Jetlag and London first night question
Jul 9th, 2006, 07:11 PM
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Jetlag and London first night question
This will be our first trip to England or Europe this coming summer. I am planning to stay at the Marriott County Hall most of the trip in London, but wondering if we could save a few bucks the first night upon arrival by staying at an airport hotel since we will be dead tired anyway and then heading into Central London the next day and be able to enjoy the County Hall when more refreshed?
Not made reservations out of Omaha yet for London. Is there anything to do around Heathrow touristy wise if we do feel up to a little sightseeing for a couple of hours while staying there?
Or is the idea nuts and we should just head to the city? Our only previous long distance travel was to Hawaii and the jetlag did take a toll on us, but that time we were staying with friends!
Not made reservations out of Omaha yet for London. Is there anything to do around Heathrow touristy wise if we do feel up to a little sightseeing for a couple of hours while staying there?
Or is the idea nuts and we should just head to the city? Our only previous long distance travel was to Hawaii and the jetlag did take a toll on us, but that time we were staying with friends!
Jul 9th, 2006, 07:29 PM
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What time do you expect to land in London?
I don't know what I am missing here, but the best thing I can think of is getting into a cab and heading straight to the hotel where you will be staying while you are in London.
Heathrow is a huge airport, with shops that are good for when you leave, but it is also full of soldiers with machine guns and security wherever you go so you really would not want to stay there..
Yes, I think the idea is nuts, but then , I have been there..you will see when you get there
I don't know what I am missing here, but the best thing I can think of is getting into a cab and heading straight to the hotel where you will be staying while you are in London.
Heathrow is a huge airport, with shops that are good for when you leave, but it is also full of soldiers with machine guns and security wherever you go so you really would not want to stay there..
Yes, I think the idea is nuts, but then , I have been there..you will see when you get there
Jul 9th, 2006, 07:42 PM
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While the Marriott County Hall seems to be a fine hotel, it ain't the Ritz. If this location is one you think you will enjoy, stay the night next door in the TravelInn.
You'll certainly save as much money as you would by staying at a Heathrow hotel. And you will be in London and not in a hideous major-world-airport zone.
You'll certainly save as much money as you would by staying at a Heathrow hotel. And you will be in London and not in a hideous major-world-airport zone.
Jul 9th, 2006, 07:49 PM
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Assuming you will arrive sometime in the morning, you will get some benefit out of being in central London the first day. Go to your hotel, inquire about a possible early check in (you can do this before you leave home). Advice is divided on the nap question, but I always take a short nap - not longer than an hour or so - and get out and about. You can walk along the Thames from your hotel, and across the bridge to the Big Ben/Parliament/Westminster area, which is a great introduction to London. No point wasting a good part of a day of your vacation at an airport location.
Jul 9th, 2006, 07:55 PM
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I agree with these opinions. You will arrive in the morning, having already lost an entire day to travel. Go to your hotel and take a few hours' nap if you haven't slept on the plane. If you have, you're good to go.
One thing we like to do is go to a movie that first evening. We will have had a nap, and then have gone out for dinner, but not lots of energy for sightseeing. If there's a movie on it doesn't require too much from us to sit and watch, but there's something fun about seeing a movie in a foreign country. You'll also have to locate a movie (using internet or newspaper), and find the theater, so you won't feel like you're just completely wasting your time, either.
One thing we like to do is go to a movie that first evening. We will have had a nap, and then have gone out for dinner, but not lots of energy for sightseeing. If there's a movie on it doesn't require too much from us to sit and watch, but there's something fun about seeing a movie in a foreign country. You'll also have to locate a movie (using internet or newspaper), and find the theater, so you won't feel like you're just completely wasting your time, either.
Jul 9th, 2006, 08:00 PM
#7
Staying near Heathrow is what we do all the time now, having spent way too many days/nights in a fog resulting from sitting in a plane all night over the water.
See, most flights from N. America to Europe leave in the afternoon/evening, arriving in the early morning, owing to the 5-9 hour time change depending on start/endpoints. By arriving then, the planes are used efficiently; they refuel and replace Wally's used wine bottles with fresh ones, then fly the other way, leaving in the morning or early afternoon, arriving only a couple of "local" hours later; refuel, repeat.
A few airlines, notably American, United, British and Virgin (maybe others that I can't think of) have flights that leave N. America in the early morning and arrive in London in the middle- or late evening (again because of the time change.) With these planes, you get up real early to get to the airport, spend the day in the air, arrive tired but not totally wiped, get bags, take bus to local hotel, sleep in a bed. Next morning, go into town, or connect to onward European or farther destination. We find that it nearly eliminates jetlag in us, or close enough that we're human beings rather than zombies the next day and the day after.
In your case, you could take a 7 AM flight from Omaha to Chicago on American Airlines, connect to the 9-ish AM flight to London that gets in at 10:30 London time (but 4:30 yours) - you're in the hotel bed by midnight local time. Because you will have been up at oh-dark-thirty to make a 7 AM flight, you'll be tired enough that you'll probably be able to sleep. Next morning, you sleep till the morning rush hour is over, then head into town. It really, really works.
The even better news is that inevitably you can get killer deals using Priceline for Heathrow hotels. Next month and in September, for example, we're staying a couple/three nights (various passes through Heathrow) at the Marriott on Bath Rd. across from the airport for US$55 a night. Hard to beat them apples for a very comfortable hotel.
The morning flights only fly from a few US cities - NYC, Chicago, Boston, Washington - due to flight length and time zones (want to leave LAX at 4 AM? Not me.) So if you're coming from the west coast or deep south, it usually involves an overnight near the departing airport, which adds a day to your travel calendar. Many folks can't hack the extra time, so it doesn't work for everyone. But for those that it does work for, it's a wonderful approach to take.
See, most flights from N. America to Europe leave in the afternoon/evening, arriving in the early morning, owing to the 5-9 hour time change depending on start/endpoints. By arriving then, the planes are used efficiently; they refuel and replace Wally's used wine bottles with fresh ones, then fly the other way, leaving in the morning or early afternoon, arriving only a couple of "local" hours later; refuel, repeat.
A few airlines, notably American, United, British and Virgin (maybe others that I can't think of) have flights that leave N. America in the early morning and arrive in London in the middle- or late evening (again because of the time change.) With these planes, you get up real early to get to the airport, spend the day in the air, arrive tired but not totally wiped, get bags, take bus to local hotel, sleep in a bed. Next morning, go into town, or connect to onward European or farther destination. We find that it nearly eliminates jetlag in us, or close enough that we're human beings rather than zombies the next day and the day after.
In your case, you could take a 7 AM flight from Omaha to Chicago on American Airlines, connect to the 9-ish AM flight to London that gets in at 10:30 London time (but 4:30 yours) - you're in the hotel bed by midnight local time. Because you will have been up at oh-dark-thirty to make a 7 AM flight, you'll be tired enough that you'll probably be able to sleep. Next morning, you sleep till the morning rush hour is over, then head into town. It really, really works.
The even better news is that inevitably you can get killer deals using Priceline for Heathrow hotels. Next month and in September, for example, we're staying a couple/three nights (various passes through Heathrow) at the Marriott on Bath Rd. across from the airport for US$55 a night. Hard to beat them apples for a very comfortable hotel.
The morning flights only fly from a few US cities - NYC, Chicago, Boston, Washington - due to flight length and time zones (want to leave LAX at 4 AM? Not me.) So if you're coming from the west coast or deep south, it usually involves an overnight near the departing airport, which adds a day to your travel calendar. Many folks can't hack the extra time, so it doesn't work for everyone. But for those that it does work for, it's a wonderful approach to take.
Jul 9th, 2006, 08:10 PM
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London airport full of soldiers - come on dont get pannicky (seems that a very few US citizens are) , there are days when there are BUT i personnally think it is a good thing and feel qute safe there. As for the hotel Marrott County HAll is not cheap and unless you have to stay rthere i am sure you can get better deals
Jul 9th, 2006, 08:11 PM
#9
The daytime flights book up pretty far out - because there aren't that many of them and the are popular.
The majority of transatlantic flight arrive before noon - and mostly very early in the a.m.
So if you are on a typical itinerary landing in the a.m. - book the first night at County Hall (you will love it BTW - very nice property in a terrific location).
But if you do get a daytime flight arriving late the same night - then I agree - Priceline an airport hotel for the first night. Not to sightsee - but to sleep it off.
The majority of transatlantic flight arrive before noon - and mostly very early in the a.m.
So if you are on a typical itinerary landing in the a.m. - book the first night at County Hall (you will love it BTW - very nice property in a terrific location).
But if you do get a daytime flight arriving late the same night - then I agree - Priceline an airport hotel for the first night. Not to sightsee - but to sleep it off.
Jul 10th, 2006, 12:25 AM
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Have you looked at the TripAdvisor reviews for hotels near Heathrow? IMO there is absolutely nothing to do, "touristy" or otherwise at the airport, and a lot of the hotels there aren't exactly cheap.
You are making a big assumption that you will be so "jet-lagged" that you won;t want to do anything that first day and I think THAT is a mistake.
I would take what you feel is the best transportation into London and hope the room is ready and stay there.
As to the County Hall, I've stayed there and while it isn't my favorite location it certainly is fairly convenient for the Tube and if you fancy a view of the Thames it cannot be beat.
You are making a big assumption that you will be so "jet-lagged" that you won;t want to do anything that first day and I think THAT is a mistake.
I would take what you feel is the best transportation into London and hope the room is ready and stay there.
As to the County Hall, I've stayed there and while it isn't my favorite location it certainly is fairly convenient for the Tube and if you fancy a view of the Thames it cannot be beat.
Jul 10th, 2006, 09:18 AM
#12
Don't mean to be contradictory here, but the daytime flights don't fill that early, since many leisure travelers don't know about them, and most business travelers don't want to waste the day on a plane.
Actually, I now recommend (to anyone who wants to listen) that London be saved for the end of UK holidays that also contain non-London itineraries, rather than the beginning. Once you're de-jetlagged and accustomed to buses coming at you from unusual directions, you're better suited to deal with typical giant city yoga of which there's no shortage in London. But just MO.
However, if you want to go with the original plan, you can easily get from Heathrow to Windsor for a first day/night stay. Plenty to see and do, and easy commuter connections into the city if you choose.
Actually, I now recommend (to anyone who wants to listen) that London be saved for the end of UK holidays that also contain non-London itineraries, rather than the beginning. Once you're de-jetlagged and accustomed to buses coming at you from unusual directions, you're better suited to deal with typical giant city yoga of which there's no shortage in London. But just MO.
However, if you want to go with the original plan, you can easily get from Heathrow to Windsor for a first day/night stay. Plenty to see and do, and easy commuter connections into the city if you choose.
Jul 10th, 2006, 09:30 AM
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I must be missing something. Last time I was in Heathrow, I got on a train and was in Paddington Station 50 minutes later. Then I took a cab to a hotel not far from County Hall, which took 15 minutes -- but it was a Saturday
afternoon.
How much time does one save by finding a cab to an airport hotel. Half an hour? 45 minutes? And what if you aren't sleepy?
afternoon.
How much time does one save by finding a cab to an airport hotel. Half an hour? 45 minutes? And what if you aren't sleepy?
Jul 10th, 2006, 09:38 AM
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I've actually stayed at the Mariott County Hall. Had a really nice stay there. Very memorable.
I'd head right into town when you get there. Most flights will arrive in the morning. If you get lucky your plane will chase the dawn across the sky (did for me once, really cool).
You can take the Tube into Central London, or I believe there's a Heathrow Express. Best tube stops are Waterloo or Embankment. You can actually see the Hotel from Embankment. It's on the other side of the river. 5min walk.
Try to see if you can check in. Maybe, maybe not. depends on if the room is ready. If the room's not ready, they'll keep your luggage, and you can take a nice stroll around, you'll see big ben, and all sorts of good stuff. If you can check in, take a nap, and you'll be pretty much adjusted when you wake up.
I once didn't take a nap and fell asleep in the Mummy Room at hte British Museum. Very embarrassing. d'oh.
Either way, when you wake up, you should be ready to go, and won't have to worry about getting into town.
I'd head right into town when you get there. Most flights will arrive in the morning. If you get lucky your plane will chase the dawn across the sky (did for me once, really cool).
You can take the Tube into Central London, or I believe there's a Heathrow Express. Best tube stops are Waterloo or Embankment. You can actually see the Hotel from Embankment. It's on the other side of the river. 5min walk.
Try to see if you can check in. Maybe, maybe not. depends on if the room is ready. If the room's not ready, they'll keep your luggage, and you can take a nice stroll around, you'll see big ben, and all sorts of good stuff. If you can check in, take a nap, and you'll be pretty much adjusted when you wake up.
I once didn't take a nap and fell asleep in the Mummy Room at hte British Museum. Very embarrassing. d'oh.
Either way, when you wake up, you should be ready to go, and won't have to worry about getting into town.
Jul 10th, 2006, 12:38 PM
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<< but the best thing I can think of is getting into a cab and heading straight to the hotel where you will be staying while you are in London.
Heathrow is a huge airport, with shops that are good for when you leave, but it is also full of soldiers with machine guns and security wherever you go so you really would not want to stay there >>
What a very strange - and inaccurate - comment
Cab will cost the earth and isn't to be recommended unless desperate or on an expense account
There aren't any "soldiers with machine guns" at Heathrow.
Only one of the hotels at Heathrow is "on-site" so the level of security at the airport itself doesn't matter. And even if you do go the the airport you aren't searched or otherwise detained on entry
Heathrow is a huge airport, with shops that are good for when you leave, but it is also full of soldiers with machine guns and security wherever you go so you really would not want to stay there >>
What a very strange - and inaccurate - comment
Cab will cost the earth and isn't to be recommended unless desperate or on an expense account
There aren't any "soldiers with machine guns" at Heathrow.
Only one of the hotels at Heathrow is "on-site" so the level of security at the airport itself doesn't matter. And even if you do go the the airport you aren't searched or otherwise detained on entry
Jul 10th, 2006, 12:54 PM
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A couple of weeks ago, we arrived at Heathrow around 9:30 a.m. on a Monday morning, and took the Tube to Westminster (changing at Hammersmith thanks to Robespierre and Janisj). We walked across the bridge to the County Hall. The whole trip from Heathrow to the Marriott took just under an hour, and there were no problems at all.
After the Marriott took our luggage until we could check in, we walked the south bank of the Thames, crossed over and walked all the way back to Westminster Abbey. We were tired by around 5 p.m. that day, but certainly not first thing in the morning. I'd recommend staying in the city and enjoying at least part of the day seeing the sights.
After the Marriott took our luggage until we could check in, we walked the south bank of the Thames, crossed over and walked all the way back to Westminster Abbey. We were tired by around 5 p.m. that day, but certainly not first thing in the morning. I'd recommend staying in the city and enjoying at least part of the day seeing the sights.
Jul 11th, 2006, 02:52 PM
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I arrived at Heathrow after a 21 hour journey from Australia, checked into my hotel in London, walked around the city all day then out to dinner that night. Yes I was jet-lagged but I was there to see London and have a good time - not worry about things. If you adopt an " I am going to have the best time of my life" attitude, you will!
Jul 11th, 2006, 03:44 PM
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Sorry AlanRow, I am not sure of the type of rifles/guns the soldiers at Heathrow carried when we were there..in the International Arrivals/Departures area.
Or maybe they are not there now? Does Heathrow no longer have security ( military) in the airport?
4khansen..
We always take a taxi to our hotel in town, So Ken, Mayfair, etc..and it does not take a long time to get there.
We arrive early in the am, get checked into the hotel then head out to have a late breakfast and stay awake as long as possible..taking a nap in the afternoon if we must.
Or maybe they are not there now? Does Heathrow no longer have security ( military) in the airport?
4khansen..
We always take a taxi to our hotel in town, So Ken, Mayfair, etc..and it does not take a long time to get there.
We arrive early in the am, get checked into the hotel then head out to have a late breakfast and stay awake as long as possible..taking a nap in the afternoon if we must.
Jul 11th, 2006, 04:03 PM
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I don't see the point of staying near LHR if the destination is London. Staying near the airport can make sense if the traveler has an early flight out the next morning. If money is an issue look for a less expensive hotel or consider Priceline. I doubt that you would save much anyway. The day after an overnight flight is not a total write-off for most people and there is not much to do near Heathrow compared to central London.
Not that this pertinant to the OP people who opt for a daytime flight to London from North America have an easy time of it on arrival. It is still early evening "home time" and all forms of transport into central London are less busy than at other times.
Not that this pertinant to the OP people who opt for a daytime flight to London from North America have an easy time of it on arrival. It is still early evening "home time" and all forms of transport into central London are less busy than at other times.
