Our American Airlines flt gets into LHR at 1:10pm, and our BA flt departs for Rome at 5:40pm. I'd sure welcome some ideas on what we can do in that 4-1/2 hr period. <BR><BR>(I've read that due to security, it's not so easy to leave airport and come back in. True?) <BR><BR>Thank you, in advance, for any suggestions.<BR>-Lulu-

Stay put. 4.5 hours is not enough time to go anyplace without missing your next flight. Just wander around, look in the shops, grab a bite to eat, read a book, people watch, the time will go by. You simply do not have enough time to go anyplace outside the airport. It's unfortunate your connection is so long,but it's a way of life with travel.

I know that Gatwick (LGW) has a place where, for a fee of $50, you can sleep, shower, massage, clean clothes, and generally refresh. My friend who used this said it was the best $50 she ever spent, as she had about 6 hours between flights. Perhaps LHR has something similar?

LHR has a pretty good internet lounge. When I had a long layover on Easter morning, I spent a portion of it getting caught up with the world.<BR><BR>Also went to a pleasent little service in the chappel.<BR><BR> Keith

If it was me, I would welcome the time just to relax and store up the energy for the European adventure I'm about to embark on!

I don't know they would prevent you from leaving Heathrow (but I could be misinformed), it is simply too far from the city proper to do anything in that short a time period. Stay put, have a nice meal, maybe some duty free or window shopping. I know they have pay showers/towels off some of the restrooms in Terminal 4 anyway.<BR><BR>

Lulu:<BR><BR>Your AA will probably be late! This is too short a layover to go into London via tube. Problem is that sometimes the Tube is halted for security or some other reason. If this happens on your way back you will be toast. Besides, you would waste 2 hrs. just getting to and fro. Stay and shop. My wife got a wonderful pair of shoes at Bally's duty free store many years ago. She still loves them and they still look like new. Also try Harrods-they used to have a store in the terminal.

http://www.baa.co.uk/doc/5cbc4e964184ff22802569c9004bb1db_frame.html<BR><BR >This is a link about the airport service I was talking about<BR>

Thank you so much, everyone. So we'll just relaxxx and make the best of it.<BR><BR>Happy New Year!<BR>Lulu

hi lulu... me again, after i posted the idea about using the showers/towels available, i thought i should have added, pack a change of socks, undies, shirt in your carryon. assuming you're coming in on a transatlantic flight, well speaking for myself, i always feel soooo grubby when i get off the plane. a shower would be a lifesaver for my mood.<BR><BR>also there are nice, normal restaurants at Heathrow, not just fast food. they aren't cheap, but you could easily spend an hour or two having a good meal in a quiet atmosphere, away from the concourses, waiting areas, etc.

4.5 hours is too short to go to London. I am usually in favor of rushing to a city and seeing one place even if there isn't time.<BR><BR>There are many things to do at LHR. The spectator's gallery near Terminal 2 is interesting even for someone who is not too interested in aircraft. You can see the different airlines' planes.<BR><BR>If you really want to see the outside of Windsor, I suppose you could check in for your flight to Rome then hire a taxi. Why not have the taxi driver wait for you if you want to get out?

<BR>Haven't been to Heathrow, but would imagine it is similar, just larger, than Gatwick. There were all sorts of shops there and yes, pay showers. I found several FREE internet terminals near the plane departure areas, and nobody was using them. I suppose people thought they were just advertisement kiosks, but they were free internet. They also had a videocam, and you could make a short video of yourself in the terminal and send ti to friends back home. I was wishing I had a couple more hours to play with it. <BR><BR>Interestingly enough, I also found a similar free internet terminal near the departure gates in Sydney airport, so I am thinking this must be an international thing to do.<BR><BR>Is is superfluous to mention you can use the free internet terminal to come to this forum and post about your trip so far?

Are the fish &amp; chips at the airport, LHR, representative of London or English style fish &amp; chips for a between flight meal? Thanks

Yes, there is a Harry Ramsden's fish and chip restaurant in Terminal 1, I think.

You could take a cab over to Windsor and check out the Windsor Castle if you haven't already. The town is touristy and has a lot of nice shops surrounding the castle. As I remember it was only a 20 min. or so ride, not sure though.<BR><BR>Thing is you probably will only have 1 - 1-1/2 hours there since Windsor to/from travel and the time you need at the airport will be cutting it close. If you arrive at exactly 1:10 p.m. it will take you probably till close to 1:45 to get out of the airport to get a taxi. The problem is you have to go thru immigration and customs to get out of the airport, then do it all over again on the way back into the airport. Your baggage I am sure is being transferred to the BA flight so you won't have to mess with that.<BR><BR>Maybe someone here can remember how long it takes exactly from the airport to Windsor if that is of interest to you. Good luck!

I had a three-hour layover in Heathrow 2 weeks ago, and it was just enough time to make my transfer and have a leisurely breakfast.