Actually, P. Circus has 6 exits - as your map clearly shows . . . . .

Sure. Two of them are labeled <b>Exit 3</b>, and two are labeled <b>Exit 4</b>. I still maintain we ain't talkin' rocket science here.

Actually, the map clearly shows that there are seven exits. Two are labeled <b>Exit 2</b>.

Don't you want to discuss what one sees on the Original Tour when boarding at the two stops in question? Didn't think so.

It would be a HUGE waste of time to take a route that wanders up around Madame Tussaud's.

I would personally recommend the Big Bus red route since it concentrates on the major sites like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Trafalgar Sq, both sides of the river, the Tower, St Paul's, etc. and has a stop right in front of Victoria Station.

A primitive map-reading ability would be a real asset in making this decision.

The Big Bus red route from Victoria doesn't get to any recognizable landmarks until it's taken you up past Hyde Park to Marble Arch and wandered back down past Grosvenor Square and Berkeley Square and Hamley's Toy Store (!) before getting to Piccadilly Circus.

The Original Tour from Piccadilly (by contrast) immediately gets to Trafalgar Square, Parliament, Big Ben, and then hits all the sights on both banks of the river all the way to the Tower, then Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace on the way back to Victoria. It gives you basically the same tour as the Big Bus except it doesn't waste your time. I can't think of any reason someone having time constraints would even consider the Big Bus.

If you are flying BA to Venice, consider taking the bus from LHR to LGW immediately on arrival (90 mins). If you are flying BA to Venice, you can check in immediately; not sure about other airlines, but there is a &quot;left luggage&quot; place if you can't check in with your airline. The you can had to Victoria station (about 30 mins).

If you can check in warly, you will be all set, boarding cards in hand and better able to time your London visit. You should be back to LGW at leave 45 mins before your flight.

The one thing I haven't seen anyone address is your reasoning of arriving at 7 AM and being on your way at 10. I've flown into Heathrow quite a bit, and including claiming luggage, customs (a non issue -- you walk through), and immigration, I don't think I've ever been more than an hour and a half to the point to get a car service or get the tube -- usually closer to just one hour.
So you are LIKELY to have an extra hour or more there.

And I agree with O'Reilly's idea. I'd love to get to Gatwick, check in, and take the Gatwick Express both ways with no luggage issues.

Neopolitan is right - you should be cleared of immigration and baggage at the latest by 9am. If you take the Gatwick option, you can be checked in at LGW by about 11am and in London before noon. If you are checked in, you should be back at the airport by (latest) 1615, which means taking the Gatwick express from Victoria at about 1515-1530.

Also, another alternative, if you want to rest up instead, is to take a &quot;day room&quot; at LGW Sofitel or Hilton (I think I paid about 60 GBP at the Softel).

I don't know...these &quot;let's see a bit of London between flights&quot; plans always strike me as overambitious, especially for jetlagged travelers arriving at from the USA at 7:00 a.m. London time (2:00 a.m. US east coast time) zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! One wonders what the group dynamic will be when you finally get to Venice.

Good luck, whatever you decide.