Flying into London - Advice Please

[stuartforrest]

I have to go to London on Tuesday (centre of the city) and have been into Denham before to visit somewhere further out. I know that no airfield is especially near to the city but can anyone tell me what the best one is to use. I need about 650 metres or more please.

The main issues are transport when I get there. i.e. Train into the centre nearby? etc etc.

[Superpilot]

Which ever way you look at it, you're going to have either a very long walk or taxi ride to the nearest tube/train.

Elstree - 2 mile walk or taxi ride to Elstree and Borehamwood train station that goes into Kings Cross or Marylebone I think, or Stanmore tube (Jubilee line) to Waterloo.

Denham not sure.

Stapleford, 10 minute taxi to Loughton tube, straight into Liverpool Street through to the West End.

Biggin Hill - forget it.

Redhill - 30 minute walk or 10 minute taxi to station, then slow train to Victoria. Then tube - Forget it.

[Fuji Abound]

Elstree is the best bet in my view :ok:

Done it a few times.

[MarcJF]

Your best bit is Elstree, quick to station and mainline into London, either King Cross or Farringon, City Thameslink etc. Where are you coming from?

[rosewellian]

Dont overlook EGLK Blackbushe then a 15min taxi ride to Fleet railway station which goes into Waterloo/Paddington?

[Saab Dastard]

There's Fairoaks also - 15 minutes by taxi to Woking, 25 minutes to Waterloo.

Landing fee for a single is about £15 now, I think.

SD

[helicopter-redeye]

Depends which end of 'central London' your going to, and therefore where the rail head is.

From Denham it's a 10 min walk DOWN the hill to Denham station and trains into Marylebone. (on the way back it's a 20 min walk UPHILL ...)

Fairoaks (Woking) to London has more trains per hour. If you have a taxi waiting when you land this is quite a quick route into W'loo.

Elstree OK for the north of the City or anything on the Jubilee line (via W Hampstead).

Consider a longer minicab ride from the airport to loose the train section as this is the big time grabber (waiting, then delays..). If you are doing the trip on expenses then use a car from any of the above locations to either destination or inner tube stop like Padd/ Kings X, W'loo, etc

h-r;)

[Johnm]

White Waltham is close to Maidenhead with train services to Paddington relatively easy and close to M4 for swift minicab ride if it's West End.

[stuartforrest]

I am going to Old Broad Street

http://local.google.co.uk/local?f=q&hl=en&q=old+broad+street+london&om=1&ll=51.515847,-0.084028&spn=0.037602,0.10849

Which airfield has the easiest access to a train station to get me to there fairly quickly.

I am flying in from Blackpool. EGNH

[paddyboy]

Stapleford's your best bet.

Central Line will take you straight into Liverpool St.

[stuartforrest]

Thankyou I will give Stapleford a try then. Not got that one in my logbook. Is it secure as I have to park overnight.

[bencoulthard]

I am planning to go to Lewisham and was thinking Biggin Hill but judging by some previous comments it might not be a good idea. Would staplford be better?

Ben

[edymonster]

To be honest getting to london from Biggin Hill is not to hard. There is a bus (no. 320) that takes you straight to Bromley South Station where there are regular trains to Victoria and Blackfriars.

[Keygrip]

Before you shoot me (or at least shout at me) let me say, in my defence, that i've not used them for 10 years or more - but what about Luton and/or Stansted?

Take away the cost of taxis (to put towards landing fees) and just use the direct rail service or bus route from the airport?

I'd be curious to hear some comparison figures.

[Red Four]

Personally I would go for Southend.
5 minute taxi to Rochford station, (There's usually one waiting outside the terminal), 50-55 minutes by overland rail to Liverpool Street. This is a frequent(every 10 minutes during peak periods) and usually very reliable service.
Arrivals/departures not a problem any time, (it's H24, with PPR between 2200-0800), and IAPs if the weather is 8/8 pants.

[paddyboy]

Is it secure as I have to park overnight.

As safe as any other airfield. Never known any problems myself...

Not flown in or out of there for a few years but my last(recent) info was that security had become rather more stringent due LEA carrying out public transport flights.

You'll be fine.

[bencoulthard]

Just something which may help is this web site http://www.transportdirect.info

It will give you a journey on buses and trains or by car. My friend helped make it and seems a pretty useful site. Especially if you dont know the areas so well.

Regards
Ben

[stuartforrest]

That London transport link is awesome thanks. I would have been guessing otherwise.

[FullyFlapped]

Keygrip :
Before you shoot me (or at least shout at me) let me say, in my defence, that i've not used them for 10 years or more - but what about Luton and/or Stansted?
Not into shooting anyone, and I can't remember the exact figure, but the only time I've used Luton (about two years ago) it cost me about £260 to get in and out again ! Really was very funny, because they only have one way of "handling" you, whether you pitch up in a Lear or a 172 : mini-bus comes out, three blonde beauties on board to play escort, then another van with two guys to handle the luggage (looked very disappointed with our two miniscule overnight bags), transfer to luxury private lounge, absolutely everything taken care of etc etc. We ended up parked next to jets owned, evidently, by Richard Branson and Kevin Costner ... bet they loved that ... !

I have to say, we had a real laugh with the staff, they were great and thought the whole thing as funny as we did. But it ain't cheap !

Don't know the score at Stansted, but I do know they don't have AVGAS ... I always use Elstree or Biggin. If you catch it right at Biggin and set everything up in advance, you can make London in 30-40 mins or so from landing.

FF :ok:

[potkettleblack]

The other issue with Luton is the extortionate rail fares to and from the airport. When I last used the Thameslink about 6 months ago it was £10 each way from West Hampstead to Luton.

[G-APDK]

If you are going to the City, then North Weald is another option, 10 minutes by cab to Epping tube and direct Central line (30mins) to Liverpool St. The Squadron on 01992 524510 will be happy to arrange a taxi and to give you more details.

Stansted very pricey for GA!

Phil