Hotels FAQ

Question:

The convenience of the underground depends entirely on how much luggage you have and the ease of egress for your station. A woman with luggage for herself and her mother would be silly to try it unless she was sure she would be delivered directly to a station with a lift.  I wouldn’t do it even then. Frank Matthews – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I was in London on February and I paid 10 pounds for the express to victoria > station (I think) and on the way back I took public transit and it cost me 4 > pounds – there was no difference – except that you have more rrom for your > luggae with the express – the public transit option required less walking > from the airport so it would be my recommendation

Response:

I was in London on February and I paid 10 pounds for the express to victoria station (I think) and on the way back I took public transit and it cost me 4 pounds – there was no difference – except that you have more rrom for your luggae with the express – the public transit option required less walking from the airport so it would be my recommendation

Response:

I agree with the others, if you have any amount of luggage at all getting around on public transport can be a real drag. I think the tube fare from Heathrow to Picadilly is about 5 pounds each.  The shuttle is about 15 I think. A cab will take you directly to your hotel for 30-40pounds total.  Also, there are now private livery services which you can arrange in advance for about 30 pounds. I saw one on the web not too long ago, maybe someone here can give you the URL. Your travel agent should be able to arrange that for your as well. Believe me the few extra pounds you spend will be well worth it in terms of time and frazzled nerves, not to mention physical exhaustion from hauling your bags around. Wally

Response:

>Does anyone know >the cost of this compared to taking a shuttle service?  I figure the shuttle

service is > easier, however we will take the underground if it is easy and much less. Unless you are staying at a hotel that is near a Piccadilly line station (or one of the lines that you would take from the Heathrow Express station, which is Paddington) I think you will find the shuttle well worth the extra cost, because lugging suitcases between underground lines can be very tedious, with long corridors and lots of up and down stairs. If you take the Airbus, get a round trip ticket ("return" ticket) as that is cheaper than two single fares.  From the Airbus stop, you may need to take a taxi. The Airbus service now also includes a service direct to your hotel, which may be of interest.  Details at  http://www.airbus.co.uk/ >Finally…theater >tickets…is their an agency like ticketron or bass in the > UK that I can call to order theater tickets from?

I always use First Call.  They offer a full range of seats and will tell you exactly what seats you are getting.  They take credit cards and sometimes charge a booking fee but it is not great. You can call them from overseas at little cost, as they are open 24 hours a day.  From the US, 011-44-171-420-0000 or 011-44-171-240-7200.  From London, add a zero in front of the 171. As someone else suggested, calling the theatre direct also works well, particularly if you are in London; you’ll need a credit card.  I do not use the Leicester Square booth as I have found that, although the tickets are half price, they tend to be the most expensive seats (orchestra/stalls), which I happen not to like at any price.  Often, if the play is nearing the end of its run, you may find your seat is upgraded when you get to the theatre. Larry at Morro Bay, California

Response:

You don’t say which airport or how much luggage you will have. In my experience the convenience of a prearranged pickup and delivery directly to your lodgings is worth it over public transport.  I hate hauling luggage when I’m worn out.  Without luggage, public transport will do fine. When leaving, I found an airport hotel a good bet.  If you are leaving on a weekend you should be able to get a good rate.  I got a nice Sheraton for 90 pounds on Saturday. In the city you might try a B&B.  In your price range you can get a pretty high class one.  I recently stayed at a very nice one in Chelsea/ Knightsbridge.  It was a double bed though.  I think the URL was www.londonBB.com but I’m not completely sure. Frank Matthews – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am traveling with my 73 year old grandmother, who is in good shape, to > London for about a week this Sept.  How difficult is taking public transit > from the airport to central London.  I have heard it is very easy to take > the underground.  Does anyone know the cost of this compared to taking a > shuttle service?  I figure the shuttle service is easier, however we will > take the underground if it is easy and much less. > Second, I am looking for a hotel, less than $200.00 U.S. a night with > private bath, two beds, non-smoking rooms, close to an underground station. > Suggestions? > Finally…theater tickets…is their an agency like ticketron or bass in the > UK that I can call to order theater tickets from? > Any help is appreciated.  Thanks. > Julie

Response:

>I am traveling with my 73 year old grandmother, who is in good shape, to >London for about a week this Sept.  How difficult is taking public transit >from the airport to central London.

There is some discussion of public transport options (which are really very easy) from both Heathrow and Gatwick in http://www.city.ac.uk/martin/ukfaq.html Depending on the time of day and where your hotel is, the tube or Heathrow Express may be quicker overall than taking a shuttle > I have heard it is very easy to take >the underground.  Does anyone know the cost of this compared to taking a >shuttle service?

The tube is