Getting to London:

Which Airline Should You Choose .

Getting To London From Heathrow

You can get to London by either:

Car Bus Taxi Train Car

It takes approximately 45-60 minutes to get to central

London from Heathrow. When leaving Terminals 1, 2 and 3,

follow exit signs to the access/exit tunnel. Follow signs

to the M4 motorway, which will eventually bring you into

London. Terminal 4 is on the main A30 road. The M4 and

M25 orbital are signposted. Again, follow signs to the M4

which will eventually bring you into London.

Bus

The Airbus links Heathrow Terminals with many London

hotels and some main line rail stations. It departs every

20 - 30 minutes and takes approximately 1 hour and 15

minutes. Airbus A1 - Serves Victoria London voa several

London hotels. Airbus A2 - Serves Russell Square via

Euston rail station and also drops off at some West End

hotels. Airbus Direct - Serves many central London

destinations from Terminal 4 with additional services

from Terminals 1, 2 and 3. One Way: £6 Round Trip: £10 Tel:

+44(0)181 897 2688 There is also an all night bus service

from Heathrow to central London. Taxi Follow the signs

in each terminal Arrivals areas for taxi ranks. The journey

time to central London is approximately 45-60 minutes and

will cost you between £35 and £45. Train Heathrow has two

rail services to central London. In addition to the London

Underground is the Heathrow Express service to London

Paddington station.

Getting Around In London:

The Tube

The Underground or the Subway is known as the 'Tube' in

London. It is fast and convenient and allows you to shoot

across the entire length of London without a clue as to

the traffic chaos above. It is relatively inexpensive and

there are weekly or monthly passes known as Travelcards.

Stations are easy to come by and usually within walking

distance of each other. However, because of its

convenience the tube is often crowded and can be stifling

in summer.

If you are on a commuter's schedule, realise that so is

the rest of London.

The Tube covers Zones 1 and most of Zone 2. It also

covers part of Zone 3 in the North and West. In the case of

Heathrow airport, the Tube will take you all the way there.

The Tube conveniently links up with London Bus stops and

British Rail stations.

Red London Buses

The famous red London buses are very easy to use and a

popular means of transport. They are frequent and, because

of the lack of doors, you can hop on hop off whenever the

bus slows down enough. If a traffic jam strikes, hop off

and you'll be there before your bus catches up. The

current mayor of London is trying to phase out the old

buses in favour of new double-deckers with doors -

let's hope it doesn't happen!

Buses link residential areas of London where the Tube

tracks don't go, and also crisscross Zone 1 as an

alternative to the Tube. A ride on the bus in Zone 1 is

£1.

Travelcards can be purchased that are also valid for bus

travel. Travelcards can be bought at any London

Underground station or from News Agents bearing the

Travelcard sign. To purchase your first Travel Pass you

will need to bring a passport sized photograph.

When the normal services stop, night buses take over.

They run less frequently however are very useful services to

get you home when the tubes shut down at around 1am.

Night buses usually start around midnight and have the

letter 'N' before the usual bus number. They seem to

congregate around Trafalgar Square and the nearby streets

that radiate out from the square, so head that way when

the clubs close and you're desperate to get home for

some sleep.

British Rail

British Rail is the above-ground equivalent of the Tube.

These trains can be excellent to use if you live out of

Zone 1 and just off a Tube line and want a speedier

option than the bus. British Rail will take you in to Zone 1,

but not far, as the Tube takes over from there for obvious

town planning reasons.

Main British Rail stations closest to the centre of London

are Paddington and Victoria servicing the West and South

West, King's Cross and Euston servicing the North, and

North East, Waterloo servicing the South and London

Bridge and Liverpool Street servicing the South East and East.

If you'll be using this service frequently, you can

purchase a British Rail TravelCard.

Black Cabs

These famously shaped taxis, where you can face the other

members of your party limousine-style, are a good way of

getting around. The drivers know London like their own

backyard and you will see would-be drivers zipping around

town on mopeds with books open in front of them. They are

studying for their Black Cab test. Quick trips in and

around Central London aren't too expensive but this

probably wouldn't be your main mode of transport.

Mini Cabs

Can be useful because they travel into parts of London,

i.e. Zone 2 and beyond, where you will be pushed to find

a Black Cab. But be wary of them too. These are not

registered or licensed or checked-out in any way. These

are the normal looking cars parked on the side of the

road asking if you need a lift. They are not metered and

you will need to agree on a fixed price for the ride

before getting into the car.

These are co-ops of drivers who form a cab company. If

they don't find you first, you can call their office

number (you should see minicab business cards distributed

around) or approach the office in person. Please be

careful using minicabs for the obvious reason that they

are not licensed cabbies. If you are female and travelling

late at night, please try and find another way home. Night

buses come in handy when the Tubes close down for the

night.

On Foot

A bit of a stroll down the Thames Walk or a walk from

Buckingham Palace/St James Park over to High Street

Kensington will keep the grog and pub food from taking

too much of a toll. London is one of the best cities to

explore on foot. You see all the little lanes and shops,

pubs and theatres that you would otherwise miss Tubing

from A to B.

Where To Stay:

Brunel Hotel, Bayswater

Ideal location from which to explore central London. Close

to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and within walking

distance of Paddington Station. All the bedrooms have en-

suite facilities, telephone, hairdryer, television with

satellite channels and tea and coffee making facilities.

Where to eat:

Destino, a Latin-inspired restaurant, bar and deli, has

opened at 25 Swallow Street, off Regent Street. The

ground floor deli serves brunch, lunch and dinner, and has an

evening lounge bar, with a range of South American beers,

tequilas and cigars.

What To See:

Buckingham Palace. The Queen opened Buckingham Palace to

the public for the first time in 1993 to raise money for

repairs to Windsor Castle.

The Tower of London. According to Shakespeare, the young

princes and heirs of Edward IV were slaughtered here by

their wicked uncle, Richard III.

Westminster Abbey. Resting place of the royals, is one of

the most visited churches in the Christian world.

British Airways London Eye. Paris has the Eiffel Tower,

New York the Empire State and now London has the British

Airways London Eye - an extraordinary symbol for an

extraordinary city. The world's largest observation wheel

offers a spectacular way to take in over 55 of London's

famous landmarks in just 30 minutes!

Where To Shop:

Lulu Guinness, 66 Ledbury Road, London W11 2AJ

Manolo Blahnik, 49 Old Church Street, London SW3 5BS

Louis Vuitton, 198-9 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9QX

Gucci, 32-33 Old Bond Street, London W1X 4HH

Entertainment:

The new Red Rock Café/Bar at 12 Swallow Street, off

Regent Street, is the place to go if you're up for something

like an "American- style biker bar meets "Coyote Ugly"

experience. Red Rock has an all-female bar staff who

dance and parade atop the bar to classic rock anthems.

Live bands perform on stage, and a juke box plays rock

and soul tracks from the mid-60s to the late 90s. Red Rock

stocks a wide range of bottled beers, spirits and cocktails has

a North American-inspired menu; and decor featuring a

1960s Harley Davidson bursting through the brick wall above the

bar.

Arm wrestling, air guitar and karaoke competitions are

among the attractions. It is open 5pm to 3am Monday to

Saturday, with a door charge from 11pm.