Help me with getting to the airport

[cuppycake]

Okay, so here's the deal. We've done Disney. Always from the states. So, this will be our first time heading over there since we've arrived in the UK (for the next two or three years, DH's job).

I know how to do all of this stuff over there, however........

We aren't a family who spends a lot of money, so we're always looking for budget conscience ways to do things. We will be flying out of LHR for our trip, and I'm looking for the best/smartest way to do this.

We live near Huntingdon. What would your suggestion be as to dealing with the getting to the airport/parking situation? What have you done and thought was easy but didn't break the bank? We fly out around noon. Are there hotels near the airport that do stay/park type things? Easy to do the train (we've lived near DC and can navigate public transportation well)?

I figured it would be much smarter to get suggestions/opinions/experiences and then look into them, rather than trying to figure it all out on my own

Thanks in advance!! Getting a little excited!!!

 

[MarkF0wle]

There are hotels around the area that would shuttle you to/from the airport. But you have to get there.

I would float the train option. I made this journey last week through London at about 9:30am & it wasn't bad. I would assume you would arrive into London at either Euston or Kings Cross. The Picadilly line runs from Kings Cross into Heathrow & Euston is only 1 stop away from Kings Cross on two different lines.

When I did it I was expecting the train to be packed with suitcases, but I only saw about 10 in total. Of course if you are getting there between 7-9 just expect some traffic around the major stations, the Picadilly line however doesn't head towards many areas where most of the workers will be going so you could probably always snatch a seat.

It would probably take about 70 minutes from when you get the train at Kings Cross to be at Heathrow.

 

[jtlover]

I would recommend National Express coaches, assume they go from your area. If you are going the day before? I think it would be cheaper than the train. I think you can also get child prices really cheap on these coaches

 

[dixonsontour]

If you do decide to drive on the day - i'd recommend using a company like meteor for parking.

Basically you ring them when you are nearly there, you pull up at departures and they drive your car off and park it. On retuen they meet you at arrivals.

Saves alot of hassle at the airport with parking in logstay then having to get a shuttle bus with cases/kids.

 

[MarkF0wle]

The bus would be cheaper; I think the train fare across London would be maybe £6-7 each as you'd cross all the zones.

Even if you get a great deal on the train into London; it would be more expensive.

 

[joanne74]

We flew from Heathrow last year. We drove from Leicestershire and used Purple Parking. It was about £75ish for 2 1/2 weeks. You drop your car off at their car park (very secure) and then they take you to the airport. On the way back you need to ring them when you land and they come to collect you.

 

[cuppycake]

Thank you all for the suggestions!! We'll be looking into things. We don't mind driving a car there, but are avoiding going from here to there on Friday morning (the day we fly). We would either spend the night at a hotel and leave our car with them, or stay close by overnight, and drive over that morning from right there. I don't want to miss our trip thanks to some silly traffic nonsense!

I will certainly look into the train options, thanks! We are very close to a station, and could get a cab there, and leave our car at home.

It ends up boiling down to cost vs. convenience and time. We'll need to strike a good balance, and I appreciate your all sharing what you have done!! This will make it so much easier for us!!!