I will be arriving in Heathrow around noon with a lot of luggage (around 4 big pieces). Will I find room in taxis to take this to downtown London or should I book something in advance ?
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2Where abouts in London are you headed? A black cab from Heathrow to the centre isn't the cheapest thing to get...– GagravarrCommented Oct 11, 2015 at 15:23
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I am going near St Pancras. Which option would you suggest ? Carrying the bags myself in the public transportation is not an option.– user36139Commented Oct 11, 2015 at 15:34
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Get a luggage trolley, down to the Heathrow Express, unload the bags onto the HEX, in the dedicated luggage areas, express train to Paddington, grab another luggage trolley from the platform at Paddington, up to the taxi rank there, and taxi along to STP. Should be quicker and cheaper– GagravarrCommented Oct 11, 2015 at 15:41
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Tx for the answer. Regarding prices maybe I should have said that we were two.– user36139Commented Oct 11, 2015 at 16:02
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1@AleksG Thanks for the info, I am actually in the same situation. I followed the advice in the answer and pre-booked a taxi.– user36139Commented Oct 12, 2015 at 4:50
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2 Answers
Taxis that you can get from a taxi rank at the terminal (without booking ahead) are 'black cabs'. A black cab is probably big enough for 2 people plus 4 big bags, but might be a bit of a squeeze (depending on your definition of 'big'). Expect to pay £45 to £85 (depending on traffic) as per https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/taxis-and-minicabs/taxi-fares
You can get a good view of the size of a standard black cab in this video: http://youtu.be/YzvejjipQy0
Taxis that you can only book ahead of time are 'minicabs', there's a price comparator here: https://www.minicabit.com/search_trip.php Expect to pay about £40 - tell them about the luggage in advance so they don't send a vehicle that's too small. If you want a large, reputable minicab firm then you can do worse than Addison Lee: http://www.addisonlee.com/passenger-services/airport-transfers/heathrow-airport-transfers/
Uber exists in London and will charge you £53 for an UberXL vehicle from Heathrow to central London as per https://www.uber.com/cities/london
Personally, I'd get the Heathrow Express train to London Paddington and get a taxi from Paddington, it'll be cheaper (if you book tickets far enough ahead for the HE) and also quicker than a taxi all the way from Heathrow. (Traffic coming from Heathrow to Central London can be pretty terrible). It's pretty easy to get luggage on and off the HE, it's a large modern train designed to serve the airport. Step-free access, plenty of luggage space, enough time to load luggage, etc. https://www.heathrowexpress.com/tickets-deals/prices-fares Heathrow Express ticket prices start at £6.99 per person (if you book 3 months ahead), a taxi from Paddington to St Pancras should take about 10-15 mins and cost 10-15 pounds. HE journey time Heathrow->Paddington is 15 mins, trains leave every 15 mins. https://www.heathrowexpress.com/timetable-schedule/heathrow-london If you're coming from terminal 4 then you have to change trains, otherwise you don't.
You are absolutely right not to take 4 large suitcases on the Tube (London Underground), but the Heathrow Express is a different kettle of fish entirely.
Enjoy your trip!
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3My view is that they'd fit in a black cab if you're not paying excess luggage at check-in. Remember that the space where a passenger seat in the front would normally be is available for luggage, plus the area where the other 3 people a black cab can take would sit. Note that black cabs charge extra for lots of luggage.– ablighCommented Oct 11, 2015 at 19:36
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4Just a note: several years ago, two of us arrived into Heathrow with 6 large suitcases plus 2 small-ish backpacks plus 2 laptop bags plus a couple more small bits and pieces of luggage - we were moving to UK. Both of us plus all the luggage had no problem fitting into the black cab.– Aleks GCommented Oct 11, 2015 at 20:54
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Agree that it should fit in a black cab, have done so a few times, though it might get a bit cramped. Note that there are now "new generation" black cabs which are much larger (Mercedes mini-vans), and there should be no issue at all in those. If it won't fit in a regular black cab, just stay on the side of the queue at the taxi rank and wait for such a taxi to come, it shouldn't take too long.– jcaronCommented Feb 17, 2016 at 12:11
In your shoes I would get a pre-booked taxi service. You'll be able to put one or two bags on the back seat if they don't fit in the boot. If there is more than one of you travelling, you should say that you have a lot of luggage and a bigger vehicle will be provided.
