Travel & Stay
Travel
Airports
London Heathrow (LHR) is the closest and most convenient airport to Kew Gardens. However, our favorite airport is London City (LCY). London City does not offer many flights to/from America but has connections to all over mainland Europe.
Trains
London is an excellent jumping-off point for exploring Europe by train. We’ve found the high-speed routes to be often faster and more relaxing than flying. It’s a great option if you’re planning to extend your trip before or after the wedding!
Lodging Recommendations
We recommend staying near Kew for easy access to wedding day events:
Clayton Hotel - Chiswick
A modern, comfortable hotel with easy transport links to and from the heart of London. A great choice for those wanting a bigger hotel that’s still in walking distance to Kew (roughly 1 mile).
Coach and Horses Hotel - Kew
A charming, classic pub hotel just steps from Kew Gardens. Perfect if you want to stay close to the wedding venue.
We’ll be staying at this hotel for those who wish to be at the same place as us.
Airbnb
A flexible option across London, often more affordable and ideal if you’re looking for laundry access or staying a few extra days.
If you’re looking to stay more centrally located in London, here’s a few of our favorite London neighborhoods:
Southwark / Waterloo / London Bridge: Located on the south side of the River Thames, this area is very well connected to the rest of the city and offers plenty to do. You’ll find markets, restaurants, riverside walks, museums, and great city views. Prices have increased in recent years, but good value options can still be found.
Liverpool Street / Shoreditch: A lively area known for nightlife, pubs, markets, and great people-watching. There’s lots happening around the newer developments and transport links are excellent. It can be noisy at night and accommodation quality can vary, so we recommend reading reviews carefully.
Notting Hill: An affluent neighborhood with iconic colorful houses, boutique shopping, and charming cafés. It tends to be more expensive and can take a little longer to reach other parts of the city due to fewer direct Tube connections.
Westminster / Covent Garden: One of the most central and tourist-heavy areas of London, with many high-end and luxury hotels. It’s ideal if you want to be in the heart of the city, though accommodations here are typically more expensive. Tube stations in this area can be very busy during peak times and weekends.
Aldgate East / Whitechapel: Situated on the eastern edge of Zone 1, this area often offers some of the more affordable accommodation options within central London. It’s slightly more residential and a bit farther out, but still well connected. Travel time to Heathrow can range from 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the route.