My adult daughter and I have 3 days planned for touring London. Two using a hop on/off tour bus and one taking a tour bus to Bath/Windsor/Stonehendge. We also plan to do some night time activities. I think I understand taking the tube from the airport to London. Do I then walk to a bus station, and walk from bus stops to hotels? Is there any way I can figure out inexpensive hotels close to the bus stops? Also how advisable is it for young women to walk 5-9 minutes at night to a bus stop or from a bus stop to a hotel? Thank for any help.
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
Wether you take the Tube or one of the two train lines from Heathrow (assuming you are arriving at Heathrow) you will end up at Paddington Station. You can then take another Tube line out of Paddington, or a bus, or a taxi, to get to your hotel. Best bet is to take the Tube or a taxi, especially on your arrival. Your hotel should tell you the nearest Tube stop.
Frankly, unless you are on a very tight budget, I'd recommend taking a taxi to your hotel from Paddington. No need to worry about navigating the Tube or the buses at the end of a very long day. Taxis at Paddington queue up outside the building. Watch for signs inside pointing the way. If you stand facing the trains and the schedule board, it's to the left, about midway down the tracks.
Nighttime london is one of the safest big cities, especially in the tourist areas, where people are likely to be thick on the street until late. Follow common sense and don't wave your wallet at potential pickpockets. (I used to live outside London and have visited several times, walking around at all ours in all neighborhoods. Never felt spooked or had a problem.)
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33838 posts
If I may disagree slightly with the previous posters. I would suggest that most places are within 5 minutes walk of a bus or buses, and a bit further usually to a tube stop. But if you're in the tube you can't see much of the London you came to see.
Also, there are 3 rail options from Heathrow, see other posts. The two trains do terminate at Paddington, but the Underground, Piccadilly Line does not serve Paddington. It does conveniently slice through many tourist hotel and sightseeing areas.
Gatwick's different again. Where are you landing?
Posted by
OP
Lebanon, OR
101 posts
Don't have flight plans yet. Trying to get the trip established first.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
To get an idea of what budget hotels cost in London, see the listings at www.eurocheapo.com.
If you take the Tube from Heathrow to London and transfer as necessary, you should be able to get to within easy walking distance of almost any hotel. No bus ride needed. Most hotel Web sites will list the closest Tube stations.
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
Nigel is right. The Piccadilly line from Heathrow doesn't go to Paddington. My mistake.
Posted by
Guthrie, OK
251 posts
We took the Heathrow Connect to Paddington Station (around $20 USD one way, then walked 4 blocks to our hotel, the Lancaster Hall Hotel. This hotel is very affordable - about $138.00 per night for a simple but clean room with 2 twin beds in the Bayswater area - just north of Hyde Park. The only drawback is that it wasn't within walking distance to most sites. But we tubed everywhere with a 3 day travelcard. Easy once you get the hang of it!