I arrive in London a 5 days prior to the departure of the European Discovery Tour departing on the Sept 2 2007. We are staying at the St Pancras International YHA and will join the Tour on morning of departure. Can anyone advise, how long it will take us to get from the hostel to the Holiday Inn, Kings Cross by Taxi and the approximate cost. And If there is a better alternative. From the map I have the distance isn't that great - but then looks can be deceiving.

It is not far, walking distance about 15 mins. I would estimate Taxi Fare from 4 - 6 GBP but maybe extra surcharge for early pickup. YHA is opposite British Library near cnr Judd St/Euston Rd.

Hi Marg Ellen,
Like you, we arrive 5 days before our tour and are staying at a different hotel to the departure one.
We are planning to check out how to get to the right place in those 5 days and even time how long it takes us as well.

4 weeks to go now

Off on Romantic European
16th September 2007

Marg -you should be super fit after 5 days in london [and fine?] at that hour stroll to the departure hotel and drag your bag.

Sometimes, if the distance is not that far, it is better to walk.

Taxi drivers are not fond of short trips. We wanted a taxi to take us to Paddington station last year, from the Thistle Marble Arch, but as soon as we told him (through the window) where we wanted to go, he shook his head and drove off without us.

We ended up walking instead, dragging our suitcases behind us. It took us about 20 minutes, but it wasn't that bad, quite invigorating really, and I'm no spring chicken!!

When you are on the streets of London, it is amazing how many people you see dragging their suitcases, so it is not a silly as it sounds.

18 more sleeps for me, then I am off to London for a week, before joining the European Explorer.

Happy Travels
Gen

Hi Genieve, is it far from the Thistle to Paddington Station. We are finishing the E. Classic at the Thistle however we are booked in a the Quality Crown near Paddington Station. As this will be our first time in London do you have any directions that may be of help if we need to walk. Cheers, Lynne

Lynne
Paddington Station is on Eastbourne Terrace. To get there from Thistle Marble Arch you would turn left into Bryanton Street when you come out from the front entrace of the Thistle. Follow Bryanston Street to Edgeware Road and turn Right, you will need to cross to the other side of the road to make a left hand turn in Praed Street (about 1 1/2 km). I am not sure what street your hotel is on, but if you follow Praed Street for about 1 km, Eastbourne Terrace is on your right hand side of the Street, this is where the entrance to Paddington Station is.

There are a lot of backstreets but I don't know the names of these streets, this is a pretty direct route and would take about 20 - 30 minutes depending on how quickly you walk.

Alternatively - reverse route (not sure which way you mean to go from Thistle or from Quality Crown)
Paddington Station is on Eastbourne Terrace. If you turn left into Praed Street and follow this road through to Edgeware Road, you then make a right hand turn, walk up Edgeware Road to Bryanston Street, where you turn left. Thistle Marble Arch is on right hand side of Bryanton Street when travelling in this direction. The entrance is towards the top end.
I hope this helps you

Hope this helps
cheers
Gen

Hi, PaPa G here. On the EH tour ending on the 23/Oct/07 in Paris. Staying at Concorde St.Lazre til the week-end then taking the Chunnel train to London. What is the taxi service from the hotel to Gare du Norde station like in the moring at about 9:00. Is it still rush hour and is it expensive. Maybe better to take the Metro? Also in London, thinking of taking a taxi from Thistle Charing Cross to Paddington station to catch the train to Heathrow, again which way is easier?

Thanks Gen for your valuable help. Don't suppose it matters if we get lost a bit... it is all part of the adventure.Thanks again, Lynne

quote:

Originally posted by PaPa G:
Hi, PaPa G here. On the EH tour ending on the 23/Oct/07 in Paris. Staying at Concorde St.Lazre til the week-end then taking the Chunnel train to London. What is the taxi service from the hotel to Gare du Norde station like in the moring at about 9:00. Is it still rush hour and is it expensive. Maybe better to take the Metro? Also in London, thinking of taking a taxi from Thistle Charing Cross to Paddington station to catch the train to Heathrow, again which way is easier?

Pappa
You can pick up the tube from Charing Cross - Bakerloo line, this will take you to Paddington, not a very long journey. Once at Paddington, you will need to transfer from the underground station to the main line, you can just follow the signs in the station, it is fairly easy.

Not sure about Paris, though I know that at 9am the Metro is going to be very hectic, and I would not recommend it if you have a lot of luggage, it will be very squashy.

Hotel Concierges are an excellent source of information, so if you ask them, they will only be to happy to assist you.

Gen