There are 4 of us seniors needing information on options for transportation from the airport to our hotel for August. We are spending 3 days in London before boarding a 12 day cruise leaving from Dover. We will be each checking one bag and because we will be stopping in 4 places in Iceland, needing warmer clothes, our suitcases are bigger than carryons. We would not be able to get them up and down lots of steps. The cruise line will provide transportation at the cost of $110 each. We are staying by Earls Crossing. We are hoping to find other, less expensive options. We will also need transportation from our hotel to Dover with the cruise line price again of $110 & then on return, back to the airport another $110.
Any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7052 posts
I'm not familiar with Earls Crossing, do you mean Earl's Court? If so, take the tube.
Posted by
Halifax, NS
336 posts
You can access the tube at Heathrow by taking the elevators and then go to Hammersmith station. You literally get off the Piccadilly Line train and walk over 10 feet to the District Line train. No steps. This is provided there are no works on the lines.
Otherwise, you might be able to share a cab or Uber for less than $110 each.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
Assuming you meant to type Earls Court (and auto correct struck again) take a Piccadilly line tube to King's Cross St Pancras then a South Eastern High Speed train from St Pancras to Dover (journey time 65 minutes) then a cab from Dover Priory station to the cruise port.
Booking ahead the London to Dover train tickets should be about £15 each, so the whole journey should be around £25 or even less, each, door to door.
Likewise on the way back except you stay on the same tube train from Kings Cross all the way to Heathrow.
All the interchange points are step free.
I've been to both Greenland and Iceland in August, and boiled in the heat. Although you need to pack for the cold you may find that Iceland does not live up to it's name.
Posted by
Preston UK
1232 posts
Is it possible to change your hotel? It would be much more convenient to find a hotel near Kings Cross/St Pancras. There are plenty at all price points. The Piccadilly line will take you all the way there from Heathrow without any changes in about an hour and there are lifts there to avoid any stairs with your bags.
Then, when you need to get to Dover you will be right by St Pancras for the train. In the meantime you will be in an excellent location for easy transport to the sights in London.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1423 posts
4 fairly large pieces of luggage may not fit in a standard taxi, Uber? You might have to get two cabs/ride shares
Posted by
Land of La
9261 posts
In answer to 1st question: From London Heathrow take a Black cab to your hotel in the Earls Court neighborhood.
I’d take a black cab as those drivers MUST take a test called The Knowledge which means they know different routes …. Sharing the fare among all 4 of you should be less that $110 ( remember in the UK $’s are £’s.)
From the hotel take another cab to Kings Cross Station where you will board your train to Dover.
By taking cabs you will have room for your luggage. The 4 of you can share the cost.
As far as returning from Dover I’d take a South Eastern train to Kings Cross Station (about an hour ride). From Kings Cross take a Black Cab to the airport. Might even arrange with the black cab driver who took you to your Earls Court hotel to retrieve you from Kings Cross and take you to LHR.
Worth a try.
Posted by
Freedonia
16409 posts
A black cab will probably not be able to carry four passengers and four large bags. It will also be the most expensive.
The easiest solution is to prearrange a car service. They will meet you as you exit the customs hall, help with your luggage to the vehicle, and drop you off at the front door of your hotel. It is less than a taxi. From Heathrow to Earls Court it will cost around 75 pounds for all of you.
Two companies popular here are:
https://www.blackberrycars.com/
You can also get a quote from them for transport to Dover.
You could also take the Piccadilly line to Earls Court for 2.10 GBP each and it is step free. But from there you have to get to your hotel. What hotel? (This is my "home" area so know it well.) I left yesterday.
Posted by
257 posts
Someone mentioned "step free" at Earls Court: not necessarily so. There are a few steps to leave the station, maybe 4, and there is a "lift" which gets you up to street level, that can get very crowded. Don't even think about the spiral staircase.
My problem with Earls Court (and I have stayed there a few times) is that to get to Central London, where you get a train to Dover, is putting you through the wringer of crowds sometimes - even without a bag it is miserable. I would seriously opt for something closer to your train station, although Earls Court is great for getting back to the airport when it comes time to leave, because it is on the Piccadilly Line, and it only takes about 50 minutes - except on weekends where there is "replacement HELL service", otherwise known as several buses...
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thanks for all of the suggestions. We are staying at the Trebovir Hotel near Earls Court. I did do a search on Rome2Rio from Earls Court to Piccadilly line to Kings Cross/St Paccras to Dover Priory, then taxi to cruise terminal with the approximate cost of $80 each. The reverse from the cruise terminal is a little cheaper but again requires multiple changes. The cruise line charges $110 hotel to cruise terminal and the $110 from terminal to airport. I guess it somewhat depends on comfort or saving money! Still looking at options & will check out recommendations. Thanks!
Posted by
CA
2152 posts
I would check the weather for Iceland because you may not need real heavy clothing. I visited many places there off a cruise in June going into July and only needed a light jacket. I ventured up into the snow line and was fine. July and August are great times to visit there.
Not sure if you need dressy attire for your cruise? We stopped taking the suits and gowns because of the room they take up in the suitcase.
Have a great trip.
Posted by
Freedonia
16409 posts
The hotel is literally a two minute walk from tube station. As you exit the station, turn left and go to the corner. (One store past McDonalds.) Turn left again and about halfway down the block is your hotel. No steps, no crossing streets.
Earls Court station is my "home" station. I have been through it more times than I can count. It is completely step free. Yes, there are a series of steps as you exit the station. However, to the left of the steps is a ramp for wheeled luggage and wheelchairs. You have to look for it.
Trip from Heathrow is now around 40 minutes. I last took it Wednesday.
Regarding crowds, welcome to the London Underground. It's crowded. And just seems to be getting worse. I don't have any problems with Earls Court.
Here's how to get out of the station: When you arrive at Earls Court, get off the train and follow the "Way Out" signs towards Earls Court Road. You will take an elevator to ticket level. When the doors open, you will see the ticket barriers. Use the same method you used to get on the tube--oyster card, contactless--to tap and open the gates. In front of you are the stairs, and to the left is the opening to the ramp. The ramp will curve left and then right and take you to street level. Its like 20 feet long in each direction. (Thus, no steps.)
The fare from Heathrow to Earls Court is 2.10 GBP (Earls Court is in both zone 1 and 2 so you pay less than if going completely into zone 1.
Posted by
3459 posts
Check out Blacklane. I did a dummy booking for car service from LHR to a random hotel in Earls Court, and it was considerably less that $110 per person based on a vehicle than accommodate 4 adults.
Personally, I wouldn't want to start a European adventure by struggling with my bags using public transportation (on top of jet lag) to get to my hotel.
Posted by
Preston UK
1232 posts
Karla - as is often the case rometorio is way out with the pricing for a trip to Dover. Looking to travel tomorrow morning I can see plenty of trains for £24pp from St Pancras to Dover. Booking in June it’s less than £15pp. You need to add a tube fare of £2.80pp maximum from Earl’s Court to St Pancras and a taxi for the short ride from Dover Priory station to the cruise terminal. That should come in at maybe £100 in total. That’s a fraction of the cruise ship’s $440. Assuming the cruise ship is offering the trip by coach the train option will be way quicker as well.