My husband and I will travel to the UK next April for 8 nights. We fly in and out of Heathrow and will spend the first 4 nights in London. From there we travel by train to York where we will stay for 3 nights. I am asking for opinions on our final night. After taking the return trip back to Kings Cross, where should we transfer to for our final night? Our flight from Heathrow departs mid-afternoon the following day. Should we A:) stay in St. Albans (free on Hilton points) and pay for a transfer/taxi to Heathrow or B:) stay in Windsor (spend $200 on hotel) and take a taxi to airport? We love history, pubs, good food, and we travel with backpacks only. By my research, I have narrowed our options down to these two suggestions, however I am open to other alternatives as well. Which town is best for a good English "finale", a final dinner (not fancy), and a relatively simple trip to airport? Thanks in advance for your help!
Posted by
Singapore
1088 posts
St Albans is a nice small city. You can take the train from St Pancras, so that works well for you. However, while St Albans Abbey and the verulamium Roman ruins are highlights, it's an expensive trek to Heathrow, particularly at that time of day. Done it many times (I have family there) wouldn't be in a hurry to do it again.
Windsor is beautiful, and an easy drive to Heathrow.
So while I'd just stay in London, if you do want one further nice spot to stay in, Windsor would be my pick.
Posted by
BC, Canada
34 posts
We stayed in Eton (right next to Windsor). Easy taxi to Heathrow the next day.
While there we went to Windsor castle.
All very convenient!
Posted by
Angleterre
2774 posts
There's a direct bus from St Albans to Heathrow, so it would be quite straightforward.
Posted by
Lake District, England
10994 posts
and the direct bus from St Albans to Heathrow costs just £3 under the fare cap. But you could also take the train from St Albans Abbey to Watford Junction, then the Rail/Air Bus to Heathrow Airport.
I also don't understand the supposed expense of St Albans to Heathrow even in the morning peak. You can do it for under £20 with an Advance (train specific) fare from St Albans City to St Pancras (yes, such fares do exist, and in the morning peak and at even very short notice), then the tube.
If we are talking the expense of a taxi from Windsor to Heathrow (totally unnecessary given the frequency of bus service) then Windsor is the more expensive alternative.
As it is a mid afternoon flight I think St Albans is an excellent last night.
If you are coming into Kings Cross some LNER trains stop at Stevenage- an hourly St Albans to Heathrow bus starts at Stevenage, so you don't have to go into and back out of London- https://www.intalink.org.uk/services/3092a2bc-d5ed-4dd6-ac0f-8521a25eed67
Posted by
Chicago
2208 posts
If it were me I’d just stay by Kings Cross. We stayed at the Premier Inn by St Pancras for a night and it was fine. There was a pub and restaurant nearby as well as a Waitrose Supermarket. Plus it was easypeasy just to get back on the Underground to the airport. Just another option
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for all the great information, especially in regards to bus options from St. Albans. I appreciate the insight.