Cotswold Eagle

I had to look up the Crestfield, as I’d never come across it. As expected, it’s a two star, budget hotel in a townhouse, of which there are hundreds in London. I’d say it’s reasonably reviewed, not stellar, and I trust you understand what it will be: - very small rooms, with little storage and nowhere to sit - no air conditioning - no lift, steep stairs - no dining, no breakfast, probably very little communal space such as a lounge. I suspect the “non-alcoholic bar” is little more than a fridge at reception The reviews do suggest it’s clean, comfortable and there’s decent hot water, which is not always given with this sort of hotel! These hotels are fine to flop for a night, and as you say close for a train from St Pancras (but I don’t imagine you’ll be leaving very early), but I just encourage you to have reasonable expectations of the hotel.

Some actual data here from the Netherlands central bank. Interesting regional and sector variations, and I’m sure there would be similar in the U.K. The extent to which retailers still accept cash as a means of payment varies widely by retail sector. While on average 4% of retailers put up PIN-only notices to indicate they do not accept cash, this is significantly higher in a number of specific retail sectors, such as cinemas (22%), car parks (16%) and pharmacies (12%), our survey shows. This means the cash acceptance rate in these retail sectors is too low.

Wow, that's harsh! I could understand not being able to change (e.g.) from Victoria to Heathrow, but from one terminal to another at Heathrow seems a bit different. Particularly if it's actually the same bus calling at the different terminals. But I guess "the computer says no"...

Let’s not get carried away…. 🤣🤣 There’s a value in certainty when making plans from afar, and easier for us to say “It will probably be like this” (and deal with it if it isn’t!), so you were probably right too 😀

Yes, although a local private hire might not be much cheaper. People get a bit confused because its well understood that black cabs on the rank at Heathrow HAVE to accept a fare up to 20 miles or one hour, but that only applies if the destination is in Greater London - and lots of places that are really quite close to Heathrow are not!

Some airport hotels are also out of the zone, so they may have been within their rights to refuse or negotiate (offer!) a fare, which is what seems to have happened.

A decent rail link to Heathrow from the West is one of the great missing links. I pass through Reading when I'm heading to Heathrow from the Cotswolds on the train and I stay on a fast service through to Paddington and take the Heathrow Express out to Heathrow - most comfortable and about the same timings. Starting at Reading, personally I'd do the same but that has a cost disadvantage over the Railair coach, which is the simplest thing to do, and the TfL fare on the Elizabeth Line.

The old mole is well inside the modern harbour and there is only a short section left, including the lighthouse at the end. It has been surrounded by landfill for the port, where the container terminal is. This thread in the Great War Forum illustrates where the action took place.

Thank you for your review. Overlord have been mentioned many times on this board, but good to have recent experience. However, as per this sticky, Cruise Critic has decreed that Le Havre,and indeed the whole of the French Atlantic seaboard, should be considered part of the Mediterranean…. No doubt your post will be moved over there, so no need for you to cross post.

On the Schipol Airport website.

OP, if your motivation for staying at the airport is easy access for your early flight, I would say Amsterdam is one of the cities where this should be the least of your worries. Easy transport from the centre to the airport, even early morning. Of course, you may get a better deal near the airport - hotels in Amsterdam are eye wateringly expensive these days - but don't forget to factor in the transport costs there, back and there again, as well as the time it takes out of your day.

Are you suggesting it's possible to see Orkney in the half day the OP has in Scrabster? Even if the ferry times worked, which I doubt, the return journey would take a half day in itself.

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?