You have some train options at Heathrow airport. You can catch the Heathrow Express to Central London for about 18 pounds fifty. They promise that the trains leave every fifteen minutes and take about fifteen minutes.
Or you can take the normal train, what the Brits call the Underground, or "catching the tube", which is what we did. We "caught the tube" taking the Piccadily Line to Earls Court for only 4 pounds fifty each. Now the train lines on the underground are all colour coded. in this case we are taking the Piccadily Line, which is the blue line. the other thing to remember is that you have to see what zone your station that you getting off is located in. In our case it is zone 1 that is the inner circle of Central London. The Underground is the fastest way to move around London, although anyone who has ever caught it will remember, "Mind the gap please'. I actually saw that printed on a T shirt once.
Now, our journey took just over half an hour for the price of four pound fifty each.
TRAVELLER'S TIP: Catch the "tube', Go the Undergound.
Use the ticket machines, and avoid the lemmings all lined up at the ticket office.
Earls Court was closer than the next station, Gloucester Road, to our accomodation, and who wants to drag luggage any further than you have to. Well, we did. My fault. I went one street too far, and we had to go back around the block. But, I figure if I come 24,000 km, I can be one block out. Right?
Our hotel is called, appropriately, Base2Stay. It's our own Base2Stay in London. It has excellent ratings and reviews on the website, Tripadvisor. Generally that is how we choose our accomodation. Check Tripadvisor, carefully read all the reviews, peruse the Hotel's website, and either book at the website Wotif.com or direct with the hotel.
We came all this way, and found an Australian working the front desk. It was just after 8am, however their reputation is well deserved, and they managed to priotise our room to be ready by 10am. No doubt our fellow Aussie can sympathise with us after that flight.
We stroll around the corner, passing one of those private gardens like in the movie, Notting Hill, and down to Earls Court Road, past the pub on the corner ("the boozer" as the Brits call it), and down to "the Caff" (Cafe) feeling strangely like an Extra on East Enders. In fact I reckon I could be in Ian Beale's Cafe on East Enders. You're no doubt surprised to learn that East Enders is one our favourite shows. We started watching last time we were in London. Resisting the temptation to order a 'full English" breakfast, I chose scrambled eggs on toast, which I am sure I will be sick of after eating it every morning at our Bed and Breakfasts all over the UK.
Back at the hotel. I would like to say we went out and about exploring the rest of London, adding lots of pictures for you to enjoy. But no, we had a shower, and then fell blissfully and deeply asleep.
FACTS SHEET
Transport for London Website: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
Base2Stay Hotel
25 Courtfield Gardens, Kensington
website: http://www.base2stay.com/
