Category: Minicabs

There are many options to choose from when it comes to travelling to catch a plane. However, when you need to get there for a flight early in the morning, the most sensible option is to look around for the best hotels near London airports to stay in overnight. This stops any worry about traffic jams, delays on public transport or road works messing up your journey from home to the airport when you’re rushing to catch a flight.

Why stay in a London airport hotel?

Travelling up the night before an early morning or late-night flight enables you to have a more relaxed experience, even enjoying a meal, swim or spa treatment the in the evening before you fly. Or, if you are transferring between flights, booking one of the best hotels near London airports gives you somewhere to rest and relax before returning to the airport to catch your next flight (always check that your visa allows you to leave the airport and leave plenty of time to check in and sort your luggage when you return).

Another great advantage of booking one of the best hotels near Lond airports is that you can arrange for a minicab to take you to and from your accommodation very easily. Hotel staff will be very used to helping airport customers arrange transport to ensure they make their flights. There is plenty of parking outside for your minicab to wait for you, and the hotels are easy to find. The combination of a hotel stay and minicab ride can often work out cheaper than making other travel arrangements, such as driving yourself and paying for expensive parking or booking a train ticket at short notice.

What to look for in the best hotels near London airports

Staying in one of the best hotels near London airports also means you can get ready in comfort, repacking your bags to make things more convenient if necessary and making sure you have everything you need. You can explore the local area if you have time and fancy getting some fresh air before being cooped up inside an aeroplane for hours on end.

Finally, you can enjoy the amenities, such as free wi-fi, business services, swimming pools, spas, restaurants, bars and fitness centres. This can be extremely helpful if travelling with children, who may be bored waiting at the airport for ages, or stressed taking public transport while rushing against the clock.

Which are some of the best hotels near London airports?

Most of the major hotel chains will have premises close to the main London airports. At London Heathrow, there is the Sofitel, which is located close to Terminal 5 and has restaurants, a spa and 24-hour gym on site. Similar facilities are available at the  Hilton London, located an easy, ten-minute covered walkway away from Terminal 4. Here, food is served from 5am for early morning fuelling before a flight. Other hotels close to Heathrow include London Marriott with its heated indoor swimming pool and excellent view of planes taking off and landing – and Renaissance Hotel, which is very close to Terminals 2 and 3.

More of the best hotels near London airports are available by London Gatwick. Thes include the Sofitel London Gatwick Hotel, located less than a mile from the North Terminal and Holiday Inn London, just over a mile away. Both hotels have excellent facilities and easy transport, making them two of the best hotels near London airports for convenience and comfort. Other excellent and competitively priced options include the Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central and the Premier Inn London Gatwick. All offer relaxing, clean facilities with food, business services and easy airport transport routes via a private, comfortable minicab ride.

Traffic in London is a long-standing problem that has residents and tourists alike feeling frustrated, anxious and concerned on a regular basis. It is known as one of the worst cities in Europe for congestion and people are always on the look-out for ways to avoid London traffic. The London Underground and public transport system operate efficiently on the whole, plus London congestion zones are now a long-established thing. So why do cars and vehicles keep on coming into the capital causing queues, delays and hold-ups?

Despite the irritations of negotiating London traffic delays and trying to avoid London traffic hotspots, the city remains hugely popular with motorists. Whether they are coming in to work, sightsee, go to the theatre or meet friends, people still rely on their cars to get them safely in and out. So, is there anything that you can do to avoid London traffic and discover the best way to get around London?

Avoid London traffic by taking a minicab

There are all sorts of ways to travel around London, including tube, DLR, bus, boat, bicycle and by foot. However, don’t disregard the option of taking a minicab. While you are still sitting in a vehicle, you have the huge advantage of your driver knowing the most effective minicab routes London has to offer. Your minicab driver will know how to avoid London traffic hotspots and how to tackle London congestion zones. Taking a minicab also removes the hassle of finding somewhere to park and having to navigate by sat nav or map as well as concentrate on the road.

Plan ahead to dodge London traffic delays

Wherever possible, plan your journey into London for a time when there will be fewer cars about. Avoid morning and late afternoon rush hour, for example, and aim instead for quieter times of day. Factor time into your schedule for delays and hold-ups. This means that you will feel less frustrated if your minicab does encounter traffic – and means that you are far less likely to miss your train, plan, theatre show or dinner reservation. Book your minicab early too, so that you can be sure of availability when you want it. This is especially important if you are travelling in a larger group as you may need to book a bigger vehicle, or more than one cab.

Research the fastest routes in London

Although your minicab driver will already have a good idea of how to get you to your destination, you can still look up best ways to get around London if you want to have more control over your journey. Your minicab driver should be happy to take your ideas into account, so long as they are not too far out of the way. It is highly likely that you will have both thought of the same routes in any case. Don’t forget to check for roadworks and road closures that could affect your planning. Look for alternative routes in case you come up against something unexpected. If there is a difference in opinion, about which way to go it is better to defer to your driver. They are more likely to have experienced the trip before, understand road safety laws and know the best way to avoid heavy traffic.

Stay safe on your journey

Always book with a reputable minicab company to ensure that you experience a professional, smooth and safe trip. Book the right vehicle for your requirements, for example one with plenty of space to fit luggage in if you are travelling to a London train station or airport. Give yourself plenty of time to get into and around London to avoid stress levels rising and allow time to make rational, safer decisions around negotiating your journey. Always get in and out of your minicab in a quieter area and never open the door into traffic. Keep a close eye on children to make sure they sit quietly in the cab and do not endanger anyone inside, for example by distracting the driver.

Booking a minicab or taxi for an airport transfer might seem like the most straightforward thing to do in the world. However, as with so many seemingly simple tasks, there are still several things that can go wrong if you fail to plan, get the details muddled up and book the wrong thing. Airport transfer mistakes can prove costly and highly irritating if they lead to your missing a flight or spending more money that you originally intended to, in order to put right something that was not organised correctly at the beginning.

Read on for more booking minicab tips that will hopefully help you avoid common airport transfer mistakes and enjoy a smooth booking process and easy, trouble-free travel to and from the airport next time you travel abroad for business or pleasure.

Plan well in advance – don’t leave it too late

It is excellent practice to pick up the phone or go online to book your airport transfer minicab as soon as you know which flight you are going to be taking. Minicabs can get booked up in advance, especially around more popular times of year for travelling, such as Christmas, summer holidays or for larger sports or cultural events. It can be very frustrating to have to keep phoning round companies to find a minicab that is free to take you where you need to go. Leaving it too late can often result in having to pay more as a short-notice booking, which prior planning can help you avoid very easily.

Make sure you’ve got the details right before you book

This is probably one of the most important airport minicab tips to follow. If you have a larger party travelling with you, nor need to take bulky equipment with you, such as a wheelchair, pram or large suitcase, you will need a bigger vehicle. It’s no good asking for a standard sized minicab, only to find you cannot fit everyone, or everything you need to take with you inside it when it arrives at your door.

Likewise, check, double check and then check again the details of your flight – date, time, airport and terminal. You will need these when you book – and a mistake can cost you time, money and the goodwill of those travelling with you. It is such a quick an easy job to check details before you book that this is one of those minicab tips that shouldn’t need emphasising. Don’t ruin your journey by falling foul of this one!

Stay in touch with your driver

When you book your minicab, you will normally either receive the contact details of your driver to stay in touch directly with them, or be granted access to an app or website to keep the company in touch. This is vital if your flight is going to be delayed, you need to change your booking details or your plans change altogether and you no longer need the minicab at the time you booked it for.

If you have the contact details, or a means of updating your driver, you can also let them know about flight number changes if you miss a connecting flight, as well as alert them to bring a bigger car if you have got more luggage than originally planned.

Know how much the ride will cost in advance

Most minicab companies that carry out  airport transfers will have a fixed rate for taking people to catch their flights,. This may vary. Depending on time of day, number of people in the group etc., but it should be made clear to you on booking how much the minicab ride will be. This will help you plan your finances and ensure you have enough funds to cover the costs. Choose a reputable minicab company to avoid this most frustrating of airport transfer mistakes.

Ask for details of any additional charges that you may incur upfront, such as flights delays leading to the driver having to wait longer than expected for airport pick-ups or bringing a large amount of luggage with you. In the same vein, check how you are allowed to pay and make sur you have the right method of payment ready to go.

When you are planning a trip to London as a tourist, there is so much that you need to think about, that it can be difficult to get everything down in one plan. However, a key aspect of any tourism holiday planning is to make sure that you know how to get around safely and easily when you arrive in England’s bustling capital city. This is where knowing how and where to book reliable, knowledgeable tourist minicabs can be a huge advantage to anyone keen to explore the sights of London as a tourist.

Read on for some top London travel tips for holidaymakers and reasons why choosing tourist minicabs can turn a good holiday into a truly fantastic one.

Airport travel – arriving in London

From the moment your aeroplane touches down at a London airport, your priority becomes working out how to get from the arrivals terminal to your hotel, next public transport stop or first planned location to begin your holiday in earnest. Booking tourist minicabs to meet you at the airport and take you where you need to go is by far the most convenient, quick and easy way to tackle this. You don’t have to worry about navigating your own way around, nor book or plan for parking. Train and bus timetables do not come into the picture at all, and airports are normally set a fair way out of the main part of the city, so walking is right out as an option.

Airport travel – time to go home

Booking a minicab gives you comfort, confidence and convenience, right at the start of your trip. Likewise, choosing tourist minicabs to take you back to the airport at the end of your stay helps prevent unwanted hassle and stress at the end of what we hope will be an amazing time in London. You can pay in advance, or at least agree a quote so that you know how much money to set aside to pay for your trip to the airport. Once the minicab is booked, you can relax, knowing that you will be on time for your flight and don’t have to worry about public transport being cancelled or returning a hire car before heading across to your plane.

See the sights in style

This is one of the best London travel tips around. If you travel by tourist minicabs when exploring London, you not only get to see more out of the window of the vehicle as you are driven past beautiful tourist attractions, but you can go straight to your chosen destination without having to go all around the houses on public transport, or having to get the sat nav or ,map out to drive round unfamiliar roads and missing out on seeing London properly. You can even ask the minicab to stop for a while if you pass something that you would like to take a closer look at along the way.

Children, older people and vulnerable passengers

Tourist minicabs offer a higher level of safety, comfort and privacy when you have young children older people and companions with disabilities in your party. You can explore the city far more easily when you have access to your very own mode of transport and have room in the boot to bring pushchairs, mobility aids, changing bags and more. You can enjoy a private journey with far less stress, noise and disruption than public transport can offer. Having the opportunity to alleviate these types of anxieties from the offset makes being a tourist in London far more enjoyable for everyone concerned.

Local knowledge and insights

Your tourist minicab driver is very likely to know a lot about London and the areas that you are interested in traveling to in order to explore. Even if they don’t have all the answers right away, they can normally direct you to a website or physical location that can help, such as a tourist office, town hall or local information service. Minicab drivers often have fascinating stories to tell about the area, or insights into places that are more ‘off the beaten track’ to discover a more authentic London as frequented by the locals. As you will be the only passengers in the driver’s vehicle, they can devote their time to providing you with tailored London travel tips, as well as a smooth, safe and convenient ride.

During school holidays, there will be many families out and about, going on fun daytrips, enjoying shopping in the sales and meeting up with friends across London and the rest of the country. Family outings in England’s capital can be huge fun, but they can also come with higher levels of stress if you don’t prepare for them enough. Here are some top tips to help you enjoy a festive trip to London at this hectic time of year, starting with several reasons why you should consider booking minicabs for families.

Book one or more minicabs for families

Rather than trying to rely on public transport in London, which will be crowded and could well experience delays and interruptions if the weather is bad, why not book a minicab to take you where you need to go? You can be collected from your chosen location at a pre-arranged time and be driven straight to where you want to go. Once there, you don’t have to worry about finding and paying for parking. You can enjoy privacy an comfort in your very own minicab and have plenty of room for luggage if you are planning to stay overnight or return with lots of shopping bags full of exciting purchases.

Plan ahead to avoid the crowds

London is buys at any time of year and more so at and just after Christmas and New Year. There are many attractions to enjoy, as well as additional seasonal treats, such as a visit to see Father Christmas, pantomimes, plays and ballets, Christmas craft workshops and festive light displays. Aim to book at less busy times so it makes it easier to get there and less crowded. If you cannot choose your arrival time due to the event starting at a fixed time, book a minicab to get you there safely and conveniently in plenty of time to get in and settled before the proceedings begin.

Look after young children

Navigating London with young children can make life a lot harder. You need to remember a lot more equipment, factor in times for naps, nappy changes and feeding and basically keeping them and everyone safe and out of the way of the crowds while you go from A to B. Always pack more spare clothes, nappies, baby supplies and snacks than you think you will need. That way, if you are delayed or something unexpected happens, you are well prepared. Travelling by minicab offers even more comfort and space to bring things like pushchairs, car seats, changing bags and toys.

Check out fun for free

London can be very expensive, especially if you are with children (and adults!) who are keen to see and do everything. However, by taking time to do some research online before you go, you can find a plethora of free or low-cost activities that will help you enjoy a fantastic family outings in London for far less expenditure. Most of the big museums are free to enter and can offer a full day’ worth of entertainment. These include the Natural History Museum and Science Museum, both of which contain several floors of fascinating exhibits and activities for families to enjoy.

Take your own lunch and snacks for cheaper dining – even in frosty weather, you should be able to find sheltered spots to enjoy a bite to eat al fresco. Other ideas for free things to do in London include walking round to look at the Christmas lights on Regent Street, Trafalgar Square and Carnaby Street, among others and watching the street entertainers in Covent Garden and along the South Bank.

Don’t try to do too much

Often, family outings can end up with some members feeling overwhelmed if the group tries to pack too much in at once. The Christmas and New Year period can often be hectic anyway with all the preparations, excitement of Christmas Day itself, travelling to see relatives etc. London has. A lot to offer, however it can sometimes be better to take things at a slower pace and not try to do too much. Plan some downtime, such as a stroll or run round a park, a long, lingering lunch or a mooch round your favourite shop. You can always plan a return visit. Plus, if you use minicabs for families to get in and out of the city, planning a trip to London is made even easier!

Anyone who has ever taken a train, coach, flight or ferry knows the importance of efficient, reliable transfer to the station, airport or terminal. Trains, planes and boats don’t wait for individual passengers who are running late to arrive – they simply leave without them. Thus, arriving on time is vital in order to catch your train and complete the onward journey. Train station transfers completed via minicab commutes are an ideal way to ensure a smooth, stress-free journey into the train station, whatever time of day you need to catch an onward train.

However, the benefits don’t just stop at getting to the station on time. When you travel using minicab commutes, there are a whole host of additional advantages to consider. Here a just a few to get started.

Leave the car at home

Train station transfers done via minicab commutes are a great way to avoid many problems associated with bringing your car into a busy city or town train station. You do not have to find or pay for parking, nor worry about your car getting damaged or broken into in the station car park. It is easier to sit back and allow your minicab driver to navigate, rather than having to work out where to go yourself. Finally, you don’t need opt think about topping up fuel or charging your car, as you will be using a minicab to reach your train instead.

 No public transport stress

Booking a minicab also removes the stress of working out when public transport sets off from your nearest stop and arrives at the station. A minicab will take you directly there, rather than stopping multiple times to collect and drop off other passengers. You can agree a fixed fee on booking and pay in your preferred way instead of having to work out how to pay a bus driver. Your minicab will arrive when you need it to and will not be too overcrowded with fellow commuters to fit you and your luggage inside.

Easy transfer of luggage

Using minicab commutes for train station transfers helps greatly when you have a larger amount of luggage to move. This could be to go on holiday, visit family or to take a business trip. Whatever the reason, being able to transport heavy suitcases, laptop bags and more safely and easily by minicab will save a lot of effort and hassle at the start and end of your journey. There are normally trolleys and other avenues of assistance available at the train station to help you move your luggage from the minicab onto the train.

Save time and effort

It can be very useful to have some quiet time to yourself on the way to catch your train, sitting in the back of a comfortable minicab. You can make phone calls, check emails, catch up on conversations and plan what you are going to do for the rest of the day. You cannot do this when driving yourself, as you must concentrate on the road. Likewise, on public transport, you always need to keep an eye on where you are and at which stop you need to alight. It can be too noisy for phone calls as well

and if you cannot fid a seat, you will be unable to work effectively while standing up and being crowded by other passengers. You won’t have to wait around for public transport if you book a minicab – it will arrive when you ask it to and set off straight away for the train station.

 Safe and sound

Finally, you can relax when taking a minicab to the train station, knowing that you and your fellow passengers will be comfortable and safe the whole journey. You can enjoy the privacy of your own personal vehicle, driven by a professional, experienced and discreet driver. You are guaranteed a seat and can keep an eye on everyone in your party, as well as your luggage, safely stowed in the boot or at your feet. When you arrive at the train station, you will not be jostled by other people rushing out of public transport towards the station. You can wait until the minicab is safely parked and then get out and move off at your own pace.