Heathrow Airport (London)
Last Updated: Nov. 07, 2009
More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe
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 (23)
-
As much as the tube sounds scary it’s not, the best part about taking the tube from heathrow to russel square is your the first stop on the line so make sure you get a seat close to the door so you don’t have to push through everybody still on the tube who are about to get off at Kings Cross/ St Pancras.
Also once at Russel Square make sure you take the lift, Picadilly line is about 4 stories underground, with a backpack or suitcase, the stairs will kill you, and if you have to get off at a station with no lift then be prepared to struggle. Even a 23 year old girl gets no help from the friendly London commuters, in fact you’ll get more comments about being in someones way….
Kathy
posted 18 days ago
Flag as Inappropriate
-
Just an FYI, pretty sure dot 2 dot went out of business this week, in case anyone was planning on using them.
Explorer1153025
posted 21 days ago
Flag as Inappropriate
-
The tube is really easy to navigate – don’t be afraid to push and pull your way through. No onein London says sorry for barging into people – don’t take offence from it, it’s the way it works!!
Also try to avoid rush hour – commuters have little patience for anyone standing in the way trying to read a tube map!!! Especially if you have your bags during this time, you can expect a few glares but it’s nothing to worry about.
The tube staff are really helpful as well so don’t be afraid to ask, i’m sure no question is new on them anymore!
It’s a definate experience, and culture shock if you’re not from city, but the tube is the best form of transport in London and something the city can be proud of.
Explorer1145368
posted on Jul. 31, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
is anyone goin on the London, Paris and Amsterdam? (i dont think its got a fancy name!!) departing on August 22?
Juzzyc
posted on Jul. 23, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
Hey!Is anyone doing the European Inspiration next month??
Explorer1144058
posted on Jul. 22, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
anyone going on the european discovery in january 2010??
torz
posted on Jun. 21, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
I’m seriously hoping that “the tube” is a lot like boston’s “t” if i can survive that during rush hour and sox fans i think i can survive anything…. i’m going on the Aug 11-20 great britain tour any one else going
megs2482
posted on Jun. 18, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
Hey! Is Anyone going to the Great Britain trip on September 1-10? I’m traveling alone… message me on Facebook.
Jessica_22
posted on May. 30, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
My question is why does contiki call it the “London Underground” when locals call it “the tube”? FYI, those who actually take the tube, the best time to go is on the weekdays from 10:00 – 14:00 (10a-2p) to avoid rush hour. It’s a pain to get through the herd of people during rush hour. I would say that it takes about an hour to get from heathrow to russell square.
—Chris
Elder Abuse – Report Elder Abuse
Christhebliss
posted on May. 13, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
I arrived into London at roughly 9am and got onto the subway at about 11am. It was horrendous! After 24 hours on a flight, I was boxed in on a packed train, smelling terrible and with all of my luggage. The next time I went to London, I pre-booked a private car service for 25 pounds from Heathrow, direct to the Royal National. It was worth the money.
calabreseboy
posted on Apr. 10, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
I’m not gonna lie…i’m freakin’ out a little in regards to having to get myself from London Heathrow to Russell Square at 0630 in the morning…I have a feeling that this is going to be epic…
Marc.L
posted on Apr. 09, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
For anyone worried about getting lost on the Underground, dont be! It has been a few years since I’ve been to London but still remember most of the set up! so easy to figure out when you get off or get on. Just look out the window of the train and you will see the name of the station in huge bold letters on the walls. Also ive for surely been on worst metro systems :) also great way to meet locals ;)
Dave Cave
posted on Mar. 23, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
The dot to dot??
Tell me more, that sounds great and pretty cheap!Ames
posted on Jan. 13, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
hi guys get your travel agent to organise the dot to dot for you it costs you 20 Australian dollars and it picks you up from the airport and takes you to your hotel. There are two of us going so 40 Australian dollars.
Explorer1117217
posted on Jan. 02, 2009
Flag as Inappropriate
-
Do you need to get to London a day before your tour? what time do they usually start?
Explorer1117204
posted on Nov. 16, 2008
Flag as Inappropriate
-
Surprisingly, for a city of it’s size, London is a very safe city….it’s very safe to walk form the tube station to the hotels, it’s also very safe to walk around most parts of the city at any time of day or night, even at 3 in the morning there are other people out and about so you’re never really alone.
mattyvcontiki
posted on Jul. 31, 2008
Flag as Inappropriate
-
How safe is it to walk from Russel square to the hotels?
mich31
posted on Jul. 30, 2008
Flag as Inappropriate
-
Kitty, comment below, don’t worry I’m feaking out as well.
That’s interesting about how much it costs, i got a quote from a taxi company from Heathrow to my hotel and it was like 60 pounds…..
sorry if i was interupting a conversation…
but thanks
Bella Ashleigh
posted on Jun. 14, 2008
Flag as Inappropriate
-
Thanks so much for this, I’m coming from Australia and was freaking out about how to get to the hotel. Ta for the tip about the stairs too
Kitty Kat
posted on Jun. 12, 2008
Flag as Inappropriate
-
I made a huge mistake when arriving at Russell Square station, I saw the queue for the 2 elevators to the ground level and was impatient so I took the stairs… DON’T make the same mistake. It’s about 8 or 10 stories underground!!! Take the time and ride up it will be worth it after a long flight.
Nicktaz
posted on Apr. 23, 2008
Flag as Inappropriate
-
If you want something speedy from Heathrow, take the Heathrow Express to Paddington. It is more expensive, but gets you to Paddington station in 15-20 minutes. The cost is 15 pounds. A cab from there to the hotel is about 10 pounds.
Mike Contiki
posted on Apr. 07, 2008
Flag as Inappropriate
-
Map → http://connect.contiki.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/496105522/m/611102582?r=622102682#622102682
ptooma
posted on Mar. 08, 2008
Flag as Inappropriate
-
The underground was super easy to take! But be ready to carry your bag – there are quite a bit of stairs going to the train and when exiting the station
Steftacular
posted on Feb. 12, 2008
Flag as Inappropriate
Recent Tips
Cafe lattes, bruchetta, chianti, gnochi, limoncella, baci chocolates, gelati, pizza, it's impossible to not try everything in Italy.
For a great view of the city (especially at night) go to the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris. It also offers a great vantage point for viewing the water show at the Bellagio.
This is a FANTASTIC tour for a city person. The shopping, dining, nightlife, and cultural opportunities are limitless as each city seems to outshine the last.
