Will we have enough time for a quick tour of London? We have a 5 hour layover in Heathrow Airport. ?
I understand security is a nightmare. Our flight from Barcelona lands at 0900 hrs, and our connecting flight to Houston leaves at 1405. What nearby sights would be worth leaving the airport for a couple of hours?
London - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I think you would be pushed for time. If you take the Heathrow Express to Paddington, and from there the Underground to Westminster, then you'll be able to see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and you might just squeeze in the London Eye. I wouldn't try the Tower of London on this short visit as it is a bit out of the centre and takes a long time to see properly.
2 :
No. The London airport is about an hour at least, depending on your mode of transport and traffic, to the city. I would suggest just staying in the airport and doing some duty free shopping. I had a 5 hour stopover there last year, and we went to Virgin records, bought a dvd, and watched it on our laptop.
3 :
Hi, There are a couple of things you need to find out before considering leaving the airport to sight-see. The first is whether your baggage is going to be transferred by the airline or whether you will need to collect it at baggage claim and then check in again for your next flight to IAH. If your baggage is going to be automatically transferred this will save you some time. Once you are off the plane you will need to go through immigration which isn't a big deal if you have an EU passport. Lines can be long at Heathrow but they do move. If you don't have an EU passport the process will take longer. So assuming the best case scenario ie, your flight lands on time, you do not have to collect luggage and you have an EU passport you could expect to get through the airport in about 30-40 minutes. If not allow about 1 hour. Once you get out of the airport you could either hop on the Heathrow Express which will get you to Paddington station in central London in about 20 minutes. From here you can jump in a taxi over to sites such as The Houses of Parliament or Westminster Abbey, or wherever else you care to see. The alternative and probably more relaxed option is to take a 15-20 minute taxi ride from Heathrow Airport over to Windsor Castle which is very close by and a wonderful place to visit http://www.visitbritain.us/Attraction/Windsor/Castle-or-Fort/135949/Windsor-Castle.htm Do also take into account when planning your time that although the plane departs at 1405 usually you have to be at the gate 45mins-1hour prior to departure. You will also need to leave a substantial amount of time to get through security at Heathrow. Personally I would make sure I got back to the airport no later than 12-12.30pm. I hope this is of help and that you have a wonderful time.
4 :
personally I wouldn't risk coming into London with such a short amount of time available ... if you get stuck anywhere you could easily end up missing your onward flight the previous suggestion to take a cab over to see Windsor Castle is much more sensible ... I can't think of anywhere else within easy reach of Heathrow that would be worth your while
5 :
For international flights you need to check in 2 hours before so you'd only really have 3 hours, that not going to be enough time to get anywhere let alone see anything. The international lounge has some nice places to eat and shop so your really best off staying there.
6 :
I wouldn't chance it! Even as a "local" I would be scared of missing the flight. US flights are a 110% nightmare for checking in. If you are travelling Business Class check in is just a bore. If you are in cattle class you could end up with a nervous breakdown. The security and slowness will drive you mad! You genuinely need to be in the queue 2 hours before! When you get back thank Mr Bush for the inconvenience he has wished on everyone! That and the US Immigration "Service" we meet when we arrive in the US is why we don't bother to come to the US anymore! Have a nice day in the UK, Heathrow is the pits!
