Joan

We are arriving at Heathrow at 6:20 in the morning and would like to be driven into London. There are four of us with suitcases and some carry-ons. I've gotten a quote from the Chauffeur Co. and they would charge us 52 pounds. Does anyone know of another reliable and less expensive place to hire a car? Actually, they are saying we need a mini-van. Thanks! What about Swiss Cottage Cars?

Mary

London numbers have recently changed but I think this is how it goes from USA <BR>Meadway minicabs 011 44 20 8458 5555. <BR>Swiss cottage minicabs 011 44 20 7435 1964. <BR>Tell them how many people and the number of cases. They will wait where you walk through from customs. <BR>Have used both in the past and have never paid as much as 52 pounds! <BR>There is now way I would rent a car and drive in to London if you have never done it before.

Joan

Thank you. I have heard of the Swiss Cottage Cars. I'll call and check out prices and size of cars.

David White

Joan, <BR> <BR>Are you SURE you want to travel by car from Heathrow to downtown London during the morning rush? It is not only expensive (as you've found) but it is also a slow journey. <BR> <BR>Suggest you look at the Heathrow Express train--15 minutes from the airport to Paddington rail station in downtown, just north of Hyde Park. Then get a taxi. The luggage squeeze may be a challenge...I have managed with a family of four, each with a carry-on and a rolling suitcase, in a London taxi. A couple of suitcases in the trunk, a couple on the seat next to the driver, and the carry-ons with the passengers. The cab seats four easily (one on a jump seat). <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip! <BR> <BR>David White <BR>www.KidsToLondon.com

Beth

Joan - <BR>I would agree with David. The drive could be a nightmare. I was just there in March and we took the Heathrow Express. It was great. The train had plenty of room for all our luggage, it was comfortable and soooo quick. They leave every 15 minutes. I would recommend it to everyone. If I remember correctly it was $22.50 each way. It is somewhat expensive, but I'm willing to pay for the 15 minute ride vs. 60+ minutes on the road. We did choose to take a limosine back to the airport for our return trip. It was about 52 pounds plus 1 pound per bag, but that really isn't bad for four people. All of our luggage (4 women who did A LOT of shopping!) fit using the trunk and the front seat. <BR>If you choose the train, you can buy your tickets either at a ticket booth or from machines. Just follow the signs that are everywhere at Heathrow. Have a great time!

Jon

Use the net. go to www.justairports.com <BR>They will provide you a quote over the net. I have early arrival two indiv, 3 pieces of luggage 41.62 pounds. quite reasonable.

Jane

Minicabs are a fixed price so it does not matter if you are caught in some traffic from that perspective. It is cheaper to take a minicab if you are four people than to take the train or tube and you only have to load your luggag in from the curbside and then out of the car again. If I am alone I will take the public transport but not if we are 2 or more.

Michael

It depends on your age and your health. I took the subway or Underground as it is called. This is not the Express train as it made plenty of local stops...but it cost ONLY 3 pounds 30...this was two years ago..so even if the fare has risen to 4 pounds you still have a huge savings...for four people. <BR> <BR>The downside of a surface limo, taxi, car, or bus is the traffic and the cost. The only downside to the Underground is that it is a bit of a walk through the passageways to get to the train at Heathrow...but one factor that I will always rememeber is this...when the train first leaves Heathrow...you travel on the surface...or even the train is elevated for a while, and you will gleefully note how the automobile and bus traffic <BR>looks like it barely moves as you roll by on the tracks. I got into London so quickly - after clearing passport control, luggage retrieval and so forth that it was barely 800 AM and my hotel room was not even close to being ready. <BR> <BR>So measure your funds, your ability to walk, or your ability to sit in congested traffic... and then decide.

julie

Get on the train, for heaven's sake. It comes right in to the airport, and there are places for luggage. Spend the difference some other way--unless you are all over 70. It is the easiest and cheepest way.

Lori

Well my husband and I are not over 70 and we would NEVER consider dragging our luggage and ourselves on the tube into London from Heathrow unless we each had one very tiny bag and we never travel with just one tiny bag! Frankly I cannot imagine a more horrible beginning to any vacation than hauling luggage in and out of the tube - with 4 of you hiring a car service is the best bet. I don't know where your quote of 52 pounds comes from but we've done it and been charged 30 or 35 pounds. Divide that by 4 people and it is the most economical hassle-free way to come into town. It's a set fee, if traffic moves or does not move you pay only that fee. Even if it is 52 pounds it's still a good idea to go for it - why drag luggage on and off trains, up and down escalators (some of which do not work, we just were in London last month and MANY escalators are out of service). Give yourself a break, start your trip off well - a ride into town split 4 ways is the best way to go. Remember you are going to be awake most of the night, you will have some jet lag, why torture yourself ... do it the easy way!!!! Don't take a regular cab tho, hire a service, they meet you when you come through customs (holding a sign with your name) and it's easy from then on...go for it.

elvira

I'm a fan of trains and subways; the underground from Heathrow works well if you have just a carryon/pilot case sort of thing; my sister and niece used the Heathrow Express last year, and loved it - again, they had just carryons, which was important since the train ends at Paddington and their accommodations were in South Kensington, so they had to take the underground; for 6 women last year, we hired a van to meet us at the airport (Gatwick). It cost L60, and worth every pence - the driver met us outside customs, helped us with our bags, the van was at the curb. We ran into traffic, but we had not planned anything until early evening, so who cares? The driver was chatty, making the trip pleasant. <BR> <BR>Hire a chauffered car/van for door-to-door service; make your life easy.

Roger

Another way is the Airbus. Large double decker coaches. I think it was around 6 or 7 Pounds each. Lots of room for baggage. They have two main routes. A1 and A2. You can ask at the check in spot which one goes to the area you want. They make several stops. One goes to the Russell Square area and the other near Victoria Station. From there you can hail a cab for the rest of the way.

Lori

Just multiply folks .. 4 people taking either the Paddington Express train (and then a cab) or 4 people each taking the Airbus - about 7 pounds per person there, that equals 42 pounds than then you still might need a taxi. Just book a driver service, go from the terminal into a car/van (with driver assisting with luggage) and sit back and ride comfortably to your hotel where the driver will assist you again with bags. No fuss, no bother, no hauling luggage on and off trains, buses, etc. Incidentally with 4 people you would need 2 cabs most likely. Economically speaking your best bet is a driver service.

to the top

why don't you look back in the posts before starting a new string!!!!!!

annette

To "to the [email protected]", The info about the escalators not being in service in an upper post is the sort of current info that makes this board so wonderful! It's always nice to check back and do a search of previous posts, however, it's helpful to hear from recent returnee's who have the most recent experiences.