Heathrow Airport (London)
Last Updated: Feb. 08, 2012
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The Royal National Hotel is used as the London base for most Contiki Tours starting and finishing in London, England.
A great many clients choose to stay at either the Royal National Hotel or just down the road at the Imperial Hotel. The Royal National Hotel is also home to the Contiki Basement, the meeting point for tours starting in London and Contiki’s London travel base.
Directions from Heathrow to the Royal National Hotel and Imperial Hotels
When flying into London Heathrow there are cash machines available but it is advisable to have some British money (Pound Sterling £) on you for transport costs into central London.
Easiest
- The easiest, cheapest and best way to get to the hotels is take the Piccadilly line underground train that runs directly from all Heathrow airport terminals to Russell Square Station (only a short walk from both hotels). The cost is roughly £4.
- There are signs for the ‘Underground’ in the arrival terminals at Heathrow and the trains normally take about 45 minutes to get into Russell Square.
- The London Underground usually opens at about 5am Monday to Saturday and runs through until about midnight every night. Please Note: On Sundays the underground often opens around 7am. Times and as with all public transport in London, this may vary. If you are travelling to Heathrow for a flight on a Sunday you may have to take this into consideration.
For the Imperial Hotel:
Turn left as you exit the Russell Square Station at the street level. Take the second left along the main street. You will see the park that is Russell Square on your right hand side. The Imperial Hotel is on your left just before the end of Russell Square roughly 150 meters (500 feet) along the road. The ‘Day and Night’ pub is part of the hotel.
For the Royal National Hotel:
Turn left as you exit the Russell Square Station at the street level Take the second right and follow the road for roughly 100 meters (300 feet) and the Royal National Hotel will be on your left hand side on the opposite side of the road. The ‘London Pub’ is part of the hotel building.
Fastest
The fastest way to get from Heathrow Airport to central London and the Royal National or Imperial Hotel is to take the Heathrow Express Train from Heathrow to Paddington Station in London. From there take a taxi to either hotel at a cost of roughly £10.
Early Morning, Late Night and Public Holiday Flights
The British are generally quite traditional when it comes to public holidays (particularly big ones like Christmas and New Year) and the public transport services listed above may sometimes also take the day off. Likewise, if you need to get to Heathrow for an early morning flight public transport may not be open in time.
There are however other options available.
Transport for London has alternative public transport routes while Hotel Link and dot to dot offer door to door services for very reasonable prices on public holidays and early mornings.
A taxi from Heathrow to or from central London is reasonably expensive and should be used as a last resort.
Hotel Addresses
*Royal National Hotel
Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG*
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7637 2488
or
*Imperial Hotel
Russell Square, London WC1B 5BB*
Tel: +44 (0)20 7837 3655
Add a Comment Comments (60)
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Heathrow airport is like a big city,I was there last summer in a short business trip.It’s so impressive,I was fascinated by how many people are there,does no matter if is night or day.
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madisori
posted 20 days ago
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Design a web can interest people to visit. Therefore, many people race to design it. The design can be represent the contain. forex android
Explorer1320172
posted on Nov. 17, 2011
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I was in London few years ago and Heathrow airport impressed me…is so big and there are so many people…but also it’s very easy to find the good direction.Nice post!
frivExplorer1271775
posted on Oct. 30, 2011
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For London tour this post is really very helpful.It contains full of information for a London tour.Personally I like the Royal National Hotel for staying.
ketjackson
posted on Sep. 22, 2011
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Hi,
Just wondering if anyone is doing the Europe Discovery 12 Day Tour starting 21st December 2011 and finishing 1st Janurary 2012. Would be nice to chat with people before going on Tour.Explorer1281504
posted on Sep. 18, 2011
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Hi
Is there anyone else from SA doing the European Highlights tour starting April 29 2012?
Please let me know, would be nice to chat to some fellow travelers.Explorer1280334
posted on Aug. 29, 2011
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thanks for sharing useful information your article worth’s appreciation
Explorer1280268
posted on Aug. 29, 2011
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@jesscleves, Gdluck for cruising
Explorer1280268
posted on Aug. 29, 2011
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this may resolve your —→Coach Hire, Chauffeurs issues nicely, these pple are providing a best service at cheap i experienced u shd give it a try
Explorer1280268
posted on Aug. 29, 2011
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heathrow taxi and mini cabshere are the cheapest chauffeurs services from heathrow,
Explorer1280268
posted on Aug. 29, 2011
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Explorer1267630
posted on Jul. 25, 2011
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Thanks for sharing this guide, atleast I have now an idea where to go upon arriving Heathrow Airport pmp training pmp
Explorer1266146
posted on Jul. 08, 2011
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Heathrow – the UK’s most important global hub and driver of economic growth, not just in the South East of England but for the whole of Britain. As Frankfurt, Schiphol and Charles de Gaulle make great strides in improving the services they can offer travellers – business and tourist – we are left with an increasingly hemmed-in international airport. Computer Programming Assignment | Accounting Assignment Help
Explorer1263605
posted on Jun. 28, 2011
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nice to now…
heathrow is my absolut favorite airport!Explorer1254518
posted on Jun. 26, 2011
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Hello guys, is anyone going on european impression tour on 4th of august 2011?
if yes!, let me know.
l.maricic@hotmail.comExplorer1254923
posted on May. 27, 2011
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Also, I should add that what I mentioned before was for the Gatwick Express. If you don’t mind the trip taking longer, the First Capital Connect train takes about 45 minutes to get to King’s Cross St Pancras, but it is not an airport-only train. It tends to get very busy during peak hours because many people regularly take this train. On the upside, it only costs £9.50.
henshhh
posted on May. 27, 2011
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@ Yami:
You can take the train from Gatwick (located at the South Terminal), and you get off at King’s Cross St Pancras. The ride is about 30 minutes into the city. The Imperial is about a 15 minute walk from there. From what I’ve seen, the train ticket is about £18, which is a little pricey to me, but hey… it’s London. If you purchase them online its about £16.henshhh
posted on May. 27, 2011
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Hi, guys, any of you knows how to go from Gatwick to Imperial hotel???
Yami!
posted on May. 16, 2011
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you can’t afford a train I would reccommend taking a coach from the Heathrow bus station. The prices are a lot cheaper than the trains although they are obviously a bit slower.
Explorer1222685
posted on Dec. 15, 2010
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Does anyone have any tips on getting from Heathrow to London on Christmas Day? I heard most public transport including the Tube doesn’t run…heard a taxi is roughly £80 – can anyone recommend a shuttle service or something like that, that operates duting Christmas??
Milly
posted on Dec. 08, 2010
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