Any Heathrow hotels with free shuttle?
#16
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,032
Feasibility depends mostly on how far you’re willing/able to walk with your luggage ensemble. Some journeys can be done from the terminal to right outside the hotel, others require a bit of legwork. if you can post from which terminal to which hotel, you’ll get more specific advice.
Last edited by Oxon Flyer; May 12, 2018 at 3:38 pm
#17
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,965
I've never had a full bus to or from a hotel to Heathrow, morning or evening. You can get luggage on them, usually the space for wheelchairs/baby prams is free and you can stand your luggage there. Of course if a wheelchair user does board, you must yield to them (baby prams can take their own chances in my opinion). I have no problem using them with a large and small checked bag and a carryon (on my back).
The TFL (and free) bus schedules can be a bit irregular before about 0630 or after about 22:00, unless it's a route with a 24-hour schedule. At those times I would consider the Hoppa instead.
The TFL (and free) bus schedules can be a bit irregular before about 0630 or after about 22:00, unless it's a route with a 24-hour schedule. At those times I would consider the Hoppa instead.
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
Whenever the wife and I have stayed in LHR hotels we have always been loaded with luggage so the free bus service was not an option for us. We have used the Hoppa or arranged a taxi through reception when departing.
Worth noting when we took a hired car back to Enterprise at LHR they gave us a free lift to our hotel.
Worth noting when we took a hired car back to Enterprise at LHR they gave us a free lift to our hotel.
#19
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Newton Centre, MA, USA
Programs: DL 2MM Gold, AA Plat Pro; Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium (via SPG), IHG Plat
Posts: 2,192
No direction was specified, I assumed perhaps wrongly that the poster was asking about getting to the airport, since the usual reason for staying at an airport hotel would be an early departure or late arrival. Would expect most visitors arriving in the morning to head to a hotel closer to London.
When I land at LHR, I really want to get to sleep (well take a nap) ASAP. I often head to one of the LHR hotels (Marriott, Sheraton) for a day use rate and sleep for about 4 hours. Then I exercise, take a shower, and head in to Central London in the evening. That way I know my room is waiting for me when I land and I get to sleep ASAP.
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
I'm probably thinking like an American since there are really no flights to the USA that leave from LHR that early.
When I land at LHR, I really want to get to sleep (well take a nap) ASAP. I often head to one of the LHR hotels (Marriott, Sheraton) for a day use rate and sleep for about 4 hours. Then I exercise, take a shower, and head in to Central London in the evening. That way I know my room is waiting for me when I land and I get to sleep ASAP.
When I land at LHR, I really want to get to sleep (well take a nap) ASAP. I often head to one of the LHR hotels (Marriott, Sheraton) for a day use rate and sleep for about 4 hours. Then I exercise, take a shower, and head in to Central London in the evening. That way I know my room is waiting for me when I land and I get to sleep ASAP.
At LHR and CDG I head to the arrivals lounge when I arrive early after a TATL flight. I use airport hotels on the return, either if I'm concerned about getting to the airport early enough in the morning or if I have an overnight connection. I've been to major cities in Europe enough times that it isn't necessarily worthwhile to struggle into the city just for a quick overnight.
#22
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,965
An alternative would be tube to T123 (need an Oyster card or contactless card but it is free) and then 105/111 TfL bus (again free and no need to tap in) to the same stop as above.
#24
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,965
#25
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
the better way!
I (too) have experienced the North American mindset arriving in LHR - where are the hotel shuttle buses?
Thinking more about it, the British really have landed (no pun intended!) on the better way. Having # empty hotel shuttle bus circulating the terminals empty is replaced by free local bus which quickly reaches (in my case) the Sheraton Heathrow. All for free!
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
Just to be clear, it is not just that there is "no need" but that you should refrain from tapping in. If you do tap in, you will be charged (although the bus charge is just £1.50, so you will not be ruined if you accidentally do it).
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,342
Just out of curiousity, is it clearly displayed on the buses, or at the bus stops that it is free, and that you shouldn't tap in?
#28
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,965
Last edited by KARFA; May 28, 2018 at 5:05 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Unless you are simply transiting (staying for the night), when you book a hotel near LHR, make sure you plan ahead of your trip.
Staying near LHR means you will highly rely on the Tube w/bus in and out of the hotel. While the public transportation options are not bad in Hillingdon, they are not exactly good.
One thing I do remember - LHR hotels are one of the cheapest hotel areas in London.
Staying near LHR means you will highly rely on the Tube w/bus in and out of the hotel. While the public transportation options are not bad in Hillingdon, they are not exactly good.
One thing I do remember - LHR hotels are one of the cheapest hotel areas in London.
#30
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Newton Centre, MA, USA
Programs: DL 2MM Gold, AA Plat Pro; Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium (via SPG), IHG Plat
Posts: 2,192
There is also this map:
https://www.heathrow.com/file_source...d_Heathrow.pdf