Arriving at Heathrow in the morning. Any recommendations/suggestions on taking a private car from Heathrow to Canterbury vs trains to St. Pancras, then a train to Canterbury. Any suggestions of cost between the two options? Kenn
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2557 posts
Tube LHR > Kings Cross/ St Pancras
Peak: £5.50 (Monday to Friday from 0630 to 0930).
Off-Peak: £3.50
Advance fare St Pancras > Canterbury West from £14
Private car = much much more
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8578 posts
An easy way to get an overview of transportation options and costs is to use the Rome to Rio website. It should be used for info only and then go directly to the company you are interested in purchasing tickets from website. I put in London Heathrow to Canterbury and this is what came up
https://www.rome2rio.com/map/London-Heathrow-Airport-LHR/Canterbury
I got curious and went to the website for the company it said would provide private car transfers, Jayride. I asked for a quote for 2 people from Heathrow to Canterbury for a random April date in the morning. The quotes that came by (depending on the type of car) ranged from 181 pounds to 400 pounds. Clearly a private transfer would not be much of a money saving prospect in this case.
It sounds like you are wondering about making the connections in London and a little worried about how it will turn out. Perhaps you could find a compromise between tube/train the entire way and a private transfer if you are worried about this connection? You could take a car into the London to the train station and the train from there on. It would add expense, but you might find that the value of simply getting to the train station in a direct/no nonsense manner would be worth it to you.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33201 posts
K.J., your post yesterday asking about trains and buses gave the prices for the train experience.
I'd check around if you want to mix and match a private car to St Pancras and then the train. If you're landing at 8 you will be behind the rush hour, but London is never not crowded on the roads.
This clearly important to you with two similar questions.
Is this to meet a Rick Steves tour? When will you be travelling?
Can you let us know what your concerns are?
Posted by
Virginia
708 posts
I personally see it this way --
By car service it's about 1:30 to 1:50 (without traffic delays) from LHR to Canterbury at a cost of about £170 ($220) at best.
By tube and high-speed train its about 1:50 to 2:15 at a total cost of £20 to £42.
To me the time saved or the comfort of the car isn't worth the difference in price.