My family will arrive London LHR at 10 a.m. on the Christmas Day. This is our first European trip. All public transportations are closed that day. Our hotel is in the central London near Victoria coach station. Anyone know the chespest or fastest way to get there? Thanks so much for your useful info.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33533 posts
According to the official page from TfL (Transport for London) there are a couple of lifelines: National Rail No services apart from replacement bus services operating on Gatwick Express and Heathrow Express. Buses There will be no daytime or Night buses operated by London Buses. However, there will be a few services operating, where special fares will apply. Travelcards, Saver tickets, Bus & Tram Passes and concessionary permits may not be valid on these services (for details please contact operators). These are as follows: The Oxford Tube will operate a special service between Oxford and London Victoria until 1900,
calling at Heathrow Airport Central bus station in both directions instead of Hillingdon station. I don't have any idea of the fares to be charged on the Heathrow Express bus replacement service but I would expect they would broadly follow the normal fare. The Oxford Tube bus service that day is hourly and £25 one way. Black cabs in London (when you can find one) are entitled to make a £4 surcharge. You will need one if you take the replacement bus from Heathrow Express because it goes to Paddington. If you can get the £25 Oxford Tube it will take you to Victoria Coach Station. So you pays your money and takes your choice.....
Posted by
Tipton, Iowa
332 posts
Arrange now for a car service. There will be a surcharge for Christmas Day travel. Order a car that is large enough for all of you and your luggage. A car service will be cheaper than a black cab or using Heathrow Express plus a black cab. These firms are generally reliable: www.london-transfers.com www.justairports.com www.skyexpresscars.net
www.handicars.co.uk and www.simplyairports.co.uk
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
A poster on another forum found, after getting several quotes, that Christmas Day looks like the one day of the year when it is cheaper to take a Black Cab rather than a private car service from Heathrow. That was even with the surcharge Nigel mentioned.
Posted by
OP
poway, ca, usa
2 posts
Thank you so much for your reply and info. I made a couple of calls and email, these are what I found out for the Christmas Day from LHR to central London: No Heathrow express; No bus; No tube; No shared van on Heathrow shuttle; There is only one train/hour to Paddington station with Heathrow connect; The best taxi fare I can get is 51 pound plus waiting(2.5 pound per 1/2 hour) from Justairport.com.
Taxi fare on the Christmas Day=pre-set price+1.5-2 times premium depends on the taxi company.