We will be arriving Heathrow around noon Sunday, July 5 and will be going to our hotel in Chelsea (Nel Gwynn House). We originally planned on taking a cab because we didn't want to haul our luggage up and down stairs to the tube. We're in our late 60's and in decent shape but still didn't want to have to deal with that after a long international flight. Then we heard that cab prices were very expensive. My question is, how expensive is "very expensive?" I checked the price of one way ticket on the Heathrow Express and it was over 10 pounds/person. (There are two of us). Additionally, we would probably have to get a cab from whatever station we get off at to the hotel. Is it still considerably more expensive to take a cab the whole way? Someone mentioned you can save by pre-booking a taxi. How do you do that? and approximately what would it cost?
Any information would be appreciated.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Yes, a taxi from Heathrow to central London is expensive (I've seen estimates of about £50-60). A prebooked car (called a "minicab" in London-speak) is cheaper (about £35-45), and for two people is a good deal, particularly since you'd otherwise be looking at two fares on the Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect plus a taxi; the total is probably about the same, and a "one seat ride" in a car is much more convenient.
Just Airports is one minicab service that is repeatedly mentioned, but there are others. You can see prices on their website (note the substantial discount for cash), and e-mail them if you need further information: http://justairports.com/index.php.
Doing a test for August 12 from Heathrow to Chelsea at 9 AM in a saloon (their smallest vehicle), I got a price of £32 for cash and £48 for credit card.
Posted by
OP
162 posts
Thanks Harold for the great information!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I see that I missed your arrival date in your post, so my test pricing on August 12 may or may not apply to your actual arrival date of July 5. Sorry!
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
Note that Heathrow to Sloane Square actually doesn't require going up or down any stairs (curiously it does in the opposite direction) as it is all lifts and escalators and a level change at Hammersmith between Piccadilly and District Lines. Still leaves you 12 minutes walk or a short taxi ride though.
Posted by
OP
162 posts
That sounds great but just to be 100% clear, going from Heathrow to Sloane Square does not involve any transfers and no stairs? What tube line would we take? Can we buy an Oyster Card at Heathrow for the trip or should we just pay cash for it and get our Oyster Card once we're established in London? Is it fairly easy to find a taxi at Sloane Square?
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
Oyster is as easy to get at Heathrow as anywhere.
Heathrow is a step free station to the Piccadilly Line.
Change at Hammersmith to District Line - other face of same platform so on the level.
Leave at Sloane Square - escalator (there isn't one to the platform on the other direction).
You would need to hail the taxi in the street - it is fairly busy.
Having a pre booked car may well be the best option for you though.
Posted by
OP
162 posts
Sounds great. Thanks!