Lancashire to Heathrow ? Advice please!

[mickeyforpresident]

Hi,

Not strictly a DISNEY planning question, but I know you very helpful guys will help.

DW and I are flying out of Heathrow in July. We live in Lancaster, Lancashire and just don't know what to do for the best. Here are our options:

1) Drive down the night before, stay in a hotel close to the airport, use airport parking (we're only staying away for 4 days!)

2) Park near Paddington (where - we have no idea!!) the night before and get the Heathrow Express into the airport.

3) Use a hotel near the airport and use their taxi transfer bus (I hate this idea becuase of the hassle getting back to your car when you return).

My preferred option, and this is where I need the help.

I believe there is a hotel attached to Terminal 4. We're flying out of terminal 3. Is it walkable? We'll probably only have 1 suitcase!!!!

ALL the terminals should have a hotel attached to them. It was so less stresssful when we fly from manchester and stayed at the Raddison (we justwalked to the terminal building!)

Thanks for your help.

 

[wayneg]

We have flown from Heathrow twice, live in Yorkshire. 1st time was a nightmare, about 11am flight, set off around 4am and missed the flight, we hit bad weather, traffic jams, rush hour, accidents. You name it we came across it.
2nd time last Oct we were flying at 8:50am, set off at 3am, got there for 5:30am, that hour earlier makes all the difference, hardly saw any traffic all the way there.
Used VIP parking but just checked for 4/5 nights and its as expensive as we paid for 10 nights used code FTCUST for 10% off. they took car at terminal and then brought it back on landing, paid an extra £22 for a spring clean, came back like new. www.valueindividualparking.co.uk

1st time we used Purple parking, will never use them again, they lost our keys and office was full of same problem and scratches on cars.

Never used a hotel option, I prefer to drive there on the morning.

 

[Claire L]

I don't belive it is walkable from T4 to T3 due to the way the airport is set up, but you can use the internal buses. We have booked the Marriott on Bath Road for the night before with parking included and will get the hoppa bus.

Claire

 

[heatherbelle]

Why don't you fly don from Manchester? There will be no stress and no scratched car.

We paid 220.00 for return flights in August for the three of us.


A hotel plus the petrol can't be far off this.

 

[wayneg]

Why don't you fly don from Manchester? There will be no stress and no scratched car.

We paid 220.00 for return flights in August for the three of us.


A hotel plus the petrol can't be far off this.

I looked at that option last Oct but for a 8:50am flight there wasn't a flight down from Man early enough, cut it too fine. Plus they were all £120pp+ We had only paid £240 to Florida, £120 to London is crazy. Also didn't fancy another flight, we were already doing Heathrow~Detroit~Orlando. Will work for some though, its an option to look at.

 

[mickeyforpresident]

Thanks for responses so far guys.

Heatherbelle - that's a really interesting proposal. What carrier would you suggest?

Thanks!

 

[Claire L]

Thanks for responses so far guys.

Heatherbelle - that's a really interesting proposal. What carrier would you suggest?

Thanks!

Could go with either BMI or BA, who is your flight to DC with? Could try and get connecting UK flights added to existing ticket or book via someone like Expedia, one thing if you can book with existing company on a through ticket is then you are covered if you miss the connecting flight due to delays etc.

Claire

 

[Claire L]

Manchester International to London Heathrow

Depart - 06:35 terminal 3 - arrive 07:45 terminal 1 - flight number BD581


London Heathrow to Manchester International

Depart - 10:50 terminal 1 - arrive 12:00 terminal 3 - flight number BD588


This would cost about £140 for both of you and fits in with the Virgin Atlantic earlier flights if that is what you are on.

Claire

 

[mickeyforpresident]

Yes. We're on Virgin....

 

[heatherbelle]

Have a look at the prices on the BMI website first to see how much it will cost, then fing VH or VA depending upon who you booked your flight with, and ask them for a price of the connecting flight.

Ours connect with the VA fight out of LHR to LAX.

Wayne - I would love to be able to find a flight to MCO for 240.00 each in October school hols. I've been looking but I can't find anything cheap.

 

[gemmybear83]

We travel from Newcastle to London and either fly down on connecting flights or get the train. The train is much cheaper (and for us quicker - it only takes 2.5-3 hours)- I got tickets for June for £22 return each

 

[wayneg]

Wayne - I would love to be able to find a flight to MCO for 240.00 each in October school hols. I've been looking but I can't find anything cheap.

Too early yet for Oct half term, we didn't book until 7th July last year, 2 to watch are Delta/Airfrance/NWA group or AA, when they offer their Oct sales I would expect under £300, possibly down to £240ish again if they are struggling to sell seats.

 

[heatherbelle]

Too early yet for Oct half term, we didn't book until 7th July last year, 2 to watch are Delta/Airfrance/NWA group or AA, when they offer their Oct sales I would expect under £300, possibly down to £240ish again if they are struggling to sell seats.

Thanks for the tip Wayne, is anyone better than the other? or have shorter stop overs. I've never done indirect before. I'll have to watch the prices closely, I'll go and sign up for the newsletters. The calender is marked. Now all I have to do get DH on side.

We're going to LA in the summer and we have been told to allow 3 hours between connecting flights, as BMI will not fast track your cases through, we have to collect them at LHR and re-check them in with VA, and the same coming home, something to do with 9/11.

 

[wayneg]

As with all airlines, its down to plane & staff you get on the day. They all have good and bad, even Virgin.
3 hours seems a long time at LHR, all you are doing is getting off one plane and back on another, Immigration will be in US. Luggage has always been checked right thru on way home for us but check at LAX when you check in, they will tell you.