Transportation from Airport to Hotel in London
 

What are some options for transportation from London airport to a Central London Hotel. I'll be traveling alone. I don't want to take a subway or other kind of mass transportation. Thanks Sandy

Sandy, this subject is covered at least once a day on this board :-) If you do not want to take the tube (can't blame you) or any other mass transit (can't blame you either) I suggest a car pick up service. It's not cheap, but it's convenient and door to door. They meet you as you exit immigration, help with your bags, and drive you to you destination. The charges are a set fee (plus tip), there is no meter as in a taxi. This is not a shuttle, in other words it's just you, no other stops along the way.

Many on this board recommend www.justairports.com. They are reliable. We always use www.london-transfers.com (Ray Skinner) and have been more then pleased with his service. Either is a good choice.

Again, this option is not inexpensive, but after a long flight it's so nice not to deal with trains/buses/whatever!!!

Hi,

I was just there a few weeks ago. I took the train and had no problems. I was a single woman traveling alone. I took the train from Gatwick to King's Crossing. There are 2 different trains which bring you into different locations in Central Londont. The trains are well traveled. However, you must be able to handle your luggage. If you can't then the train is not a good option for you.

Just take a taxi. London has the best taxi service. The ride is pleasant and it costs less than a car service. The fare was around 50 pounds including the tip from Heathrow to the Ritz

Try londontown.com. They offer shuttle and limo services, so you can price them and compare. Also, ask your hotel for help. Oftentimes they can send a car and guarantee the price. I agree with you on nixing the mass transit idea. Never my first choice when I've flown long distances.
:)>-

Don't know which airport you'll be flying into and that does make a difference. If it's Gatwick, the train is really the best solution. If LHR, I always take the Heathrow Express( when travelling solo) and then a taxi to my hotel. It's certainly cheaper than a 50 GBP (with tip I beleive that translates to about $100) taxi ride and almost as convenient.

If you really have an aversion to mass transportattion you should check out Just Airports, but I imagine it'll be more expensive than the Heathrow Express. I might add that the Express is nice, and I would not put it into the category of mass transportation even though that's basically what it is.

If money is no object, hire a limousine, much nicer than a taxi.

taxi...........its easy and convenient. Get the cost upfront just to be sure they don't tack on at the end.

I personally love the London Tube....Very convenient...For example,on my last visit to London I got on at Heathrow,and the Underground got me to within about 4 minutes walk from my hotel.....I feel that the London taxis are very expensive.....I know that with the price of fares on the Tube that I always think that it is very prohibitive,(especially if you are on a strict money budget).But would rather pay the fare than pay a taxi.....

"Just take a taxi. London has the best taxi service. The ride is pleasant and it costs less than a car service. The fare was around 50 pounds including the tip from Heathrow to the Ritz."

No offense, but this is simply INCORRECT advice. Some car services are more expensive than others, but I know of NONE that will cost nearly as much as a taxi. I'm assuming this was referring to Heathrow, but I've never heard of a regular taxi being less than 50 pounds. Several car services including justairports and Swiss Cottage Cars will charge around 25 pounds. That's a lot of savings in my book.

Sorry...there is really no easy answer to this question...it depends on where your hotel is located, perhaps the time of day, how much luggage you have and just how is your physical condition to lug your luggage up a few stairs..not that I am saying you have to be in prime physical condition to take the tube.

I take the tube in from LHR all the time...if I will be in London for a week and will be procuring a 7 day travelcard, it could cost as little as 1 quid (during weekdays between 0700 and 1900 it is £1.80)...this is the price of an extension for zones 3-6 on an oystercard 7 day travelcard...if you are doing PAYG and it is outside weekdays between 0700 and 1900 it is £2 on oyster...£3.50 otherwise...a bargain I find hard to resist....

Is the tube for everybody? Of course not but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it without knowing the full particulars...you know the hotel could be right along a tube line and the tube could be much faster given the London traffic. also getting on the train at Heathrow generally means you get a seat as this is where the train starts and you can plop yourself down right next to your baggage...since the trains run every couple of minutes, if one train is crowded, just wait for the next one.

Again whether the tube is a viable alternative depends on many factors but don't start out with the assumption that it is not doable...it most assuredly very doable.

passportplus: First you need to tell us WHICH London airport you are flying into. There are 5 (though I'd guess you are probably using either Gatwick or Heathrow). The options are different depending on the airport.

One thing though - a taxi is not a very good idea from ANY of the airports.