Our Greater London Megathread

Marcusm

Kayly wrote: »

Hi, We will be flying into Heathrow next week and I am going in circles trying to find the simplest way to get from there (Im told its T1 as Im flying with Aer Lingus) to our hotel in Leicester square. We will be carrying suitcases so the tube would be hard going, am hoping there's an easier way- but will take that if not.

How many will you be? A pre booked minicab with a firm like justairports.com could cost as little as £38 (their estimate for your location). No connection except as customer.

Kayly

Marcusm wrote: »

How many will you be? A pre booked minicab with a firm like justairports.com could cost as little as £38 (their estimate for your location). No connection except as customer.

Four of us travelling- will look into that too, thanks.

enda1

Kayly wrote: »

Four of us travelling- will look into that too, thanks.

4 people. Definitely get a taxi, much easier and nicer.

Marcusm

Kayly wrote: »

Four of us travelling- will look into that too, thanks.

With 4 travelling I would certainly get a minicab. If you want to cut down on expenses, take the Piccadilly line straight to Leicester Sq. certainly no point in slow Heathrow Connect followed by change to taxi at Paddington as would be more expensive and possibly likely slower than a minicab (as well as being inconvenient).

Rascasse

Marcusm wrote: »

With 4 travelling I would certainly get a minicab. If you want to cut down on expenses, take the Piccadilly line straight to Leicester Sq. certainly no point in slow Heathrow Connect followed by change to taxi at Paddington as would be more expensive and possibly likely slower than a minicab (as well as being inconvenient).

As there are 4 adults then a minicab would be cheaper (by around £6 excluding tip) but at best it would be just as quick as Connect/Cab but depending on the time of day it could be much slower. Certainly not inconvenient, particularly compared to the tube.

Fratton Fred

Checker Cars are worth ringing as well.

Don't go to the taxi rank. There is a fixed charge for a cab from there which I think is £65 in to central London.

Marcusm

Rascasse wrote: »

As there are 4 adults then a minicab would be cheaper (by around £6 excluding tip) but at best it would be just as quick as Connect/Cab but depending on the time of day it could be much slower. Certainly not inconvenient, particularly compared to the tube.

Connect is at best every half hour so on average a 15 minute wait with a 30 minute journey time. Paddington is an arse of a place for getting a black cab with regular 15-20 minute queues unless you know to avoid the queue and puk one up outside. Then at least a 20 minute ride to Leicester Square. A decent minicab driver will be waiting at the gate and I would expect less than a one hour journey time at all except the most inconvenient times.

I live and drive in central London daily.

Marcusm

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Checker Cars are worth ringing as well.

Don't go to the taxi rank. There is a fixed charge for a cab from there which I think is £65 in to central London.

Fixed fare from the black cab rank? As they would say, yorrrrr avin a larffff mate.

Fratton Fred

Marcusm wrote: »

Fixed fare from the black cab rank? As they would say, yorrrrr avin a larffff mate.

At Heathrow? The black Cabs all have to charge a fixed fee because they ate outside of their licence area.

Marcusm

Fratton Fred wrote: »

At Heathrow? The black Cabs all have to charge a fixed fee because they ate outside of their licence area.

Since when has Heathrow airport been outside the TFL licence area? Do you mean Gatwick or Stansted because Heathrow black cabs definitely use the meter and are within TFL's remit.

enda1

Marcusm wrote: »

Since when has Heathrow airport been outside the TFL licence area? Do you mean Gatwick or Stansted because Heathrow black cabs definitely use the meter and are within TFL's remit.

I think that's true, with a Heathrow premium of something like £3.20.
Still £65 to the centre sounds about right with a black cab.

Marcusm

enda1 wrote: »

I think that's true, with a Heathrow premium of something like £3.20.
Still £65 to the centre sounds about right with a black cab.

I'm still cautious with black cabs from Heathrow as the pays for any delay and they're not that infrequent (tailback onto elevated section, crash or abandoned car on elevated section) and can really add to the bill. A mini cab takes a phone call and removes the financial uncertainty. On that route into central London, black cabs don't have much by way of bus lane before Hyde Park corner to take an advantage.

Fratton Fred

Marcusm wrote: »

Since when has Heathrow airport been outside the TFL licence area? Do you mean Gatwick or Stansted because Heathrow black cabs definitely use the meter and are within TFL's remit.

They must have changed, or I was given duff information by the guy that controls the rank. I've tried to use a black cab to Sunbury and was told that it was the same as the fixed fare in to central London. He gave me checker cars details and I used them from then on.

Heathrow is a bit of an oddity, because so much of the surrounding area isn't tfl, so maybe a run to a non tfl area is charged at a premium.

Edit: just checked the TFL site. Heathrow to central London is semi fixed depending on time. Minimum fare is £45 max is £85.

Marcusm

Fratton Fred wrote: »

They must have changed, or I was given duff information by the guy that controls the rank. I've tried to use a black cab to Sunbury and was told that it was the same as the fixed fare in to central London. He gave me checker cars details and I used them from then on.

Heathrow is a bit of an oddity, because so much of the surrounding area isn't tfl, so maybe a run to a non tfl area is charged at a premium.

Edit: just checked the TFL site. Heathrow to central London is semi fixed depending on time. Minimum fare is £45 max is £85.

Sunbury is outside Greater London although much closer to Heathrow than 95% of London. Cabbies won't have wanted to take you as the max they could charged a clued up passenger is the metered fare. You have a right to insist they take you as it's not greater than 20 miles and can, as it's outside Greater London, seek to agree a fixed fare but if you know your stuff, you would insist on using the meter. The £45-85 is a statement of TFL's expectation of the cost of a black cab into central London. There is no fixed fare.

Kayly

Thanks everyone who replied- mini cab seems least hassle. When at the airport how do I know I'm getting a registered one-or should I take the chance that flight etc will be on time and pre book? If so-whats a good company? Thanks in advance.

Marcusm

Kayly wrote: »

Thanks everyone who replied- mini cab seems least hassle. When at the airport how do I know I'm getting a registered one-or should I take the chance that flight etc will be on time and pre book? If so-whats a good company? Thanks in advance.

Pre book to guarantee the car. They should be waiting for you in the arrivals area which for RoI flights is not on the usual arrivals area. They'll take your flight number and the agreed price will include any waiting for a delayed flight. They'll wait for you with a small and scrawled sign or iPad with your name on it.

Rascasse

Kayly wrote: »

Thanks everyone who replied- mini cab seems least hassle. When at the airport how do I know I'm getting a registered one-or should I take the chance that flight etc will be on time and pre book? If so-whats a good company? Thanks in advance.

You must pre book, they can't be flagged (by definition). Choose a company and hope they show up at arrivals but don't be surprised if you get a text asking you to call when you've landed and wait by a certain place. When booking remember to book a car of sufficient size. Generally speaking standard minicab = 4 passengers & 2 suitcases. 3 or 4 suitcases you need to book an estate (more expensive). More than 4 = MPV (more expensive again).

Rascasse

Marcusm wrote: »

Connect is at best every half hour so on average a 15 minute wait with a 30 minute journey time. Paddington is an arse of a place for getting a black cab with regular 15-20 minute queues unless you know to avoid the queue and puk one up outside. Then at least a 20 minute ride to Leicester Square. A decent minicab driver will be waiting at the gate and I would expect less than a one hour journey time at all except the most inconvenient times.

I live and drive in central London daily.

Minicabs cannot wait outside the terminal so you'll have to walk to the car (wherever its parked) or they won't show and you'll have to meet them somewhere.

Having lived in Hampshire and Surrey, I've spent many an hour stuck on the A4 commuting into London, there is no way it is quicker than train + taxi during rush hour. I'd also doubt that 4 adults in a minicab is more comfortable than the train.

Pretzill

Rascasse wrote: »

Minicabs cannot wait outside the terminal so you'll have to walk to the car (wherever its parked) or they won't show and you'll have to meet them somewhere.

Having lived in Hampshire and Surrey, I've spent many an hour stuck on the A4 commuting into London, there is no way it is quicker than train + taxi during rush hour. I'd also doubt that 4 adults in a minicab is more comfortable than the train.

I agree express train from Heathrow though may work out dearer for return tics than a taxi would be way quicker
and more comfy away from traffic - Am going through Gatwick myself soon and taking the express train to victoria -

Marcusm

Rascasse wrote: »

Minicabs cannot wait outside the terminal so you'll have to walk to the car (wherever its parked) or they won't show and you'll have to meet them somewhere.

Having lived in Hampshire and Surrey, I've spent many an hour stuck on the A4 commuting into London, there is no way it is quicker than train + taxi during rush hour. I'd also doubt that 4 adults in a minicab is more comfortable than the train.

If you choose an airport specialist (like Just Airports), they allocate you to a driver when your flight arrives so there thends not to be a no show issue or as much of a delay as compared to getting someone to come from Hampshire or Surrey to meet you. A decent airport specialist will park and meet you. This was my regular 5-6 times a month usage (other times used HEx).

The suggested train is the slow one as the express for 4 people is £80 one way. That's enough for 2 minicabls but, again, any decent airport specialist wills end an MPV for you with 4 adult for a small premium to the £38 I suggested to be the likely cost.

Personally I hate the tube above other forms of public transport but if I was in a group of 4 arriving at T1 and heading to Leicester Sq, I would take the Picadilly lines every time before the Connect followed by a cab from Paddington. Time wise, I don't think it would be an hour - have now checked google maps which suggests 40 minutes which I think is way out of line. That being said, I can make it from my place in Bermondsey to T1 in 35 minutes in moderate traffic.

Marcusm

Pretzill wrote: »

I agree express train from Heathrow though may work out dearer for return tics than a taxi would be way quicker
and more comfy away from traffic - Am going through Gatwick myself soon and taking the express train to victoria -

The Gatwick express to GAtwick is no longer a sensible option as it is neither express nor good value as similar stopping services. Unless you are heading to the West End, First Capital Connect (formerly Thameslink) offers a much better service. FCC is faster to London than the supposed express!

Fratton Fred

Rascasse wrote: »

You must pre book, they can't be flagged (by definition). Choose a company and hope they show up at arrivals but don't be surprised if you get a text asking you to call when you've landed and wait by a certain place. When booking remember to book a car of sufficient size. Generally speaking standard minicab = 4 passengers & 2 suitcases. 3 or 4 suitcases you need to book an estate (more expensive). More than 4 = MPV (more expensive again).

With checker, they ask what you're wearing and tell you where to wait. Usually by the lifts at the near end of the top drop off lane. I would always prebook but they would ask you to ring when you land. They are based on the inner ring road so are always there within ten minutes. I couldn't recommend them enough.

crisscross

Hey Guys and Gals,

Just wondering if anyone has recommendations for nice hotels in London that are moderately priced? Looking for a twin preferably for 2 nights.

Any info is great.

Cheers

rs mivec

Are you looking for central london or further out?

crisscross

Central is preferable but anywhere close to the tube will do.

schemingbohemia

You should really move this to the Sticky on London above.

I've stayed in the Copthorne Tara 3 times in the past 3 years and find it very good and can usually get a deal where it's around €120 a night or sometimes a bit less. That's pretty good for London, it's a 3 minute walk to High Street Kensington tube station.

I usually use www.hotels.com or www.booking.com for pricing and booking.

Also your definition of moderate and other people's is likely to differ, so give a maximum price per night.

jt_dublin

Hi CrissCross,

Not sure what you mean by nice. For me in London, I would just want very clean, quiet and a central location

I have stayed in the Premier Inn hotel chain and they are a very good standard. You might have seen Lenny Henry advertising them on the TV.

They have a few well located ones in London, i.e. Kings Cross etc.

Take a look here

http://www.premierinn.com/en/central-london-hotels.html

I hope this helps,
JT.

miamee

I've used the Tune Hotel in Edinburgh and it was clean, compact and grand - they also have 2 or 3 hotels in London which seem central:

http://www.tunehotels.com/my/en/our-hotels/united_kingdom/

patb

What is the nearest Aer Lingus / Ryanair airport to fly into when visiting London-
best transfer etc.
Thanks

barnabybear

patb wrote: »

What is the nearest Aer Lingus / Ryanair airport to fly into when visiting London-
best transfer etc.

Ryanair flies to Gatwick, which is very accessible to London.