Upcoming London trip advice
 

This is my first time posting, but have read posts for quite some time. I tend to be wordy, so I apologize in advance!

I’m looking for advice on my upcoming trip to London. In 2012, I flew into Heathrow from the US, picked up a car, stayed in Hatfield, then on to London, Cotswold’s, the New Forest area . Dropped off the car and left from Bournemouth airport.

I’m flying into Heathrow mid - Sept. and plan on taking the train to London and hotel. Have a few ideas in mind, probably near transportation. Love the Covent Garden area.

This time I don’t want to drive in London. I'm taking the same basic route. London, Cotswolds, New Forest. As a solo female traveler, it wasn’t bad but wasn’t relaxing. Not to mention roundabouts and I didn’t quite get along. Even with the trusty sat nav!

First question, and it’s a bit hypothetical: Is it safe to wheel my 21” bag on the train/tube to get to the hotel? It’s pop art loud and flowery and my husband seems to think someone will grab it and run. Is that something that happens quite often? Or, as a solo female, would I be smarter to pay the price for a cab?

Second question: I’m trying to find out a good location (town) that would be best to rent a car from. One that would be easy to return to on the way to Heathrow, if possible. Have to leave from Heathrow this time.

Thank you, and I enjoy reading London information on your posts.

Shamrock27

You drove in London -- brave girl ;)

>>I’m flying into Heathrow mid - Sept. and plan on taking the train to London and hotel. Have a few ideas in mind, probably near transportation. Love the Covent Garden area.<<

Nope -- <i>Especially</i> if you are staying near Covent Garden. The only trains from LHR to London end at Paddington. No help for getting to most parts of central London. You can jump on the tube at LHR and get off in Covent Garden w/o any changes.

>>Is it safe to wheel my 21” bag on the train/tube to get to the hotel? <<

Sure. (Even IF someone would want to, no one can really take it and run if you keep it with you)

>>Or, as a solo female, would I be smarter to pay the price for a cab?<<

A taxi is a TERRIBLE idea. If you decide against the tube, then you'd want a pre-booked car service. Much cheaper than a cab - but it must be pre-booked. Something like justairports.com But honestly, w/ just a small wheelie bag, the tube will be fine.

>>Second question: I’m trying to find out a good location (town) that would be best to rent a car from.<<

Actually, just about the easiest place to collect a rental car is . . . AT Heathrow. Much easier than in the middle of most any town.

Grab a bag and run. No your hubbie is taking the mick. Mrs B travels like that in London a fair bit and never has had a problem.

Jansj is right about Heathrow, but if the whole motorway thing worries you then you could catch a bus to just about anywhere around. Windsor is the prettiest, I'd use http://www.auto-europe.co.uk/ or the equiv. where you ar based to find a car rental. Slough (not pron. sluff) is right next door and while famously un-pretty is just as easy to get to.

This gets you around by public transport

http://www.traveline.info/ but don't let the idiot computer chose Windsor Castle (which is a pub in the East End) :-)

>>It’s pop art loud and flowery and my husband seems to think someone will grab it and run. <<

That's exactly why even someone who might be in the bag-snatching business (which AFAIK more or less never happens) wouldn't touch yours: not on aesthetic grounds but because they'd be so easily spotted.

Windsor is fine for collecting a rental car -- but LHR is actually easier. Getting reacquainted with being in the 'wrong seat' and getting used to the controls and road signs is easier on a motorway where everyone is headed the same direction . . . w/ no roundabouts, narrow roads, oncoming traffic, 'Oncoming Traffic in the Middle of the Road" signs, bicycles, zebra crossings etc etc . . . after 30 or 40 miles on a motorway one is usually comfortable enough to hit country lanes and towns/villages.

<<The only trains from LHR to London end at Paddington.>>

This is entirely too persnickety. If it has wheels and runs on a pre-set course, it's a train. Whether it's a national rail train, designated shuttle or Underground, it's still a bloody train.

Therefore there ARE trains from Heathrow to Covent Garden. Direct, in fact. Those trains are part of the London Underground (Piccadilly Line) and take the best part of an hour to get you there. Considering you'll be getting on at the start of the line, you can likely grab a seat and keep your bag close by so the nonexistent hordes of ravagers stealing ladies' carry-on bags don't purloin yours.

Thanks for the excellent answers!

I bought the loud flowery suitcase so it WOULDN'T get lost, and last trip it did just that --Took 7 days to reach me. Going smaller this time but same wild print.

BigRuss, I'll be sure to keep it close to avoid those hordes of nonexistent ravagers!

Nice to know about the pre-booked car. Didn't realize that was an option. I think I just might return to Heathrow for the car, with Windsor as second option. Haven't been there yet.

Last question (hopefully): Any tips on navigating the roundabouts? I did fine driving on the "other" side of the road, but while trying to navigate the roundabouts, I think I alienated a large population of England.

The best roundabout advice I've heard was from Rick Steves who said to drive all the way around once before you pick your turn. One complete circle and then you'll know.

And play this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k05agPAMRhE

Roundabouts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8n9Fw4gInM

I really don't know why people have so much trouble with them, I encountered 4 way stops for the first time in 1989 in the U.S. and had no problem with them, it's all about knowing the rules.

<<Last question (hopefully): Any tips on navigating the roundabouts?>>

Drive around as fast as possible, go on whatever road you land on after centripedal force fails.

Uh, this method may not work for you (or anyone else).

Re: tips on roundabouts.

We also have mini roundabouts, where the road layout has insufficient space to accommodate a full size roundabout. These are often found on minor roads in suburban areas and villages, and can catch out locals as well as visitors. All you'll see is a roundabout sign on a vertical pole and a small white circle (about 3-feet diameter) painted on the road. But - exactly the same rules apply as per larger roundabouts: give way (i.e. yield) to traffic coming from the right.

You get to the junction, signal for where you are going

is there a car on the thing that will hit you if you pull out, don't go. (yes watch for their signals but also watch for their direction and movement, some people don't signal or are tourists and confused :-) )

is there no car on the thing that will hit you if you pull out, go

as you get to your exit signal off.

dead easy

This past trip we figured out that the 1st exit in the roundabout is like taking a Left turn, the 2nd is to stay straight, the 3rd is a Right turn and the 4th is a U-turn (back to where you started). This is elementary stuff but it really made the roundabouts make sense to us!

Bilboburgler about nailed it . . .

Thanks, everyone!

"The best roundabout advice I've heard was from Rick Steves who said to drive all the way around once before you pick your turn. One complete circle and then you'll know. "

Thanks, tuscanlifeedit! In my case it may take two go-rounds ... I hated when the gps would say "Enter roundabout and take third exit." It was rough enough entering and staying in the proper lane, AND having to count exits at the same time.

Thanks, Hooameyem, for the utube link. It makes more sense once the instructor explained it. And you're right, it's all about knowing the rules. I was unprepared last time.

My Irish cousin, when visiting the US, was horrified by the fact that we do right turns on red at stoplights. She thought for sure she was going to get hit.

Nola, Great advice. It is common sense, after all. Just really threw me for a loop. In a roundabout way, that is.