Transportation from Heathrow Airport to Central London
Dec 23rd, 2013, 07:37 AM
#2
>>best and most cost-efficient way to get to London from Heathrow other than the tube<<
OK - where to? What do you mean by 'best' most cost efficient is seldom the 'best'>
But generally, the Tube to most places if you don't have a lot of luggage is both cheapest and most efficient. Otherwise a pre-booked car service such as justairports.com - costs a lot more than the tube but is door-to-dorr.
OK - where to? What do you mean by 'best' most cost efficient is seldom the 'best'>
But generally, the Tube to most places if you don't have a lot of luggage is both cheapest and most efficient. Otherwise a pre-booked car service such as justairports.com - costs a lot more than the tube but is door-to-dorr.
Dec 23rd, 2013, 08:12 AM
#3
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Thanks. I could have been clearer. I don't want to take the tube but I don't want to spend a lot of money traveling to and from the airport. I have been researching pre-booked car services and their prices range from 36 pounds to 56 pounds for what look like the same vehicles to me.
Do you recommend Just Airports? I have also looked at Exclusive Airports, Addison Lee, Expressways and several others.
Do you recommend Just Airports? I have also looked at Exclusive Airports, Addison Lee, Expressways and several others.
Dec 23rd, 2013, 01:09 PM
#6
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I want to thank everyone who told us about Heathrow Connect. On a recent trip to London, we went to the Heathrow Express-Heathrow Connect area. Bought tickets to the Heathrow Connect.(you have to look near the bottom of the board as I recall. )..Probably a hundred people stood on the platform and waited for a few minutes, with us. Everyone, BUT US, crammed into the Heathrow Express. We felt a little strange standing there, by ourselves, with people looking at us, wondering why we were not cramming in with them...Two or three minutes later, the Heathrow Connect train came by...empty. We got on...had the car to ourselves. I think there were about 4-5-6? stops. The first stop, one person got, on. Ditto for the next couple of quick stops. At the last or next to the last, about four people....all these people seemed to be Londoners..didn't look like tourists. Took us about 10 minutes longer than the packed train...and cost half as much. What a deal!!!! Why doesn't the British Tourist group of people tell more about the Connect....oh, I know why: they make more money on the Express!! We loved the COnnect, so thanks guys and gals, for that information.
Dec 23rd, 2013, 03:46 PM
#7
The problem w/ the Connect and the coach is they drop you at Paddington or Victoria Coach stations Nd then you either have to take the tube or a taxi (or a bus) on to where you are staying. And it is a bit of a hike from the coach station to victoria tube station.
So unless you are staying right at Paddington (not recommended) or at Victoria (better) you are still going to,have to schlepp your bags or pay ££ for a taxi.
So IMO the best options are 1) the Tube, or 2) justairports.com or another car service.
Connect is great - but defeats the purpose if you want to avoid the tube.
So unless you are staying right at Paddington (not recommended) or at Victoria (better) you are still going to,have to schlepp your bags or pay ££ for a taxi.
So IMO the best options are 1) the Tube, or 2) justairports.com or another car service.
Connect is great - but defeats the purpose if you want to avoid the tube.
Dec 24th, 2013, 04:35 AM
#9
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check Heathrow Express web site for special offers - last time I check you could get fares way cheaper than full fare - this is the best and fastest way to the Paddington/Marylebone area.
https://www.heathrowexpress.com/tick...iscounts-deals
https://www.heathrowexpress.com/tick...iscounts-deals
Dec 24th, 2013, 07:16 AM
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If there's two or more of you then a car service from Heathrow is a better option than HEX & taxi- doubly so if you arrive early on a weekday and are deposited in Paddington in the middle of the rush hour.
Dec 24th, 2013, 08:43 AM
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<Save £18 when two adults travel together between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport with Duo Saver. This online exclusive is perfect for couples seeking the fastest way between central London and Heathrow. Book online and get an Express Saver return journey for two for just £50.>
current discounts for couples - 50 quid total return for two on HEX!
well at 12.50 pounds each each way how can a car service that may take much longer - + a London cab ride which can't be more than a few miles?
current discounts for couples - 50 quid total return for two on HEX!
well at 12.50 pounds each each way how can a car service that may take much longer - + a London cab ride which can't be more than a few miles?
Dec 25th, 2013, 04:27 PM
#13
PQ: >>well at 12.50 pounds each each way how can a car service that may take much longer - + a London cab ride which can't be more than a few miles?<<
that is £25 one way for two, plus a cab. A cab to anywhere but in the immediate Paddington/Bayswater area will cost at least £10 and likely twice that. So you are at £35-£45 w/ a discounted HEX ticket and taxi.
A car service will usually cost between £35 and £40 door to door. No schelpping luggage to the HEX, and no queueing for a cab at Paddington.
So yes, even with a HEX discount, a car service is usually a better deal for two.
that is £25 one way for two, plus a cab. A cab to anywhere but in the immediate Paddington/Bayswater area will cost at least £10 and likely twice that. So you are at £35-£45 w/ a discounted HEX ticket and taxi.
A car service will usually cost between £35 and £40 door to door. No schelpping luggage to the HEX, and no queueing for a cab at Paddington.
So yes, even with a HEX discount, a car service is usually a better deal for two.
Dec 25th, 2013, 11:35 PM
#14
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Look, this is not a put down of anybody's suggestions here. But every individual itinerary is different. Are you one person or two or a few? How much luggage will you be carrying? Just where are you headed? Every one of the things mentioned, HEX, HCon, Car Service, coach to Victoria coach station and yes even the tube can be very viable and provide an efficient way of getting where you're going.
If your hotel is along the Picadilly line, the tube may be the right answer. Of course, I get that many people making an expensive trip to Europe and London perhaps for the first time might be a bit afraid of rubbing elbows with the commoners who ride the tube or have a fear of crime or whatever. Getting on the tube at Heathrow is easy, it's the start of the line and you will always be able to get a seat and the carriages do have room for a moderate amount of luggage. Obviously it is not for elderly popel and forgive me I have no idea where the op falls on this or somebody who has several bags and is packed say for an upcoming cruise and brings all sorts of formal wear. Me myself and I have learned that almost always I bring too much but still do. Taking the tube into central London, depending on other decisions you make regardng local transport, can cost as little as £2(you can also take a public bus from somewhere but it's a long long trip). People have timed the tube to Central London against the HEX and a taxi (London week day morning traffic can be brutal) and the tube sins.
However, again the efficiency of using the tube is very dpendent on just where your final destination is. And again, I'm not saying the tube is for everybody or the tube is luxurious to ride; it will get crowded as you get into Central London heading and it may well be there are intimidating stairs to climb at your destination or you might have to change trains or other reasons not to take the tube. All this comes with the turf. All I'm saying and I will not dispute for one second any of the other suggestions is the tube might be the best way in for many. As others have said, just where are you ultimately headed. In any case, enjoy your trip.
If your hotel is along the Picadilly line, the tube may be the right answer. Of course, I get that many people making an expensive trip to Europe and London perhaps for the first time might be a bit afraid of rubbing elbows with the commoners who ride the tube or have a fear of crime or whatever. Getting on the tube at Heathrow is easy, it's the start of the line and you will always be able to get a seat and the carriages do have room for a moderate amount of luggage. Obviously it is not for elderly popel and forgive me I have no idea where the op falls on this or somebody who has several bags and is packed say for an upcoming cruise and brings all sorts of formal wear. Me myself and I have learned that almost always I bring too much but still do. Taking the tube into central London, depending on other decisions you make regardng local transport, can cost as little as £2(you can also take a public bus from somewhere but it's a long long trip). People have timed the tube to Central London against the HEX and a taxi (London week day morning traffic can be brutal) and the tube sins.
However, again the efficiency of using the tube is very dpendent on just where your final destination is. And again, I'm not saying the tube is for everybody or the tube is luxurious to ride; it will get crowded as you get into Central London heading and it may well be there are intimidating stairs to climb at your destination or you might have to change trains or other reasons not to take the tube. All this comes with the turf. All I'm saying and I will not dispute for one second any of the other suggestions is the tube might be the best way in for many. As others have said, just where are you ultimately headed. In any case, enjoy your trip.
Dec 26th, 2013, 09:40 AM
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When I fly into LHR, I am heading home to East London. I've taken the tube, combination of HEX with taxi or bus, a prebooked minicab and a black taxi from the rank. The choice depends on whether I'm travelling solo and whether my expenses are being reimbursed. But I have very recently, thanks to this forum, discovered a new option: http://hotelbybus.com/ It was a comment on Kovsie's Trip Report that alerted me to this service - £22.50 per person from LHR to a wide range of London hotels - including the one which is a two minute walk from my house. The first time I used it, I went online from Tokyo and couldn't figure out if there was any advantage in booking online. I emailed a question and had a very quick reply saying no need to book, just turn up at the counter but be prepared to wait half an hour. They allowed two hours for the journey, explaining that the there could be stops at up to three hotels. In the event, I waited just under half an hour, had the whole vehicle to myself and got home in about an hour.
A few days before Christmas, I booked the service for my son. Every seat in his minibus was full, there were two stops before his but the journey still took about the same amount of time as HEX and the 205 which is what he probably would have done instead. And with the Hotel by Bus option, it's door to door, with no worries about lugging one's bags. Again, this makes sense only for a single traveler - a minicab for the same journey costs £40. I find it's the combination of convenience and cost though which makes Hotel by Bus so attractive.
A few days before Christmas, I booked the service for my son. Every seat in his minibus was full, there were two stops before his but the journey still took about the same amount of time as HEX and the 205 which is what he probably would have done instead. And with the Hotel by Bus option, it's door to door, with no worries about lugging one's bags. Again, this makes sense only for a single traveler - a minicab for the same journey costs £40. I find it's the combination of convenience and cost though which makes Hotel by Bus so attractive.
Dec 26th, 2013, 09:59 AM
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Oh, and sometimes (disagreeing politely with the poster above) using the HEX makes sense.If you register online, there are all sorts of advantages, eg a complimentary one way ticket is the current offer, must be booked before January 10. If I am travelling light, coming in from LHR on the HEX and then taking the bus (costs, what, about £2 with an Oyster card) is a good combination. I don't like the journey in reverse though because the bus is usually full at my local stop whereas it originates from Paddington and it would be very unlucky NOT to get a seat coming from that direction.
Dec 26th, 2013, 12:07 PM
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Because lots of silly people use it ..>
so some non silly folks actually use the HEX also? Well of course they co and that's why they are still in business - of course part is folk on expense account and the HEX is the nicest way into central London at least but yes the special discounts and stuff often available can make it a viable option - especially if you are staying in the Paddington area.
But obviously other than 'silly' people bent on throwing their money away use the HEX or am i silly to even think that!
so some non silly folks actually use the HEX also? Well of course they co and that's why they are still in business - of course part is folk on expense account and the HEX is the nicest way into central London at least but yes the special discounts and stuff often available can make it a viable option - especially if you are staying in the Paddington area.
But obviously other than 'silly' people bent on throwing their money away use the HEX or am i silly to even think that!
Dec 27th, 2013, 03:39 AM
#20
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A car service will usually cost between £35 and £40 door to door. No schelpping luggage to the HEX, and no queueing for a cab at Paddington.>
Janis are these prices p.p. or for the car - if so how many can go for 40 pounds - and do you tip that driver who may have to have been waiting for a considerable time for your flight to get in and you to go thru Customs, etc.
How much should you tip the car driver, if anything - all adds up!
Janis are these prices p.p. or for the car - if so how many can go for 40 pounds - and do you tip that driver who may have to have been waiting for a considerable time for your flight to get in and you to go thru Customs, etc.
How much should you tip the car driver, if anything - all adds up!
