Getting through customs/baggage claim at Heathrow
 

How long can I expect the process to take? I'm coming from JFK and arriving Heathrow this Friday morning at 10:20 AM. How long will it take for me to get through customs and the baggage claim area? I need to reserve a taxi and I don't know what time to tell the driver to arrive.

Thank you!!

Why are you reserving a taxi? It will cost more than a car service -- maybe that is what you meant instead of a taxi.

Anyway - you usually just have to tell them what your arrival time/flight # is and they will show up at the right time.

There is NO way to tell you how long immigration/baggage retrieval will take. Too many variables. Whether you land on time, whether the plane parks at a gate right away, which gate (how long the walk into arrival is), how many other planes land at the same time, etc.

BTW - Customs is nothing really - just walking through a doorway. What can take time is immigration (passport control) which is before you collect your bags.

Hi K,

Ditto J.

Why are you reserving a taxi? There are always a bunch of them waiting at the terminal.

((I))

I'm reserving a taxi because I thought I needed to do it that way.
4 of us will be traveling with a fair bit of luggage, so I thought I'd need to reserve a larger vehicle. They're asking 49 GBPs for 4 people from terminal 4 to Paddington Station. I went to www.airportscars.co.uk and that's where I got the quote.


Should I not be doing it this way??

Thanks so much!!

And I think I meant a "car service" versus a taxi

Ira is confused. Do not listen to his implicit advice.

Black cabs - the only ones allowed to ply for hire at Heathrow, and therefore the only ones legally hanging round the terminal - will cost at least twice what a pre-booked car will charge.

There are occasionally drivers who will sidle up to you as you exit Customs. These people are illegal, and of dubious reliability and safety. Don't even think of using them.

£49 to Paddington sounds fine, and less than four of you would pay for the train to Paddington or the bus to Reading.

OK - that clears things up. Justairports are a pre-booked car service - not taxis. They will pick you up in a regular car.

My guess you will get a bit better rate from justairports if you pay cash. But maybe if you have a LOT of luggage, that is their cash rate for a larger vehicle.

Thanks very much for the information! It's very helpful!!