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).