Any recommendations on the easy way to get to the hotel from the airport (Terminal 1)? Also, I'll be in London for 4 days- is there a pass I could buy for the tube, that I could use for the 4 days, including the ride from the airport? I was hoping to keep things cheap and just do the train/tube. Thanks in advance for the help.
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
780 posts
Get a prepaid Oyster card at the undergound line area at Heathrow. You'll see the logo of a red circle with blue line through it.
Putting 20 pounds on the card will be a good start.
You can always add more money later if you need it. There may be a 3 pound deposit for the card which is refundable at the end of your trip, as well as any money left on it that you dont use.
Take the (blue) Piccadilly line from Heathrow to Earls court tube stop (about 25 minutes) and change to the (green) District line which will take you right into Westminster. Literally right at Big Ben, in about 10 minutes.
Youre lucky because Earls Court station is one of the few stations with elevators (lifts) to help you get to the District line platform from the Piccadilly line. Makes it much easier for those with luggage.
You will tap the card in and out on the yellow circle at the subway turnstiles BUT if you use it to ride a bus, you only tap when you get on the bus, not out, otherwise it will charge you again if you haven't capped out for the day.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
As Tami said, buy an Oyster card and load some pay-as-you-go pounds on it. The Oyster computer will automatically give you the best fare and you will never pay more than the price of a one-day travelcard for the zones in which you travel that day.
For an even easier connection, take the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow to Hammersmith, walk a few feet to the other side of the platform, and take the District Line to Westminster.
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
780 posts
The reason I suggested Earls Ct station is because it has elevators/lifts to get Chris to the District line easier with luggage. Plus, Hammersmith is sometimes much busier than Earls Court.
Not trying to be rude..I apologize if this comes off as snooty..
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Tami,
You're not being rude or snooty. You're trying to be helpful.
However, transferring at Hammersmith--or Barons Court as someone suggested on another thread--only requires walking a few feet from one side of the platform to the other. With luggage it doesn't get any easier than that.
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
Here is a good site for any London visitors: Transport for London. You can read there about Oyster Cards, all the bus and Tube routes, and -- importantly -- what Tube lines are going to be down for repairs.
Posted by
OP
Windsor, CA
31 posts
Thanks everyone for all the helpful replies and posts.