New London airport transport options

Though there are plenty of ways to get between central London and Heathrow, I’ve always found that none are quite ideal. Taxis are convenient but pricey. The Underground is cheap but slow. The Heathrow Express—the train that connects Heathrow with Paddington Station—is faster but pricier, and you still have to get to your final destination from Paddington. If you take the bus, you’ll still need to spend more time and money getting to your destination from the drop-off point.

That’s a long explanation as to why a new transfer option recently caught my eye. U.K. bus company National Express has just launched dot2dot airport shuttle service using 10- and 12-passenger vans. The service transports passengers between the airport and hotels in central London for £22 (about $45, see XE.com for current exchange rates) for one person (or £35 round-trip), or £35 for two (£66 round-trip). The service offers good value for people who don’t want to pay a ton, but do want the convenience factor of door-to-door service.

While you’re weighing the options, you might also look into booking minicab service, which is less expensive than the traditional London black cab service. Check with your hotel to see if it has a relationship with a minicab company. You should be able to find out the flat rate in advance, then compare the cost to your other options.

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