Getting from Heathrow to Bloomsbury

Q: I am taking my Mom to London in January 2012. I would like your advice on the best way to get from Heathrow to our hotel in Bloomsbury. I don't want to use the underground as I don't see my Mother managing luggage up and down escalators or stairs. I would prefer a bus and then a taxi. We are on rather a tight budget. - Ingrid Sweeney

A: The cheapest way to get to your hotel without using the tube would be to catch a National Express bus to Victoria bus station and then take a black cab to your hotel. Tickets for the bus would be five GBP each and the cab should cost you around 15GBP, so the total cost would be 25 GBP. Of course, it would be much more convenient to take a black cab from Heathrow to the hotel, but this is likely to cost 60-70 GBP. A less expensive choice would be to book a transfer with one of the companies serving Heathrow. I checked on the website www.airport-pickups-london.com and I was quoted 44 British pounds for the journey from Heathrow Airport to your hotel. You will be greeted at the airport on arrival and taken to the vehicle. Another excellent option is the Heathrow Shuttle, which is a door to door shuttle service in a shared minibus. This would take you and your mother from your Heathrow terminal to your hotel in Bloomsbury. Using the website www.heathrowshuttle.com I was quoted 38 GBP for the journey. I think you will agree that the private taxi and shuttle services are worth paying a little more for than the bus/cab option through Victoria station. With regard to your hotel, remember to check that it has a lift or request a room on a lower floor. Many of the smaller family-run hotels in this area do not have lifts. (2/10/11)