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Why the train and not a cab??


Well you haven't said yet where she needs to go.

Heathrow (west of London) to central London is about 15 miles (as the crow flies).
The M4 motorway (freeway) is virtually a straight run past Heathrow and into the West End of London but at that distance, I doubt a cab would be cheap based on London prices but as it's not her daily commute, I'd personally bite the bullet and get the cab door to door. If its for work, maybe she can get expenses anyway.

Gatwick airport is south of London and maybe 25 miles (as the crow flies).
I've never had the misfortune to have to travel to London from Gatwick so I couldn't comment on rail / cab links but as with Heathrow, I'd guess door to door cab to be more convenient.

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If she is travelling to North or East of London from either Heathrow or Gatwick, it will take time.
Traffic on the M25 (the orbital motorway around London) can, at best, be a pain.

If she is travelling into Central London, well, like any old capital city, it was never designed or intended to allow the easy navigation of millions of cars, buses and taxis.
I believe the average speed of a car in Central London is less than 10 mph and on some days, I imagine 10 mph would be a luxury.

Trains into London then use the Tube to get around is an option. It's been many years since I was using the Tube so I couldn't comment of prices but I assume they run very frequently.

I guess it can be a bit daunting if she's never had to go there before but nowhere is a surprise these days with the internet. Anywhere can be investigated virtually before setting a foot there.
It's easy to find where she's going to be and the nearest tube stations, just Google it.

LONDON TRAVEL INFO HERE ...


A lot depends on where she is going ...

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Biggest decider is cost....

For example, the Tube (Underground) into central London is in the order of $10, fast train (Heathrow Express) nearer $60, verses anyway between $120-250 for the cab.

I fly through Heathrow to US about once a month and would never get a cab unless there was no other option.

If you aren't going into London, consider getting a car service from near intended destination. I live about 60miles outside London and the fast train costs almost exactly the same as the car service (into London and then out to where I live). Don't get a car service from near Heathrow...they will rip you off.

In terms of airports, you don't have much choice. More than 80% of trans-Atlantic flights go into Heathrow and those that don't are normally for a specific reason, like the flights from JFK to London City (LCY) which are really only run for business meetings in the financial centers on the east side of London.

In terms of airlines, make sure you compare like with like. For example American based airlines economy (coach) seats are bigger than BA or Virgin (BA are the smallest - and I say that as someone that flies with BA a couple of times per month), Virgin entertainment systems are the best, so if easily bored there is video on-demand and always something to watch. BA/Virgin also have the economy plus class (as well as business and first), which is the economy service, bigger seats, power, and cost about 3 times economy.

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