Getting from Heathrow to London

[Julofhiddenacres]

Our family is traveling to London next month. DH and I have visited England before, but flew into Manchester. This will be our first visit to London, and the first overseas visit for our three teens. I'd welcome some advice on the best ways to get from Heathrow to our hotel on the South Bank.

I'm wondering if it would be easiest, though expensive, to hire a car to take us straight to the hotel, given that we will be arriving on an overnight flight from the US, and dealing with jet lag. I checked the price of train tickets, and for 5 of us, it adds up. It's been a long time since DH and I used the subway anywhere, and our kids have never tried it. I think we'd be game, but maybe not first thing!

That might be more information than anyone needs, but I wanted to avoid the dreaded drip feed. Again, any suggestions welcome.

To add- I get the tube from LHR to Pimlico most weeks
Takes about 45 mins- 60 minutes depending on the time of day.

But it would be far easier to get jubilee from green park to Waterloo, the hotel is a spit away from the south bank exit.

I haven't done the maths, but in your shoes I'd be looking at getting a taxi

Thanks for the information and suggestions. We've booked with Twelve Transfers to pick us up and drive us to our hotel upon arrival, but will use the Elizabeth Line to get back to the airport when it's time to fly home again.

On another note, does anyone have a recommendation for a good fish and chips shop in the Westminster or Lambeth areas? 😏

Hmmm… it’s not a great area for fish and chip shops as not very residential. You would probably get fish and chips from
a pub.

Agree with PP - you’ll probably get touristy places.

Poppies in Soho is nice, but is very much restaurant style fish and chips.

Head to Greenwich for a day and you’ll find a couple of good places there!

The food market at the south bank has some nice takeaway food but I don’t think any of it is fish and chips

Or Covent Garden and go to Rock and Sole Plaice

You could try The Regency Cafe between Victoria Station, the Houses of Parliament and tate Britain. It's a proper 'greasy spoon' and an experience in itself but they do Fish and Chips as a special each Friday lunchtime. It's pretty popular and we queued outside the door when we went, but it isn't really a place to linger so the tables turn pretty quickly and you keep moving forward.

You queue, order and pay, take a seat and wait to hear your order called out to collect. The lady is memorable 😁.

Its been in films and TV including Layer Cake if you know it....

Why would you not get the Tube?

Four people may not be much cheaper on the tube than a taxi, and managing all the luggage on the tube and changing lines will be a hassle.

Másters fish and chips in Waterloo Road is one of the best fish and chip shops in London and only a short walk from your hotel.

Ooh, noted!