London - which airport is near everywhere and wheres cheap to stay???

nettles77 · 31 July 2009 at 7:12PM

oh that sounds lovely. Just checked and from Belfast we can only go to Stansted but from Dublin we have the choice of the 3. What are the times of your flights? Our last home is at 8 or just after 9pm. I want to see all that too and also the museums.

cifpower · 31 July 2009 at 7:14PM

I doubt we will be able to see the museums. Never thought about them though. Might give them a try! Thanks for the idea!

Our outbound flight lands at 0820 and we should be in Central London by 0930. The return flights leaves Gatwick at 1945 and the train leaving for Gatwick is at 1730

nettles77 · 31 July 2009 at 7:25PM

o you have really done your homework. I've never been to London, my partner was born there but has never been back since he was 4ish. I' d love to go, its just so dear to stay. Thanks for all your help.

nettles77 · 3 August 2009 at 8:46AM

Hi, am gutted as missed the deal! We had friends over and when i remembered it was after 12. How much is it to leave your car in Belfast airport? Could i also ask you how much the train tickets are in London? When the offer comes on again i will defo book it. Thanks for all you help.

cifpower · 3 August 2009 at 11:40AM

nettles77 wrote: »

Hi, am gutted as missed the deal! We had friends over and when i remembered it was after 12. How much is it to leave your car in Belfast airport? Could i also ask you how much the train tickets are in London? When the offer comes on again i will defo book it. Thanks for all you help.

The train for 4 people (return) cost £56. Car park charges at City Airport are HERE

Bubbles67 · 4 August 2009 at 10:16PM

Heathrow is a good connection into London using the Underground (approx 1hr 20mins in rush hour into central london) or the Heathrow Express (approx 20mins into Paddington anytime).

Flights are cheap enough...depends when you buy them (how far in advance). Suggest you get on the web and several sites or comparison sites to get the best deals.

Can get reasonable B & Bs around the Heathrow area and if you didn't want to go into London and take in the sights there then you can always opt for Windsor Castle (30mins by taxi from Heathrow), Hampton Court Palace (30mins by taxi from Heathrow) at Hampton you can also take a water ferry into central London (I believe they still offer this service in the summer).

You can also see the new Terminal (5) at Heathrow, it's a vast space with lots of light and feeling of space...........

Attached to Terminal 5 at Heathrow is the Sofitel hotel, Terminal 4 has the Hilton attached and there are several other hotels of varying prices ranges around this fantastic gateway to LONDON.

Hope this helps.

nettles77 · 4 August 2009 at 10:22PM

im just scared when i get there i wont know where to go. i imagine London to be so fast.

cifpower · 5 August 2009 at 10:19AM

nettles77 wrote: »

im just scared when i get there i wont know where to go. i imagine London to be so fast.

The first time I went to London I found it daunting. The best thing you can do is plan ahead. When in central London I stuck to the tube as there are fixed stops. The buses confused me and not knowing the stops were was a hindrance.

Once you have been there you will realise how easy it is to travel round the city and see what you want to see.

Bubbles67 · 18 August 2009 at 6:12PM

Now then, London is as fast or as slow as you want to make it.
A good map of the underground system (free from any underground
station/ticket office), A tourist map book of London by undergroud
Station (gives local info around the underground station, etc).

I used to negotiate London alone as a 15year old back in the early 80's
it's not changed that much just more people.

Keep your wits about you, money in a safe place to avoid being pick
pocketed by the opportunists and lazy, a good pair of walking shoes
ruck sack for handsfree travel light clothes and Oyster card (this avoids
train tickets - you can just swipe it) and away you go.

You can get into London from Heathrow by underground the Piccadilly line about 1 hr into Leiester Square or on the Heathrow Express straight into Paddington Stn in 20mins.

You can get the underground map online....
It's easy - go for it, live a little........

GOOD LUCK !!!!

Savvy_Sue · 18 August 2009 at 6:54PM

I agree that the underground is harder to get lost on than buses because you always know where you are and which way you are going, but you really MUST go on the top deck of a double decker bus at some point! The open air sightseeing tours are hop-on, hop-off, so you could plan some places you definitely want to see and use one of them to get there!