London for a few days- best method of travel?
London for a few days- best method of travel?
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Discussion

leon_t

Original Poster:

296 posts

233 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
Right, I'm going to London for about five days at the start of February. So I thought I'd ask for advice for you all about getting around rather than being one of those PITA tourists that gets in the way all the time.

I need to pick up a friend plus luggage on the Thursday from Heathrow. Now I think the easiest thing to do is to take our luggage etc to the hotel we're staying in in central London, but I figure that it makes more sense to park my car further out the way for several days The hotel is in the Waterloo / Elephant & Castle area so will need to get train/ tube back to there. (my 205 doesn't like traffic much and is a pig to drive around town with a light flywheel, high-lift cams and a sharp clutch).



Is it possible to park in an NCP or at a train station for 3-4 days? IF so, it is more sensible to drive to one a little way out and then park somewhere? Or is there a better way?

Cheers

Leon

Tom_C76

1,923 posts

217 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
I wouldn't park a car I cared about at an out of town carpark for more than a few hours, generally I'll only use hotels with their own parking if I'm in the Caterham.

4 days in an NCP in London will cost a packet too, why not leave the car at home and get the train in?

TC

Munter

31,331 posts

270 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
Put the car in long term parking at the airport for a few days and get the Train in to London....

neilsie

952 posts

275 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
buy an advance ticket into London, leave car at home. eg from http://www.trainline.co.uk/

then use a travelcard to get around during the day - good for all tubes & buses

skilly1

2,898 posts

224 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
Use the bus from Heathrow to Victoria - National Express. Very cheap (£4.50) and if you are not in rush hour only takes 45mins.

Neil_H

15,418 posts

280 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
Might be easier to leave the car at home and use the train. Piccadilly line goes to Heathrow, or you can get the Heathrow Express at Paddington.

Don

28,378 posts

313 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
Munter said:
Put the car in long term parking at the airport for a few days and get the Train in to London....
yes

Or even better - leave it at home if possible.

leon_t

Original Poster:

296 posts

233 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
Ahh well maybe I'll leave it in Southampton then (I've got to use it to get there from S. Wales first).

So there's a decent link from Heathrow into London? I'll look up now but I think I'll try getting up to Heathrow first to meet her then get a coach/bus or train in then, I just didn't know how easy it is when you have a big suitcase with you? IS there any space for carrying luggage on buses?

v15ben

16,216 posts

270 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
Get an airport coach to Central London - plenty around at Heathrow specifically designed to carry travellers and all their luggage. Reasonably quick into town depending on the traffic too!

Munter

31,331 posts

270 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
www.heathrowexpress.com

Go's to Paddington.

Neil_H

15,418 posts

280 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
leon_t said:
Ahh well maybe I'll leave it in Southampton then (I've got to use it to get there from S. Wales first).

So there's a decent link from Heathrow into London? I'll look up now but I think I'll try getting up to Heathrow first to meet her then get a coach/bus or train in then, I just didn't know how easy it is when you have a big suitcase with you? IS there any space for carrying luggage on buses?
Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes (costs £32 return), for the Piccadilly line you're looking at about 45 minutes from Central London (cheaper though).

http://www.heathrowexpress.com

And yes you can carry luggage on coaches.

rude-boy

22,227 posts

262 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
There is a tube from Heathrow.

These days, even though i have access to a number of parking spots inside town i would always go in by car unless there is no other alternative.

Unless you are 96 and have a hip replacement or pack like a woman on a 2 year World Tour the st and hassle of lugging a big bag through a maximum of 3 tube stations is nothing compared to the ball ache of having to drive round and pay silly parking charges.

Avoid rush ours though if at all possible when you have the case(s).

Vee

3,109 posts

263 months

Monday 5th January 2009
quotequote all
Does your hotel not have a car park ?