I will be flying into Heathrow late and afraid I will not be able to take the Heathrow Express to Paddington station as it stops running in the late evening. I will be staying at the London House hotel in Bayswater. I don't want to take the tube to the hotel.
How do I take a cab to my hotel from the airport? Is there somewhere to go to arrange a cab or call once I land in Heathrow?
Thanks for any information you can provide.
I’m sure there’s a cab stand in front of the airport. I’ve landed in scads of airports and have never had a problem finding the cab line just by exiting through the area marked “transportation” at baggage claim. Be sure to use the approved taxi line rather than agreeing to ride with one of the “helpful” transit services who hang out by baggage claim looking for tourists.
https://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/taxi-transfer.html
All you need to know about taking a cab from Heathrow into London. Pre book a mini cab OR scroll down the website and look for the section that says Heathrow Taxi Ranks....explains where the taxi ranks are for each Terminal.
I have taken a cab to but never from Heathrow, but no doubt there are many signs leading passengers to the taxi rank, as in every other airport.
Thank you for the help and advice. I will study up on the website. Much appreciated.
Just in case the website referred to has no official status and there are literally hundreds of minicab firms that could do the job.
Taking a cab off the rank will be of the order of twice as expensive roughly speaking over pre-booking.
Ann, the taxi ranks will be located outside the arrivals area of your terminal. Look for signs after you exit passport control and customs.
Even late, don't be surprised to see a queue of people lined up. When it's your turn, get in the lead cab and tell the driver where you want to go.
Cabs are not the cheapest way to get into town. One modestly cheaper option is booking a "car service" to take you into town. You can search the forum here for threads on Heathrow car services. Basically, you reserve a car -- online -- the driver waits in arrivals just outside customs holding a sign with your name on it, and drives you to your hotel.
Plan on the drive in taking about an hour, give or take.
Thank you. I think booking a car service would be the best way to go.
Thank you I will check into the Hotel Hoppa bus.
Compare prices in advance with regard to car service. Here are two I like:
Wouldn't it be really expensive?
Thank you for sharing the names of the two car services, Continental! I will check into the two car services. I think others including yourself are correct. This is the way to go.
Mike: Since I can't take the Heathrow Express due to the lateness of arriving in Heathrow and I don't want to carry my luggage on the tube and I will be alone, what do you suggest I do to get to my hotel from the airport?
Mike and Ann, sometimes we just have to bite the bullet and do "really expensive". Late at night with luggage and a woman alone(although I think London is safer than most US cities would be in that situation) really decreases your options.
Cala: I totally agree, I am not asking about price, just the best and safest way to get to the hotel. I think the best way is arranging a car service.
Thank you everyone for your input.
2 more car services recommended on other forums are:
http://www.blackberrycars.com/
http://www.parkercarservice.co.uk/
We used Blackberry car service from Heathrow. I called as soon as we picked up our luggage and the driver was there 20 minutes later. Excellent service and reasonable price. We also used them for transportation from St. Pancras train station back to Heathrow when we returned from Paris.
Ann, please let us know what you end up doing and how it goes.
As an aside, are you flying early morning from the US to arrive late the same day at LHR? If so, what a great idea.
Continental: I am flying early morning from NY and arriving late into LHR. First time doing this. Will let you know how it goes. Going the end of the summer.
Thank you for all the car services, this will help me to book a car! Much appreciated. Most stressful part of the trip is getting to the hotel for me.
Hi, Ann,
I have also taken the early morning flights from either EWR or IAD on United, landing into Heathrow between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m. the same day. Granted, we pay for an additional night's lodging, but it's great to have a good night's rest and start the next morning refreshed, showered, and with a good English breakfast that'll keep you going until about 2:00pm!
The last time I flew into London, it took me nearly 2 hours to clear Customs (on a Friday night--what was I thinking?), so, you're right, the Heathrow Express is not a definite for these late arrivals; plus, traveling alone and in my 60s, I have a few safety concerns.
What I have done in the past and continue to do is have my London hotel set up a car and driver for me -- sometimes they have them on staff, and the charge is added to the hotel bill. Does your hotel offer this service, or can they recommend a reliable source? You might email the concierge for details.
Happy trails, Ann, and all the best,
Judy
The last time I flew into London, it took me nearly 2 hours to clear
Customs (on a Friday night--what was I thinking?)
Customs?? I think you mean immigration/passport control unless you had purchases to declare.
Thank you Judy, I will contact the hotel. Very good idea.
I’m confused about your arrival time in London.
You say you are leaving NYC early in the morning. London is only 5 hours ahead. For instance if it’s 7am in NYC, it’s Noon in London.
Why are you arriving so late? Is it not a direct flight?
To arrive after the Heathrow Express stopped running you’d need to leave NY at 6pm.
Claudia: Leaving 8:30AM and arriving in London 8:40PM.
How can that be? That’s 12 hours in the air.
I fly from LAX to LHR yearly and it’s only 10.5 hours of flight time.
You have to be stopping elewhere before you fly to Heathrow.
It is a 7 hour and 10 min flight. No stop overs. Taking into consideration the time difference, I leave at 8:30am and London will then be at 1:30PM.
I arrive at 8:40PM in the evening but in NY it will be 3:40PM in NY.
If London is 1:30PM when I leave NY plus 7 hour and 10 min flight, that has me landing in London at 8:40PM.
Your in CA where there is an additional 3 hour time difference.
I hope this clarifies it for you.
I've taken a taxi from LHR to our hotel (Southwark) London, not cheap, but my daughter and I were totally exhausted and it was time to get directly to our pillows & beds. The driver was fine, but prefered to be paid in cash, without mentioning that before we arrived at the hotel (it was a Travelodge, he could have presumed that we did not have THAT much cash at our disposal). Even though I had just gotten (just enough) cash to be able to do it, I made it clear that without having a "cash only" sign in his taxi, there was no way I was paying cash, and it was my credit card as the only option. I did offer to have him increase the price of the fare to cover his credit card fees, so he added like 10 or 15 pounds to the fare.
Some day I want to have a NICE black cab taxi driver, without a drama, I want to find a helpful one. There must be one out there. So far there have been 3 that were not the greatest the whole time. Oh well.
Thanks Alison. I have decided not to take a black cab but to arrange a car service to pick me up at the airport for a set price.
Got it. Math atheist.
Unless I’m wrong doesn’t the Express run till 11:30.
Should be plenty of time for you to get to
Paddington.
Car service is a good choice though.
And Alison have taken more black cabs then I can count, never a problem with cash or credit card.
Seems so odd you’ve received shoddy service for all 3 cabs. Given all the time you spent at the Pax lodge didn’t you have one positive black cab experience?
Hi Claudia: Glad that I was able to explain properly.
I know it runs late but just worried about delays and getting my luggage and passport control and if the plane is delayed in NY than it is delayed landing. All sorts of reasons to be late and not make the train. Alone and stuck at the airport makes me more nervous than spending a week on my own in London which I did last year and had a great time.
As for black cabs, it happened to me. Worst service with one cab driver. Only took two black cabs and one was great the other horrible. I took a cab from one hotel to another hotel and he kept asking me if I was going to pay in cash which I said I was. Then once my luggage was in the cab and myself he went around to the driver's side but did not shut the door. He had to get out of the car and go around when he saw I did not shut the door. Then drove me to my hotel and refused to get out and help me with my luggage or open the door for me. It was just a horrible ride and I felt he was not nice and very lazy and could not be bothered.
So it happens. The other cab driver took credit card which I asked before I got in, was nice, friendly, polite and professional.
All hackney carriages in London must take credit cards, and are not allowed to surcharge for them - after all there was a fare increase to off set costs. There is absolutely no exception to this. If anyone tried it on ask for their licence number and report them directly to TfL Compliance. Use web form or call 0343 222 4000.
It is a 7 hour and 10 min flight.
Wow, unless there is a backlog while taxiing at JFK, I suspect your flight time will be speedier! I hope so at least!
I have used Blackberry Car in London going to Heathrow in the very early morning. It was reasonably priced. They were prompt and you could do it all on the Internet. They have a number to call if you are in the states. They monitor your flight and will have a sign with your name on it when they pick you up.
Ann and cala, ok I get it. I'm learning.
Uber from LHR to Kensington is about £40.
Thank you all for all your advice, suggestions and recommendations. Much appreciated.
