LHR to Paddington Station

Any reason for selecting Uber in particular? They are only one of a myriad of minicab companies that operate in London, and there are a number that specialise in airport transfers. Sure someone will be along with an example from personal experience.

Not clear either why you are worried about being 'intimidated' by cab drivers.

Don't be "intimidated" by black cabs, they are very convenient and strictly regulated. Unlike some airports in Europe, I've never heard reports of official cab drivers scamming or overcharging people.

You are making it out harder then it is....take the Express to Paddington Station, then it's only a......

five minute walk from Paddington Station to the Park Grand Paddington Court
1) Head southwest on Praed Street/A4205 towards Spring Street
2) Continue onto Craven Road/B410
3) Turn right onto Devonshire Terrace
There is the hotel

If your trip is within the next few days, Heathrow Express will be
pricey

No it won't. It won't exist. Paddington is closed for the holidays, so that work for the new Elizabeth Line of Crossrail can go ahead.

The Heathrow Express can be very inexpensive if you buy your tickets well ahead of time. You're not committing to a particular train, only a particular day, so it doesn't matter if the flight is late or passport control takes awhile. It's easy to find at the airport, takes 15 minutes to Paddington (resuming later this week), and your hotel is so close you could walk there easily. For me this would be a no-brainer, unless your arrival is so soon you can't get the savings from an advance purchase.

Paddington isn't closed for routine or for that matter any other kind of maintenance. It is in connection with Crossrail construction which should improve the journey especially connections between LHR and central London for many years.

I can't recommend the Connect service into London myself because of its infrequency.

Heathrow Express gets my vote as well. If you can book in advance to take advantage of reduced fares, then it is definitely the cheapest, easiest and fastest method.

There are a couple of factors to consider... when are you making this trip and how much luggage do you have? Also, what does the weather look like? It sounds like this trip is soon. I (west coast traveler) walked to my hotel on Westbourne Terr. in January several years ago. I took the Connect during rush hour with a suitcase bigger than carry-on. I wouldn't do that again, but you are arriving mid-day. Dragging a larger suitcase was doable, but maybe not ideal. It took me 5 min.to Westbourne Terr. and your hotel looks 5 min.farther, to me. If you're traveling light, it might be a different story, but I still wouldn't want to walk that far in the rain with luggage. So, if the weather is fair and luggage is manageable, it's a short walk. Check the Express website to see what fares are available. The farther out you book and if you are a couple, the prices improve.

If you do decide to use the Connect or HEX, the directions in the previous post are great. I would add that you get off the train, walk towards the front and out the door on to Praed St. Turn right (Hilton Paddington will be on your right) and follow the directions. There was a fair amount of construction on Praed St. last summer, but it was to the left of the station. I don't know what it looks like now.

Yes that is the other disadvantage of the Connect in rush hour - it is jam packed usually after Hayes and Harlington.

I don't see the private hire car option as a bad one for two to this location - just not sure Uber is the best one to choose.

No need to be intimidated or consider Uber. When I've landed at LHR from SFO, I take the Heathrow Express now. True, a little pricey but you're paying for the comfort and the ample luggage space...very nice.

I've taken the Tube before after the flight from SFO, eleven hours, from LHR to Kings Cross, good part it's cheap and direct; negative part it's about one hour, which isn't so bad if there was more space for luggage, a bit too cramp.

When I took a black cab back in 2012, from SOHO to LHR Terminal 5, ran me 75 pounds. Not cheap

Here's another alternative. Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington and then take a cab for the short ride to the hotel. I did that on my first trip to London and it required no real thought after the overnight flight, was faster IMO, and you get delivered to the hotel door. Now I just take the tube as I know my way around and don't take the overnight flight.

I would have thought that half the point of staying near Paddington station was the convenience of taking the Heathrow Express to get there. Although I've chosen Tube to other destinations, I'd take the Heathrow Express for this one.

"take Heathrow Express to Paddington then taxi the short distance to hotel"

Why would you take a taxi to the hotel that is a five minute walk away? The taxi ride would be 3 minutes long.

A lively discussion!

Too late for early booking.

My feelings for Black Cabs?
1. When we were in Belfast, the cab driver there (not an uber driver) recommended that we avoid the Black Cabs like the plague - blamed them for the success of Uber and the like. He said - they brought this on themselves.

2. When we arrived AMS and were forced to a regular cab we got ripped off. And the guy was rude. No ability on our part to give him a review, eh? Hated that. I want to be able to give feedback if I take a car.
3. We live in a town of 900 and only do uber or mass transit when away. We understand it. It is predictable.

4. The imagery. Did you ever see that movie with the milk trucks that were evil? White step vans. White evil step vans. I have transferred that imagery to the black cabs.

5. Did Uber in New York. Totally get the comment from the New Yorker in the list.

So we will likely take the Express or the Connect-- unless we can find out to find the uber pick up. We arrive on the only rainy day of our visit! Could be worse!

Thank you all. And if anyone hears of the spot for Uber pick up, let me know. Sometimes I just ask the youngest person I can find with a phone in hand and a searching look in the face.

Happy new year and happy travels!

The advantage you will get using a different minicab company than Uber is that the price will be fixed.

If you are still really set on Uber, the following are the current pick-up points in the short term car parks - which may of course change so go where you are finally advised:

T2 | Level 1: Row Q | Wait for your driver within the covered area.
T3 | Level 3: Row A | Wait within the lift lobby area.
T4 | Car Park Level 2: Central aisle | Wait within the Central Lift lobby
T5 | Level 1: Row A or F | Wait within the Lift lobby area

Note that you will pay the car parking charges.

I have seen many complaints about overcharging by taxi drivers between the airport and city centre in Amsterdam, but this is a very unusual problem in Western European cities.

In terms of what your Belfast driver said - I suspect he was thinking about things which do create discontent with cab drivers in London such as the overall high fares and frequent refusal to carry people to certain suburbs where they don't believe they can get a fare back (which is illegal, but often happens). Not to mention their notorious lack of consideration for any other road user. But those issues won't affect your journey.

My uncle who is no longer with us had a legion of stories of passengers who tried to con him as a black cab driver, using dud cheques and bank notes, sob stories about suddenly discovering they had lost all their money etc. I guess it cuts both ways.

FWIW, my limited experience with London black cabs is all positive -- but I wouldn't take one to or from the airport if I had another choice because of the cost.

More to the point: why stay near Paddington? It's not near much tourists usually want to see.

Heathrow Express is pricier than the other options but it is oh so convenient.

Before a person can become a black cab driver go through stringent training to obtain their license, they need to pass The Knowledge test which is amongst the hardest to pass in the world.. They have to master no fewer than 320 basic routes, it takes 2-3 years to get their license. They have to have a clean criminal background check. So for the the poster above who wondered if they were safe for women, the answer is ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!

I stayed at Paddington...once, the other times at Kings Cross.

I've tried a few things and Heathrow Express seems the best option to me, especially if you get your tickets more than 90 days in advance. Cheap and fast. I've seen some clips on youtube where one group takes a cab and the other takes the Express, and the Express is usually as fast or even faster.

I've always taken a black cab back to Heathrow for the trip back, mostly because I am so stressed I'll miss my flight. If my flight leaves at 11:00 in the morning, and I ride Heathrow Express at 8:00, will that give me enough time to get there and get checked in? I'm a worrier, and I worry 3 hours won't be enough time. (And yes, I know I could get up an hour earlier! But I always have breakfast in the park.)

Another vote for Heathrow Express. It was fast, clean and stress-free. As others have recommended, buy your tickets in advance online.

February will be our third time to use Just Airports. Last year it was 36 pounds to Paddington for two people with luggage and this Feb they have quoted the same. We are getting the bigger vehicle. They have provided excellent service. It is great when you get there not to have to mess with rail or tubes. Especially if it is raining and you have to go from Paddington to your rental. Our flat is close to there, but it is still nice. We will never change after using them. They have been on time for the trip back to the airport. It is six pounds cheaper for that trip. I always have some local currency from my last trip to the U.K. So I pay in cash.
Thanks Bill