I am seeking tips on a middle of the night visit to London during an 8 hour layover. From reading other posts I know sightseeing is often not advised, however my mother is terminally ill and she has never seen Europe and we'd like for her to take in some sights while we are there, even if it's minimal. We arrive in Heathrow at 10:40 pm and depart at 7 am. On the round trip part of our journey we have to transfer airports from Gatwick to Heathrow from 11:35 pm arrival to a 7:55 am departure. What's the best thing to see and what's the cheapest and best way to travel (shuttle, bus, cab, tube) for 3 travelers that are unfamiliar with London? We're considering Piccadilly Circus, Theatre Square, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Parliament, the Thames, and St. Paul's Cathedral. Thanks for any help!
Posted by
Freedonia
16096 posts
The tube and rail shut down around midnight. There is a night bus service but it is limited and you'll have to take your luggage with you.
Everything will be closed.
The sights you mention are not that close together and trying to walk between them in the middle of the night is not advisable.(We're talking miles from Piccadilly Circus to Tower Bridge.)
Your choices would be to get a cab to drive you around (very expensive) or perhaps find a private driver/guide willing to work those hours.) He could pick you up at Gatwick, drive you around London, and then drop you off at Heathrow. I'm guessing it would cost well over 100 GBP.
Posted by
Manchester
497 posts
To further what Frank said, why not rent a car?
The main reasons people don't recommend driving in London are the difficulties with traffic and parking which won't be an issue in the middle of the night. The congestion charge only applies from 07:00-18:00 so that's not an issue either.
I always think transferring from Heathrow-Gatwick is more trouble than it's worth but if you are doing it anyway then a car will kill two birds... Pick up at Gatwick, drive to Heathrow via some sights, drop off the car.
The only possible issues I can think of are staying awake all night and the timing of the rental car desks, I'm not sure you can pick up that late (although I assume you can.)
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
Hi, Megan. I'd suggest hiring a driver or renting a car as well. You can see Parliament, Big Ben, The Thames, Westminster Abby, Admiralty Arch, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace all within an hour by car no problem (90 minutes if you want to get out and look around). Piccadilly circus is not far.
St Paul's and Tower Bridge are the farthest from that grouping, but not far by US standards. (FYI London Bridge is now in Lake Havasu, it was moved).
I'd get a good GPS, they're pretty accurate.
Many pricier GPS now offer audio tours that you can download free (or pay) that will play based on your location. It's pretty neat to hear a guided tour of the sites, while you're driving in your own (rental) car.
Hope all that helps!
Chris
Posted by
Freedonia
16096 posts
If you do decide to rent a car.....two items:
1) I agree with Chris, get one with a GPS. London streets can get very confusing. (They have this habit of changing names every few blocks :) )
2) Remember you'll be driving on the other side of the road with the steering wheel on the right side of the car.
3) If you're not used to stick-shift, make sure your car comes with automatic transmission. You will get a stick unless you request an automatic.
Posted by
OP
St. Louis, MO, USA
3 posts
Thanks so much for all the helpful info. I think we will probably check into the prices of rental cars when we get there, but we may end up taking a cab. My travel agent said if you get into an accident without an international license they can confiscate your passport-which would be bad at the start of our trip. My mom kinda likes the idea of driving European style, so we'll have to give it some thought.
Posted by
Manchester
497 posts
My travel agent said if you get into an accident without an international license they can confiscate your passport
It's worrying that your travel agent thinks this because it really isn't true. International licences have no bearing in the UK, all an American needs is a valid US licence.
I think we will probably check into the prices of rental cars when we get there, but we may end up taking a cab
Just as in the US pre booking is usually the cheapest way to go with car hire, asking at the desk will probably be more expensive. Same with hiring a black cab from the stands, driving around the sights of London at midnight will be costly, a pre booked car will be cheaper.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
Echoing Peter - rental car prices especially in Europe go up dramatically as time goes by especially in the 1 week and 1 day range.
Find a company that will reserve in advance with no cancellation fees. Just in case. You can always call to cancel.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Megan: I would seriously consider using a different travel agent, if I were you. Her ignorance about IDPs in Britain is a warning sign. Has she in fact, been to Europe? What else might she have told you that is a load of old rubbish?
Posted by
near NY, NJ, USA
445 posts
Contact www.blackcabtoursLondon.com
They may be able to help you. It won't be cheap but considering that you want to do something unusual, you are going tohave to pay.
I would not recommend renting a car when you have never done so in the UK. You have to get used to driving on the other side of the road, find you way
to London and then find the sites and get back to Heathow
If it is important enough to you. you won't begrudge the expenditure on a taxi tour. You are forgetting
one thing that is FATIGUE!
Posted by
Aurora, ohio, USA
80 posts
I think renting a car would be crazy. You would get lost and can't sight see while driving on the wrong side of the road. Find a cabbie you like at the airport and buy him for the night or arrange a private tour driver.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
I agree that cab is probably the best option.
But the idea that you would get lost with a car is a myth. GPS (Global Positioning Satelites) work GLOBALLY.
They work perfectly fine in London. This is not some area out in the middle of the Sudan with no marked roads.
As I said, cab is probably best (Or hiring a driver), but I wouldn't be afraid of getting lost if you have a good GPS.
All the places you mentioned are on major, well marked roads, and while I'd normally stay out of London in a car - I don't think you'll have any problems at 2AM...
Posted by
OP
St. Louis, MO, USA
3 posts
I just got back from our trip and it was a lot to take in. As luck would have it, a private driver that was supposed to pick someone up at the airport had a no-show and ended up taking us around central London for 2 hours then back to the airport again for 100 pounds. This was cheaper than the rental cars and taxi prices that we could find. We didn't get to wander about on our own, but it was a nice way to take in the sights. After having seen London now, even in the middle of the night I would not want to drive there on my own. I found the rules of traffic flow to be confusing and scary at times (and I used to live in L.A.) I would not recommend it to someone newly acquainted with Europe. On the way back home we caught the National Express shuttle from Gatwick to Heathrow for 19.50 pounds each. As others have mentioned and I would concur, we've already decided to use a different travel agent next time.