I could really use some help! I currently have tickets to go from Washington DC -- Heathrow -- CDG -- Nice. The problem I have is only a one hour layover to get from a United flight coming into terminal 3 at Heathrow to an Air France flight leaving from terminal 2. <BR><BR>I have the option of flying into Heathrow a day early and staying the night to catch my 0700 flight to Paris the next morning. I am certain this option will provide me with more peace of mind, except that I have never been to London and have no idea where to stay the night.<BR><BR>I don't want to break the bank and figure that if I have 24 hours in London, I really should take advantage of it and see some sights.<BR><BR>I would greatly appreciate any advice on where to stay for a reasonable amount. I have been told that if I choose to stay in town I would certainly be able to get a taxi to Heathrow for the 0700 flight. Any thoughts?<BR><BR>Thanks so much for your help!

While I think it would be somewhat frustrating to try to "do" London in a day, I must agree that your second plan makes a lot of sense. However, I would probably stay right at the airport. You're going to have to get up at something like 2:30 or 3:00 AM in London, I suppose, to get to the airport and meet the required 2 hours or whatever before check-in. I'd get a room at Heathrow (there is another thread right now recommending the Hilton there). You won't need to handle luggage into the city and back, just let the hotel store it for you for the day, so you can easily take the tube into the city. You can explore for the day, I would recommend a "hop-on, hop-off" bus trip that will allow you to get off to see a couple of the main sites and give you a really good overview of the city. You might even want to catch a matinee to a show, and then do a "pre-theatre" dinner somewhere like the wonderful old Rules. Then take the tube back to Heathrow, get a fairly decent night's sleep and you're ready to go in the morning.

I agree with Patrick that this is the most reasonable approach. Remember that Heathrow is not right in center of London. At least 40 minutes by tube, faster by the train (Heathrow express) and at least 30-40 minutes by taxi. Also you will have to deal with the hours that the tube/train run. Taxi can be arranged ahead of time but who wants to get up at 2am? Stay at the Hilton.

Is there something I am missing here? There are over 30 flights a day between London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle, operated by Air France, British Airways and British Midland. If the connexion for a 7am flight is too tight, why not one at 8:15 or 8:45 or 9:15 or 10:15.....?

Just a guess here -- price???

Thanks for your advice. I have changed my flight to Heathrow and have decided the best course of action is to stay at the airport and tube into the city. <BR><BR>I can't change the flight to CDG because I am meeting my parents there to take yet another flight to Nice.<BR><BR>One more question...looking at information for the hotels near the airport (I just really have a hard time justifying the $274 they want for the Hilton) it appears that the shuttle bus does not arrive for its first drop-off at the airport until 6 or so. Can I assume that I can pre-arrange a taxi from the hotel near the airport to the airport?

Lisa, we stayed at the Holiday Inn near Heathrow. We only paid 49 pounds last June and when we arrived they no longer had a room with two twins so they gave us two double bed rooms for no extra charge. They even upgraded us to executive rooms! On top of that, one of the hotel employees drove us to the airport very early in the hotel Mercedes (in Oct. we were driven in the hotel minivan... again very early... and didn't get the upgrade). The hotel was very nice. I reserved it on the Alitalia website under "need a hotel?"

Grasshopper,<BR><BR>I am finding two Holiday Inns at Heathrow. Do you know which is the one where you stayed? One is Holiday Inn Heathrow and one is Holiday Inn Heathrow M4 Jct4.<BR><BR>Thanks for your help!

Lisa,<BR>I got stuck at Heathrow in '00 and needed a room. I went to the hotel reservations desk and got a great deal at the Sheraton for only 70$ for the night and it had free shuttle service. The guy next to me got a similar deal at the Hilton. Being there early in the day will help tremendously. It means traveling without reservations, but the desk will be able to find you a room and more than likely at a highly discounted price.Its located I think in Terminal 4, and if I'm wrong someone can help with directions or there are signs.<BR>

Thank you so much, Betsy. I may just try that. Checking different sites online for the date I need -- mid May -- I have yet to find a rate anywhere within 5 miles of the airport under $150.