Arriving in London
Students, if your school makes group arrangements in coordination with FIE, please follow your group’s instructions for arrival in London.
If you are arriving independently, you must check in at Metrogate Residence upon your arrival.
The Metrogate address is 3-7 Queen’s Gate Terrace London SW7 5PE.
You are required to inform FIE of your flight arrangements prior to your program. If your scheduled flight is delayed, please contact FIE at:
Foundation House: 011-44-207-591-7750
Metrogate: 011-44-207-823-7440
24-hour emergency number: 011-44-207-808-0131
From Heathrow Airport
By Tube
The least expensive and easiest route is to take the tube directly from the airport. Follow the signs in the terminal to the Underground and take the Piccadilly Line (dark blue) to Gloucester Road. This costs approximately £4. From the Gloucester Road stop, walk or take a taxi to Metrogate Residence. This is very easy if you are not carrying too many bags - another reason to pack light!
By Taxi
The most expensive route is to take a cab from Heathrow. A licensed black cab will cost around £40, depending on traffic. This is costly, but if you are sharing a cab with another student and have heavy luggage, you may find it worth it. Don’t take a cab without a meter unless you have called ahead to book a car service. We recommend Green Tomato Cars.
By Train
The Heathrow Express train runs every 15 minutes from the airport to Paddington Station. Current prices can be found on the website. You will then need to make your way from Paddington to Metrogate Residence, either by tube or taxi.
Click here for the Heathrow Airport website.
From Gatwick Airport
By Train
Follow signs at the airport to the trains. Take the Gatwick Express train from the airport to Victoria train/tube station. Current prices can be found on the website. Trains leave every 15 minutes. It is advisable to ask which platform you need to wait on, as Gatwick is a mainline station with trains to other destinations. From Victoria, either take the Circle or District underground train to Gloucester Road station (approx £4) and walk to Metrogate or take a taxi directly to Metrogate (approx £10).
Although Gatwick is farther out than Heathrow, it is a very simple process to get into town. Do not take a cab from Gatwick unless you want to spend a fortune!
Click here for the Gatwick Airport website.