In London, Planes, Trains and...?

[Maureen Blevins]

Two parts to this question - Need a nice hotel for 1 night as close to Heathrow Airport as possible.

Second question - Is a cab the best way to get from Heathrow to the Train Station?

[Allan Lynch]

You don't say which train station. When I arrive in London, I take the Heathrow Express to Paddington. My London friends laugh that it is the world's most expensive train ride (it's about 18 pounds return), but it is clean, fast and convenient. After a transatlantic flight I want a bed and a show asap. The Express takes 15 minutes. From Paddington you can hop the Tubes (if you're familiar with them) or grab a cab. A cab from Heathrow to almost anywhere is going to be expensive. So this is a start to being practical.

For departure days, I take the Tube or cab to Paddington and take the Express back to Heathrow.

You might check out this service: www.skyshuttle.co.uk. They have luxury vans that pick you up at the airport and deliver you to your hotel and from hotel to airport for a set price (I go crazy with a cab meter ticking away). It's a shared ride, but they are experienced so know how much time to allow to get you wherever you're going.

As for hotels near the airport, I can't help. I never stay by the airport. Are you on a really tight schedule? Like every other airport, Heathrow is surrounded by hotels. Just click on your favourite chain and they'll probably have a property. If you are staying at an airport and flying out early, the hotel could provide a shuttle service or you could grab a cab. If however, you want to run into the city for a bit, that's different.

Oh yes, there is also Tube service right to Heathrow. But it's a bit of a milk run. The last time I used it it took over an hour. But it's by far the cheapest option.

[Maureen Blevins]

Thanks for the info. I knew there'd be more than one train station - guess I'd better find out which one I need. But it's good to know about skyshuttle.