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#32
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Jkf wrote:
I have been amazed by and grateful for all the responses to my note. I'm working on figuring out the best method. While the devotion shown by many on this group to buses and trains is touching, you aren't in England every day and probably don't get that much holiday time per year, so this probably isn't a good time to slum it. In this circumstance I think you should get a taxi from Heathrow to the exact address in Blackheath, rather than worry about relying on at least three trains or buses all being punctual. Make sure you get a proper taxi from the taxi rank - there are numerous illegal chaps touting "taxis" in the airport, and these have been known to take very circuitous slow routes, and aren't insured. |
#33
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On Sun, 8 Oct 2006 15:06:16 +0100, "John Rowland"
wrote: Jkf wrote: I have been amazed by and grateful for all the responses to my note. I'm working on figuring out the best method. While the devotion shown by many on this group to buses and trains is touching, you aren't in England every day and probably don't get that much holiday time per year, so this probably isn't a good time to slum it. In this circumstance I think you should get a taxi from Heathrow to the exact address in Blackheath, rather than worry about relying on at least three trains or buses all being punctual. Make sure you get a proper taxi from the taxi rank - there are numerous illegal chaps touting "taxis" in the airport, and these have been known to take very circuitous slow routes, and aren't insured. Come on John - it's not devotion to a favoured mode it's about trying to be helpful. There are some people on here who do or have worked in the taxi / private hire business (you're one IIRC) which is fair enough and they've had their say too in this thread. I suspect that I would struggle to spot an illegal taxi at Heathrow (or any airport for that matter) so quite why the OP will have developed a sixth sense to be able to do so I know not. There are pluses and minuses to all of the choices that have been put forward so let's not get into a "bidding war" as to which is best. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
#34
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In message , Paul Corfield
writes On Sun, 8 Oct 2006 15:06:16 +0100, "John Rowland" wrote: Jkf wrote: I have been amazed by and grateful for all the responses to my note. I'm working on figuring out the best method. While the devotion shown by many on this group to buses and trains is touching, you aren't in England every day and probably don't get that much holiday time per year, so this probably isn't a good time to slum it. In this circumstance I think you should get a taxi from Heathrow to the exact address in Blackheath, rather than worry about relying on at least three trains or buses all being punctual. Make sure you get a proper taxi from the taxi rank - there are numerous illegal chaps touting "taxis" in the airport, and these have been known to take very circuitous slow routes, and aren't insured. Come on John - it's not devotion to a favoured mode it's about trying to be helpful. There are some people on here who do or have worked in the taxi / private hire business (you're one IIRC) which is fair enough and they've had their say too in this thread. I suspect that I would struggle to spot an illegal taxi at Heathrow (or any airport for that matter) so quite why the OP will have developed a sixth sense to be able to do so I know not. Quite simple: Do not accept *any* offer by someone purporting to take you to the 'taxi'. Look for the signs guiding you to the taxi rank where you will find taxis properly ranked up with one or two BAA authorised agents controlling the queue of taxis and customers ensuring that the first taxi takes the first customer (if within the 20 mile compellable distance). Each licensed taxi has a licence plate on the rear and is fitted with a taxi meter. The big danger with attempting to arrange for a 'mini-cab' to pick you up is that you do not know the person and you do not know what vehicle you are getting into. It is these circumstances that the touts attempt to exploit. All of these are uninsured, many do not even have driving licences! At least a London taxi is easily recognised and is controlled and regulated. If you were arriving at an unfamiliar (if indeed the OP is unfamiliar with London) location which would you rather try to use? There are pluses and minuses to all of the choices that have been put forward so let's not get into a "bidding war" as to which is best. -- Mike Hughes A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England |
#35
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On Sun, 8 Oct 2006 19:24:08 +0100, Mike Hughes
wrote: At least a London taxi is easily recognised and is controlled and regulated. If you were arriving at an unfamiliar (if indeed the OP is unfamiliar with London) location which would you rather try to use? Completely honest answer is that I avoid taxis wherever I travel. I have paid for a black cab once in 23 years as I had a lot of luggage with me but even then it was a struggle to get a cab as I was outside the compulsory limit. The only other time was when I was with work colleagues who decided to use one - quite why when we have free travel I know not. I always research the public transport options before I go anywhere and I certainly make sure that the airport - central area / hotel journey is feasible by public transport. I then use public transport at my destination where I need to - most tourists walk extensively when they are on hols anyway. Just call me odd. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
#36
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In message , Paul Corfield
writes Just call me odd. OK Odd :-)) -- Mike Hughes A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England |
#37
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![]() Jkf wrote: I have been amazed by and grateful for all the responses to my note. I'm working on figuring out the best method. Many thanks, Joanne My suggestion is that you pre-book a licensed mini-cab rather than use a black cab, because the price could be a lot lower. But your best bet if you want to save the money is not to pre-book in advance but to call while you are waiting for your baggage. If you book in advance they will charge you waiting time from the time your plane lands. If the Blackwall Tunnel is open at the time and not too busy then the journey could probably be completed in less than an hour via M4/A4 and along the Embankment. It can sometimes be faster to go along the South side of the river (short side of the bend) via Southwark (Baylis Road etc) then through Bermondsey. (Following the A2 is usually not a great idea). |
#38
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There is a local (licensed) mini-cab company called LHR Cars that have
a good system. You pre-book with them giving approx arrival time. When you arrive in the baggage hall, give them a call and they will pick you up once you get out. Sometimes there is bit of a palaver about the pickup (i.e. how to recognise their car and how they spot you), so it's a bit slower than catching a cab, but it's cheaper. -- Harry Earl Purple wrote: Jkf wrote: I have been amazed by and grateful for all the responses to my note. I'm working on figuring out the best method. Many thanks, Joanne My suggestion is that you pre-book a licensed mini-cab rather than use a black cab, because the price could be a lot lower. But your best bet if you want to save the money is not to pre-book in advance but to call while you are waiting for your baggage. If you book in advance they will charge you waiting time from the time your plane lands. If the Blackwall Tunnel is open at the time and not too busy then the journey could probably be completed in less than an hour via M4/A4 and along the Embankment. It can sometimes be faster to go along the South side of the river (short side of the bend) via Southwark (Baylis Road etc) then through Bermondsey. (Following the A2 is usually not a great idea). |
#39
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On Sat, 7 Oct 2006, Londoncityslicker wrote:
Jkf wrote: I'm trying to do something that may be impossible...help would be appreciated. I will be arriving Friday night at Heathrow in a few weeks. I imagine I'll be out of customs by 10:00 pm. Is there any way I can arrive in Blackheath, where I will be staying by 11:00 pm? Anyway, another possible route not mentioned and a good alternative Heathrow route period is to travel via Feltham. 285 bus or cab ride to Feltham is no more than 5-10 minutes. Then fast train to Waterloo. Walk over to Waterloo East and the train to Blackheath. I was going to suggest this - definitely beats going through the middle of town, IMHO. Nice big trains with plenty of room for your bags, no central London crowds of friday night revellers, no schlepping up and down escalators deep in the bowels of the earth. The change from Waterloo to Waterloo East isn't the easiest in the world, but it's no worse than the mucking around you'll do on any tube route. Getting from customs to Blackheath inside an hour isn't going to happen, though. According to the NR journey planner, if you can get to Feltham by 2235, there's a pair of trains that will get you to Blackheath in 67 minutes, arriving at 2342. If you're quick at Waterloo, you might be able to get a slightly earlier train and shave a few minutes off that, but not a lot. Going to Lewisham and getting a cab doesn't seem to help, either. tom -- When you mentioned INSERT-MIND-INPUT ... did they look at you like this? |
#40
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In message . com,
NewsPosting writes There is a local (licensed) mini-cab company called LHR Cars that have a good system. You pre-book with them giving approx arrival time. When you arrive in the baggage hall, give them a call and they will pick you up once you get out. Sometimes there is bit of a palaver about the pickup (i.e. how to recognise their car and how they spot you), Which is where the touts are ready to pounce. That's why it's safer to use a proper licensed taxi from the rank which is controlled by the BAA agents. Since the licensing of minicabs the advice about their prices is no longer as clear cut as some would believe. Many of them charge more - and in some cases a lot more - than the metered rate. Their prices have risen because they have found that licensing involves costs which the traditional taxis have always had (proper insurance, vehicle testing, PCO costs, etc). There is also a reduction in the numbers of minicab drivers as previously many of them were working outside of any legal framework. To attract people and keep them operators are having to put up their prices. Basically, if it seems very cheap there is every chance that the driver and/or vehicle may not be properly licensed and insured. I believe that the OP is a female who *may* be coming to the UK for the first time (correct me if I'm wrong please). In these circumstances I'd suggest that she uses a taxi rather than any minicab company as she doesn't have any knowledge about them. If she's able to get one from *personal* recommendation (rather than off this thread) then she *may* wish to use them - but can she be sure it's properly licensed and insured? -- Mike Hughes A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England |
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