suitcase- subway&moving about
 

Should I be concerned about taking my luggage with me from the airports to the tube, buses, etc. in the UK? I'm concerned I won't have room to take along even a single mid-sized suitcase. I suppose people do it every day, but I'm only familiar with transportation in the U.S. and I know that stuff here (city bus, subway, etc) that isn't designated specifically for airport travel wouldn't have room for a suitcase.<BR><BR>Thanks!!!<BR><BR>

You have nothing to worry about as far as places to put your luggage on public transportation, but you may have to lug it up quite a few stairs depending on the tube station, etc.

Brian,<BR><BR>One other caution--don't try taking luggage through the Tube or on buses during rush hours....too many commuters, too little space.<BR><BR>Taxis, airport van services, and airport express trains are better for getting luggage to and from the airport.<BR><BR>Dave White<BR>http://www.KidsToLondon.com

Hi, <BR><BR>I arrived in London with one medium size bag with wheels and a small (but heavy) carry on. <BR><BR>I didn't have a problem on the trains at 8ish (rush hour doesn't seem to start until a little before 9). <BR><BR>I did have to lug my stuff up quite a few steps. In most cases there were escalators (I didn't really see many elevators around) but it always seemed as if there were one or two flights of steps at every underground station (and many times broken escalators). <BR><BR>I didn't find it to be much of a problem (I counted it as my workout for the day). But I am only 39... I can see it being a problem for me if I was older or if I had some type of heart problem.....<BR><BR>As a side note, the underground actually seemed faster. I went on one of the buses and traffic was horrible!!<BR>

Once a number of years ago we decided to play "thrify" and took the tube from Heathrow to Covent Garden. It was about 8 AM, and the train became jammed with commuters. We each were standing straddling a large suitcase each. People stared at us with hate in their eyes for taking up so much room and "being in their way". It is the only bit of unfriendliness I've ever encountered in the UK, and we vowed never to do it again.

I agree with Patrick and David and in fact I had almost exactly the same experience at Patrick. Train at Heathrow started out pretty empty but boy did it fill up as we approached central London. On most Underground train cars there is a very little sort of alcove near the door that will accommocate a suitcase if the car isn't very crowded, but that doesn't mean you and your fellow passengers won't all be squished together around the suitcase.<BR>A small carry on sized bag is much less of a problem, it's the "medium size" that I would be concerned about.<BR>If you're staying in Central London you might want a compromise between the cheap cost of the Tube vs the cost of a taxi, and instead<BR>take the Paddington Express train from Heathrow to Paddington Station. No stairs required. From<BR>Pad. Sta you can take a taxi or the Tube to your hotel.

We just got back for London about three weeks ago and were amazed by the number of suitcases we saw on the Tube, even in "non-airport" routes such the Central Line.<BR><BR>I would go ahead if you want to (we took the Tube with our luggage to hitch up with the Eurostar). But do stay away from rush hour. That would be too big a nightmare for you and everyone else.<BR><BR>Lisa

Patrick, I had the same experience from CDG to Gare du Nord; never again at rush hour!