Our flight arrives at Heathrow at 10:30 am. Our connecting flight leaves 12 hours later, at 10:30 pm. Getting out through customs etc., and showing up 2 hrs. prior to our outgoing flight, we may be left with 9 hours to spend, but still (unlike you know something fascinating to do in Heathrow...), we are thinking of "killing" those hours outside Heathrow...<BR><BR>Is the Underground the QUICKEST way to get to London and back? Which station does it bring us to? What's the BEST way to spend the day and where?<BR><BR>ALSO, on our flight back we need to spend a night in Heathrow. Which decent-inexpesive hotel would you recommend?<BR><BR>Thanks a lot.

The quickest way into London is via the Heathrow Express (high speed train). I believe it takes about fifteen minutes.<BR>As for hotels, there are many in the area. Simply log on to Travelocity or Expedia and check for hotels "near an airport." Then type in LHR.<BR><BR><BR>Gerry K<BR>

Addendum:<BR><BR>The Heathrow Hilton, which is right at Terminal Four, rents day rooms. And it's convenient to the Heathrow Express.<BR><BR>GK

The tube is the slowest ay into London so probably not what you are looking for. The Paddington Express is fast - BUT it only gets you to Paddington station which is not near scenic areas. From Paddington you would 1) take a taxi, 2) take the tube or 3) catch a hop-on-hop-off Sightseeing bus. Any would be OK.<BR><BR>With about 8 hours in London (a more realistic time than 9 hours because of LHR security, etc.) you could do several things. Take a river boat cruise, go to the V&A, Walk from Buckingham Palace to Westminster to Trafalgar square, etc, etc.<BR><BR>But you might want to consider anothet idea. Instead of going into London you could take a 15 minute raxi trip to Windsor. You could visit the Castle, walk along the river, see Eton, have lunch and dinner and only be a short cab ride from your onward flight

Amiko - you should do a search about layovers at Heathrow on this site. Although I don't know from experience, others have mentioned that if you are laying over to go to another country, they won't let you out of the airport (i.e. through customs). Again, I don't have personal experience with this, but several others have confirmed that this is the case.

I heartily endorse the suggestion to spend your day in the charming village of Windsor, possibly also visiting nearby Eton. You can wander the town, tour the castle, have a nice lunch, feed the ducks from the bridge over the Thames, and just relax knowing that you are only a 15 minute taxi ride from Heathrow. <BR><BR>If you do want to get into London, the Heathrow Express will take about 20 minutes. You will arrive in the city and have the day. But if all you want to do is to check into a hotel and sleep, go to Windsor. At least there you can also get a day room in one of several hotels, and still enjoy the compact village.

Thanks much...<BR><BR>Truth is we've been in London 3.5 years ago... So it's not like "how can I swallow London in 8-9 hours"... But still, why kill all those hours inside an airport (you always end up breathing jet fumes...).<BR><BR>Karen: I don't think anybody at Heathrow would stop us from leaving the airport, since we don't need visas to enter Britain...<BR><BR>--- So Windsor sounds a GREAT idea! Last time in London we didn't go to Windsor... Thanks, Janis & Wayne... If I understand it right, we could simply hop into a cab and ask the driver to go to Windsor?<BR><BR>As to Hotels, The Hilton for a few hours of sleep during the day could be great if we're REALLY, terribly tired... But I am looking for a bargain for the night we need to sleep in Heathrow on the way back. The littel I checked so far, the Thistle looks inexpensive. I don't think there is ANY justification to pay more than $100 a night...<BR><BR>Any ideas? Thanks.

OK, so here I am again...<BR><BR>A. Is it that easy to take a shower in Heathrow? Do you get a towel, or better bring towels and soap etc....<BR><BR>B. Anybody stayed in the Heathrow St, Giles hotel (for our flight connection on the way back)? BA has excellent rates there, it's 3 stars, I wanted to know if it's decent, clean modern...