Heathrow logistics questions

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Jan 25th, 2023 | 04:01 PM

#21

plufmud

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 297

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Our arrival time in London in June is 8:00 am. We want to use a car service for pick-up at the airport for 6 people. I understand that is rush hour traffic in London. After we get our luggage is there a cafe close by to baggage claim to wait for rush hour to become less congested?

Jan 25th, 2023 | 04:29 PM

#22

janisj

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 75,047

Likes: 50

08:00 is not rush hour/commute -- though traffic can be awful at any time. I would not delay my pick up hoping for lighter traffic because 10AM could be much worse. Don't choose a time based on traffic.

However -- very likely your hotel room won't be ready until the afternoon. In any case why wait in a cafe when you have access to the very nice Virgin/Delta arrivals lounge?? Free food/drinks, showers, luggage storage, heck they will even press your clothes if you want

If it was me -- I'd plan on going directly to the Revivals Lounge and book a car service for between 10 and 11AM. Because I personally like taking a shower after an overnight flight -- ESPECIALLY if my room isn't guaranteed until 2 or 3 PM or later, and the breakfasts/champagne/etc are nice -- I'd lean towards 11AM

Jan 25th, 2023 | 04:32 PM

#23

janisj

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 75,047

Likes: 50

oops plufmud -- I was posting based on the OP flying in Delta 1. (that's why tacking on to someone else's thread when you have a different question isn't always the best idea

)

Which airline/terminal? Which class of service? What day of the week?

Jan 26th, 2023 | 02:02 AM

#24

balthy

Joined: Jun 2020

Posts: 682

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Quote:

Originally Posted by plufmud

It is rush hour but I wouldn't bother delaying and getting coffee anywhere, unless you particularly want to. Rush hour into central London starts anytime from 7am onwards and can last several hours. I used to work just off LHR by the main motorways into London and it was frequently clogged up. By the time you get into London and your hotel, if your room isn't ready, you can find a place for coffee.

Jan 26th, 2023 | 02:09 AM

#25

balthy

Joined: Jun 2020

Posts: 682

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rialtogrl

it happened to me, and hundreds of other travelers, on December 11.

I agree with balthy that 95% of the time things can go smooth but I will also say, your luck will eventually run out. And when it does, you will be shocked at the chaos and confusion.

The staff in the baggage area were telling everyone to leave and go to the website and fill out a form. They said we could wait, but they had no clue if or when any luggage would come. I did not trust them at all to get my luggage anywhere so I waited. Then I overheard a guy (not one of the exhausted, angry baggage people, some other employee) say he called his buddy who worked outside and we would get our luggage in thirty minutes. And we did! Only 2.5 hours after landing, at 11.15 pm.

Definitely a rare (for me) occurrence, one that I hope does not happen to the OP or anyone else.

I have AirTags for my luggage. At least I would know if my bags didn't make. Last year, on one occasion when my bags didn't arrive, they called me over to the desk to complete forms which I was grateful for. Hate to wait hours only to figure out the bags aren't coming. However since the issues of last year, things have gone smoothly, so far this year. Been in/out of LHR T5 this past week with luggage, all very smooth, in fact T5 was deserted on the way out. Coming back luggage was on the carousel waiting. No lines at the passport gates. Come summer it might be different of course.