Dear All,
I'm landing in Heathrow terminal 2 by 12 pm on 1 July'18 and have an EasyJet 9:30 am flight to Inverness the next day. Requesting your help in deciding where should I spend the first day (in a Heathrow hotel or Luton Hotel). I have heard seriously bad reviews about staying in Luton. I'll be accompanied by my husband and 4 month old daughter, and needless to say, security is my primary concern.
If I stay near Heathrow, I'll take either National Express coach or Uber to Luton airport to catch my flight. Uber and Heathrow airport obviously will cost way more than staying in Luton. I'll be landing back in Luton from Inverness at 10 pm, hence again seek some advice for staying in Luton that night (is it safe?). Another option is to take flights from Gatwick..is it any better than Luton?
Pls help, it's really bugging me :P
Posted by
Portsmouth
5550 posts
What have you heard about Luton? It might help to hear some of the scare stories in order to confirm or dispel them.
Posted by
401 posts
Well I've never been to Luton airport or the town, but living in the UK I can say there is nothing newsworthy to suggest to me that it is unsafe. If it's a warm Sunday evening you may well see groups of teenagers hanging out but they will be too busy looking at their phones to even notice you! If you'd feel happy staying somewhere a bit more charming you could try nearby St Albans where a taxi to the airport shouldn't be too expensive.
Posted by
OP
77 posts
Hi,
I have read such reviews on Trip Advisor esp. of The Mall in Luton. My hotel - Thistle express is within this mall, hence got scared. I also want to step out after resting a bit, seems nothing much to see around this airport.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
St Albans would be a very pleasant place to stay
https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/hertfordshire/st-albans/st-albans-city-centre.html
Plus there are frequent buses between Heathrow and St Albans
Posted by
Denver, Colorado, USA
713 posts
I've not stayed in St. Albans, but last October I spent several hours there on a Sunday, with a London Walks day out. I'd stay at that Premier Inn in a heartbeat. It's not far from the Cathedral and Abbey, which I'd love to see again. If you're not worn out from your flight, it's a very pleasant old town to walk around and explore.
Posted by
Leeds, Yorks & Scranton, PA
72 posts
St.Albans also gets an upvote from me as there is a train service from there to Luton Airport Parkway train station (and a connecting 6 minute bus ride to the airport itself).
Another location I initially thought of is Hitchin (also in the Hertfordshire / Bedfordshire area). Hitchin is 32 miles out of Kings Cross and St.Pancras stations and is less than ten miles by road from Luton Airport itself (I see it’s now called London Luton Airport). However, the transport situation is less fun as you would need a bus to Luton bus station and then perhaps a taxi from there as your fastest option. Much better to be in a system where multiple people are taking a short train and shuttle bus connection (and only going to the airport).
If you weren’t needing the flight to Scotland, I would lean slightly to Hitchin. As it stands, I lean more heavily towards St.Albans. Very regular trains both to and from Luton Airport Parkway, even late at night, and a stay in a higher-class part of the Chiltern area.