we are flying from SFO to Gatwick in September prior to our Rick Steve's Heart of Ireland tour. Landing at 12:40pm. Current plan is to spend the night at the Hilton Garden Inn near Terminal 2 at Heathrow and then fly to Shannon the next day.
Looking for suggestions for our travel to Heathrow. Private car service or Public transportation? with 2 of us, doesn't look like a huge savings to take a shuttle.
We're in our 70's, and will have minimal luggage. Thanks for any advice.
What is your primary concern? Cost, comfort, convenience?
Take a bus. May take about an hour in traffic.
Nigel, I think that after an overnight flight from San Francisco and then the several hours we may end up spending go go through passport control, comfort might be what I'm looking forward to most. Don't really want to sweat having to make sure that I'm going to the right place. Comfort and convenience. (but I'm a penny pincher as well)
Why not go into London proper by train and spend the afternoon or evening there? Thameslink or other trains will take you to Kings Cross or Victoria Station. You could stay near either one and take the bus from Victoria Station, or tube from Kings Cross to Heathrow for your flight the following day. Or make your way to Paddington and stay near there, and take the Heathrow Express to. Heathrow the next morning.
Check out the national express buses. https://www.nationalexpress.com. Cost is £27.00 each one-way and will take about 75 mins. They are comfortable and easy to find at both airports. I have a disabled adult daughter I take to London with me and I find the buses easy for us. I can just put my luggage underneath the bus and relax for the journey.
Margaret
I'm with Margaret with the National Express suggestion. Big, comfy seats that are better than a taxi's even affording the opportunity for a brief nap, onboard toilet, free wi-fi and reasonable prices.
Thanks, the National Express seems to be the winner. I have another question however, What does "amendable and non refundable" mean? with my arrival due at 12:40 pm, I was thinking about trying to book the 3pm bus, does "amendable" give me the option of taking a later bus if needed? should I wait till I get to Gatwick to purchase the tickets?
Thanks for the advice I've gotten so far.
"amendable and non refundable" means that you can make changes to the reservation, but you can't cancel it for a refund. If the time that your arriving flight changed, you could change your coach reservation, but if you cancelled, no money back.
I agree that the National Express is an excellent option.
We have also taken the Gatwick Express between LGW and the city, and found it convenient and easy to use.
Tim
Perfect, thanks for explaining it to me.
