Transit in London: Navigating Your Way From the Airport and Around the City
London is a vast metropolis, and conference attendees can navigate their way through the city in a variety of ways, including subway, train, bus, and taxi cab. The Hilton London Metropole Hotel, home to this year’s conference, is centrally located and easily accessible by all methods of transport. Read on to determine the best ways to arrive at the conference hotel and to explore the area during your stay.
Many conference attendees will likely arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport, the world’s third largest, which serves an average of 190,100 travelers per day. Travelers can get to the Hilton via Heathrow Express Train, London Underground (the Tube), Heathrow Connect train, or taxi cab.
The fastest route from Heathrow into London, the Heathrow Express's nonstop trains run to Paddington Station every 15 minutes. After a quick 15-minute train ride, attendees can walk 0.4 miles/0.6 km to the Hilton London Metropole. Trains run from 05:12-23:48 daily from Heathrow, and from 05:10-23:25 daily from Paddington. The standard single ticket fare is £18 and a standard return costs £34.
The most economical route to London is to take the London Underground. The Picadilly Line runs from Heathrow to central London, where attendees can transfer to the District Line at Earl's Court Station to arrive at the Edgware Road station near the Hilton London Metropole. The trip takes around one hour, and a single fare costs around £5.
Other alternatives include the Heathrow Connect train or taxi. The Heathrow Connect train runs from the airport to central London with limited stops, ending at Paddington Station, a 0.4 mi/0.6 km walk from the conference hotel. The journey takes around 25 minutes, and one-way tickets costs £9.10. London taxis are available outside of each terminal. The cost to central London is £45 – £70 and the journey time is approximately 1 hour.
Conference attendees arriving at London’s other airports have options to take a subway, bus, or taxi cab to central London. Click to learn more about transit from Gatwick Airport, London City Airport, or London Stansted Airport.
Those arriving by Chunnel to the St. Pancras International Train Station can take the Tube four stops west on the Circle Line or the Hammersmith & City Line to Edgware Road Station, which is adjacent to the hotel.
Turn right (Southwest) on Chapel Street and walk a block. You will see a large building on the right hand side of the road, which is the hotel. Due to construction, the entrance has moved from the corner of Edgware Road and Chapel Street— follow the signs to continue on Chapel Street, and then turn right onto Harbet Road to enter the hotel. Please note that the Edgware Road Station on the Bakerloo line is closed at this time, while the Edgware Road Station on the Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City lines remains open.
Walk southeast along Eastbourne Terrace past the train station. Turn left onto Praed Street. Walk about four blocks; the hotel will be on your left. Turn left onto Harbet Road to enter the hotel.
Conference attendees have many options when it comes to visiting London’s sites. Some registrants have already signed up for an Oyster Card, London’s transit card that offers sizable discounts on subway (Tube) and bus fare. Those who did not purchase an Oyster Card during registration can simply purchase one in London at most Tube stations. For complete details on London’s transit system, and to check for any closures or construction changes, see their website at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/.
Those attending pre- or postconferences in London can check out this page for details on what station and what transit zone the preconference locations are found in.
Taxis are another option for traveling around town. Taxis are available at the hotel entrance, or at taxi stands around the city. Travelers should be sure to take a Black Cab, which are licensed taxis that have a “Taxi” light on top. These are metered cabs and the drivers are quite knowledgeable. Mini cabs are unmetered, and are not legally permitted to pick up passengers on the street. To learn how to order a black cab, please see here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/taxisandminicabs/taxis/1136.aspx