Is there a reasonably priced alternative to the tube in London?

You need to be able to manage your own luggage if you plan to take the tube. Whether or not the tube station has a lift depends on the station. At most stations you will encounter some steps. You did not identify where your hotel is located, so can't tell you whether or not you will encounter steps.

If you are unable to manage your own luggage, I'd suggest you arrange for a car service to take you from airport to hotel. Many people on this board recommend "Just Airports".

Thanks, Laura. Just Airports sounds like just the thing.

Couple of things come to mind and I know I'll hear howls from other posters BUT taking the tube into London from Heathrow (if that is where you land ) is cheaper but it is longer. Depending on the kindness of strangers you may or may not have help into and out of the tube. And there are stairs, there are always stairs in the tube stations. It's been so long since I've ridden the tube into London can't recall if there's an elevator in the station at the end of the line. My advice is spend the money to take the Heathrow Connect or Express into London. http://www.heathrowairport.com/transport-and-directions/getting-into-london It's a train. It's costly, but its clean, and it's a 15-20 minute ride as opposed to the hour ride on the Underground. Once you are in London's Paddington station roll your bags right out the front door and queue up for a Black cab to your destination. Yes, it's a more expensive way to arrive but if you are fretting about your two bags then it's the option that will negate your angst. You will also undoubtedly enjoy chatting with your cabbie. Black cab drivers are known for their knowledge of the city and for being professional and personable. A good way to start you first visit to the UK. Secondly and I have not done this either but many have and will post about it, you can always take a comfortable bus into London. Not as quick but comfortable and relatively inexpensive. I do encourage you to read Rick's book on London if you haven't already. Fabulous insight and information, especially for the first time visitor. Laslty, we are nearly the same age and it is possible to take one bag for a three week stint in London. Have done it for years! Great city. Have fun.

The Tube is great for getting places fast but yep, definitely most stations have steps. Buses are good too but since this is your first trip I'd go with the Heathrow Express/Connect to Paddington and then get a cab from there. Also good tube maps here re avoiding stairs and such: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/maps/track/tube

This website has information about accessibility of tube trains and stops. It says about a quarter of stations are fully wheelchair-accessible. This is more than you need, but suggests the potential for using the tube even with luggage. Some stations have elevators, some have very long escalators that should be OK with luggage if you don't rush. My recollection is that there are few long stairways without easier alternatives, but there may be some places where you have to go up or down a few steps. Again, take your time. Finally, almost all the stations have gaps of a few inches, horizontally and vertically, between the train and the platform (hence the constant reminder to "mind the gap"). These aren't hard to negotiate walking with luggage.

There are multiple ways to get from Heathrow (your likeliest airport from the US) into central London. The tube (Piccadilly line) will cost the least and take the longest because of all the stops it makes, but if your hotel is close to one of its stations it may be your best option. If you can avoid the rush hour you'll have an easier trip and feel less uncomfortable taking up as much space as you and your bags will take. There's also the Heathrow Express, a train that takes 15 minutes to Paddington Station. It appears to be fully accessible. Costs considerably more than the tube but less than a taxi. It might be a good option if your hotel is near Paddington. Last time we landed at Heathrow we took the Express to Paddington, then a taxi to our south Kensington apartment, a good compromise between economy and comfort.

There are car services at Heathrow but others will have to fill you in. More economical for a group than a solo traveler, of course. The traditional black taxi would cost by far the most, and I wouldn't recommend it if you can handle the luggage at all.

You mentioned a package theatre week -- if this is any kind of organized tour, the organizers ought to have some advice for you about airport transfers even if they don't provide them. Have a good time!

You don't say how big the two pieces of luggage are, or if you are only going to be in-country for a week, or what time of year this is going to happen. Answers to all those questions may affect some of our responses.

In general, I agree that managing 2 roller bags from the time you leave home until you get settled in your hotel will be very unwieldy. If there is any way you can reduce that to something you can totally manage on your own, you will benefit from it.

Now, at the risk of also being annoying, I will recommend reconsidering the amount of stuff you take. I am 68. My backpacking days are long over. I now travel with one 22" spinner. Because of the wheels, that's a 20" carry-on in terms of capacity. I also take a cross-body messenger bag which I can easily slip over the handle of the spinner for taking through the airport, train station, or whatever. I am gone for at least 4 weeks per trip with that, and I am a 5'8" XXL person. With good wardrobe coordination, you can pack lighter.

I don't know what the theatre tour people are telling you, or what time of day you will be seeing the shows, but our experience indicated that "dressing up" for the theatre is not very common. Others may have different experience.

Sometimes it's hard to visualize how it would be possible to travel with so little. I think the best source for visual examples, as opposed to a list, is the Vivienne Files (http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/?view=classic) Scroll down the right side of the page for the highlighted work, packing. As of now there are 126 posts on the topic which illustrate how you can look great and travel with less. But, in fact, many, including me, take even less than she shows. I hope this direct link to those specific posts will work: http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/search/label/packing.

Whatever you decide to do, have a great time and eat some tikka masala for me.

Golly, you all are so kind.

I am so glad that there is an alternative to taking the tube to the hotel. I love and respect public transportation, but this is one trip (only part is England) that I will allow myself the pleasure of more than one suitcase. Truly, I can't wear a backpack of any heft, and one suitcase would do me in, so I may as well have more than one.

I've spent many a year aching to pour acetone in my tiny suitcase to get rid of the pesky stretchy travel clothes, so this will indeed be a break!

I am very grateful for all of the suggestions. Sound advice, as always.

Sarah.

The problem with going by what websites say is that even if 25% of London stations are accessible (which I severely doubt) most of them will be in the extreme suburbs where the tube runs above ground, along with a tiny number of recently reconstructed stations in the centre. I would absolutely not use the tube with two large items of luggage as a lone person. Either cut down on your luggage or take a taxi from the airport.

Both Heathrow and Kings Cross St Pancreas underground stations are accessible, the latter a relatively short cab ride away (or indeed accessible bus) to the hotel in question. I get the impression from what Sarah has said that really she is best off with a car service.

Thanks, one and all; I'm covered now. I'll save the tube for after check-in.
Yes, there will undoubtedly be regrets about so much luggage this time.

Sarah