't Ritz money, then you shouldn't be staying there, you won't enjoy it as everything they offer is highly priced, you won't fit in. If someone is paying your bill for you as a gift, then you can afford the money for a private hire car at around 60GBP with Aircars2000.com.
Why are you staying at The Ritz?
Why are you staying at The Ritz?
Sep 6th, 2004, 03:24 AM
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We're off to Luton Thur with 2 kids so looked at the train/coach/car transfer scenario.
Train seems fastest but involves 2 changes Luton-coach-Train station-train-Kings Cross-tube or Black cab-hotel
Car transfer most stressfree, no changes but slower in having to deaql with road traffic & most expensive at a best quote of £90 return
Coach transfer our choice as 1 transfer pickup outside terminal coach to London Victoria then Black cab to our hotel + coach tickets total £34 for 2 adults/2kids - book online at https://kiosk4.ts.com/k?arrivashires...p;ka=greenline
hope this helps
Train seems fastest but involves 2 changes Luton-coach-Train station-train-Kings Cross-tube or Black cab-hotel
Car transfer most stressfree, no changes but slower in having to deaql with road traffic & most expensive at a best quote of £90 return
Coach transfer our choice as 1 transfer pickup outside terminal coach to London Victoria then Black cab to our hotel + coach tickets total £34 for 2 adults/2kids - book online at https://kiosk4.ts.com/k?arrivashires...p;ka=greenline
hope this helps
Sep 6th, 2004, 07:21 AM
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Not at all...
I'd hate to be somewhere where I felt I didn't really fit in. The Ritz is an ultra snooty establisment (staid) which still requires gentlement to wear jackets and ties. If you turn up carrying your own cases from the tube, heads will turn. You will not feel comfortable in this sort of property. I did not mean to insult, merely question this bizarre logic. If you've won the holiday or something like that, then you can surely afford to pay for a car (which is less than a night in any London hotel).
Staying where you'd never normally stay is a little like taking friends to a restaurant, and telling them they can only have the cheapest dishes on the menu, and tap water to drink. I don't want you to be neurotic about being uncomfortable and out of place, this will severely disrupt your London experience.
I'd hate to be somewhere where I felt I didn't really fit in. The Ritz is an ultra snooty establisment (staid) which still requires gentlement to wear jackets and ties. If you turn up carrying your own cases from the tube, heads will turn. You will not feel comfortable in this sort of property. I did not mean to insult, merely question this bizarre logic. If you've won the holiday or something like that, then you can surely afford to pay for a car (which is less than a night in any London hotel).
Staying where you'd never normally stay is a little like taking friends to a restaurant, and telling them they can only have the cheapest dishes on the menu, and tap water to drink. I don't want you to be neurotic about being uncomfortable and out of place, this will severely disrupt your London experience.
Sep 6th, 2004, 07:36 AM
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pandaschu:
You really ought to get out more. Not in the offensive sense, but you ought to get out of the tube station called Kings Cross-St Pancras and look about you.
On one side of the road, one of the most spectacular railway stations in the world - matched IMHO for sheer over-the-top extravagance only by Bombay and Kuala Lumpur. Whence trains go to such vital parts of Britain as Cheterfield and Market Harborough. And surreally empty. St Pancras
On the other, a glorious piece of understated early Victorian elegance, brilliantly hidden by one of the most hideous modern extensions that even the UK has managed to create (and that really is setting the standards for vandalism high). A major tourist venue in its own right: for this is where you get the train for Hogwarts. As well as much of Scotland, and the glories of the stretch between Durham and the Scottish border. And bursting at the seams all day long. Kings Cross proper.
The two are as different from each other as cheese and the stuff Kraft makes.
You really ought to get out more. Not in the offensive sense, but you ought to get out of the tube station called Kings Cross-St Pancras and look about you.
On one side of the road, one of the most spectacular railway stations in the world - matched IMHO for sheer over-the-top extravagance only by Bombay and Kuala Lumpur. Whence trains go to such vital parts of Britain as Cheterfield and Market Harborough. And surreally empty. St Pancras
On the other, a glorious piece of understated early Victorian elegance, brilliantly hidden by one of the most hideous modern extensions that even the UK has managed to create (and that really is setting the standards for vandalism high). A major tourist venue in its own right: for this is where you get the train for Hogwarts. As well as much of Scotland, and the glories of the stretch between Durham and the Scottish border. And bursting at the seams all day long. Kings Cross proper.
The two are as different from each other as cheese and the stuff Kraft makes.
Sep 6th, 2004, 07:49 AM
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Flanner,
The worst part of it (now I am really going to expose my ingorance) is that I HAVE left the King's Cross station. On my first trip to London I stayed in a youth hostel near there. (& I used to pass it regularly on my bus ride home from work!) I did, at least, notice how beautiful the station was.
Next time I am there I will try to visit St. Pancras.
I second you on the cheese.
The worst part of it (now I am really going to expose my ingorance) is that I HAVE left the King's Cross station. On my first trip to London I stayed in a youth hostel near there. (& I used to pass it regularly on my bus ride home from work!) I did, at least, notice how beautiful the station was.
Next time I am there I will try to visit St. Pancras.
I second you on the cheese.
Sep 6th, 2004, 08:09 AM
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Isn't it sad to think that someone could want to splurge on a "luxury" hotel for a vacation and yet be totally lacking in class? And isn't it even sadder that some people don't understand that just because someone may want to splurge on one aspect of a vacation they don't necessarily want to splurge on all the other aspects?
When someone proudly brags that they are able to afford more than one week or "whirlwind spending in 5 star hotels and restaurants", it is especially sad that they think anyone without such funds is going to publicly embarrass themselves because they have no class. Anyone who is embarrassed because they carry their own bags into the Ritz (actually that isn't going to happen as the doorman will assist you with the bags as you approach), is more of a snob than he thinks he is. Actually for all the doorman knows you may have just parked your own Rolls in the garage that is just around the corner where you have your own reserved spot! Not all people who stay at the Ritz are such snobs that they worry only about what the doorman will think when they arrive carrying their own luggage. GASP!
When someone proudly brags that they are able to afford more than one week or "whirlwind spending in 5 star hotels and restaurants", it is especially sad that they think anyone without such funds is going to publicly embarrass themselves because they have no class. Anyone who is embarrassed because they carry their own bags into the Ritz (actually that isn't going to happen as the doorman will assist you with the bags as you approach), is more of a snob than he thinks he is. Actually for all the doorman knows you may have just parked your own Rolls in the garage that is just around the corner where you have your own reserved spot! Not all people who stay at the Ritz are such snobs that they worry only about what the doorman will think when they arrive carrying their own luggage. GASP!
Sep 6th, 2004, 08:45 AM
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So...
Back to the question. It sounds to me like the two best (most cost effective) options both involve taking the Thameslink train from Luton and then disembarking at St. Pancras station, taking a moment to appreciate the beauty and contrast of neighboring King's Cross station and then-
A. Take a taxi to the Ritz. Does anybody know the approximate cost? Will depend on time of day I suppose.
B. Maneuver through a construction zone to King's Cross tube station and take Picadilly line to Green Park and walk to Ritz.
I suppose it would depend on how much luggage Varabone travels with . Do you pack like a true Fodorite? i.e., everything packed in a ziplock baggie and tucked discreetly in your handbag?
Or with several unwieldy suitcases constantly toppling over and children in tow tripping you up?
Back to the question. It sounds to me like the two best (most cost effective) options both involve taking the Thameslink train from Luton and then disembarking at St. Pancras station, taking a moment to appreciate the beauty and contrast of neighboring King's Cross station and then-
A. Take a taxi to the Ritz. Does anybody know the approximate cost? Will depend on time of day I suppose.
B. Maneuver through a construction zone to King's Cross tube station and take Picadilly line to Green Park and walk to Ritz.
I suppose it would depend on how much luggage Varabone travels with . Do you pack like a true Fodorite? i.e., everything packed in a ziplock baggie and tucked discreetly in your handbag?
Or with several unwieldy suitcases constantly toppling over and children in tow tripping you up?
Sep 6th, 2004, 09:41 AM
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If someone "splurges" then they should "splurge" properly or not at all.
If you can't afford everything (within reason) then wait until you can. Staying at The Ritz and taking the tube is like going into Jimmy Choo, trying on hundreds of pairs of shoes, knowing that you can't (or aren't willing) afford to purchase any of them.
60GBP (cash) is all it costs to use Aircars2000.com. I fail to understand how you won't be able to afford this relatively (compared to circa 350GBP min a night) small sum.
If you can't afford everything (within reason) then wait until you can. Staying at The Ritz and taking the tube is like going into Jimmy Choo, trying on hundreds of pairs of shoes, knowing that you can't (or aren't willing) afford to purchase any of them.
60GBP (cash) is all it costs to use Aircars2000.com. I fail to understand how you won't be able to afford this relatively (compared to circa 350GBP min a night) small sum.
Sep 6th, 2004, 09:57 AM
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pandaschu, I'm not sure that you're listening to all the advice here. Do not take a taxi unless like some people you love throwing money around. If you want the ease and convenience then hire a car, which will be a fraction of the cost of a taxi. Otherwise it is up to you to decide how much effort the transfer within the tube is and how difficult it will be with your luggage. But for heaven's sake don't choose your mode of transportation merely to please those who are watching you. What you want to do is far more important than making a "proper appearance".
"Message: If someone "splurges" then they should "splurge" properly or not at all."
Odd, that doesn't sound like the same poster who recently posted about looking for a much less expensive hotel for a weekend trip to Belgium, and tried defending his apparent "cheapness" as saying it was only an "unplanned short trip", and then ranted about how although he took Eurostar, it lacked the class of flying. Seems like that person would follow his own advice about splurging totally or not at all. To follow his own thinking, if one splurged on first class Eurostar, shouldn't he continue to splurge on only a 5 star hotel? Oh, I get it, "do as I say, not as I do."
"Message: If someone "splurges" then they should "splurge" properly or not at all."
Odd, that doesn't sound like the same poster who recently posted about looking for a much less expensive hotel for a weekend trip to Belgium, and tried defending his apparent "cheapness" as saying it was only an "unplanned short trip", and then ranted about how although he took Eurostar, it lacked the class of flying. Seems like that person would follow his own advice about splurging totally or not at all. To follow his own thinking, if one splurged on first class Eurostar, shouldn't he continue to splurge on only a 5 star hotel? Oh, I get it, "do as I say, not as I do."
Sep 6th, 2004, 10:20 AM
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With reference to my recent Antwerp trip (see report) I decided to spend the extra money, and as predicted it wasn't really worth it as the hotel in Brussels would've been better, and cheaper.
The cheapest The Ritz will be is 350GBP which is very steep, even by London standards - Claridge's would've been 125GBP per night cheaper, and in my opinion, far superior.
When I stay at hotels, I never worry about nearby tube or bus stops, if I'm paying a top bracket rate, then I should be able to afford to take a taxi, if I couldn't then I'd reconsider and choose a cheaper property.
Taking the tube to The Ritz is laughable, it's rather like washing down a MacDonalds with a Chateau Margaux '83.
The cheapest The Ritz will be is 350GBP which is very steep, even by London standards - Claridge's would've been 125GBP per night cheaper, and in my opinion, far superior.
When I stay at hotels, I never worry about nearby tube or bus stops, if I'm paying a top bracket rate, then I should be able to afford to take a taxi, if I couldn't then I'd reconsider and choose a cheaper property.
Taking the tube to The Ritz is laughable, it's rather like washing down a MacDonalds with a Chateau Margaux '83.
