If our flights arrive on time, we should be through customs and ready to exit the airport between 1 and 1:30 pm. We have hotel reservations at the London Heathrow Marriott for one night. We'd love to find a company who could provide us a driver (not a guide per se) who would pick us up at Heathrow, take us directly to Windsor Castle (holding our luggage in the vehicle) and then take us to our hotel after visiting the castle. (hotel address is Bath Road, Hayes, UK.) I've been unsuccessful in my internet searches, so I thought I'd check here! My second thought would be to go to the hotel first and check in and figure out how to get there from there, perhaps by taxi, but we would lose precious time doing that. I have looked and I don't believe we can store our luggage at Windsor (only smaller bags, I think) Any help will be appreciated!
If you don't think trying to get to Windsor Castle is a good idea, what would you do for the afternoon, either before or after checking into the hotel? We want to stay up until 9 or 10 pm. We don't have to be to the aiport until 1:00-ish the following day. Is it worth heading to central London after checking into our hotel?
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13946 posts
Actually, have you considered staying overnight in Windsor? With a 1P departure ( or maybe that is just when you want to be back to the airport?) you’d have plenty of time to get a cab at a reasonable time to get back to Heathrow. Then you could drop your bags, head out to the Castle or walk thru town. Have a nice dinner and a good breakfast before you are off again.
I’ve not stayed at the Marriott but have stayed at the Radisson at Heathrow several times at the end of a tour. To me the area is relatively soul-less.
Posted by
OP
Sacramento CA
30 posts
@Pam, thank you for your suggestion...we had not considered this option and we like the idea! We don't know anything about the town of Windsor...do you think we'd have easy access to taxis or Uber/Lyft vehicles to get us to the castle from whatever hotel we select ...and return to hotel from the castle?
We figured there was not much to see around the Heathrow airports and should have researched this earlier, but it still may work!
TIA!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13946 posts
I think your hotel can easily arrange for a cab back to the airport on your departure day.
I will also tell you that I’ve not stayed in Windsor before but am doing so in mid-May for 2 nights prior to departure back home. I’m staying at one of the hotels right across from the Castle so it will be easy to get around. I’ll have a full day to see the Castle, walk around Windsor and go across the river to Eton and have a final nice vacation meal!
Posted by
Preston UK
877 posts
Windsor is a small town. You should be able to find a hotel central enough to not need any more transport around other than your legs.
Posted by
Connecticut
612 posts
Windsor is a walkable town. When I arrived by train several years ago I decided to take a taxi to my hotel. The driver explained to me how quick and easy a walk would be thus saving me money. In 2017 I had fantastic authentic food at the Duchess of Cambridge Pub. Accommodations at MacDonald Windsor hotel were great. It is located across Thames St./High St. from the castle entrance. Things do change so there may be new or better options but I would gladly return to these two establishments.
Posted by
Land of La
8674 posts
Are you flying a direct overnight flight? SFO to LHR?
I fly Virgin Atlantic LAX to LHR on the red eye. Arriving between noon and 1pm.
Depending on number of staff AND the number of functioning e gates will determine how quickly you will get through immigration.
If you must see Windsor Castle I’d first get to your hotel. Check in and freshen up.
Have the Marriot call a Blackberry cab for you. Off you go.
Personally I’d want to see London before seeing Windsor Castle but thats just me. Windsor didn’t impress me that much but I’m always impressed with my London stays. First visited in 1972. Last visit, 2022. That said I’d check into your Marriot, freshen up. Ask the staff to direct you to the 278 ( headed to Ruislip) bus stop. Use your tap CC or debit card) and ride 15 minutes to the Hayes and Harlington stop L. Exit at the station and board the Elizabeth Line train to Paddington Station. Paddington is huge but well signed to get to the Underground. Follow the floor directions to the Underground and board a Circle line train to Westminster. Exit Westminster Station and you’ll know you are not in Kansas anymore. Area will be bustling. Explore and enjoy!
Posted by
OP
Sacramento CA
30 posts
To Everyone: Thanks you so much for all the great ideas! We're in the process of researching some of these options and hope to at least spend the night at a hotel near the castle -- whether we have time to tour it or not, we like the idea of experiencing Eton and having a nice dinner there.
@ Claudia - We have previously done direct flights from SFO, but this trip we're flying out of Sacramento...part of our group with layover in Dallas; the other part with layover in Atlanta. We all arrive within 30 mins of each other. Thanks for tip about e-gate staffing. Hopefully they are fully staffed for "us"! ;)
Posted by
New England
593 posts
I hope your arrival goes smoothly. A friend of mine just landed at Heathrow (on Delta) this morning and because of staffing shortages/busy day they had to park at Terminal 5 instead of Terminal 3 and the 260 passengers were ferried by bus, 40 at a time to international arrivals.
I'm glad you are looking at staying in Windsor/Eton instead of Heathrow for your first night. I have stayed in Windsor/Eton as the last night of a trip, and I'll be doing so as the first night of a trip next month. We're using FiveStar cars out of Windsor to pick us up at Heathrow --they are the company my hotel arranged to bring me from Eton to Heathrow a few years ago, and all went fine.
If you are not already aware, do know that Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We were almost caught out by that for our upcoming trip.
I enjoyed staying the one night in Eton--something about crossing that pedestrian bridge leaves most of the Windsor tourist hustle and bustle behind. In 2017, I stayed at The George, a pub in Eton that rents rooms--it was simple but fine. There were a number of interesting independent shops on the Eton High St and a small supermarket, Budgens. I continued on to Eton College and walked through the campus. Everything is very much within easy walking distance. Next month, we are staying at the Castle Hotel Windsor, a bit of a splurge for us but we are looking forward to it. We're also planning to do a 40 min boat ride on the Thames with French Brothers, which apparently has frequent departures during the day.
I hope you enjoy Windsor and Eton!
Posted by
OP
Sacramento CA
30 posts
@ Accidental Southerner: Sorry to hear about your friend's delay! I hope they didn't miss a connecting flight! Thank you for your suggestions as well! The river cruise sounds interesting!
To All: We want to thank you all for your comments and suggestions! We've rearranged our plans and now have reservations for the night at the Macdonald Windsor hotel and we're hoping if our flight is not delayed, we can get to the hotel and with its proximity to Windsor Castle, even if we don't tour the castle, we can at least take a nice walk, perhaps walk along the river and end our night with a delicious dinner! Thanks again!
Posted by
Lake District, England
5761 posts
This is the French brothers web site for the boat.
https://www.frenchbrothers.co.uk/public-trips/
If you book ahead you get a nice discount, and the tickets are valid on any departure that day, and seniors over 65 also get a discount.
Note they also have a 2 hour boat trip, on which you can pre book an afternoon tea hamper with or without Champagne, prosecco or Pimms.
Also longer (single) trips to Runnymede (where the Magna Carta was signed) and Maidenhead.