ekellyga

On our return trip to Atlanta, from Barcelona, it turns out we are "forced" to spend an overnight connecting thru London.
We are booked to connect thru Heathrow, but since we will be there overnight, we are considering going into London to stroll around a bit, and considering using a hotel in the city for our overnight stay

I now find that I can change my inbound flight to London City airport. Is this airport more convenient if we are going to go into the city for the overnight? I would think the hassle of simply exiting the airport would be easier (altho we will not be checking bags.) if we arrive at London City airport.

But would it be a lot easier to get into the city, with either a hired car or a tube ride, if we arrive at CIty airport?
We would then plan to use a hired car to get us to Heathrow the next day for our flight to Atlanta.

Am I making sense??? Not sure how clearly I am explaining my idea.
Thanks
EK

BikerScott

I would change to London City - the communte into central London from Heathrow is probably an hour easily, whereas it's only about 20 minutes on the DLR from City. If you are going to be taking a cab, it's much cheaper as well.

Also, City is a far smaller airport, mainly used by business travellers and as such isn't as crazy as Heathrow.

I wouldn't hire a car - there is little parking in central London, it's expensive, and not worth the effort. The tube/DLR system will get you pretty much anyhwere you want to go, or a cab if you want.

lizziea06

I don't think the OP meant she was literally hiring a car, but rather using a 'hired car'. Agree with Biker Scott about flying into London City. It's easy on public transportation but it depends on how much luggage you're schlepping if you'd rather take a cab. Depending on where you base yourself that evening, the tube to Heathrow the next day is quite easy.

ekellyga

Yes....I don't mean a rental car. I am thinking, since there are four of us, each with carry-on luggage only, either a cab or....not sure what they call a Hired Car....where they pick you up...sort of like a pre-arranged taxi ride.

Thanks!!!!

alanRow

The only thing about LCY that's bad is that it's quite a hike to LHR from there, so even with an overnight I'd be very careful where you stay in London especially if it's due to depart before midday on a weekday.

For such a flight you'd really need to stay on the west side of Central London - eg South Kensington / Earls Court if you want to spend most time travelling against the prevailing traffic.

In that case it would be better to have a car service to take you from LCY to your hotel and use the Tube to get to LHR the next day.

ekellyga

Also, any thoughts on a hotel in the city??? We've been to London before, and really just plan on strolling the streets, viewing the sites, no particular plan. Also, we are OK with budget hotels, as long as they are clean.

Thanks again!!!

PatrickLondon

How much time will you actually have? Clearing LCY takes very little time, but how early would you have to leave for Heathrow?

ekellyga

the flight the next day is 3pm, so I would leave the city at noon.

alanRow

There's no use suggesting a hotel convenient for LCY if it means it's going to take 2 hours to get to LHR the next day because you have to go through the centre of London during the rush hour.

alanRow

"the flight the next day is 3pm, so I would leave the city at noon."

Em, no, if the flight is 3:00pm then you leave central London at 11:00am - at the latest

ekellyga

alanrow....thanks...yes....I want to make sure we do not miss flight....and I never take that chance....and hate being "iffy and last minute".

I thought noon would be OK for a 3pm...but I will take your advice.
Thanks again

Mimar

You could get a hotel around Paddington Station and take the Heathrow Express train to Heathrow.

How much do you want to spend for a hotel for that one night? (People have different ideas of budget.)

alanRow

Can't see the point of staying at Paddington - it's not easy to get to from LCY - doubly so if you are trying to do it anytime between 7:00am & 10:00am or 4:00pm & 7:00pm on weekdays and it's cheaper to get a car service to LHR than for two tickets on the HEX.

Try somewhere like the Marriott or Premier Inn at County Hall - both are on the main route into Central London from LCY.

julia1

Can't see the point of switching to LCY. If you fly into LHR with carry-on only, it's a quick walk to Heathrow Express, 20 minutes later you're at Paddington. From there you're a short taxi ride to hotels in Kensington, South Kensington, Knightbridge, Bloomsbury, Cromwell Rd, etc, all convenient for returning to Heathrow the next day.