Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Destinations > Europe > U.K. and Ireland
Reload this Page >

The Definitive London Airports Transport Thread

The Definitive London Airports Transport Thread

Old Oct 11, 2004, 6:13 am
  #1  
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
The Definitive London Airports Transport Thread

This seems to be the most asked question on this forum, so maybe we can club together, and get a definitive thread together for advice on each of the options for the London airports, possibly to be made sticky. It's also very handy for me, as I could do with one site with all the links

The timings on this thread are approximate, and based on either timetables or bitter experience. Please do your own research and allow plenty time if heading to the airport. London is a huge, crowded city, with legendary congestion, and a public transport network still suffering from decades of underinvestment, and getting busier by the day.

Don't let this put you off, though! It all kind of works, just about. I fly from here pretty much weekly, and have yet to miss a flight, whether I go by train, bus, Tube or taxi. It's all part of The London Experience...

London Heathrow (LHR)

First of all, it's worth looking at the excellent Journey Planner website. It will plot a route for you, using public transport, with timings, costs and detailed destination and walking route maps.

Heathrow Express

15 minutes to Paddington from Heathrow Central, and 20-25 from Terminal 4. Details on the Heathrow Express website.

Fares:
  • £14.50 single in Express Class
  • £16.50 single in Express Class (onboard purchase)
  • £16.00 day return in Express Class (time-limited, either direction)
  • £26.00 return in Express Class
  • £28.00 return in Express Class (onboard purchase)
  • £23.50 single in First Class (no onboard supplement)
  • £45.00 return in First Class (no onboard supplement)

Carnets and combination fares available, along with through tickets to London Underground destinations, although if you have Oyster pre-pay, it is generally cheaper to buy a normal ticket, and use that. London Transport travelcards are not valid. National Rail railcards can now be used on this service, offering a 1/3rd discount for adults and 2/3rds for kids, for an annual fee.

Also see frequent threads on this and the BA fora, with discount or upgrade codes for this service, when pre-booked online.

Pros:
  • Fast and comfortable, with good luggage storage.
  • Takes you to Paddington, which is in West Central London, where you can change to the Tube (Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City, Circle, District) or a taxi.
  • A taxi-share scheme operates in the morning peak.
  • HEX + taxi can work out cheaper and much faster than taxi all the way.

Cons:
  • Expensive, particularly for multiple travellers.
  • Not necessarily the fastest option for certain areas of London.
  • The taxi queues at Paddington can be long at peak times.

Tips:
  • On leaving Paddington, use the rear carriages for T1, and the front carriages for the others.
  • There are quiet carriages, marked with a 'Q' if you don't want to be bothered by the AV and mobile phones.
  • On leaving Heathrow, use the middle carriages if you want to connect to the Hammersmith and City line, and the front carriages otherwise.
  • The very front and rear carriages are First Class. The doors always align with the 'mind the gap' painted on the platform edge (even if it nearly stops just short of it!) and the first two (at the T1 end on Heathrow Central, for example) are First Class.
  • Off-peak trains are shorter, and stop at the T23 end of Heathrow Central. This often provokes a mass rush from the T1 end.
  • On arrival at Paddington, in peak times, the taxi queue can be rather large. The crowd-beater's guide: walk through to the forward First Class carriage on approach to Paddington. Briskly walk out, and out of the platform. Head right, past the ticket barriers, then follow the sign for the Ladies toilets and Way Out. This is not the signposted way to the taxi rank, but is often quicker.

London Underground

45 minutes to 1h15 to Central London, depending on destination and time of day. Details on the Transport for London website.

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey, but £4.00 for a full-fare one-way to Central London (£3.50 on Oyster pre-pay).
  • Combination tickets are available, and London Transport travelcards including zone 6 are valid.
  • See Transport for London website for the sometimes baffling fare information.

Pros:
  • Good value, and, although relatively slow, tends to be more predictable than road transport.
  • Gives direct transport to many popular hotel areas, including Earls Court, Kensington and Russell Square.

Cons:
  • Relatively slow.
  • Can be very crowded at peak times, and there is limited luggage storage space.
  • Delays and engineering work are not unheard of.
  • Watch out for first Tube times at weekends: they can be later than you imagine.

Tips:
  • Transport for London (TfL) have recently introduced punitive fares for single paper tickets on their network. This is to encourage people to use Oyster, a proximity card with either a rechargeable pre-pay balance (at discounted journey rates) or a season ticket. One-day travelcards (must include Zone 6 for LHR) are still good value, but the Oyster pre-pay scheme will 'cap' the price of a day's journeys at 50p less than the equivalent travelcard - however, this does not work if you want to use National Rail services within Greater London. Pre-pay Oyster cards need not be registered, and can be bought in advance or from any London Underground ticket counter, and now from several Oyster vending machines - this saves a lot of time!
  • Departing from Heathrow, the front of the train is usually the quietest. This is the opposite end of the platform from where the escalators deposit you.
  • The touch-screen ticket machines at Heathrow take all major (and some minor!) credit cards. This can save you a lot of time.
  • Heading to Heathrow, you'll often find that the extremities of the train (again, particularly the front) are less busy. This tends to apply throughout the Tube.
  • Hammersmith and Barons Court offer the best interchange for the District Line. This is a simple cross-platform walk. Pretty much all other interchanges on the Piccadilly Line involve steps, and some have surprisingly long walks (Green Park, Leicester Square, for example).
  • While you're given leeway for this at Heathrow, do stand on the right on escalators. You'll get people shoving past you, or at least tutting, otherwise.

Heathrow Connect

26 minutes from Heathrow Central to London Paddington, with intermediate stops. No service from Terminal 4 (but free connection on the Heathrow Express available). Details on the Heathrow Connect website.

Fares:
  • £9.50 single to/from London Paddington
  • £8.90 single to/from Ealing Broadway

Discounts are available for people with travelcards (including one-day), and fares are available to stations further afield. Child fares are available, and day returns are little more than the single.

National Rail railcards can now be used on this service, offering a 1/3rd discount for adults and 2/3rds for kids, for an annual fee.

Pros:
  • Relatively fast and comfortable, less luggage space than the express.
  • Good for travel to West London (Hayes, Southall, Ealing).
  • Good for connections via Hayes & Harlington to FGW Link services without having to travel to Paddington.
  • Good for connections to the Central and District Lines at Ealing Broadway for West London destinations on those lines.
  • Cheaper than the Heathrow Express.

Cons:
  • Slower than the Heathrow Express, and significantly more expensive than London Underground. Not so good if you're not going to Paddington or West London.
  • It is a commuter service, so gets busier with non-airport traffic at peak times.
  • It runs only every 30 minutes, and is timed so the Heathrow Express always overtakes it.
  • Connection times at Hayes & Harlington for other FGW Link services aren't always fantastic.
  • Connection times at Heathrow Central for T4 aren't always fantastic.

Tips:
  • At London Paddington, this service may be advertised as 'Hayes & Harlington', not 'Heathrow Central'.
  • At Heathrow Central, this service may be advertised as 'Stopping Train to Paddington'.
  • You cannot use a travelcard all the way: you still need to pay a supplementary fare for the Hayes & Harlington to Heathrow Central portion. Buying tickets that include a travelcard or railcard discount can only be done at ticket counters, generally speaking, not at machines.
  • Through tickets to Heathrow Central must be specific Heathrow Connect tickets. Others will not be accepted.

London Taxis ('Black Cabs')

Variable times to London, due to unpredictability of traffic. Anything from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey, traffic and time of day.
  • See the Passenger Carriage Office website for the basics.
  • You can pay between £40 and £80 to get to Central London.

Pros:
  • Very heavily regulated, so a safe, reliable option.
  • Taxis are well-designed to carry many people and a decent amount of luggage.
  • Some may take credit cards (specify before starting the journey) at a premium.
  • Many black cabs are fully accessible.
  • Black cabs (unlike other taxis) are entitled to use bus lanes in London, which can speed up your journey a great deal at peak times.

Cons:
  • If you're travelling outside of Greater London, they are not obliged to take you, and you must negotiate the fare.
  • If you're going nearby (e.g. a Heathrow Hotel) there are many reports of stroppy drivers who want the big fares in return for their queueing.
  • Expensive option, and unpredictably so, given the variability of London's traffic.

Tips:
  • At most times of day, there are dispatchers manning the taxi queues at Heathrow. If you have any particular needs (credit card, wheelchair access), tell them.
  • If you want to pay by credit card, you must ask before you go.
  • It's standard protocol, in London, to request the destination before you get into the taxi, not just to get in.

Pre-Booked Taxis

Variable times to London, due to unpredictability of traffic. Anything from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey and company involved.
  • Flyertalkers have noted Addison Lee and Airport Direct as options.
  • Expect fares of £35-45 for Central London, including pick-up fees. The return to the airport is cheaper (in the £30-35 region).

Pros:
  • Cheaper than a black cab, and cheaper than the Heathrow Express in a group.
  • Fixed rate means no worries about ridiculous fares due to traffic problems.
  • You will get met at arrivals.
  • You can order MPV taxis, usually seating up to 7.

Cons:
  • Much lighter regulation than the official London Taxis. While I personally have had nothing but good experiences with the companies mentioned above, it is extremely important only to deal with reputable private hire ('minicab') companies in London. The PCO (website above) has a licencing scheme, which is a good indicator. You can also go on personal recommendations. But, I cannot stress enough, do not just get into a 'taxi'. Black cabs are fine, decent minicab companies are fine. But there are instances of all sorts of problems reported in London, from dangerous vehicles and driving, through to armed robbery and rape in illegal minicabs. Never take a taxi from a tout.
  • Credit cards are not generally accepted, unless pre-booked with one, and at a premium.
  • You are still subject to the vagaries of London traffic, without the ability to use bus lanes.

Tips:
  • Private hire companies are not bound by per-mile or other fee regulations. Always agree a price beforehand.
  • Unless you specify otherwise, a taxi will sit 3, 4 at a push.
  • 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm are the peak times in London. Yes, they are that long. Be warned.
  • The Heathrow area has got very congested recently, and security regulations have now removed a number of pick-up point that taxi drivers used to use. Of course, as this forces them to use expensive car parks, the airport authories aren't complaining... Some drivers have pick up points at departure that they use, others will use a car park. However, delays in picking you up are more common these days, mostly due to the unpredictability of the traffic getting you into the airport, which can be horrendous (the tunnels into T1/2/3 are a major bottleneck).

Rail-Air Links

There are multiple rail-air links from Heathrow, useful for different purposes:
  • The Feltham RailAir is no longer a dedicated link, but the 285 bus covers this route. It goes from the Central Bus Station to Feltham station, connecting you to South West Trains routes for South-West London, Waterloo, South Berkshire, North Surrey and Hants. About 20-30 minutes to Feltham, then about 30 minutes to Waterloo.
  • The Woking RailAir goes from all terminals to Woking station. This gives you connections for Surrey, Hampshire and further afield.
  • The Reading RailAir goes from T123 to Reading station. Note that this no longer covers the individual terminals, but rather the Central Bus Station only. This gives you connections for most Great Western services to the West, Oxford, the South West and Wales, as well and Berkshire and North Surrey.
  • The Virgin ExpressCoach goes from T3 and the Central Bus Station to Watford Junction station. This gives you connections for Silverlink Trains and most Virgin Trains services to the West Midlands, North Wales, the North-West and West Scotland.

Fares:
  • Feltham: £2.00 (travelcards accepted, £1.00 on Oyster pre-pay)
  • Woking: £6.00
  • Reading: £13.00 (railcard and return discounts available, as well as through fares)
  • Watford: £10.00 (through fares available)

Pros:
  • Very convenient for connections for rail journeys, and allows you to avoid London.
  • Most buses (not Feltham) have good luggage storage.
  • Through tickets for rail journeys often available.

Cons:
  • Feltham bus is a local bus, and has limited storage space.
  • Feltham is not the best area of London, and, although fine during the day, may be best avoided at night if you are likely to feel threatened.
  • All services are, of course, subject to the traffic around Heathrow, which can be exceptionally heavy at times.

Tips:
  • Do be aware that many of the discounted rail tickets in the UK require you to travel on specific trains. If you have a booking, and are delayed Woking or Feltham links, the rail companies will not accept responsibility. The Reading and Watford links are run by the railway companies themelves, so you have more protection, but do check any terms and conditions to leave yourself enough time.
  • The Feltham bus is the 285. It goes on beyond Feltham, but stops in a special station bay. If you're nervous about knowing where to alight, don't be shy: ask the driver to tell you!

Coach Links

National Express run a series of coach (bus) services to Central London from Heathrow, mostly from the Central Bus Station. They also run direct, long-distance buses further afield.

Fares:
  • Search on the National Express website above for fare details, as these vary according to many factors.

Pros:
  • Opens up a number more direct destinations within London, and around. Of particular interest are:
    1. Oxford
    2. Chiswick
    3. Notting Hill
    4. King's Cross
    5. Gatwick Airport
    6. Luton Airport
    7. Stansted Airport (this does take a long time)
  • Dedicated luggage storage.
  • Reasonably priced option, particularly on longer distances.

Cons:
  • Again, traffic.
  • Also, for longer distances, they're not always the most comfortable.

Bus Links

There are a number of bus links around Heathrow. As well as the 'Hotel Hoppa' service, public buses connect many local areas with Heathrow Airport. See the Heathrow Spider Map for the routes, and the excellent new Free Routes to Hotels map.

See also the National Express Hoppa website for details of the Hotel Hoppa service.

Fares:
  • Flat fare of £2.00 for the London Transport buses (£1.00 with Oyster pre-pay), but these are FREE within the 'Heathrow Free-Flow' zone. See the maps above for free journeys to hotels.
  • Flat fare of £4 for the Hotel Hoppa buses.
  • All bus passes and London Transport travelcards are valid, regardless of zone.

Pros:
  • London Transport buses can be more convenient than the Hotel Hoppa, and far cheaper than a taxi, but you do have to get to the Central Bus Station.
  • Most buses are now fully accessible.

Cons:
  • Although buses in London are now very well-signed, it can be difficult to know where to get off.
  • Not good with a lot of luggage.

Tips:
  • State your destination to the driver on boarding. He or she will then tell you if it's one of the free Heathrow destinations or not.
  • If you're not sure where to alight, don't be shy: ask the driver!
  • To get to the Central Bus Station, follow signs for the Underground at T123. From T4, there are some buses that call directly, but otherwise, you'll have to get the Heathrow Express (free) to Heathrow Central for Northbound buses, or get a free bus to Hatton Cross to change for Southbound.

Last edited by stut; Mar 5, 2007 at 1:30 am Reason: Much needed update!
stut is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 8:30 am
  #2  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Programs: US Silver
Posts: 631
Great resource!
A link to add: http://www.nationalexpress.com/p.cfm?n=pai-hhh

This is the Hotel Hoppa timetable which is buried in the national express site.
Jenniferpa is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 11:48 am
  #3  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,007
Great Resource!

I'm emailing the web guys & asking them to make it a sticky. Thanks stut!

Cheers. Sharon
SkiAdcock is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 1:41 pm
  #4  
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
London Gatwick (LGW)

First of all, it's worth looking at the excellent Journey Planner website, if you're headed towards London. It will plot a route for you, using public transport, with timings, costs and detailed destination and walking route maps.

Gatwick Express

Takes 30 minutes. Details on the Gatwick Express website.

Note that the station is in the South Terminal, but an automated transit system (with impressive views!) operates every few minutes, taking only 2 minutes to the North Terminal. Note, however, that there have been some reports of intermittent technical problems on this transit causing delays, so leave a little leeway in your schedule.

Discussions over the future of this service are currently underway. There is a chance it could be cancelled to allow additional Southern trains on the London-Brighton corridors.

Fares:
  • £14.90 single in Express Class
  • £15.20 day return in Express Class (time-limited, either direction)
  • £26.80 return in Express Class
  • £22.50 single in First Class
  • £28.00 day return in First Class (time-limited, either direction)
  • £42.00 return in First Class

Carnets and combination fares available, along with through tickets to London Underground destinations. London Transport travelcards are not valid, and neither are railcards. Look out for frequent pre-booked discount codes on this and the BA fora.

Pros:
  • Gatwick Airport station is right in the South Terminal.
  • Fast and comfortable, with good luggage storage.
  • Takes you to Victoria, which is in South-West Central London, where you can change to the Tube (Victoria, Circle, District) or a taxi.
  • GEX + taxi can work out cheaper, and is almost always much faster than taxi all the way.
  • Unlike the other rail services, you can buy your ticket on the train at no supplement.

Cons:
  • Expensive, particularly for multiple travellers (but see the 4 for 2 offer below!)
  • Not necessarily the fastest option for certain areas of London.
  • The taxi queues at Victoria can be long at peak times.

Tips:
  • There is no supplement for paying on board (and they take credit cards). Don't queue if you're going to miss one.
  • The end of the train closest to the platform entrance at Gatwick is pretty much the one closest to the platform entrance at Victoria. Of course, this means it can get rather crowded.
  • This stretch of railway can suffer from engineering works, and delays at weekends. Do check in advance.
  • A 4 for 2 ticket is now available for groups travelling together.

Other Rail Services

Takes from 35-45 minutes to Central London, depending on route and final destination.

Details on the Southern Railway website, the First Capital Connect website, the First Great Western website and the Virgin Trains website.

A useful resource for booking is the FlyByTrain website, which offers discounts (particularly group discounts) for pre-booking.

Destinations:
  • Southern Railway terminates in Victoria, as with Gatwick Express above.
  • Most Southern trains also call at Clapham Junction, with connections to South West Trains and other Southern Services to SW London, South London, Surrey, Hampshire and beyond.
  • Most Southern and all First Capital Connect trains also call at East Croydon, with connections to the Croydon Tramlink, and other South London destinations.
  • Southern and First Capital Connect also head to the South Coast from Gatwick, including Brighton and other major towns.
  • Slow Southern trains also call at Balham, with connections to the Northern Line for South London (Clapham, Tooting, etc.)
  • First Capital Connect trains continue to London Bridge, City Thameslink and Farringdon, with connections to the Tube (Northern, Jubilee, Circle, Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City), and good proximity to the 'City' financial and legal district and Clerkenwell.
  • London Bridge provides an easy (same platform) change to very regular services on to Waterloo and Charing Cross (for Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden).
  • First Capital Connect trains continue to King's Cross Thameslink with connections to GNER services to the East Coast and Scotland, as well as First Capital Connect services to Cambridge and Peterborough. At some point soon, King's Cross Thameslink will be replaced by a new station under St Pancras mainline station, which will be the Eurostar terminal from November, and home to Midland Mainline services to the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. King's Cross and St Pancras stations face each other, and are connected by the same Tube station.
  • Some First Capital Connect trains stop in North London, and all continue to Luton Airport, and Luton, with some going on to Bedford.
  • Southern also have a service to Watford Junction, stopping, among others, at West Brompton (for Earls Court), Kensington Olympia, Harrow & Wealdstone, and terminating at Watford Junction for connections to Virgin Trains and Silverlink County services to the West Midlands, North-West and West Scotland.
  • First Great Western operate services to Reading, via Dorking and Guildford. Connections at Reading for First Great Western services to Oxford, the West, South West and South Wales.
  • The Virgin Trains VT2 cross-country route also operates to Gatwick Airport. As well as the South Coast, this service offers through trains to the West Midlands, North-West and West Scotland.

Fares:
  • Depends on destination, but Central London fares are below:
  • £8-10 single in Standard Class (depends on time of day)
  • £12-15 single in First Class (depends on time of day)
  • Also, First Capital Connect offer a 'flyaway' fare of £50 for any return journey for up to 4 people.

Carnets and combination fares available, along with through tickets to London Underground destinations. London Transport travelcards are not valid, although you can buy travelcards that include a return from the zone 6 boundary to Gatwick Airport.

Pros:
  • Gatwick Airport station is right in the South Terminal.
  • Cheaper than the Gatwick Express to Central London, and barely any slower.
  • First Capital Connect services offer better connections to the 'City' and beyond.
  • First Capital Connect and First Great Western offer good connections to long-distance rail services.
  • The Southern service runs 24 hours.

Cons:
  • The luggage storage is not as good as Gatwick Express.
  • You must buy a ticket before boarding the train.
  • First Great Western and Watford Junction services don't run as regularly as going via Central London (every hour off-peak).
  • This is on a prime commuter route, and these are normal commuter services.
  • The First Capital Connect services can get very crowded, and have become extremely run down recently (FCC have just started a refurbishment programme - this, however, does not address the bizarrely angled seats!)

Tips:
  • Check to see if your train is a fast or a slow train. If it's slow, see when the next fast one is - it could well overtake it. This mainly applies to Southern Trains, but some peak First Capital Connect trains may travel via Streatham and Elephant & Castle, which means longer journeys, and no stop at London Bridge.
  • There are credit-card accepting ticket machines at many stations, including Gatwick Airport. However, the array of tickets available is dizzying, with time and railway company restrictions. Check you buy the right one.
  • The ticket machines are also slightly misleading, in that the 'front page' they display 'encourages' you to use expensive services. Press the 'Other Destinations' button, re-select Victoria (or whichever station you are travelling to), and you will then get multiple pages with your ticket options.
  • If you are travelling around the Southern Railway area at weekends (particularly the coast), they have some excellent print-at-home all-day ticket offers here. They require a week's pre-booking, but £20 for 2 adults and 2 kids for the entire network is a bargain.
  • For day return tickets (which are generally very little more than singles), GroupSave tickets are the secret bargain of travel in London and South East England. All regular railways offer these tickets - you pay for 2 people, and up to 4 can travel. You have to ask for them specifically, but they apply to most regular (non-Airport Express) services in the region.



Rank Taxis

Note that Gatwick Airport is outside Greater London, so black cabs do not pick up here. Instead, the airport has an 'official' taxi company, Checker Cars.

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey.
  • Prices are fixed, rather than metered.

Pros:
  • Checker Cars get a lot of business from Gatwick, so it's reasonably well regulated.
  • They're convenient.
  • They may be your only option for cheaper off-airport hotels.

Cons:
  • More expensive than many pre-booked taxis.
  • No black cab privileges, such as bus lane use.
  • The road from Gatwick to London is very slow and very congested, once you get past the M25 (London Orbital Motorway). This can take 2, even 3 hours at peak times.

Pre-Booked Taxis

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey and company involved.
  • Flyertalkers have noted Addison Lee and Airport Direct as options.

Pros:
  • Cheaper than a rank taxi, and cheaper than the Gatwick Express in a large group.
  • You will get met at arrivals.
  • You can order MPV taxis, usually seating up to 7.

Cons:
  • Much lighter regulation than the official rank Taxis. While I personally have had nothing but good experiences with the companies mentioned above, it is extremely important only to deal with reputable private hire ('minicab') companies in London. The PCO (website above) has a licencing scheme, which is a good indicator. You can also go on personal recommendations. But, I cannot stress enough, do not just get into a 'taxi'. Black cabs are fine, decent minicab companies are fine. But there are instances of all sorts of problems reported in London, from dangerous vehicles and driving, through to armed robbery and rape in illegal minicabs. Never take a taxi from a tout.
  • Credit cards are not generally accepted.
  • You are still subject to the vagaries of London traffic, without the ability to use bus lanes.

Tips:
  • Private hire companies are not bound by per-mile or other fee regulations. Always agree a price beforehand.
  • Unless you specify otherwise, a taxi will sit 3, 4 at a push.
  • 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm are the peak times in London. Yes, they are that long. Be warned.

Coach Links

National Express run a series of coach (bus) services to Central London from Gatwick, mostly from the South Terminal. They also run direct, long-distance buses further afield.

Fares:
  • Search on the National Express website above for fare details, as these vary according to many factors.

Pros:
  • Opens up a number more direct destinations within London, and around. Of particular interest are:
    1. Stockwell (well, interesting for me )
    2. Heathrow Airport
    3. Luton Airport (this does take a long time)
    4. Stansted Airport (this does take a long time)
  • Dedicated luggage storage.
  • Reasonably priced option, particularly on longer distances.

Cons:
  • Again, traffic.
  • Also, for longer distances, they're not always the most comfortable.

Tips:
  • You can book e-tickets online, using the National Express website.
  • You can also pay the driver, but it's cash only and subject to availability.
  • There is a National Express ticket office at Gatwick, but it's not open 24 hours.
  • If you wish to be dropped off at Victoria Railway Station (as opposed to Victoria Coach Station, where the service usually terminates), you can only do so if you have all your luggage in the bus with you (not stored underneath).

Bus Links

There are a number of bus links around Gatwick, if you are headed to the local area. These are run by Metrobus, and a map of services is here.

Fares:
  • Varies according to distance.

Pros:
  • Cheaper than a taxi for local journeys.

Cons:
  • Very limited selection of routes.

Tips:
  • Have change ready!

Last edited by stut; Mar 5, 2007 at 3:09 am Reason: Much needed update!
stut is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 1:42 pm
  #5  
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
London Stansted (STN)

First of all, it's worth looking at the excellent Journey Planner website, if you're headed to London. It will plot a route for you, using public transport, with timings, costs and detailed destination and walking route maps.

Also, note the spelling. It's S-T-A-N-S-T-E-D, only one 'A'. I say this not in a spirit of pedantry, but rather to help you with your Google, Train and Coach searches

Stansted Express

Scheduled to take 45 minutes from Liverpool Street. An hour is not uncommon. Details on the Stansted Express website.

Fares:
  • £15.50 single in Express Class
  • £25.50 open return in Express Class (30 day limit)
  • £24.50 single in First Class
  • £41.00 open return in First Class (30 day limit)

Carnets and combination fares available, along with through tickets to London Underground destinations. London Transport travelcards are not valid, although extensions can be bought.

There is a slight discount of these fares if you use Tottenham Hale Station instead of Liverpool Street.

National Rail railcards can now be used on this service, offering a 1/3rd discount for adults and 2/3rds for kids, for an annual fee.

Destinations:
  • Liverpool Street is in the heart of the 'City' financial district.
  • Connections at Liverpool Street for One Railway services to West and East Anglia, as well as the boat train to Harwich.
  • Connections at Liverpool Street for the Tube to the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.
  • Connections at Tottenham Hale to local One Railway services, and to the Victoria Line (one of the fastest Tube lines) for connections to King's Cross, Euston, the 'West End', Victoria, Stockwell (yay!) and Brixton. This is a very good connection.

Pros:
  • Fast and comfortable, with good luggage storage. This is by a long way the fastest way to get to London from Stansted.
  • Takes you to Liverpool Street, which right in the 'City' financial district, where you can connect to a taxi or the Tube (as above).
  • Stan-EX + taxi can work out cheaper and much faster than taxi all the way.

Cons:
  • Expensive, particularly for multiple travellers.
  • Not necessarily the fastest option for certain areas of London.
  • The taxi queues at Liverpool Street can be long at peak times, and at the end of the evening.
  • The train service finishes at about midnight. Because STN is primarily an LCC airport, there are lots of early and late departures and arrivals. Should you hold a ticket, and you miss the last train, you can use the night coach service, but do not get a ticket discount.
  • Cancellations are depressingly frequent on this service, and it's only half-hourly. Check the Stan-EX website before leaving, and leave plenty time to get to the airport. Remember, if you're on an LCC and you miss the check-in cut-off time due to problems on the train, you can kiss goodbye to your outbound ticket.
  • The trains can get horribly packed. At the airport, head for the 'outside' section of the platform for more space, and at Liverpool Street, head for the front.

Tips:
  • There are huge queues at Liverpool Street, at times, for the ticket counter. The machines do take credit cards - you can't miss them, they do have a lot of orange.
  • A large proportion of STN passengers use the Express. As a result, queues immediately after the arrival of a train can be very long. If you have plenty time, go and get a coffee, and pop back in 15 minutes. Otherwise, position yourself well. You want to be in the middle of the train (slightly forward) to get to the escalators quickly. If you're at the front or back, you'll end up using the far more circuitous ramps up to the terminal.
  • As stated above, leave more time than you need. This service has relatively poor reliability, and railway problems are no excuse for late check-in.
  • If your final destination/origin is on the Victoria Line, use the Tottenham Hale connection. The link from the Tube to the Stan-EX platforms is easy, there are ticket machines, and there's a nice, heated coffee bar to wait in. It saves a lot of time, and the crowds of Liverpool Street.
  • Post-pub queues (from 11pm onwards, latter half of the week) for taxis at Liverpool Street can be utterly horrendous (I've seen people waiting over an hour). If this is the case, walk round to the Bishopsgate exit of the station, and try and hail a cab there.
  • Taxi touts often work Liverpool Street station in the evening. Avoid at all costs.
  • Check operating hours. If you're likely to be travelling when there's no train, there's no great advantage to using the Stansted Express coaches over National Express.
  • Don't get confused with Stansted Mountfitchet station. This is a different place, and half the Stan-EX trains stop there. Stansted Airport is clearly marked as such, and is the last station.

Other Rail Services

Details on the Central Trains and One Railway websites.

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey.

Destinations:
  • One Railway operates through services to Cambridge and beyond. There are also slow trains to London, but there is no price advantage to using these. They are useful for intermediate stations between Stansted and Tottenham Hale, however.
  • Central Trains operate through services to Peterborough (connections to GNER services to the East Coast and Scotland), the East and West Midlands. See the Central Trains site for details. Note that Central Trains will be taken over by the West and East Midlands rail franchises in the course of 2007.

Pros:
  • Very convenient direct links.
  • Faster than coach services.

Cons:
  • Can be expensive, particularly if you don't book in advance.
  • Relatively limited schedules compared to the London services.

Tips:
  • The Central Trains service travels a fair distance, and through a relatively obscure route. This means that it is fairly liable to delays. Leave plenty time.

Rank Taxis

Note that Stansted Airport is outside Greater London, and so black cabs do not pick up here. Instead, the airport has a preferred operator, Airport Carz.

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey.
  • See the Airport Carz website for examples.
  • Expect £80-90 for Central London.

Pros:
  • Convenient, and reasonably regulated.
  • The fares are fixed, with many standard rates, so you're not at risk of ridiculous fares due to traffic queues.
  • You book the taxi at a counter in Arrivals. It's all very well organised.
  • You can also pre-book on their website.
  • For some cheap off-airport (or old airport) car parks and hotels, they may well be your only option.

Cons:
  • Rather expensive. You're still saving vs Stansted Express in a large group, though.
  • London Taxis ('black cabs') are not obliged to take you to Stansted Airport. If they do agree, negotiate the fare, rather than running on the meter, unless you like taxi fares that resemble phone numbers.

Tips:
  • If you find yourself arriving late, have missed the last Stansted Express, and either can't face the coach or find there are huge queues for it, speak up! You won't be the only person in this situation, and it's not uncommon for groups of strangers to share a taxi into London. Obviously, use common sense as to who your fellow passengers are.
  • In that above situation, don't expect an LCC to pay your cab fare.

Pre-Booked Taxis

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey and company involved.
  • Flyertalkers have noted Addison Lee and Airport Direct as options.
  • Expect fares of £60-70 for Central London, including pick-up fees. The return to the airport is cheaper (in the £50-60 region).

Pros:
  • Cheaper than an airport taxi, and cheaper than the Stansted Express in a group.
  • Fixed rate means no worries about ridiculous fares due to traffic problems.
  • You will get met at arrivals.
  • You can order MPV taxis, usually seating up to 7.

Cons:
  • Much lighter regulation than the official London Taxis. While I personally have had nothing but good experiences with the companies mentioned above, it is extremely important only to deal with reputable private hire ('minicab') companies in London. The PCO (website above) has a licencing scheme, which is a good indicator. You can also go on personal recommendations. But, I cannot stress enough, do not just get into a 'taxi'. Black cabs are fine, decent minicab companies are fine. But there are instances of all sorts of problems reported in London, from dangerous vehicles and driving, through to armed robbery and rape in illegal minicabs. Never take a taxi from a tout.
  • Credit cards are not generally accepted.
  • You are still subject to the vagaries of London traffic, without the ability to use bus lanes.
  • In case of delays, you may well be charged extra for waiting time. An LCC will not take responsibility for this.

Tips:
  • Private hire companies are not bound by per-mile or other fee regulations. Always agree a price beforehand.
  • Unless you specify otherwise, a taxi will sit 3, 4 at a push.
  • 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm are the peak times in London. Yes, they are that long. Be warned.

Coach Links

National Express run a series of coach (bus) services to Central London from Stansted. They also run direct, long-distance buses further afield.

See also the Terravision Express coach service.

Fares:
  • Search on the National Express website above for fare details, as these vary according to many factors, but Central London fares are:
  • £8.50 single to Victoria on Terravision
  • £14 return to Victoria on Terravision
  • £10 single to Victoria on National Express
  • £15 return to Victoria on National Express
  • £6 single to Stratford on National Express

Pros:
  • Opens up a number more direct destinations within London, and around. Of particular interest are:
    1. Cambridge
    2. Essex and the Home Counties
    3. Stratford for connections to the Jubilee and Central Lines, DLR and rail.
    4. Golders Green for connections to the Northern Line.
    5. Luton Airport
    6. Gatwick Airport (this does take a long time)
    7. Heathrow Airport (this does take a long time)
  • Dedicated luggage storage.
  • Reasonably priced option, particularly on longer distances.
  • The Stratford route is relatively speedy.

Cons:
  • Again, traffic.
  • Also, for longer distances, they're not always the most comfortable.

Tips:
[list][*]The National Express website allows online booking of e-tickets.[*]You can buy a ticket at the National Express counter at Stansted, or on the bus (cash only on the bus).

Bus Links

There are some additional bus links around Stansted. See the Airport Web Pages for details.

Fares:
  • Vary according to distance and operator.
  • This is outside London, so no London tickets apply.

Pros:
  • Cheaper than a taxi.

Cons:
  • It can be difficult to know where to get off.
  • Not good with a lot of luggage.

Tips:
  • If you're not sure where to alight, don't be shy: ask the driver!
  • Have some change ready. Many buses are exact fare only, and those that aren't tend not to take banknotes.

Will update with other airports, and inter-airport links when I get the chance. Comments, corrections, etc, all welcome in the meantime.

Last edited by stut; Mar 5, 2007 at 2:02 am
stut is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 1:42 pm
  #6  
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
London Luton (LTN)

First of all, it's worth looking at the excellent Journey Planner website, if you're headed to London. It will plot a route for you, using public transport, with timings, costs and detailed destination and walking route maps.

Train

Details on the First Capital Connect and Midland Mainline websites.

Fares:
  • Varies according to distance.
  • £10.90 single to Central London in Standard Class
  • £11.00 day return to Central London in Standard Class
  • £17.60 single to Central London in First Class*
  • £50 'flyaway' fare for any First Capital Connect return for up to 4 people

* Note that not all trains contain a First Class section. Check before travel. The timetable will show a '1' in white on black if there is one.

Carnets and combination fares available, along with through tickets to London Underground destinations. London Transport travelcards are not valid, although extensions can be bought.

There is a slight discount on these fares if you use West Hampstead or Kentish Town stations to change.

Destinations:
  • King's Cross St Pancras has Tube connections to the Victoria, Northern (City Branch), Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines. It is also adjacent to King's Cross station for GNER long distance services to York, the East Coast and Scotland, and First Capital Connect services to Cambridge and Peterborough.
  • First Capital Connect services continue to Gatwick, the South Coast and South London.
  • Connection on slow trains only at West Hampstead to the Jubilee Line and North London Line. Note that there are many stairs to climb here, and a short walk between the (close) stations.
  • Connection on slow trains only at Kentish Town to the Northern Line. There are steps here. Note that Northern Line trains (which serve many destinations in London) may go 'via Charing Cross' or 'via Bank' (City Branch) after Camden Town. This connection is useful for the Charing Cross branch, which is not served by the Northern Line at King's Cross St Pancras.
  • The First Capital Connect service also continues North to intermediate stations to Bedford.
  • The Midland Mainline service continues to the East Midlands.

Pros:
  • Fast and comfortable. This is the speediest connection to London.
  • Excellent Tube connections at King's Cross St Pancras.

Cons:
  • Expensive, particularly for multiple travellers.
  • This is a prime commuter route, and can be rather full at peak times.
  • Note, and note again, that the station is called 'Luton Airport Parkway'. 'Parkway' is a UK rail euphemism for 'miles away from'. You cannot walk from the station to the terminal. It is a bus journey. Allow extra time for this. At busy times, you may have to wait for the second bus to turn up. LCCs will not accept this as an excuse for being late for check-in. Just watch the television show 'Airline' (the UK one) to find out...
  • The train service finishes at about midnight. Because LTN is primarily an LCC airport, there are lots of early and late departures and arrivals. Should you hold a ticket, and you miss the last train, tough.
  • The First Capital Connect services can get very crowded, and have become extremely run down recently (FCC have just started a refurbishment programme - this, however, does not address the bizarrely angled seats!)
  • They are less frequent (and go from a different platform!) but the Midland Mainline services to St Pancras are faster and more comfortable by far than the FCC services (and have much more luggage storage). However, not that St Pancras is currently under heavy construction due to the new Eurostar Terminal, so there is quite a walk from the new station building to the Tube. There is, however, a taxi rank just outside.

Tips:
  • I'll say it again - the station is not near the terminal. Allow time for the bus.
  • Note that the station is 'Luton Airport Parkway', but that there is another station called 'Luton'. Don't get off at the latter.
  • If you're early for your train to the airport, take a moment to have a look around St Pancras station. It really is quite a stunning building (although it is quite heavily under construction at the moment for the new Eurostar terminal in November 2007).
  • If you can't see a direct Midland Mainline service to your destination in the East Midlands or South Yorkshire, then you may be able to connect, via First Capital Connect, in Luton (not Luton Airport Parkway) or Bedford.

Rank Taxis

Note that Luton Airport is outside Greater London, and so black cabs do not pick up here. Instead, the airport has two preferred operators, Alpha Taxis and CABCO Taxis.

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey.
  • Expect £60-70 for Central London - this is a guesstimate - please let me know if you have more accurate information

Pros:
  • Convenient.
  • The fares are fixed, with many standard rates, so you're not at risk of ridiculous fares due to traffic queues.
  • For some cheap off-airport car parks and hotels, they may well be your only option.

Cons:
  • Rather expensive. You're still saving vs tra8h in a large group, though.
  • These are effective minicabs, albeit with a degree of regulation if the companies want to maintain the lucrative airport contract. However, that still means much lighter regulation than the official London Taxis. While I personally have had nothing but good experiences with the companies mentioned above, it is extremely important only to deal with reputable private hire ('minicab') companies in London. The PCO (website above) has a licencing scheme, which is a good indicator. You can also go on personal recommendations. But, I cannot stress enough, do not just get into a 'taxi'. Black cabs are fine, decent minicab companies are fine. But there are instances of all sorts of problems reported in London, from dangerous vehicles and driving, through to armed robbery and rape in illegal minicabs. Never take a taxi from a tout.
  • London Taxis ('black cabs') are not obliged to take you to Luton Airport. If they do agree, negotiate the fare, rather than running on the meter, unless you like taxi fares that resemble phone numbers.

Tips:
  • If you find yourself arriving late, have missed the last train, and either can't face the coach or find there are huge queues for it, speak up! You won't be the only person in this situation, and it's not uncommon for groups of strangers to share a taxi into London. Obviously, use common sense as to who your fellow passengers are.
  • In that above situation, don't expect an LCC to pay your cab fare.

Pre-Booked Taxis

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey and company involved.
  • Flyertalkers have noted Addison Lee and Airport Direct as options.
  • Expect fares of £50-60 for Central London, including pick-up fees. The return to the airport is cheaper (in the £40-50 region) - this is a guesstimate, please update with more accurate info

Pros:
  • Cheaper than an airport taxi, and cheaper than the train in a group.
  • Fixed rate means no worries about ridiculous fares due to traffic problems.
  • You will get met at arrivals.
  • You can order MPV taxis, usually seating up to 7.

Cons:
  • Much lighter regulation than the official London Taxis. While I personally have had nothing but good experiences with the companies mentioned above, it is extremely important only to deal with reputable private hire ('minicab') companies in London. The PCO (website above) has a licencing scheme, which is a good indicator. You can also go on personal recommendations. But, I cannot stress enough, do not just get into a 'taxi'. Black cabs are fine, decent minicab companies are fine. But there are instances of all sorts of problems reported in London, from dangerous vehicles and driving, through to armed robbery and rape in illegal minicabs. Never take a taxi from a tout.
  • Credit cards are not generally accepted.
  • You are still subject to the vagaries of London traffic, without the ability to use bus lanes.
  • In case of delays, you may well be charged extra for waiting time. An LCC will not take responsibility for this.

Tips:
  • Private hire companies are not bound by per-mile or other fee regulations. Always agree a price beforehand.
  • Unless you specify otherwise, a taxi will sit 3, 4 at a push.
  • 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm are the peak times in London. Yes, they are that long. Be warned.

Coach Links

National Express run a series of coach (bus) services to Central London from Luton. They also run direct, long-distance buses further afield.

The NX timetables above include Green Line services, which run from London Victoria to Luton.

See also the easyBus service.

Fares:
  • Search on the National Express website above for fare details, as these vary according to many factors, but Central London fares are:
  • From £1-£5 single on easyBus (requires pre-booking for cheap fares, and you must buy a seat for large luggage)
  • £7 single on National Express
  • Green Line £9 return for easyJet customers

Destinations:
  • easyBus goes to/from Hendon Central, on the Northern Line (London Underground).
  • National Express coaches go to London Victoria, for rail and Tube (Victoria, Circle, District Lines) connections.
  • National Express coaches also call at several stops within London, useful for those areas, and for Tube connections, as follows:
    1. Brent Cross (Northern Line for North London)
    2. Finchley Road (Metropolitan and Jubilee Line for NW London)
    3. Baker Street (Jubilee, Bakerloo, Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith & City Lines)
    4. Marble Arch for West End (Central Line)
  • Note that you may not be able to unload luggage at intermediate stops on National Express services. Check before travel.

Pros:
  • Opens up a number more direct destinations within London, and around. Of particular interest are:
    1. Cambridge
    2. Birmingham, NEC and Airport
    3. Nottingham East Midlands Airport
    4. Gatwick Airport (this does take a long time)
    5. Heathrow Airport
    6. Stansted Airport
  • Dedicated luggage storage on National Express.
  • Reasonably priced option, particularly on longer distances.
  • Absolute bargain on easyBus.

Cons:
  • Again, traffic.
  • Also, for longer distances, they're not always the most comfortable.

Tips:
  • The National Express and easyBus websites allow online booking of e-tickets.
  • You can buy a ticket at the National Express counter at Stansted, or on the bus (cash only on the bus).

Bus Links

There is a limited local bus service from Luton Airport to the surrounding areas. Routes 8 and 9 serve Luton, Watford, St Albans, Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard, Harpenden and Dunstable.

Fares:
  • Vary according to distance and operator.
  • This is outside London, so no London tickets apply.

Pros:
  • Cheaper than a taxi.

Cons:
  • It can be difficult to know where to get off.
  • Not good with a lot of luggage.

Tips:
  • If you're not sure where to alight, don't be shy: ask the driver!
  • Have some change ready. Many buses are exact fare only, and those that aren't tend not to take banknotes.

Will update with other airports, and inter-airport links when I get the chance. Comments, corrections, etc, all welcome in the meantime.

Last edited by stut; Mar 5, 2007 at 3:10 am
stut is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 1:43 pm
  #7  
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
London City (LCY)

First of all, it's worth looking at the excellent Journey Planner website. It will plot a route for you, using public transport, with timings, costs and detailed destination and walking route maps.

Docklands Light Railway

The DLR service provides an excellent light railway link to the very well-connected Bank station, in the City of London. There are further connections via Canning Town (notably the Jubilee Line to Canary Wharf), Poplar, Westferry, Limehouse and Shadwell. The line is currently being extended to Woolwich Arsenal, for connections to SE London and North Kent.

Destinations:
  • Bank station is at the heart of the city's financial district. As if this weren't enough, it has connections to the Northern, Central, Circle, District and Waterloo & City Lines, linking it to most of the city's railway stations.
  • Canning Town has an easy interchange to the Jubilee Line, heading directly (and very quickly) to Stratford (for services to the East of England), Canary Wharf, London Bridge, Waterloo, Bond Street and W and NW London.
  • Poplar and Westferry have other DLR connections, to Stratford, Greenwich and Lewisham.
  • Limehouse has connections to c2c services to the Thames Estuary.
  • Shadwell has connections to the East London Line.

Fares:
  • Varies according to time and distance, see the Fares Guide.
  • £4.00 cash fare to Bank, £2.50 peak on Oyster pre-pay, £2.00 off-peak. See note below on Oyster.

Travelcards that include Zone 3 are valid to London City Airport station.

Pros:
  • This is a very fast, convenient service, inside the terminal, with full escalator and lift access to the platforms.
  • Good value, compared to road transport.
  • The trains are automatic, but most are manned with 'Passenger Service Agents' who are there for security, ticket inspection, and to answer any queries.

Cons:
  • This is a commuter service, and there is only limited space for luggage. There can be crowding at peak times.

Tips:
  • Transport for London (TfL) have recently introduced punitive fares for single paper tickets on their network. This is to encourage people to use Oyster, a proximity card with either a rechargeable pre-pay balance (at discounted journey rates) or a season ticket. One-day travelcards (must include Zone 6 for LHR) are still good value, but the Oyster pre-pay scheme will 'cap' the price of a day's journeys at 50p less than the equivalent travelcard - however, this does not work if you want to use National Rail services within Greater London. Pre-pay Oyster cards need not be registered, and can be bought in advance or from any London Underground ticket counter, and now from several Oyster vending machines - this saves a lot of time!
  • Not all trains go through to Bank. If there is a long wait, then it's worth getting the first train, then changing at Canning Town.
  • As these are automatic trains, the place to sit, is obviously at the front. And everybody tries to do this. So, when boarding, look on the tracks for two yellow strips with a black diamond. This is where the cab stops. Go back a few yards, and these are the front doors. At Bank, these roughly align with the metal box next to the control room. They currently don't use the full length of the platform at either. At LCY, if there is a King George V train on the other platform, and the next Bank train is 2-3 minutes, then you can just hop on at the last set of doors on the King George train, it will turn around immediately at the next stop, and head back.
  • Note that sometimes, the front left seats may be taken over by the PSA, when manual driving is required (e.g. when personnel need track access.)
  • If you have an Oystercard, remember to touch in/out at LCY. The machine is in a stupid location, on the ticket office side of the metal divider, and it's easy to miss it.
  • Heading for the airport, you need a King George V train.

Liverpool Street & Canary Wharf Shuttle

This shuttle no longer runs.

To reach Liverpool Street, take the DLR to Bank, then use the Central Line.
To reach Canary Wharf, take the DLR to Canning Town, then use the Jubilee Line.

Canning Town Shuttle & Bus

This shuttle no longer runs.

To reach Canning Town, use the DLR.

Silverlink Trains

Silvertown and London City Airport station has now been permanently closed, replaced by the DLR King George V branch. The DLR is currently being extended to cover the Stratford - Canning Town section, and North London Line services will terminate in Stratford.

To reach Custom House, take the 473 bus.
To reach Canning Town, take the DLR.
To reach West Ham and Stratford, take the DLR and change to the Jubilee Line at Canning Town.

London Taxis ('Black Cabs')

City Airport is close to the centre of London. If you're headed anywhere central, particularly the East side, or the 'City' financial district, the black cabs aren't unreasonable.

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey, time of day and traffic.
  • Expect £15-20 for the City.

Pros:
  • Easy, fast, and you even get a top-hatted doorman in the bargain.
  • Well-regulated, so a safe, convenient option.
  • Black cabs can use bus lanes, and so speed up your journey.
  • Many black cabs are fully accessible.
  • Some may take credit cards (specify before starting the journey) at a premium.

Cons:
  • While traffic heading into London from City Airport isn't too bad compared to the rest of the city, once you get to Central London, you're still subject to the awful traffic.

Tips:
  • If you want to pay by credit card, you must ask before you go.
  • It's standard protocol, in London, to request the destination before you get into the taxi, not just to get in.

Pre-Booked Taxis

Actually, City Airport is one of the rare instances where pre-booked taxis may not actually save you that much. Personally, travelling from SW London to City, I find it actually cheaper to get a black cab (about £25) than a pre-booked taxi (£30). YMMV, of course, and it depends on your destination.

Fares:
  • Varies according to length of journey and company involved.
  • Flyertalkers have noted Addison Lee and Airport Direct as options.

Pros:
  • Can be cheaper than a rank taxi, and cheaper than the Liverpool Street Shuttle in a large group.
  • You will get met at arrivals.
  • You can order MPV taxis, usually seating up to 7.

Cons:
  • Much lighter regulation than the official rank Taxis. While I personally have had nothing but good experiences with the companies mentioned above, it is extremely important only to deal with reputable private hire ('minicab') companies in London. The PCO (website above) has a licencing scheme, which is a good indicator. You can also go on personal recommendations. But, I cannot stress enough, do not just get into a 'taxi'. Black cabs are fine, decent minicab companies are fine. But there are instances of all sorts of problems reported in London, from dangerous vehicles and driving, through to armed robbery and rape in illegal minicabs. Never take a taxi from a tout.
  • Credit cards are not generally accepted.
  • You are still subject to the vagaries of London traffic, without the ability to use bus lanes.

Tips:
  • Private hire companies are not bound by per-mile or other fee regulations. Always agree a price beforehand.
  • Unless you specify otherwise, a taxi will sit 3, 4 at a push.

Bus Links

The 69 no longer serves the airport, only the 473 now does, linking it to Plaistow and Stratford.

Fares:
  • £1 flat fare with Oyster pre-pay; £2 cash.
  • All London Transport travelcards are accepted, regardless of zone.

Pros:
  • Cheaper than a taxi for local journeys.

Cons:
  • Very limited selection of destinations.

Tips:
  • Have change ready!

Will update with other airports, and inter-airport links when I get the chance. Comments, corrections, etc, all welcome in the meantime.

Last edited by stut; Mar 5, 2007 at 3:02 am
stut is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 1:44 pm
  #8  
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
There are two other airports within striking distance of London (actually, you could count Birmingham, but we'll steer clear of that for now). These are Southampton (SOU) and Manston Kent International (MSE). The latter, I believe, was being considered for inclusion in the London Metro Airports area (despite being closer to France than London...)

MSE currently has no regular passenger service since the demise of EUJet. However, I will leave it here for future use, or in case anybody gets diverted there, as often happens!

SOU is a useful hub for the Channel Islands, the West Country and Regional France as well as for LCC FlyBE. To get to London, I'm not going to consider taxis (too far) and I'm not going to look at local options, as these airports serve areas in their own right. The airport links will contain those details anyway.

Southampton (SOU)

South West Trains

About 1h10 to Waterloo. Details on the South West Trains website.

Fares:
  • £27.10 single in Standard Class
  • £48.30 single in First Class

This is a National Rail service, but some through tickets to London Underground zones are available.

Pros:
  • Fast and comfortable, with reasonable luggage storage. These are generally medium-distance services headed for Southampton itself, or further West.
  • Takes you to Waterloo, in SW Central London. Connections to Eurostar services available.
  • Takes 1h10 to Waterloo, which is as fast as you're going to get.
  • Despite being called a 'Parkway' station, it is actually only 50m from the terminal building, which is extremely convenient.
  • Additional services to Southampton itself, the Dorset coast, Woking (for connections to Surrey and Hampshire) and some stop in Clapham Junction, for services to Gatwick Airport, SW London and Victoria.

Cons:
  • Expensive, particularly for multiple travellers.
  • People do commute on these services, despite the distance. So, peak trains can get very busy.

Tips:
  • SW Trains do have fare promotions. Enquire locally, or look at the website.
  • Get a fast train, unless you want one of the intermediate stations. They will overtake the slow services.
  • This line is very old, and subject to extensive engineering works at weekends, occasionally involving route diversions and replacement buses. Check the SW Trains website for disruption before travelling. LCCs at SOU will not accept train delays as an excuse for late check-in.
  • There are on-board upgrades to First Class available at weekends.

Manston Kent International (MSE)

Bus and South Eastern Train

A limited bus service (or taxi) connects Ramsgate station to the airport. Ramsgate to London is about a 2 hour journey.

Details on the South East Trains website.

Fares:
  • £15.90 in Standard Class
  • £35.90 in First Class

This is a National Rail service, but some through tickets to London Underground zones are available.

Pros:
  • The fastest option to London.
  • You have a choice of Victoria, London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing Cross stations in London (depending on the train). There are good Tube connections at all these stations.
  • The new trains are comfortable, with reasonable luggage storage.

Cons:
  • Expensive, particularly for multiple travellers.
  • People do commute on these services, despite the distance. So, peak trains can get very busy.
  • The old commuter trains on this route are somewhat, umm, rustic, with limited storage space. These are being phased out.
  • This line is infamous for delays. One particular problem is caused by leaf mulch in the Autumn, due to the vegetation around the tracks (this is a very fertile part of the country).

Tips:
  • There are intermediate stations in SE London that can be of use. A particularly useful one is Ashford International, which offers a very convenient connection to the Eurostar.
  • Additional trains run to the Kent Coast, including Dover, for cross-channel ferry services.

Last edited by stut; Mar 5, 2007 at 3:07 am
stut is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 1:52 pm
  #9  
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH FTL, HHonors Gold, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Ambassador, BA down to nobody, Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 12,399
This is a great, great thread. But shouldn't it be placed in the London airports forum ?
JOUY31 is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 1:54 pm
  #10  
Moderator, Hilton Honors
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,419
Great stuff stut ^^
Kiwi Flyer is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 3:37 pm
  #11  
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Perhaps this should also be added to the 'things to do on a flight' thread over on TravelBuzz

Well, another flight on Wednesday, let's see if I can do the remainder then...
stut is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 3:46 pm
  #12  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: In the skies of the world
Programs: SAS Gold, FB Gold, BA Gold, EY Silver
Posts: 3,167
What a wonderful summary!!! Well done!!!
Indeed you are very right, too many people ask the same questions all the time.

I try to think of if there is anything than could be added, but pretty much everything has already been wonderfully covered.
Maybe two things:
*They are actually doing some construction work on the Thameslink during the autumn (don't know for how long though). Anyway there won't be any direct trains all the way from Luton (northern London) to Gatwick (southern London), they will all terminate at Kings X if I got it right.
*When taking a Thameslink train from Gatwick there are excellent interchange possibilities at London bridge. For example it is possible to change to a train going to Charing Cross (a stone's throw from Trafalgar square and five minutes walk from Piccadilly circus) without even having to change platform at London Bridge.

I look forward to when the DLR extension to LCY is completed, it will make the transporation there so much more convenient.
jacob_m is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2004, 11:57 pm
  #13  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
stut Good one - you might want to add into the LGW one that Virgin trains run right across the country from the airport - up into the midlands and right up to Scotland.

Then, once you've got this little project out of the way, perhaps you can do each iteration of inter-terminal transfers at LHR & LGW
Swiss Tony is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2004, 12:52 am
  #14  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SYD
Programs: DJ, QF, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 2,984
Good stuff! ^ www.flybytrain.co.uk is useful, especially for groups - e.g., 50 for up to 4 people from the Thameslink network to LGW or LTN return.
Leumas is offline  
Old Oct 13, 2004, 4:45 pm
  #15  
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
OK, that's all I know for now... Some new links and approximate timings in there (where they're easily judged). Still missing taxi fares from LTN, should anyone happen to know that.

I've no doubt there's some glaring omissions and errors, so please keep me posted, and I'll try to update as quickly as possible.
stut is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.