Transportation from LHR
 

We will be arriving in May and staying at the Premier Inn Waterloo (Westminster Bridge). When we arrive at London Heathrow, do we take the train or the tube? And how do we know which stop we need? Thanks in advance.

There is no direct train or Tube to Waterloo. For the Tube you would take the Piccadilly Line from LHR to Green Park, then change to the Jubilee Line to Waterloo. The Hotel is just outside the station. BUT that is really one hellacious trip if one has luggage. It is a pretty long walk at the LHR end, and it is a looooong walk underground at Green Park. It is actually faster/shorter at Green Park to leave the Piccadilly Line, head up to the ticket hall and go back down to the Jubilee Line. If one is not familiar with the Tube that could be a jet lagged nightmare.

Trains are also complicated with a bus to Feltham and train to Waterloo.

How many are you? I'd definitely consider a pre-booked car service like justairports. https://www.justairports.com. It would be door to door, they'd meet you in the arrivals hall and drop you right at the hotel.

I would not want to change in Green Park with luggage. It’s an awful station even without jet lag and luggage.

it would take a few minutes more, but you could change up Janis’s way slightly - Piccadilly line to Hammersmith, where you change to the District line on the same platform. (Just cross the platform.) then change to the Jubilee line at Westminster. It’s much easier there and there are lifts (elevators.)

or, use a car service.

In London you need to get a handle on public transport.

If it was me I'd do the route rialtogrl suggests. But it involves two transfers (easier transfers for sure than the one at at Green Park) but after an overnight flight and likely in the morning rush hour having to navigate three tube lines and the walk at the LHR end -- if you are first timers, I really consider the car service.

The change at Hammersmith is dead simple -- one of the easiest on the entire system - but the journey as a whole is still a hassle if you have any sore of luggage to speak of.

As I type this, I'm at LHR awaiting my flight home. I had an overnight layover in London last night, and it just so happens that I made a transfer at the Green Park station last night as I went for a walk around town. Thankfully I had already dropped off my luggage at the hotel. I remember telling myself that on the way back to the hotel, I will find a route to avoid transferring at Green Park.

I believe the tube is the best way to get around London, but it can be a challenge with luggage.

I will also be arriving at Heathrow airport in May and going to Waterloo. In my search for transportation, I found this route suggestion in another forum and this link. Maybe it is a good option? It uses Elizabeth Line.

https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6f0f8ff054.png

It's a bit roundabout on the map, and the Elizabeth Line costs more. The interchange at TCR involves a bit of a (level) walk. The carriages are full-sized and feel more spacious.

The Piccadilly/District/Jubilee route doesn't take much longer, and the interchanges are manageable (straight across the platform at Hammersmith, escalators at Westminster).

I emailed the Hotel to see what they recommended and it was to take the Elizabeth Line to London and Northern line to Waterloo. Does that sound feasible?

That is what Leifield asked about in post #7 above. It has its pros and cons. However -- how much luggage will you have? How many of you? Ages/any mobility issues? I personally would not take that (or any public transport option) IF 1) I had large luggage; 2) if anyone was elderly/the least bit handicapped; 3) if I had young children with me.

The second option in Patrick's post (the same as rialtogirl's in post #3) would be 'slightly' better IMO -- but what's best depends a LOT on the answers to my questions. A car service would be more expensive but not a fortune and would be a lot easier if anyone is jet lagged or has big suitcases.

janisj "A car service would be more expensive, but not a fortune and would be a lot easier if anyone is jet lagged or has big suitcases."

I agree. Spend the extra bucks, get to your hotel, maybe grab a pint and put your feet up with no stress.

Thanks All, I ended up changing hotels with Booking, it includes taxi from LHR.

OH -- please tell us which hotel. NO hotel would include a taxi transfer in from LHR unless it is 1) a 5 star hotel charging in the thousands (and it would likely be a hotel-owned luxury car) -- or -- 2) a hotel adding approx £100 to the rate for a Black Cab transfer -- or -- 3) way out west close to LHR.

Janis, sometimes booking.com offers a taxi depending on spend, doesn’t matter what hotel you use.

Booking doesn't pay for any hotel transfers. It may be offered as a perk but it would be arranged by the hotel. But since a Black Cab would cost between £60 and close to £100 to central London, no hotel would throw it in - it must be paid for somehow. On a £200 or £300 hotel room you ain't gonna get a free taxi transfer ;)

https://partner.booking.com/en-gb/le...taxi-promotion

‘I have utilized this program twice, not in London, but have seen the offer for London, too.

From the site:

• If their booking qualifies, we provide a free taxi ride for your guests. You don’t need to do anything, and if your guests reserve a taxi this way you won’t be charged any additional commission on their accommodation booking.

Taxis are so expensive from LHR to central London it does not seem possible that a modest hotel stay would 'qualify'. Booking is not doing this for the small commission they would get from a moderately priced booking. (Since the OP was originally using a Premier Inn I'm pretty sure they aren't staying at the Savoy or Claridges) I am genuinely curious about which hotel this could be.

it is not only possible, it is happening.

Looking at a weeklong stay at the Bedford, a 3 star: 229 GHB per night.

“Book a stay over ‎US$448‏ and get a free private taxi from the airportEnjoy a free private taxi from the airport to your accommodation. This offer is available for bookings of up to 6 people and is provided and paid for by Booking.com.”

The offer appears on many hotels, but for sure seems to be longer stays.

Wow -- that is amazing. The Bedford is definitely not posh - pretty basic really with Ikea-type decor. Its more up market than a Premier Inn but not grand at all. There must be some catch but if not, that is a huge perk.