I will be arriving in Heathrow around 10pm. Would it be safe for two women to take the tube to our hotel? I haven't booked the hotel yet; waiting to see what best option to and from airport would be; looking at Renaissance Chancery Court London-I think this would not require a station change; and looking at London Marriott Hotel County Hall-which I think would require a change. Or should I be safe and just spring for a taxi?

I do think the tube would be perfectly safe, though my only experience at night is post-theater, not from Heathrow. Per a tip from someone on this board, we preordered a car (www.justairports.com), which was about 30-35 pounds (about half the price of a cab, I understand). Though I am able to pack light, I knew I would be too tired to hop on the tube to try to find my way after a long flight.

In all likelihood you'd be fine (though I've never taken it all the way from Heathrow either). How you feel about it probably depends on what you're used to. If you happen to ride the NYC subway a lot at night, for example, I would imagine you'd feel totally fine on the Tube.

Personally, I'd spring for the car service when arriving that late, just because I would feel a little safer (and as marilynl pointed out, I might be too tired to negotiate the Tube and finding my hotel that late!). Plus then you could pick a hotel based on what you like. But the Tube is generally safe, and to my knowledge you probably would have no problems.

Are you landing at 10 pm or leaving the airport at 10 pm? If the former - I would definitely order a car rather then trek around on the tube (and how late does it run anyway?)

At that time of night I would spring for a car service, but since you asked I am assuming you are trying to cut costs. I rode the tube at all times of night, and while I did not ride to Heathrow, I would assume it to be perfectly fine.

I agree you'd be safe, but my concern is what you would do if you are delayed. The tube quits running around midnight. If you are delayed, it could even be midnight or later before you were ready to leave.

So from this point of view, a car service sounds like a good idea, although you could also take night buses in the unlikely event of a significant delay.

Check the Journey Planner at www.thetube.com to get an idea about what route you would take if you started your journey at midnight.

thanks for the replies; I think I will go with the car service; any suggestions other than the previously mentioned justairports.com?

Justairports is about the cheapest of the most well known car services. There are other good ones like Swiss Cottage - but they will cost more (though still less than a taxi)

The email form for justairports.com doesn't work. Call I guess.

mmmhm, it worked just fine for us, and we received a prompt reply with instructions, etc.