Booking Taxi to Heathrow...

[jig]

Trying to figure out the best way to get four people with one suitcase(large) each(therefore wont fit in a standard car - need estate or van) to Heathrow from Essex. Dont want to pay the earth, but is it best to just get a local firm to take us?but then what about on the way back??

Or is there firms thats just specialise in this?

Or should I try and get a roof rack or something and park car there?Any ideas how much this would cost for two weeks?

[caygs]

Contact your local firms and get a quote. They will do an airport package, and for the return leg, the driver meets you at the arrivals gate with your name on a board!

[jig]

Contact your local firms and get a quote. They will do an airport package, and for the return leg, the driver meets you at the arrivals gate with your name on a board!

So far I have been quoted £75 for an estate and £90!! for a seven seater and thats just for the SINGLE trip not including a pick up!! there must be a cheaper way to do this.... :?: Its costing the price of a short holiday just to get to the airport!!:(

[caygs]

What about the train? Or tube if you can get to a Piccadilly line station? How about going the night before and staying in a hotel? To be honest, the long-stay car parks are about the same price as the taxi or a hotel, so it is up to you.

A mate of mine got a deal at a Gatwick hotel of £99 for the room, was able to check in the night before, minibus to the airport the next morning and car left in hotel long-stay for no extra charge. There are deals out there to be had, and to be honest, that would be a much more relaxing way to start your holiday than a mad rush.

[NicolaUK]

Unfortunately, those prices seem about right!

[cjanderson]

I'd say get the train then tube, but for 4 of you, it would be about £90 anyway.

can you not manage 2 suitcases in the boot and 2 on the backseat between or on top of passengers? if they are THAT large, how you going to check them in? or carry them when there?

Or, find a mate to drive you with an estate car? offer him a nice payment instead.

[ian-n]

So far I have been quoted £75 for an estate and £90!! for a seven seater and thats just for the SINGLE trip not including a pick up!! there must be a cheaper way to do this.... :?: Its costing the price of a short holiday just to get to the airport!!:(

Well it costs me £45 to go from Heathrow to my house in Hammersmith which is probably 10 miles from the airport (in a black cab mind) so your costs seem reasonalble for a minicab to Essex.

If you want it cheaper, you're just going to have to bite the bullet and hop on the Central line. Probably quicker than driving anyway. And next time book to fly from Stansted ...

[jig]

Thanks for all the suggestions, tried asking a friend who has an estate but is busy that weekend, train seems like too much hassle so it looks like im gona have to bite the bullet, and ring all the local mincab firms and try and get the best deal...

Thanks again guys

[maubp]

I used to drive to work and then get the bus/taxi to LHR. About the only good thing about the office location! I guess thats not an option?

Ah. You live in Essex, so probably not

How about paying to park your car at the airport?

I see you asked this your self. I think the prices are on the website... looks like about £150 for two weeks IF YOU PREBOOK. Have a look here:

http://secure.baa.com/baabook/baabook.asp

[Vulcan101]

A cheaper option for parking is to drive down the night before, stay in a hotel and use on of the cheap hotel parking packages.

https://www.holidayextras.co.uk/coastdirect/abcdirect.ASP?WCI=HotelAvail

[DeadKenny]

And next time book to fly from Stansted ...

Yeah, that's practical if the destination they want to can't be reached from Stanstead :oh-hum: (or maybe they don't want to fly no-frills cattle-class anyway ;))

Gatwick on the other hand... ;)


Anyway, I'd say take the tube/train or maybe see if there are any coaches, otherwise take the car (with roofrack if need be) and park.

www.parkingexpress.co.uk is a good site for cheaper (but secured) parking at Heathrow and Gatwick. About £133 prebooked when I checked, but it may vary on date.

Taxi prices sound about right. It's about £40 from Woking to Heathrow by taxi for a 7 seater, so I'd expect from Essex it would be loads more expensive.

[jig]

Thanks all, still have to0 ring around, but will let you know how i get on...

Cheers
Jig

[slow joe]

Does anyone in your party ride a motorbike?

[dharmesh]

Try Addison Lee for a car

[Ferdy147]

Went to barcelona from east midlands airport a few years back. The return flights for 2 of us cost £50 inc taxes etc.

The taxi from dudley to EMA cost £55!

Ferd