Cotswold Eagle

That certainly changes the character of your cruise, unfortunately. I’d certainly think hard about changing itineraries, if the islands were something that interested you. Did you find Scrabster harbour’s cruise directory of attractions and things to do? A half day is pretty limiting, though. Another page on that site states there are courtesy buses to Thurso - you could walk one (or both) ways along the coast.

It’s not a big deal 🤣 Seriously, could you carry it up two flights of stairs at home? Then you’re fine. The stairs at St James’s are easy - wide and shallow - and I’ve seen people drag and bump big wheelie cases up them.

I think you are describing Advance fares, valid only on a particular service. In that case, if the train doesn't run, the ticket can be used on another service, you can get a refund, or in some circumstances travel another day. See the FAQs on National Rail's Industrial Action Page.

But by definition, these are not 'public toilets' - they have to be provided for the use of customers on the premises, not the wider public.

This generalised and, in terms of the Heathrow arrivals flow signage, inaccurate advice is perhaps less helpful than the specific directions to the correct bus stops already provided….

Why? It’s important we are accurate on matters of fact. I was going from memory and an outdated reference on the Heathrow website 😀 But the T5 map (last page is landside arrivals) agrees with National Express. OP - my route is still applicable and you’ll find stands 11 and 12 roughly two coach lengths before stand 13, just outside the exit.

My point is that it's not clear whether the first question is about Amsterdam generally (thread title) or purchasing an Amsterdam City Card (indirectly inferred in the first post).... I suppose it doesn't really matter, as in both cases the statement is demonstrably false, but if the OP could point to what they have read then any confusion could be cleared up more satisfactorily 😀

Oh, I think that bit was clear, but the title of the thread is "Amsterdam---only Euros or debit cards accepted, not credit cards???'"...that's the ambiguity and a very odd thing to believe one has read somewhere!

Assuming you have booked the bus from Terminal 5, it's very easy - the stop is just outside the terminal. As you exit the secure area, you will see an exit directly opposite you - go through that, past the lifts (elevators) for the car parks and out to the road. Turn left and look for bus stops (stands) 13-16, which is where National Express services call. You will want to wait inside the terminal, as there is hardly any seating outside - there are a couple of coffee shops with seating just inside the terminal building..

This thread really needs clarification from the OP. The title is very wide ranging, but the initial post seems to suggest this is specifically about buying the Amsterdam City Card. In either case, there seems to be some misunderstanding, which could be resolved if the OP came back and showed exactly what she has read that led to the question being posed!

That’s not what the rail planner is showing me - the £32.70 fare is via the bus service (hence two changes), the via Reading route (one change) is pricing at £63.80.

There is engineering work on the line that weekend, so a partial closure with a replacement bus service in place (the two change options, which otherwise would be the direct option). This is unlikely to change. The one change option is a long way round via Reading.

No taxi rank at Farringdon. I imagine you have considered changing at Bond Street to the Jubilee line and going to Southwark, which is a five minute walk from your hotel?

Would have been my first thought, too, but using the tube from LHR seems a bit infra dig on this board these days 😀 But as you say, not an option this weekend.

Your enthusiasm for the Elizabeth Line is now rearranging the geography of central London 😀

If the OP is staying near Tower Hill, it might make sense to go one stop extra on the Elizabeth to Whitechapel and then back two stops on the District. With the huge caveat that I don’t know what the Whitechapel change is like to the District - it’s the route I use to get to the East London line - and I think there might be steps out at Tower Hill?

Can you be more specific about location? Which side of the river? And ‘best’ is subjective. Easiest and most convenient would be a car or taxi from the airport, but also by far the most expensive.

At Kentish Town? About 60 feet - it’s effectively the same place, but a separate entrance to the National Rail station is being used during the tube station closure.

Interesting, thanks, although there’s maybe a difference between an expectation and providing a way to give a tip. QR payment codes will link to a payment page or app, where card details can be entered or a device native method, such as Apple Pay, used. I wonder if they have preset suggested levels of tips.

And just to confirm, there is no form of check-in on the national rail network,. At the gate line, you either scan the bar or QR code on your ticket, or if travelling within the London travel zones, tap a contactless form of payment. You may need to press a button on the train door to open them. Doors will lock 1 minute or 40 seconds before departure.

I took a train from Waterloo at the weekend, for the first time in ages, and noticed that prior to a specific platform being indicated, for some (and maybe all) trains a range of possible platforms was shown, e.g. for my train 12-15. This allows folk to be in roughly the right area on the concourse to board their train. Southwest mainline services, including trains calling at Southampton, are most likely to leave from the middle block of platforms, 7-16. There are 24 in total since the old Eurostar terminal has been brought back fully into domestic use.

Your implacable opposition to the Heathrow Express is impressive, but it remains the quickest and most comfortable service to Heathrow, and the only one that has trains actually designed for travellers with luggage. With a bit of advance planning, which I realise the OP doesn’t have time for, it can also be the cheapest. Even that “painfully expensive” walk up fare is no more than the price of a couple of pints of beer more than the Elizabeth line. For this London and Cotswolds resident it remains first choice. OP, your plan of using a Paddington area hotel effectively as an airport hotel is sound. You have the choice of two direct services (HEX and Elizabeth line) to the airport, which provides a bit of resilience, although as they converge at Heathrow there are points of failure that would disrupt both.

I was at the Beaconsfield services on the M40 the other day, and noticed that the compressed air machines there now have contactless payment! OP (and others) I know the feeling of wanting some good old fashioned cash in hand, so have a little (and you will be able to spend it if you don’t want to take it home), but don’t overthink it. Incidentally, the internationally recognised code for pound sterling is GBP. (I know the £ symbol can be tricky on American layout keyboards). I was wondering about the relevance of boarding passes (BP) when I read this thread title and BSP defeated me for a while (British sterling pounds, maybe?) Or, you know, just say pounds 😀

This is a very important clarification required. I think @barbarapga said at one point near Heathrow, which might imply the one at Hatton Cross (which is simply called HGI London Heathrow Airport), and advice might change then. Previous suggestions are based on staying at the HGI London Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, which is on, rather than near, the airport.

There's a really good thread on here that will give you loads of ideas....oh, wait a minute 😂😂 Likewise, good to see you and bon voyage!