KymH

Hello again! We are finally almost there, leaving in one week, and I have just a few more questions for all you helpful Fodors regulars. We are flying on American from SFO to Chicago and on to London Heathrow, and then we fly British Airways to JNB. We have a seven hour layover in London (11:30AM to 6:60pm), and we’ve never been there before. We’ve been told by the airlines that leaving the airport might be more trouble than it’s worth, as it would require that we go through customs. Any opinions on this? Is it good advice? A quick visit outside the confines of the airport is very tempting...

If we are sequestered to the airport (departing from terminal A), are there any great places to eat or shop? We don’t have access to the Admiral’s Club, so are there any places for the common folk to freshen up, and maybe even take a shower? Seven hours in any airport sounds a bit tedious, especially with 11 hours of flying before and after, so any ideas would be appreciated.

A question for our fellow contact lens wearers; American Airlines website states that you take extra saline solution (must be declared) in your carry-on, even if it’s larger than 3oz., but we can’t seem to locate any mention of it with British Air. Has anyone else dealt with this? With all of the reports of lost luggage at Heathrow, we really don’t want to put it in our checked bags, and we certainly don’t want to have it confiscated by security.

BA also publishes that your carry-on bag must not exceed 56x45x25cm (22x17.5x9.85in), whereas American simply states that your bag should not exceed 45 linear inches. Are the British checkpoints really militant about the 9.85 inch height limit? I’m almost packed, and only 31 lbs (thanks to the great Fodors comprehensive packing list!), but my bag is probably closer to 12 or 14” high. I’m pretty sure this will still fit in an overhead compartment, but I want to be sure so we don’t get forced to check all of our primary baggage, as our checked bags allowance will be used for duffels with school supplies, T-shirts and sports equipment for the school kids near Djuma.

Thanks for all your help - you guys are great! I LOVE this forum!

suzic

KymH,

There are plenty of places to eat and shop in the Heathrow airport. I have not been to the "new" terminal- but I am sure you will have plenty to keep you going. Look up the facilities at the terminal by googling heathrow and showers or whatever you are looking for. BA can be strict on the luggage sizes especially with carry on's. I personally would not leave the terminal, as the security is a problem. I would pack the extra saline, and just take the 3oz, just to be safe. There are plenty of good drug stores in Johanessburg where you can purchase more if you need to when you arrive.

RELAX- everything will go smoothly, and you will have a wonderful time!!

tripgirl

In so far as the amount of layover time, you have a really nice buffer should somethng go awry in leaving the states. So your 7 hours could cut down to be much less.

However if all goes smooth ( and it will, think positive!), there are lots of shops and great people watching. Leaving the terminal is more trouble than its worth as I find even with transferring to the next terminal where your plane will depart to Africa in of itself takes lots of time.

There are showers for public use and I have used them, however it was some time ago and I do not remember the exact locations. Well worth it though, I always pack 3 days worth of clothes and essentials in my carry on, so I showered, changed and felt like a new person.

On our journey to Africa this June we actually got a room at the Heathrow Hilton Hotel and found it to be well worth it, but we had much more of a layover than you do
and my husband was recovering from a foot ailment that pretty much kept him from schlepping through the airport to look around.

In so far as luggage sizes, as the previous poster said, BA is kind of tight on restrictions but I have seen larger bags get on BA than what they state. You might want to check with them again.

You'll have a great time!!!

atravelynn

Here's what I've done and what I usually do:

One time I went to a nearby village via a shuttle bus and stayed at a rooming house that had nice very small rooms, a shared shower, nearby restaurants, and a swan pond on the premises. It was reasonable and if you are interested, I can look up the details.

Another time when I was traveling with 3 other women, we got a day room at an airport hotel (Hilton maybe) and took a taxi to some lovely nearby gardens.

Mostly I just stay at the airport and read, nap to catch up from not much sleep on the plane, and stick my bags on the complimentary carts and wheel them around for some exercise after all that plane sitting. There are many lovely shops and places to eat in the terminals I've been in.

Seven hours seems long until you encounter possible delays that could eat up a good chunk of that time.

I also recall a shower opportunity somewhere, but don't have details.

I would bet that your bag will be ok. One trick you might try if your bag is a duffle type that can be squished: If there are shoes in that bag, take them out and tie them to the handle of the bag to make more room and squish it down to 12" if need be. The tied-on shoes don't seem to get counted in the dimensions. If BA got militant you could also take out other stuff from the bag (wear the binocs and hat, tie a jacket around your waste) and squish it down to 12".

Maybe you already have one, but you could consider one of those safari vests and stuff your belongings in the pockets.

Good luck--just a week--how exciting.

dmlove

This is exactly what Yotel is for:

http://www.yotel.com/

Wingi

KymH,

As an English person, who has to fly through Heathrow, I would not attempt to go out of the departure area at a peak time (August)for that short(!) time.

Security and other check-ins are a nightmare - really long queues and very strict about everything!

Airport staff also have a history of 'strike action' during August, although I haven't heard anything threatened lately.

If I were you, I would have a look on the Heathrow website at what there is to fill the time at that terminal. Not sure what Terminal A is tho' - Terminals at Heathrow are 1 to 5, with 5 being the new one.

In my experience, British airlines and airports are more 'militant' than US ones! We have often had to 'wear' items from our carry-on.

scfphoto

We are also flying through London Heathrow from the US west coast on Virgin Atlantic with a 6 hour layover . They use terminal 3 does anyone have info on shower facilities in that terminal. Do they charge a fee and is it within the security area? We don't want to leave the terminal but I am sure a clean up will feel good after the long flight. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

Wingi

If this link works it shows you where the showers are in departures at Terminal 3. (on page 4)
http://www.baa.com/terminalmaps/flas...HeathrowT3.pdf

I've no idea whether you have to pay.

pattyroth

We had a seven hour layover at Heathrow also on our way to TZ and actually didn't mind at all. Great shopping and fun to walk around. I wore a photographer's vest and stuffed my pockets. Our bag was a bit bigger but soft-sided so it could be squished to any size. It really takes the worry away to know you have that long layover in case your flight is late. Have fun! www.pbase.com/pattyroth

llorear

This link will get you to the information on showers at Heathrow.

http://www.heathrowairport.com/porta...0357e120a____/

KymH

OK-you guys rock! Seriously!
We will take your great advice and hang out in the terminal (which is 5, by the way, not A!). I'll pull a couple more things out of the carryon and check them. It is soft sided. I love tip about tying on the shoes, atravelynn!

We fly straight from JNB to Kruger, so I don't know if there will be time to find saline there...but since they have a "militant reputation" I'll just have to think of something! Wingi and llorear, thanks for the shower links. I have a feeling we will be using them!

Thanks, everyone, for all your help again. I'll be sure to do a trip report when I get back.

LyndaS

Not sure about T5 as I haven't checked yet, but T4 has a private lounge that you pay about $75.00 (for 2, not 100% sure of the price, but it's around there). I haven't been in it, but often thought it would be worth it to use it, apparently they have showers, eating facilities (not sure whether it's free or pay), comfy chairs, ottomans, TV, etc as far as I have heard. It would be worth cit checking it out - do a search on the LHR site for private lounge, it should come up.

I read about this in someone's trip report once & checked into it, sounded good.

LyndaS

PS, forgot to mention if a day room was in your budget, Sofitel just opened up at T5 - but I don't know the price yet.

napamatt

Security can be completely over the top at LHR in particular they have been very hot on bag size in the past, I would definitely make sure what you have conforms.

hymjr

All this info is so helpful because we too are arriving LHR (12:25 pm) from LAX next Wednesday with a 7 hr layover before leaving LHR (7:20pm) to DAR. We arrive Terminal 3 (AA) and then go to Terminal 4 (BA). As we're flying with AA miles business class, I was hoping we might be able to use the American lounge upon arrival before going to BA's Terminal 4. Wonder if they have shower facilities?? Anyone ever do that? Is it worth taking the time there? If not, would you suggest heading directly over to Terminal 4? People are suggesting there might be long lines at security. A shower and walking around before another 9 hour flight would be good.

Also we just checked our soft-sided carry-ons (we were only going to check an extra backpack for toiletries over 3 oz) and discovered they both have one dimension that is 11" rather than 10". Other dimensions are fine - 22x18. Should we not take the chance and go with our 22" wheeled carry-ons that meet all the required dimensions? Though they're not soft-sided, we can still get away under the 33lb limit for the small planes in Tanzania, and our safari vehicle will just be the two of us. How strict is BA on the size of a carry-on backpack for the camera & lenses. Their website indicates the personal item can only be 36 in total. Do they pull out a tape measure?? Is all this scrutiny done at the boarding area?

Wow, all these last minute details!! But still beyond excited about the trip! Been a year in the planning.

LyndaS

Last year when we flew BA thru Heathrow the one bag only was in effect, and they meant it. They were tough, but they have relaxed that now to one bag and one personal item such as a purse or a laptop.

They checked us just before we got to security in T4 when we were coming back (changing planes only). They didn't pull out a tape measure, but they were making most people put their carry on in the 'sample size rack thingy' that you see in all airports. One woman stood there until she managed to get it crammed in there and then said 'See?' She was really proud of herself, but it took 5 minutes of every one's time to wait for her to cram it in. Personally I was amazed she got it out again...

Gordon_R

On the saline question, the restrictions only apply when passing through security. Once you are through security and airside at T5 you can go to Boots chemist and buy as much saline or solution as you like. I do this regularly. Now they've sorted out most of the teething problmes that plagued its opeing earlier this year, T5 is very nice with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants.

JaneB

I second the Yotel which is located in T4--has bed, tv, shower, etc. You reserve it by the hour with a minimum of 4 hours (I think). GREAT for a day stop-over.

loru100

I "third" the Yotel...we haven't stayed there yet but we have it booked for September on our way to Nairobi. It cost us $122 for six hours. FYI, they charge your credit card as soon as you book.

JaneB

Only drawback with Yotel is that you pay for specific hours and when your flight is delayed (as ours was) you are out of luck for the time you missed. Our flight was 2 hours late arriving so we only got 4 out of 6 hours usage. Still, it is wonderful to lie flat on a bed and rest between long flights. I would do it again for a daytime layover.