Airport to Contiki departure in London

For thousands of young travellers heading off on a European adventure, London is more than a destination — it is the starting point. But before the coach leaves for continental Europe, international visitors first have to negotiate one of the capital's airports, reach central London and make sure they are in the right place at the right time.

London is one of the world's great international gateways.

Flights arrive every day from Australia, New Zealand, North America, Asia and destinations throughout Europe, bringing travellers who may be visiting Britain for the first time.

For customers beginning a European tour with Contiki, London frequently serves as the meeting point before the journey continues across the Channel.

And for a first-time visitor, arriving at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton or London City Airport can make the first few hours of the adventure feel like an expedition in themselves.

Here's what travellers need to know before setting off.

London-departing Contiki trips use the Royal National Hotel in Bloomsbury as their departure and arrival point.

The hotel is located on Bedford Way, close to Russell Square in central London.

It is also home to the Contiki Travel Hub, the company's European customer-service base.

The central location makes the hotel reasonably accessible by public transport and provides travellers with an excellent base from which to explore London before their tour begins.

Many participants choose to arrive a day or two before departure rather than flying into Britain on the same morning as their coach leaves.

There is good reason for doing so.

International flights can be delayed, immigration can take longer than expected and baggage doesn't always appear on the carousel as quickly as passengers would like.

Arriving early removes much of that pressure.

For many international visitors, London Heathrow Airport will be their first experience of Britain.

Heathrow is London's largest airport and has direct flights connecting the capital with cities across the world.

One of the simplest public transport options for reaching Russell Square is the London Underground.

The Piccadilly line runs from Heathrow directly to Russell Square, from where the Royal National Hotel is only a short walk.

The advantage is that there is no need to change trains.

But there is another consideration that experienced London travellers will immediately recognise: luggage.

Taking a suitcase through an airport railway station, onto a Tube train and then through a busy central London station is very different from making the same journey with a small backpack.

For younger travellers packing for several weeks in Europe, bags can be substantial.

A pre-booked private hire transfer therefore provides an alternative, particularly for passengers arriving after a long overnight flight or carrying heavy luggage.

London Gatwick Airport is another major gateway for visitors beginning their European journey.

Unlike Heathrow, Gatwick isn't connected to the London Underground.

Instead, rail services connect the airport with central London.

Travellers heading towards the Royal National Hotel can use trains towards central London and continue to the Russell Square/Bloomsbury area.

Depending on the service and route chosen, this may involve changing to the Underground or completing the final part of the journey on foot.

Again, public transport can be very effective for passengers travelling lightly.

But someone arriving after a long international flight with a large suitcase may prefer a direct road transfer from the terminal to the hotel.

London Stansted Airport is particularly important for European flights and low-cost airlines.

It is located well outside central London in Essex.

The Stansted Express provides a rail connection towards London, with passengers able to continue their journey using London's public transport network.

For visitors unfamiliar with the capital, this can mean navigating both a mainline train and the Underground before reaching their accommodation.

It is perfectly manageable, but it is worth researching the route before travelling rather than attempting to work everything out after landing.

A little preparation can make the first journey through London considerably easier.

Passengers arriving at London Luton Airport can also travel towards central London by rail.

The airport is connected with Luton Airport Parkway station, from where trains operate towards London.

After reaching central London, passengers can continue towards Bloomsbury and Russell Square.

Travellers should remember that London Luton is outside central London despite carrying “London” in its name.

The same principle applies to Stansted and Gatwick.

Allow enough time for the journey, particularly if travelling during busy periods.

London City Airport is considerably closer to central London than the other major airports.

Passengers can use the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and connect with London's Underground network to reach Bloomsbury.

Because of its location in east London, journeys into the centre can be relatively straightforward.

London City is primarily associated with short-haul and business travel, so fewer long-distance Contiki travellers may arrive there compared with Heathrow or Gatwick.

Nevertheless, for those who do, it provides one of the shortest airport-to-central-London journeys.

There is no single answer that suits every traveller.

London has an extensive public transport network, and for someone with a backpack arriving during normal operating hours it can be an economical and practical choice.

A direct airport transfer becomes more attractive when circumstances change.

Passengers arriving very early or late, carrying large luggage, travelling with several people or simply exhausted after a long-haul flight may value being collected at the airport and taken directly to their hotel.

This is particularly relevant for first-time visitors.

After spending perhaps 20 hours travelling from Australia or New Zealand, navigating an unfamiliar railway and Underground system with a suitcase may not be the ideal introduction to London.

Packing is particularly important on a coach tour.

Contiki's guidance limits the main luggage carried on its trips, so travellers should check the requirements for their particular tour before leaving home.

The principle is simple: pack what you need, rather than everything you might possibly use.

European tours can involve numerous hotels and cities.

Every additional kilogram has to be carried into accommodation, out again and between destinations.

Large suitcases can also make airport and public transport journeys considerably more difficult.

Leaving some room in the case isn't a bad idea either.

After several European cities, that empty space may have mysteriously filled itself with souvenirs.

One of the easiest ways to reduce pre-departure stress is to spend the night in London before the tour begins.

It creates a buffer between the flight and the coach departure.

If the aircraft is delayed by a few hours, the holiday isn't immediately in jeopardy.

It also gives international travellers time to adjust after a long flight.

Someone arriving from Australia, for example, may be dealing with a significant time difference.

Heading directly from an international flight onto a European coach tour can make an already long journey even more exhausting.

An evening in London and a proper night's sleep can make the first day of the tour considerably more enjoyable.

Staying near the departure point has another advantage.

Other people on the same tour are likely to be doing exactly the same thing.

For solo travellers in particular, the evening before departure can be an opportunity to meet some of the people they will be travelling with.

Contiki's trips have a strong social element, and many participants travel alone.

That means walking into the departure area without knowing anyone is completely normal.

By the time the coach has travelled a few hundred miles, however, strangers can already be becoming friends.

Anyone imagining a leisurely first morning in London may need to reconsider.

Many coach journeys heading towards continental Europe depart very early in the morning.

Tours travelling towards destinations such as Paris or Amsterdam need enough time to reach the Channel crossing and continue into Europe.

That can mean meeting the group before many London cafés have even opened.

Travellers should therefore check the departure information supplied for their individual trip and be completely ready beforehand.

Set the alarm.

Then set another one.

An early departure creates another practical problem.

Coffee.

London may be one of the world's largest cities, but not every café is open before sunrise.

If the group is meeting extremely early, travellers shouldn't assume there will be time to find breakfast before departure.

Keeping water and a few snacks available can make the first couple of hours considerably more comfortable.

There will be opportunities to eat later in the journey, but an empty stomach can make an early morning feel much longer.

The morning the tour starts is not the ideal moment to discover your suitcase is overweight.

Check the luggage requirements in advance and weigh the bag before leaving home — or at least before going to bed in London.

Remember that airline baggage limits and coach-tour luggage rules are not necessarily identical.

Just because an airline accepts a particular suitcase doesn't automatically mean it complies with the requirements for the next stage of the trip.

Planning this beforehand avoids having to reorganise luggage while everyone else is preparing to board.

If you're travelling halfway around the world to begin a European adventure in London, it seems a shame not to explore the city.

Arriving one or two days early provides enough time for at least a taste of the capital.

Bloomsbury is well placed for exploring central London.

The British Museum is nearby, while Covent Garden, Soho, Oxford Street and the West End can all be reached relatively easily.

Travellers with more time can head towards Westminster to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, visit Buckingham Palace or walk along the Thames.

London doesn't have to be simply the place where the coach is parked.

It can be the first destination of the holiday.

London's transport system can initially look intimidating because of its sheer size.

For many journeys, however, payment is remarkably straightforward.

Contactless bank cards and compatible mobile devices can be used across much of the Transport for London network.

That means visitors don't necessarily need to understand every ticket option before making their first Underground journey.

Simply remember to follow the correct contactless procedure and use the same payment method throughout the journey where required.

For overseas visitors, it is also sensible to check whether their bank applies foreign transaction charges.

London journey times can be unpredictable.

Rail disruption happens.

Underground lines can experience delays.

Road traffic can become extremely heavy.

And an unfamiliar journey almost always takes longer than the same route does for someone who travels it every day.

If you need to be at the Royal National Hotel at a specific time, don't plan to arrive at the last possible minute.

That is particularly important on departure morning.

The rest of the group cannot reasonably wait indefinitely for one traveller stuck somewhere across London.

For many Contiki travellers, the real beginning of the trip isn't when the coach leaves London.

It is the moment the aircraft lands.

Suddenly the months of planning become real.

There is an unfamiliar airport to navigate, luggage to collect, British pounds to understand, a London hotel to find and dozens of people you haven't met yet who will soon become your travelling companions.

A little preparation makes that transition considerably easier.

Know which airport you're arriving at.

Know how you're getting into London.

Keep your accommodation details accessible.

Check your luggage allowance.

And most importantly, arrive with enough time to enjoy the experience.

Because once that coach leaves London, the pace of a European adventure can become very fast indeed.

For travellers beginning or finishing a European tour in the capital, Airports Transfer provides pre-booked private hire journeys between central London and the city's major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City Airport.

A direct transfer can be particularly useful for international travellers carrying large suitcases, arriving after a long-haul flight or reaching London late at night or early in the morning.

Passengers heading to the Royal National Hotel or other accommodation in the Bloomsbury and Russell Square area can be collected from the airport and taken directly to their destination without having to negotiate train changes or carry luggage through Underground stations.

For groups travelling together, vehicle selection should be based on both the number of passengers and the amount of luggage, as several large suitcases can require substantially more space than expected.

Likewise, travellers returning to London after completing their European tour can arrange a pre-booked transfer from their hotel to the appropriate airport for the journey home.

Whether London is the first destination, the last destination or simply the gateway to the rest of Europe, planning the airport journey in advance can make the beginning and end of the trip considerably easier.

Written by Airports Transfer for passengers travelling to and from London airports.