Advice retransportation: LHR-DT Westminister
May 14, 2015, 5:57 pm
#1
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Advice retransportation: LHR-DT Westminister
My wife and I are arriving LHR Terminal 2 on a Wednesday at 5:40 PM. We will each have a large suitcase and a conforming airplane-sized roll-aboard. So, four pieces in all.
Many of the older threads regarding transit are quite dated and not very specific re our circumstances, so wondering whether anyone can offer knowledgeable advice regarding best transit options.
The options seem to be:
1. Taxi
2. Advance Car Hire
3. Uber
4. Heathrow Express followed by Taxi
Seeking recommendations. Main concern is reliability, and making sure that luggage fits into the vehicle. Secondary concern is not paying excessively, but do not mind a premium for convenience.
Thank you for your thoughts and/or referrals....
Many of the older threads regarding transit are quite dated and not very specific re our circumstances, so wondering whether anyone can offer knowledgeable advice regarding best transit options.
The options seem to be:
1. Taxi
2. Advance Car Hire
3. Uber
4. Heathrow Express followed by Taxi
Seeking recommendations. Main concern is reliability, and making sure that luggage fits into the vehicle. Secondary concern is not paying excessively, but do not mind a premium for convenience.
Thank you for your thoughts and/or referrals....
May 14, 2015, 6:17 pm
#2
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We just used this company for transfers between Heathrow and Gatwick. They were on time both trips and we were quite pleased with the service. They were also considerably less than the estimated taxi fares I got (we paid 55 GBP each way) Looks like Heathrow to Westminster for a Saloon, which is what we used and might work for you, is 41 GBP and for an MPV, which would surely work for you, is 56 GBP.
http://heathrow-gatwick-transfers.com/home.aspx
http://heathrow-gatwick-transfers.com/home.aspx
May 14, 2015, 8:40 pm
#3
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This thread has posts from the last couple of weeks. Start at the last page and work back. The recommended services that I and others have used are listed there.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/u-k-i...cussion-8.html
With two bags apiece I would just choose uber or one of the car services listed.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/u-k-i...cussion-8.html
With two bags apiece I would just choose uber or one of the car services listed.
May 15, 2015, 11:04 am
#6
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The HEx followed by a taxi is the most comfortable way, and will be fairly quick too.
May 15, 2015, 11:51 am
#7
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May 15, 2015, 12:03 pm
#8
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The other problem with the HEX is that it's quite a tedious schlep from T2. I'd either go partway on the Tube (actually, no, I wouldn't with two cases apiece), or all the way on a pre-booked car service or Uber.
Keep timing in mind, too. Early evening is relatively calm at T2 IME, so you may be out pretty quickly... And right into the rush hour. Yes, you're going against the flow for the first part, but you may catch the tail end of it as you hit the surface streets past Hammersmith.
Keep timing in mind, too. Early evening is relatively calm at T2 IME, so you may be out pretty quickly... And right into the rush hour. Yes, you're going against the flow for the first part, but you may catch the tail end of it as you hit the surface streets past Hammersmith.
May 16, 2015, 3:07 am
#9
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I often go into London on the M4 at that time of the afternoon and, whilst technically it may be against the flow, it doesn't seem like it. It will be jammed as you enter the road and it will likely be slow getting onto the Chiswick flyover. After that, IME, it should be not too bad.
From T2, I always use the tube, even with suitcases. To Westminster, I would get on at T2 (lifts to platform), change to the District Line at Hammersmith and get off at Westminster (lifts to street level).
From T2, I always use the tube, even with suitcases. To Westminster, I would get on at T2 (lifts to platform), change to the District Line at Hammersmith and get off at Westminster (lifts to street level).
May 16, 2015, 3:24 am
#10
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If you are arriving off a short flight, are fit, confident and the cases aren't too big then the tube might be an option though it is often crowded, hot and very slow. If off a long haul with big bags then a prebooked car would be best to minimise hassle.
Personally I would do HEX plus Uber as the best combination of speed, comfort and good reliability.
Personally I would do HEX plus Uber as the best combination of speed, comfort and good reliability.
May 16, 2015, 3:04 pm
#11
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If you are arriving off a short flight, are fit, confident and the cases aren't too big then the tube might be an option though it is often crowded, hot and very slow. If off a long haul with big bags then a prebooked car would be best to minimise hassle.
Personally I would do HEX plus Uber as the best combination of speed, comfort and good reliability.
Personally I would do HEX plus Uber as the best combination of speed, comfort and good reliability.
Which prebooked services with plenty of space for luggage do you use?
Thanks in advance!
May 16, 2015, 11:18 pm
#12
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Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Swanhunter really got my attention: We will be arriving after about 24 hours of long-haul travel and two overnighters. I guess the "often crowded, hot and very slow" description got me. BearX220 admonition re happy wife too!
Which prebooked services with plenty of space for luggage do you use?
Thanks in advance!
Which prebooked services with plenty of space for luggage do you use?
Thanks in advance!
DT Westminister is a bit of a walk from the nearest tube station, which I think is Pimlico, so I wouldn't attempt it w/ luggage and wife.
May 19, 2015, 6:43 am
#13
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I'd take the Tube (Piccadilly Line) to Hammersmith, change directly across the platform to the District Line. Get off at Victoria or Westminster and take a taxi (or uber) to the DT Westminster.
May 19, 2015, 8:35 am
#14
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As a frequent visitor to London, I second the recommendations for the tube followed by a taxi from your station to your hotel. "Crowded" won't affect you when you get on, since the trains start at LHR. If it gets crowded later, as it probably will, that won't be your problem. "Very slow?" Probably still faster than any kind of surface travel. And "hot?" Maybe. You said you're arriving on a Wednesday, but you didn't say which one. Wednesdays in August tend to be hotter than Wednesdays in January.