Heathrow Airport (London)
Last Updated: Aug. 31, 2010
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The Royal National Hotel is used as the London base for most Contiki Tours starting and finishing in London, England.
A great many clients choose to stay at either the Royal National Hotel or just down the road at the Imperial Hotel. The Royal National Hotel is also home to the Contiki Basement, the meeting point for tours starting in London and Contiki’s London travel base.
Directions from Heathrow to the Royal National Hotel and Imperial Hotels
When flying into London Heathrow there are cash machines available but it is advisable to have some British money (Pound Sterling £) on you for transport costs into central London.
Easiest
- The easiest, cheapest and best way to get to the hotels is take the Piccadilly line underground train that runs directly from all Heathrow airport terminals to Russell Square Station (only a short walk from both hotels). The cost is roughly £4.
- There are signs for the ‘Underground’ in the arrival terminals at Heathrow and the trains normally take about 45 minutes to get into Russell Square.
- The London Underground usually opens at about 5am Monday to Saturday and runs through until about midnight every night. Please Note: On Sundays the underground often opens around 7am. Times and as with all public transport in London, this may vary. If you are travelling to Heathrow for a flight on a Sunday you may have to take this into consideration.
For the Imperial Hotel:
Turn left as you exit the Russell Square Station at the street level. Take the second left along the main street. You will see the park that is Russell Square on your right hand side. The Imperial Hotel is on your left just before the end of Russell Square roughly 150 meters (500 feet) along the road. The ‘Day and Night’ pub is part of the hotel.
For the Royal National Hotel:
Turn left as you exit the Russell Square Station at the street level Take the second right and follow the road for roughly 100 meters (300 feet) and the Royal National Hotel will be on your left hand side on the opposite side of the road. The ‘London Pub’ is part of the hotel building.
Fastest
The fastest way to get from Heathrow Airport to central London and the Royal National or Imperial Hotel is to take the Heathrow Express Train from Heathrow to Paddington Station in London. From there take a taxi to either hotel at a cost of roughly £10.
Early Morning, Late Night and Public Holiday Flights
The British are generally quite traditional when it comes to public holidays (particularly big ones like Christmas and New Year) and the public transport services listed above may sometimes also take the day off. Likewise, if you need to get to Heathrow for an early morning flight public transport may not be open in time.
There are however other options available.
Transport for London has alternative public transport routes while Hotel Link and dot to dot offer door to door services for very reasonable prices on public holidays and early mornings.
A taxi from Heathrow to or from central London is reasonably expensive and should be used as a last resort.
Hotel Addresses
Royal National Hotel
Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7637 2488
or
Imperial Hotel
Russell Square, London WC1B 5BB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7837 3655
Add a Comment Comments (33)
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Hi
I am doing London to Athens 15 Aug – 16 September. Anyone on the same trip?
Explorer1196851
posted on Jul. 22, 2010
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I’m doing European Whirl August 16 to September 2, then Mykonos and Island Cruising September 6 – September 13. Message me on facebook if you are doing either at these times :)
http://www.facebook.com/jessclevs
Thanks!
JESS CLEVS
posted on Jun. 28, 2010
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I keep reading comments on how the airport has lost peoples bags and they dont get them for like 4 or 5 days are there any possible procautions that can be taken to stop this from happening to me?????
AUSJaq
posted on Jun. 26, 2010
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hmm im be interested go to london hey friends wait me…
Tutorial, Tips, Trick, Info.
posted on Jun. 14, 2010
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hi guys, how do I pre-booked a private car service for 25 pounds from Heathrow, direct to the Royal National?
Explorer1171217
posted on Feb. 28, 2010
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thank you all for the great advise, i’m looking forward to riding the tube once arriving in London…
alejandra_garcia03
posted on Feb. 10, 2010
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wow thats so soon you lucky things!! im waiting for european contrasts on june 11!!
Katie
posted on Jan. 06, 2010
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Hey Explorer1153025, I am going to be on the european encounter (winter) Feb 6th 2010 :) cant wait :)
Nat1986
posted on Dec. 26, 2009
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anybody going on the european encounter – winter feb 6/2010?
Explorer1160575
posted on Dec. 13, 2009
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If you can’t afford a train I would reccommend taking a coach from the Heathrow bus station. The prices are a lot cheaper than the trains although they are obviously a bit slower.
SiFu
posted on Dec. 10, 2009
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As much as the tube sounds scary it’s not, the best part about taking the tube from heathrow to russel square is your the first stop on the line so make sure you get a seat close to the door so you don’t have to push through everybody still on the tube who are about to get off at Kings Cross/ St Pancras.
Also once at Russel Square make sure you take the lift, Picadilly line is about 4 stories underground, with a backpack or suitcase, the stairs will kill you, and if you have to get off at a station with no lift then be prepared to struggle. Even a 23 year old girl gets no help from the friendly London commuters, in fact you’ll get more comments about being in someones way….Kathy
posted on Oct. 19, 2009
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Just an FYI, pretty sure dot 2 dot went out of business this week, in case anyone was planning on using them.
Explorer1153025
posted on Oct. 17, 2009
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The tube is really easy to navigate – don’t be afraid to push and pull your way through. No onein London says sorry for barging into people – don’t take offence from it, it’s the way it works!!
Also try to avoid rush hour – commuters have little patience for anyone standing in the way trying to read a tube map!!! Especially if you have your bags during this time, you can expect a few glares but it’s nothing to worry about.
The tube staff are really helpful as well so don’t be afraid to ask, i’m sure no question is new on them anymore!
It’s a definate experience, and culture shock if you’re not from city, but the tube is the best form of transport in London and something the city can be proud of.
Explorer1145368
posted on Jul. 31, 2009
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is anyone goin on the London, Paris and Amsterdam? (i dont think its got a fancy name!!) departing on August 22?
Juzzyc
posted on Jul. 23, 2009
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Hey!Is anyone doing the European Inspiration next month??
Explorer1144058
posted on Jul. 22, 2009
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anyone going on the european discovery in january 2010??
torz
posted on Jun. 21, 2009
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I’m seriously hoping that “the tube” is a lot like boston’s “t” if i can survive that during rush hour and sox fans i think i can survive anything…. i’m going on the Aug 11-20 great britain tour any one else going
megs2482
posted on Jun. 18, 2009
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Hey! Is Anyone going to the Great Britain trip on September 1-10? I’m traveling alone… message me on Facebook.
Jessica_22
posted on May. 30, 2009
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My question is why does contiki call it the “London Underground” when locals call it “the tube”? FYI, those who actually take the tube, the best time to go is on the weekdays from 10:00 – 14:00 (10a-2p) to avoid rush hour. It’s a pain to get through the herd of people during rush hour. I would say that it takes about an hour to get from heathrow to russell square.
—Chris
Elder Abuse – Report Elder Abuse
Christhebliss
posted on May. 13, 2009
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I arrived into London at roughly 9am and got onto the subway at about 11am. It was horrendous! After 24 hours on a flight, I was boxed in on a packed train, smelling terrible and with all of my luggage. The next time I went to London, I pre-booked a private car service for 25 pounds from Heathrow, direct to the Royal National. It was worth the money.
calabreseboy
posted on Apr. 10, 2009
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