Heathrow transport

Hello.

We are arriving in the UK later this month and we are having trouble figuring out how to get home from the airport.  We will have 3 huge suitcases between the two of us and a couple carry ons each so the tube is out of the question.  The most convenient choice would be a taxi but a taxi to north London would cost us a couple hundred pounds so that's not a option either.  My husbands parents would be working so they can't pick us up.  We thought about a mini cab or something like that but still don't know what to do.  Anyone have any other ideas?

June

Is hiring a car not an option for you?

A cab will be really expensive.  Not sure where you need to go in North London but look at the National express coaches on www.nationalexpress.co.uk.  If anything you can get a national express coach to Victoria station and get a cab from there.  Might save you a bit of money on the cab front.

Nationall express: I did this... with 2 heavy bags and a carryon. You can wheel the luggage carts all the way out to the bus. There was a sign posted about luggage restriction, but I asked and they said no there wasn't.

A taxi or black cab from the queue at the airport would be ridiculously expensive to anywhere, but perhaps some independent transportation companies? I am not sure how you find them... google? You could probably get a van to meet you.

I have had problems with National Express drivers complaining about the number of bags I've had (2).  They said that they'd take them off the bus and leave them at the station if the bus got full (going from Swansea to London).  Luckily it nevered actually happened, but you might want to check into their luggage policy first. 

Hello.

The most convenient choice would be a taxi but a taxi to north London would cost us a couple hundred pounds so that's not a option either. 
June

Where in North London do you need to go? Black taxis are the most expensive choice but I dont think it will cost hundreds.

Try Addison Lee on 0207-387-8888. They are the service I use. All the vehicles are 7 seaters so they can accomodate the luggage. Tell them you do not have an account and it will be a cash job. They will ask for the post code of where you are going too, be sure to have it before you call.

good luck

Thanks for the tip Cicero. 

I'm in your shoes too June, except that I will be arriving by myself with extra bags. Haven't yet figured out just how I will get them from baggage claim to the taxi/van/whatever though. 

Could you put the bags in baggage storage at Heathrow, use the tube to take what you could carry in one trip, then go back for the rest? More hassle but potentially cheaper. http://www.heathrow-airport-information.com/baggage.html

Rich's friend rented a van and drove him to pick me up, including my obscene amount of luggage and the doggie!! 
Wouldnt have fit everything if we didnt have the van.   

Depending on where you are going in North London, a mini cab would be no where near hundreds of pounds.  I take them all the time from Heathrow to Finchley and it's £35 on the way home with waiting time, parking and luggage.

Try Meadway Mini Cabs - 0208 458 5555.  Just ask them for a quote to where you are going, just be sure to tell them you have a lot of luggage so they send a big car.  I have found them incredibly reliable and safe. 

We used to take the Heathrow Express to Paddington (it has lots of room for luggage and you can take your luggage trolley almost all the way to the platform) - on arrival at Paddington, pick up a luggage trolley and join the line for taxis ... it's cheaper than getting a taxi all the way and probably quicker.

See http://www.heathrowexpress.com/ for details of the Express train service.

Where in North London do you need to get to?  There are loads of options, depending on this.

Victoria

Thanks to Kristi's recommendation from a long time ago, I now only use Ray Skinner:  http://www.london-transfers.com/
Never have I dealt with a more professional, friendly driver... it's a bit more (about £50 from Heathrow to Finchley), but, man, you feel like a star... he's showered, suited, holding a PRINTED CLEAR sign with your name on it (a real blessing when you're coming out with a crowd, and facing an enormous crowd, half holding signs with handwritten names in ballpoint), and smiling... and always there.  He's got a pristine minivan to take you in, and from the moment he says hello, all your luggage is in his hands.
He'll even stop off at the grocery store for you on the way.
I and my parents have used him three or four times now, and he's worth every penny.  We even have a contract with him now through my work.

(if I never said it before Kristi, THANK YOU  )

I have a similar problem trying to arrange transport from Gatwick. I have a connecting flight in the states... problem is it is only a 45min. connection. I have no worries I can make it, but I doubt Continental can get my luggage on the plane with me.

So... either I pack a lot and expect the luggage won't arrive with me and wait for them to deliver it the next day (I secretly want this to happen) or arrange to have a taxi pick me up... but man what a waste if it is just me and a carry on bag when easily I could take a train!

ah the dilemma!

Thanks for the contacts though... I wrote them down! Could I ring around and see if any company would make a last minute pick up once I arrive if indeed Continental is stellar? Or do these tend to be pre-arranged things?

You're saying upon returning to the UK from the States, you're coming into Gatwick after making a connection somewhere else?
(just clarifying!)

Hmmmm... assuming you won't have more than 2 suitcases and a carry-on, I would recommend the Gatwick Express; you can take the luggage cart up to the train (double check this though), and the train goes into Victoria, where again, like Paddington and the Heathrow Express, you can easily get a taxi.

Most of the other stuff mentioned I believe requires advance booking.

(what part of London do you need to get to?)

SFO-Houston-LGW

I am in the SE so I would just train to Croydon and either bus it with no luggage or take a taxi from Croydon.

In January I made the trek from Heathrow via National Express with two heavy bags then train down to the SE and taxi home... I remember something about vowing to sod the cost and fork out for a taxi because it was horrendous!! Funny how quickly you can forget! 

what exactly is the difference between a minicab and a black cab... mini you arrange in advance and black you pick up in a queue and pay through the nose? I paid £10 to go a mile and a half in the middle of the day.