8 hours between flights in London
Sep 2nd, 2010, 07:50 AM
#1
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8 hours between flights in London
I will have an 8 hour period between connections at Heathrow on a Sunday. Is there enough time to travel to London, get lunch and, perhaps sight-see, during this period. No shopping, but something historical would be fine.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Sep 2nd, 2010, 08:05 AM
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I think you'll have time to take the tube into London with that much time. Is your luggage checked through, and where are you coming from (i.e. do you need to go through customs)? If you need a place to leave your luggage, there is a luggage storage place in Heathrow (I can't remember where, but I'm sure if you search their website it will come up). The tube comes right to the airport (Picadilly Line), and that will take you right into central London. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour each direction, so keep that in mind, especially if your onward flight is international.
As far as things to see, you could easily go and have lunch near a specific site you're interested in. There's Westminster Abbey, Parliament/Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the National Gallery/Trafalgar Square, and much more. I think if you narrow down your search to where specifically you want to go, people will be able to give you more specific instructions on how to get there most efficiently, and possibly where to grab a bite to eat.
I wouldn't want to hang out in Heathrow for 8 hours, especially with London being such a fantastic city, so I'd do my best to make this work. Good luck!
As far as things to see, you could easily go and have lunch near a specific site you're interested in. There's Westminster Abbey, Parliament/Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the National Gallery/Trafalgar Square, and much more. I think if you narrow down your search to where specifically you want to go, people will be able to give you more specific instructions on how to get there most efficiently, and possibly where to grab a bite to eat.
I wouldn't want to hang out in Heathrow for 8 hours, especially with London being such a fantastic city, so I'd do my best to make this work. Good luck!
Sep 2nd, 2010, 08:31 AM
#4
Too clarify some slight confusion in the above post
It is Immigration (Passport control) not customs that is the issue.
There are left luggage facilities in all 5 terminals. It will cost £8 per item for your carry-ons or whatever you want to leave for the day. It could have gone up since the last time I used one. The LHR website will give you the details.
What time do you arrive and depart? That will make some difference what is doable.
You won't have nearly 8 hours --more like 4 because the time you land is not the time you are ready to leave the airport and you need to be back at LHR <u>at least</u> 2 hours before your flight (and definitely 3 hours if you have to retrieve things from left luggage)
So basically 1 hour into London and 1 to return leaves you maybe 2 hours (and that is if you stick to something along the direct Piccadilly tube line like the British Museum or Covent Garden.
Another option would be Windsor. It is 7 miles from LHR and a quick cab ride. A bus would be much cheaper, but would take 3-4 times longer.
You could wander around the town, stretch your legs, have a nice meal and catch a cab back to the airport. Depending on how much time you end up w/ (mainly to do w/ if you land on time and how long the immigration lines are) you couldalso visit the Castle.
It is Immigration (Passport control) not customs that is the issue.
There are left luggage facilities in all 5 terminals. It will cost £8 per item for your carry-ons or whatever you want to leave for the day. It could have gone up since the last time I used one. The LHR website will give you the details.
What time do you arrive and depart? That will make some difference what is doable.
You won't have nearly 8 hours --more like 4 because the time you land is not the time you are ready to leave the airport and you need to be back at LHR <u>at least</u> 2 hours before your flight (and definitely 3 hours if you have to retrieve things from left luggage)
So basically 1 hour into London and 1 to return leaves you maybe 2 hours (and that is if you stick to something along the direct Piccadilly tube line like the British Museum or Covent Garden.
Another option would be Windsor. It is 7 miles from LHR and a quick cab ride. A bus would be much cheaper, but would take 3-4 times longer.
You could wander around the town, stretch your legs, have a nice meal and catch a cab back to the airport. Depending on how much time you end up w/ (mainly to do w/ if you land on time and how long the immigration lines are) you couldalso visit the Castle.
