HEC Final - Travel Pooling / Accomodation

[Jackass]

Well, just thought I might pop up a thread for anyone heading to the final who needs travel help / wants to know about cheap accomodation or whatever.

RE travel, we're doing it on the reasonably cheap, we're flying in to Leeds (return flights currently around 160) and then renting a car and driving down to London.

Car rental and petrol is quite cheap, if we fill the car it'll be sweet FA, but as it stands we've 2 spare seats if anyone is still looking for travel plans.

Also, if you're stuck for accomodation OLSC have details of camping sites and if you're renting a car they have details of 5% discount with a company by quoting OLSC.

Lots of tickets floating around too (after initial panic) but I'd say you could get tickets over there handy enough if you're not already sorted.

justsomebloke

just a reminder that there is no selling of match tickets, accommodation or travels tickets allowed.

Also there is to be no linking to any tout sites

justsomebloke

[Jackass] wrote: »

Also, if you're stuck for accomodation OLSC have details of camping sites and if you're renting a car they have details of 5% discount with a company by quoting OLSC.

We tried using this last night to book a rental car but couldn't get it to work. We have reported it back to the OLSC and if I get any update on it I will post it here

misty floyd

yeah, myself and one other are flying to Manchester on the Friday night, staying in a cheap hotel and getting a train to London. Might rent a car if it works out cheaper but its nice to sit back with a few beers on the train. Not sure where to start with accom for the Saturday night.

tolosenc

Booked everything ages ago.


Thursday night flight, back on Monday morning. Staying with a mate, so flights and accomodation works out at about 80 quid!

misty floyd

misty floyd wrote: »

yeah, myself and one other are flying to Manchester on the Friday night, staying in a cheap hotel and getting a train to London. Might rent a car if it works out cheaper but its nice to sit back with a few beers on the train. Not sure where to start with accom for the Saturday night.

Train 60quid return, twice as fast and cheaper than petrol. No brainer.

Manchester London one of the biggest routes. I'll be on it Fri night after work

durkadurka

Yeah a car would be a hindrance. And a beer blocker.

Waesfjord

so where do people recommend congregating befoe match - is Richmond the best or the will there be much around Twiceknham (e.g. local rugby grounds)?

Podge_irl

I'd say Richmond and then stroll to the ground, but I've never been at a big game in Twickenham (just Leinster group stage games and Varsity games).

Manchester London one of the biggest routes.

Is it the same train that goes through Birmingham and Oxford or is there a more direct one - cause I ****ing hate that train.

mikedragon32

Any suggestions for a good place to park? Will probably be making a hasty retreat after the match.

Podge_irl

Podge_irl wrote: »

Is it the same train that goes through Birmingham and Oxford or is there a more direct one - cause I ****ing hate that train.

nope, direct route on virgin, 1:50 stop to stop

LEIN

I'm flying in and out of Birmingham with rail connection to London.

Fly in Saturday morning and fly back out on Sunday morning.

Should be fun.

Podge_irl

Deleted User wrote: »

Train 60quid return, twice as fast and cheaper than petrol. No brainer.

Manchester London one of the biggest routes. I'll be on it Fri night after work

Deleted User wrote: »

nope, direct route on virgin, 1:50 stop to stop

Ah, that's alright then. There is a Manchester Piccadilly - Bournemouth train that (I think) goes through London. I used to get it to Birmingham airport - it was a nightmare. They never put enough carriages on so all the aisles and in between carriages were crammed with people. That's handy enough.

FYI people, train fares in England are much, much cheaper if booked in advance.

misty floyd

Deleted User wrote: »

Train 60quid return, twice as fast and cheaper than petrol. No brainer.

Manchester London one of the biggest routes. I'll be on it Fri night after work

Podge_irl wrote: »

Ah, that's alright then. There is a Manchester Piccadilly - Bournemouth train that (I think) goes through London. I used to get it to Birmingham airport - it was a nightmare. They never put enough carriages on so all the aisles and in between carriages were crammed with people. That's handy enough.

FYI people, train fares in England are much, much cheaper if booked in advance.

Yeah, train it is. I'm finding it for around £75 return on www.directrailraileasy.co.uk and same price on thetrainline.com . Direct, manchester to London so thats why its a bit more expensive I'd say, plus the train from the airport to/from manchester city.

davidpfitz

For those who are planning on taking the train, here is a very good guide to get the best fares:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-train-tickets

If you have the time, and are coming from far away (e.g. Leeds) check the 'split ticket' section.

Taco Corp

Anyone travelling with Joe Walsh tours?

ktulu123

Yeah four of us doing the day trip. Expensive enough but everything is organized well for you. Have booked with them a lot this season.

vienne86

Yep, we're going on the day trip too. My mate has to go on a business trip on 20th, so we have to get back to Dublin on the Saturday night. I did it last year to Cardiff as well. It's very expensive, but stress free, and no accommodation worries.

yeraulone

you can all stay in my gaff

Big Nelly

Flying out Saturday morning on Air France into London City airport.....booked it ages ago but one of lads made mistake and thought London City was close so booked in there.....flights where cheap anyway

Landing and going to drop off bags, staying in small hotel around Kings Cross, 140 quid for room for 4 people for one night....then I think will head for Twickenham....or I would guess OLSC will be running something to meet up.......

Gracelessly Tom

Big Nelly wrote: »

Flying out Saturday morning on Air France into London City airport.....booked it ages ago but one of lads made mistake and thought London City was close so booked in there.....flights where cheap anyway

Landing and going to drop off bags, staying in small hotel around Kings Cross, 140 quid for room for 4 people for one night....then I think will head for Twickenham....or I would guess OLSC will be running something to meet up.......

See ya on the flight,

Booked the Sat morning one myself, back on Sunday. Looking at crashing on a friends floor after a long day of (hopefully) celebrations or drowning sorrows.

seanmacc

Just a word of warning to anyone looking at the SailRail option. There are a good few sailings with Irish Ferries that are currently booked out. The Fast Ferry at 08:45 and 14:30 on Friday are fully booked for all foot passengers presently. More space may become available closer the time but don't risk it. There is plenty of car space available though. There is a good bit of space on the 0805 Ulysess (Get you into London Euston at 16:38) on Friday and loads of space on the late ship at 20:55 at night (beware, there is a 4 hour wait for a train off that sailing).
Commuting off the ferrys on Saturday morning will not get you into London in time for the game unless you're in a car and drive like a demon.

The 17:15 fast ferry from Holyhead back to Dublin on the Sunday is also full but there is space on the 14:10 at the moment.

I don't know how Stena is fixed.

Anyone doing SailRail who is looking to book accommodation, I'd recommend going for a hotel near enough Euston station rather than near the ground. Just remember that public transport on a Sunday morning is not the best anywhere in the UK and if there's sore heads involved getting from the Twickenham, Richmond area early in the morning to get that early train may be a struggle

davidpfitz

Big Nelly wrote: »

Flying out Saturday morning on Air France into London City airport.....booked it ages ago but one of lads made mistake and thought London City was close so booked in there.....flights where cheap anyway

To be honest, it's the best of all the London airports by a mile. Any time you lose on transport is made up for the fact that within 3 minutes of landing, you are out the door of the airport. Every other airport takes ages.

It will be quick to get to Kings Cross from there, too. Basically, DLR to Bank (20 odd minutes) then the Northern Line (Bank Branch) to Kings Cross, which is only a few minutes. Any other airport would take much longer.

Piccy line to Hammersmith, then the District to Richmond is your best bet from Kings X to the match.

littleman

is there anyone doing the paddy wagon tour bus over to the game?????

KERSPLAT!

Just had a look at it there, what do people think?

http://www.paddywagontours.com/blog-view.php?id=17

Big Nelly

IPAM wrote: »

Just had a look at it there, what do people think?

http://www.paddywagontours.com/blog-view.php?id=17

24 hours without sleep more or less....long day

KERSPLAT!

Big Nelly wrote: »

24 hours without sleep more or less....long day

Ah wouldn't mind that... Probaly sleep on the bus to The stadium and bus back to port

tughfc

Flying to heathrow on the saturday arrive 3 o'clock, earliest i could do it due to exams! Whats the best way to get from heathrow to twickenham does anyone know??

Also, flying back from Manchester on sunday at 22.00, which mode of transport do you recommend getting was thinking a bus but it does mean a 5 hour haul, any cheap train tickets?? cheers

Big Nelly

tughfc wrote: »

Flying to heathrow on the saturday arrive 3 o'clock, earliest i could do it due to exams! Whats the best way to get from heathrow to twickenham does anyone know??

Also, flying back from Manchester on sunday at 22.00, which mode of transport do you recommend getting was thinking a bus but it does mean a 5 hour haul, any cheap train tickets?? cheers

Stadium around the corner, about 20 pound in taxi, was over there on business trip recently, flew into heathrow and was staying in Marriott which is part of stadium, I paid 30 quid in taxi but company one so over the top. Jump in taxi and will be there in 20 mins. Don't get black taxi. They cost more. There is website I think, I know we have one where you get standard taxi from Heathrow.

davidpfitz

tughfc wrote: »

Flying to heathrow on the saturday arrive 3 o'clock, earliest i could do it due to exams! Whats the best way to get from heathrow to twickenham does anyone know??

Also, flying back from Manchester on sunday at 22.00, which mode of transport do you recommend getting was thinking a bus but it does mean a 5 hour haul, any cheap train tickets?? cheers

Taxi from Heathrow to Twickenham is the fastest option, to be honest. However, it'll be about £35-40, I imagine (Addisonlee.com quotes over £40).

If I was trying to keep it cheap, I'd take the Piccy tube line from Heathrow to Hounslow East and then take the 281 bus to Twickenham Stadium. Alternatively, go to Hounslow Central then the H20 bus which goes very near Twickenham stadium, too. That journey will take about 50 minutes (factoring in everything, like getting from arrivals to the tube in Heathrow, waiting for a bus etc).

Train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly will be £32.50 if you book in advance. That is *by far* the best way. You risk missing your flight if you rely on a bus!

I can't help you how to get from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport.

davidpfitz

Big Nelly wrote: »

Don't get black taxi. They cost more.

They do - but they are also the only taxis you can just 'jump in'. Minicabs have to be pre-booked - you can't just pick them up at the airport.

yeraulone

davidpfitz wrote: »

They do - but they are also the only taxis you can just 'jump in'. Minicabs have to be pre-booked - you can't just pick them up at the airport.

There are loads of taxi desks at the airports. Agree to a price before you take it.

littleman

anyone sitting in the north stand middle teir

tolosenc

Anyone know what the story is with box office collection?

vienne86

Last year collections from Leinster started the Saturday before the final. I would expect an email from Leinster about it tomorrow.

dublinbusdude

davidpfitz wrote: »

Taxi from Heathrow to Twickenham is the fastest option, to be honest. However, it'll be about £35-40, I imagine (Addisonlee.com quotes over £40).

If I was trying to keep it cheap, I'd take the Piccy tube line from Heathrow to Hounslow East and then take the 281 bus to Twickenham Stadium. Alternatively, go to Hounslow Central then the H20 bus which goes very near Twickenham stadium, too. That journey will take about 50 minutes (factoring in everything, like getting from arrivals to the tube in Heathrow, waiting for a bus etc).

Train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly will be £32.50 if you book in advance. That is *by far* the best way. You risk missing your flight if you rely on a bus!

I can't help you how to get from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport.

Theres a train from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport

TomLamp

Whats the quickest/cheapest way from Heathrow to London city centre? I was looking at trains and saw they were about £18 one way. Is that the cheapest or are there different trains at different prices?

mikedragon32

TomLamp wrote: »

Whats the quickest/cheapest way from Heathrow to London city centre? I was looking at trains and saw they were about £18 one way. Is that the cheapest or are there different trains at different prices?

Cheap and quick are not compatible when it comes to London transit!

Cheapest option is bus, then tube. The Heathrow express is quickest and as you say £18 each way. It's also no bloody use for getting to Twickenham.

Podge_irl

TomLamp wrote: »

Whats the quickest/cheapest way from Heathrow to London city centre? I was looking at trains and saw they were about £18 one way. Is that the cheapest or are there different trains at different prices?

Just get the tube. Its about an hour from Heathrow to the centre but a hell of a lot cheaper then the train.

If you're getting to Twickenham from Heathrow then get the tube and change onto the district line at Turnham Green towards Richmond. Get off at Richmond and just walk to Twickenham, its not far.

mrboswell

Any suggestions to get from London Victoria Coach Station to Twickenham?

Podge_irl

mrboswell wrote: »

Any suggestions to get from London Victoria Coach Station to Twickenham?

Walk to Victoria tube station (its only about 100m down the road) and get a district line tube to Richmond.

You could also go across the river to Waterloo and get the train to Twickenham, but it wouldn't be much quicker and that train will be absolutely jammers.

LEIN

How far is Twickers from Richmond? Is it a walk or a bus?

Podge_irl

A walk. No more then 20 min I'd say. Twickenham station itself is a 10 minutes walk away from the stadium anyway.

davidpfitz

DD9090 wrote: »

How far is Twickers from Richmond? Is it a walk or a bus?

They put on special match-day buses from outside the Orange Tree (pub) in Richmond to the stadium. Worth the £1 charge!

davidpfitz

yeraulone wrote: »

There are loads of taxi desks at the airports. Agree to a price before you take it.

There are *no* minicab desks at Heathrow Terminal 1 arrivals. Black Cab, or telephone pre-booked minicab are the only taxi options. Believe me, I know London airports like the back of my hand.

As per Heathrow's web site: "All private hire minicabs will need to be pre-booked online or by telephone and the drivers will meet you from your flight in the arrivals area."

danthefan

Podge_irl wrote: »

A walk. No more then 20 min I'd say. Twickenham station itself is a 10 minutes walk away from the stadium anyway.

It's a good bit more than 20mins from Richmond to Twickenham as far as I remember. Would recommend the train. Plus all the pubs are near the station.

davidpfitz

tolosenc wrote: »

Anyone know what the story is with box office collection?

The box office is fairly efficient, actually. I've had to collect a few times, and haven't had to wait more than about 5 minutes each time.

davidpfitz

danthefan wrote: »

It's a good bit more than 20mins from Richmond to Twickenham as far as I remember. Would recommend the train. Plus all the pubs are near the station.

It really is about a 20 minute walk - maybe 25. There are very few pubs in the Twickenham area, hence why lots of people head to the Sun Tavern or the Orange Tree before the match, and then head from Richmond to Twickenham about 45-50 minutes before kick-off.

Taking the train from Richmond to Twickenham is not a good idea - although a short journey in theory, it will take longer than you expect to get to the platform, and out of the station at the other end. There will be match-day buses on, which is the best choice from Richmond by a mile.

Podge_irl

25 minute walk maybe, but I absolutely despise the Waterloo - Reading train (which is the one that stops at Twickers) and would advise avoiding it all all costs.

mikedragon32

For anyone driving or bussing to the game, might be worth factoring in that Birmingham or Blackpool are going to be playing in Wembley the same day at 3pm, so there is likely to be heavy congestion on the M40 whichever team makes it, and if Blackpool make it, then traffic is likely to be heavy on the M6 from Warrington Junction at M56, if you're taking that route.

Might be something to consider if your bus doesn't have a loo on board!

littleman

i dunno if i should post this here but


Nigel Owens will ref his third Heineken Cup final when he is the man in the middle for the all-Irish clash of Leinster Rugby v Ulster Rugby Official at Twickenham on Saturday, 19 May.