Transport & lodging in London

Greg: Re your first question: This is a case where the train is faster than by jet, if your starting point is central Paris and you want to get to central London and not Heathrow. Taking the train eliminates the trip out to the airport, checking in 90 minutes before flight departure, clearing formalities at Heathrow, getting your baggage, and getting into central London. And if you buy the trainfare well in advance, you can substantially reduce the cost of the train. If you compare the time saved by train, many would say it is worth paying more for the train, if you had to. Or not. The train ride has become even shorter in the last year or so as they got the thing to go even faster over on the UK side. And finally, may I say thank you for your kind words about the Helpline!

Greg,
That sounds like a great trip! My wife and I took the chunnel train to Paris, but flew back. To take the trip seemed like one of those experience things we had to do. But ultimately, you're just in a dark tunnel. It's the visual part of train trips that are enjoying. For our trip back, it was about double the cost to take the chunnel and we were flying home that afternoon - so it was more convenient to just fly.
The train station is also a convenient subway ride from Paris. When we flew back, it was easiest for us to just take a shuttle to CDG.
If the cost is going to be similar, I'd recommend the train for a relaxing ride to London.

Question number one has already been asnwered.

Question number 2....well, your flight is at 10:30 which means you have to be at LHR no later than 8:30.

If you take the tube, the Piccadilly line goes to Heathrow. It will take about an hour from Central London to get there. That means taking it no later than 7:30.

Or, you could take the Heathrow Express from Paddington. It only takes 15 minutes but costs mucho dollars. Plus you have to get to Paddington.

If you're early risers, then stay in LOndon the night before and go see another show. (You can 1/2 price tickets to some shows on the same day as the performance.)

Either way, Heathrow is notoriously busy and I'd give myself extra time--just in case. Worst comes to worst, you can check out the shops or sit and have another cup of coffee.

What airport and at what time is your flight to Milan?

First, only American tourist refer to the train as the chunnel. In fact, I think it is a derogatory term that the Brits don't like. The Eurostar is by far the most convenient between London and Paris. Unlike nearly all trains, there is security screening but not as intense as the airport. Need to be at least 30 minutes early. Second, when departing London we always in the Paddington Station area, Lots of inexpensive -- relatively speaking -- hotels in the area. It is bit of a hike from the Heathrow Express station at Heathrow so plan on at least 45 minutes from hotel to airport checkin plus any waiting time for the train at Paddington.

You will like Wicked. It is extremely well done. It was better then when we said it state side. The theater is about the only bargain in London.

I, too, would recommend taking the Eurostar from Paris to London.

I would recommend being at Heathrow three hours in advance for a flight back to the US. Check with your airline to see what time they want you to check in.

IMO, the Heathrow Express is a waste of money. If you stay near Paddington for the speed and ease of getting to Heathrow, you could take the Heathrow Connect train for only £6.90. See www.heathrowconnect.com.

The Tube starts running early enough for you to get to Heathrow by 07:30 from anywhere in central London so you wouldn't have to stay near Paddington. (It will take about an hour and cost you £4.)

BG,

The Eurostar has moved from Waterloo International to St. Pancras International.

Paddington is part of this discussion because Greg has to get to Heathrow in the morning after arriving on the Eurostar and spending a night in London.

Merci beaucoup for your good advice. It sounds like the Eurostar train is the most convenient--if not also the fastest and least expensive--route from Paris to London.

I like the idea of staying in central London vs. Heathrow area, if only on principle: I can sleep in an airport Travelodge anytime. And there seem to be plenty of reasonable ways to get to the airport from town (thanks for the Heathrow Connect tip.)

My wife and I are infrequent travelers and have been to Europe only once before: in '96 as college student newlyweds. Friends laughed at our guidebooks and called Rick Steves "the travel geek", but we identified with Rick's cultural sensitivities and met many gracious folks toting his books through Europe. Its gratifying to see that courteous, helpful ethic continued on this forum.

Greg, there is one other option to your last night in London.

In Terminal 4 at Heathrow is a new hotel called the Yotel. I've never stayed there but it looks kind of neat. YOu reserve by the hour. You could in a sense, spend the evening in London, and take a late train to Heathrow. It's only about 15-20 minutes to get from one terminal to the other.

www.yotel.com

Lots of good advice from the 'regulars' Greg; my only thoughts -bring some toothpicks to keep the eyes open at the Apollo Theatre (unless you're a better overseas traveller than me) & enjoy London coming and going. Ciao, Bonsoir, Cheers -have fun!