John

Will be arriving at Heathrow and plan on taking Heathrow express to Paddington station and a cab from there to Victoria station where our hotel is located.<BR>My question: Would it be approx. the same price taking a cab direct from Heathrow to victoria station?<BR>Thanks in advance

trew1

The express to Paddington is excellent and very fast (15 mins), but fairly pricey (I seem to recall something around 50 pounds return). The bus service into London isn't too bad and I've used that a few times and is your cheapest option.<BR><BR>A cab to Victoria Station wouldn't be brutally expensive as they're not that far apart in the grand scheme of things, but honestly why bother when you've got the tube. Just take the Circle line (7 stops I think) and you're at Victoria way faster and cheaper than by cab. Don't be afraid of the tube it's a amazing once you use it a couple of times.<BR><BR>trew1

nigel

The Express train is about &pound;12 each, one-way (single, in British English). First class is really not worth it. You then have to add on the price of the taxi, so it should come to something like &pound;32-35 including tip. You could just get the Tube from Heathrow for less than &pound;4 each. It will take about 1 hour. If you do this, ensure you have wheely luggage, and light luggage at that. Don't get a cab. If you must come by road, book a car service, such as Swiss Cottage Cars and Ray Skinner. (Look for these on this site. Lots and lots have been written about them.)

John

NIGEL<BR>I take it then that light wheely luggage on the tube is commonplace. I won't stand out as a DUMB tourist?

curmudgeon

There will be lots of people on the tube from Heathrow with luggage. Just avoid weekday morning rush hour if you can. There is also an airport express bus that should go to Victoria; it's a bit more than the tube, but there is also more to see. I think a cab from Heathrow is fairly expensive because of the distance and traffic (50 pounds comes to mind, but I haven't gone that route myself).

Patrick

I can guarantee you that if you call Swiss Cottage Cars at 44-20-7431-2700 someone will meet you right at Heathrow with a sign with your name, help you with your luggage and then deliver you to the door of your hotel, I believe still for 25 pounds. This will be less expensive than taking the Paddington Express plus a taxi to your hotel, and a lot less effort. By that I mean, you won't have to navigate your way at Heathrow to the Express and get tickets, nor wait in a line for a taxi at Paddington (many times when the express arrives the lines are very lengthy for taxis), and you won't have to transfer at all. This is all assuming that the &quot;we&quot; you refer to is 2 or 3 people, or even 4 if you don't have a lot of luggage.

Jacqui

I agree with Patrick entirely.<BR><BR>Heathrow Express just isn't worth the money if you have to get a cab from Paddington to your hotel and that is even more you take convenience into consideration. <BR><BR>If you do get the tube - people may guess you are a tourist, but you won't be alone.

ron

John, the Piccadilly line of the London Underground was extended to Heathrow airport in 1977 precisely for the purpose of transporting people with luggage to and from the airport. Some 15 million people (roughly 25% of the 64 million passengers using Heathrow) per year use it for that purpose. You will not be the only traveller.<BR><BR>Can you imagine how much worse LOndon's traffic congestion would be if everyone used Patrick's suggestion about Swiss Cottage Cars?

daph

Is there still a bus from Heathrow to Victoria? We used to take Airbus but as of last year it doesn't seem to stop there anymore. The tube is a snap. Just get off at Hammersmith [I think] and change to the tube train right on the other track. No stairs or anything!

jody

It all depends on how many there are of you! 2 or more then the private car is a bargain...but slower. But if you arrive early your room won't be ready anyway. <BR><BR>Call mne elitist or snobby or wasteful but I save the tube for inner city travel. No way I schlep luggage on it!Even 1 bag and a carryon, but then I am not 20 or 30 anymore!<BR><BR>And I have been using the tube for 35 years or more!

John

<BR>DAPH<BR>Looks like National Express bus lines operate out of Heathrow to Victoria station every half hour or so with only 1 stop for 15GBP per person one way. Trip time is 50 minutes according to their schedule. <BR>Anyone had experience with this?

Crowsie

Does Swiss Cottage Cars have a website?<BR>We are 4 people with luggage from a cruise needing to get from Heathrow to a hotel by Victoria Station.<BR>Thanks - Crowsie

mclaurie

Swiss Cottage doesn't have a website. If you want to phone them, dial 011 before the number posted in this thread. For Ray Skinner's London transfers which is a bit more expensive, their website is www.London-tranfers.com

Fantasia

John/Daph<BR>I have used National Express from LHR to Victoria coach station but I think I only paid about 12 GBP and found the ride to be enjoyable. From terminal 4 I had to take the Paddington Express to Term 123 (it's a free shuttle) and followed the signs to the term 3 bus station where you can purchase tickets at the office, no need to pre-book. The coach driver will assist with your luggage. You'll be taken to Victoria coach station, not train station which is a few blocks away but an easy and cheap taxi ride. There used to be an Airbus to Victoria but it was discontinued a few years ago. Since I usually travel solo to London I always look for the cheapest transport to/from my hotel or flat but I'll splurge on accomodations.

Dave_

From Heathrow to Victoria the tube is simple and cheap (&pound;3.60 I think). Additionally the tube serves all terminals so no messing getting to different terminals for transport.<BR><BR>Take the Picadilly Line to Hammersmith and walk over to the other side of the platform (no stairs, lift etc) and get the District Line to Victoria. Total journey should be quite a bit less than 1 hour.