OCaTG

I'm traveling to England in late September and plan to catch a coach from Heathrow to Cheltenham. I arrive at noon. Can I get through immigration/customs and claim my baggage in time to catch the 13:05 coach to Cheltenham?

immimi

There are a lot of variables there - what if the plane is delayed?
What if other 747 flights are arriving at the same time? What if
you get in the 'slow' line? What if you don't fast track to the
bus stop? I'm thinkin' you need a later coach for sure!

OCaTG

Thanks, immimi! I agree and will plan for the later coach to Cheltenham.

janisj

Even if you landed on time it would be really difficult, so yes, definitely book a later coach.

nytraveler

Probably not.

What time will your plane actually land (check the on-time record)?

How many international flights will land at once - and all line up for Immigration?

How long will it take for your luggage to appear?

How long will it take to get from the luggage carousel to where you will pick up the bus?

(At any sizable airport I assume at least an hour from wheels down to out into the pavement. If luggage is delayed it can easily be longer.)

loncall

Can take ages and ages to get through Heathrow passport control even with a British or other EU passport. Allow an hour and half as an absolute mimimum plus time to pick up luaggage and find the coach. I'd very strongly suggest a longer connection than timinga you have noted.

OCaTG

Thanks so much! You've convinced me to take the later coach! After a long flight, it may be nice to just sit and have a wonderful cup of English tea!

alanRow

As a rule of thumb allow an hour from landing to getting through customs into the arrival area - THEN start thinking about how much time it will take to get to the bus station / stop, buy tickets etc

1h5m is just about impossible to do