Colin Rosenstiel wrote:
In article ,
(Paul Corfield) wrote:

My only comment on the above would be that Waterloo and Waterloo
East will be busy. A better explanation of the relationship and link
between the Waterloo Stations would help a stranger as it's not that
obvious and I've always found big main line stations to be moderately
bewildering places the first time I've ever used them - whether in the
UK or elsewhere. That's partly why I went into such excruciating detail
in my first response - trying to make an "alien" environment as
understandable as possible.

Not a consideration with the Southwark-Waterloo East connection though,
surely? Doesn't it connect with the other end of the Waterloo East
platforms?


Yes, and I think there is one of those TV screens with the list of
departures and platforms as you come through the LU barrier.

This is slightly more useful than the ones at the main end which just
say "Dartford expected 5 mins", with no indication of which one it
might be (given, as I've mentioned before, the thirty stations on five
different routes to Dartford).

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.

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!

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

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!

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

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).

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).

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?

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