Recommendation for a Heathrow Terminal 2 hotel.

Pyxis

jackieblack wrote: »

I gave up user Hoppa buses after too many bad experiences... already full buses driving straight past, buses just not turning up at all... And tbh a taxi was cheaper when travelling as a family. That was a few years ago though, hopefully they've got their act together now.

Oh dear! ☹️

I don't know what to do now.
I would want to be at the Terminal at 06.15, so I don't know if that makes a difference to how full they'll be?

richardw

I would just book an uber.

Pyxis

richardw wrote: »

I would just book an uber.

You might be right!

Contessa

I've used the Hoppa several times with no problems. On time and never crowded. Usually, I've been the only passenger though once when I needed to be at the terminal by 7am there were two other passengers.


Last time I didn't need the Hoppa as I stayed at the new Premier Inn at Terminal 4. It was about 10 minutes walk to the terminal and involved wheeling my case but no lifting.


Next month I'm staying there again but flying from T4 so will take the free train to the terminal. Lots of walking (but good as it's a long flight) and only need to lift my case on and off the train.


I always use National Express coach from my town to Heathrow as, although a long journey, the driver handles the case. I find it far more convenient and cheaper than the train.


Enjoy your holiday.

Doshwaster

Over the years I must have stopped in every hotel on the Bath Road. For one night they are all much of a muchness so just go where has the best deal.

The "free" bus is fine if you know what you are doing and aren't weighed down by luggage and/or kids otherwise a taxi/Uber is likely to be cheaper than the Hoppa if there are 3-4 of you. I can understand how the bus can be confusing for the uninitiated and have seen many people miss their stop on the way from the airport to their hotel.

Alan_Bowen

Two points to make. As far as I know, no airline offers the day before check-in for luggage at Heathrow due to lack of space and security, checking in 36 hours beforehand is simply to allocate your seat and issue a boarding pass. Forget the free buses, they certainly work for some people, but they arrive at the Central Bus Station and from there you would have to go through the bus terminal to get to an escalator, through a tunnel and up another escalator to reach T2.

The 'hoppa' buses are seen by many as a complete rip-off, price wise, but they do get you to the front door, or as near as the front door of the hotel and the terminal and therefore would probably be best for you. Ibis is usually, but not always, the cheapest hotel close to Heathrow, check a website such as Holiday Extras to see what is available for the night you need as they sometimes have discounted rooms, although room rates at Heathrow vary enormously based on demand and of course, prices go sky high if fog, wind or snow suddenly appear leading to delays and cancellations!

PompeyPete

Doshwaster wrote: »

Over the years I must have stopped in every hotel on the Bath Road. For one night they are all much of a muchness so just go where has the best deal.

The "free" bus is fine if you know what you are doing and aren't weighed down by luggage and/or kids otherwise a taxi/Uber is likely to be cheaper than the Hoppa if there are 3-4 of you. I can understand how the bus can be confusing for the uninitiated and have seen many people miss their stop on the way from the airport to their hotel.

On the one occasion we got the TfL free bus, I was totally confused, looking out for landmarks that I'd have trouble recognising even if I saw them.

Then, in the bus, the visual display stated that the next stop was the final stop on the 'Free Route'.....now what? We got off, I recall the Ibis I think on the left, and we just carried on walking along Bath Road. Seemed like an eternity, but we eventually got to the Travelodge. I'm just relieved the weather was on our side.

As I mentioned in an earlier posting the area didn't look particularly appealing.

Following morning, just jumped on the first bus into Terminal 3 bus station, and was happy to swipe my debit card sit back.

Basically, if you're familiar with the routine, then go for it. Otherwise get a cab.

Pyxis

Alan_Bowen wrote: »

Two points to make. As far as I know, no airline offers the day before check-in for luggage at Heathrow due to lack of space and security, checking in 36 hours beforehand is simply to allocate your seat and issue a boarding pass. Forget the free buses, they certainly work for some people, but they arrive at the Central Bus Station and from there you would have to go through the bus terminal to get to an escalator, through a tunnel and up another escalator to reach T2.

The 'hoppa' buses are seen by many as a complete rip-off, price wise, but they do get you to the front door, or as near as the front door of the hotel and the terminal and therefore would probably be best for you. Ibis is usually, but not always, the cheapest hotel close to Heathrow, check a website such as Holiday Extras to see what is available for the night you need as they sometimes have discounted rooms, although room rates at Heathrow vary enormously based on demand and of course, prices go sky high if fog, wind or snow suddenly appear leading to delays and cancellations!

Thank you, that's useful to know, especially about the distance from the bus station to the Terminal.

I've been trying to remember which airport it was where I checked my case in the day before. I've done it twice, but to be honest, I can't remember if it was Heathrow or Gatwick.

Fen1

Have you considered using a luggage shipping service? You would still need hand luggage for overnight things and paperwork, perhaps in a backpack?

blindman

Pyxis wrote: »

Thank you, that's useful to know, especially about the distance from the bus station to the Terminal.

I've been trying to remember which airport it was where I checked my case in the day before. I've done it twice, but to be honest, I can't remember if it was Heathrow or Gatwick.

That would be Gatwick

LHR has no overnight facilities for luggage.

As RichardW has said, i think in your case (:rotfl:) get an Uber.

I use the Tfl Free buses all the time-Simples, with a bit of research beforehand.