We will be arriving at Heathrow at 2.15pm and flying out again at 9.30pm at the end of May. Our bags should be through checked all the way to our final destination (Melbourne) as both flights are with BA. Do we need to go through immigration etc if we wish to leave the airport? Also as we will have no luggage to check and already have our boarding passes for the next leg how long do we need to allow before boarding the next plane? Is it just time to get through the security checks.

I would like suggestions as to how to fill in the time. I have toyed with the idea of popping over to Windsor Castle as it must be some 25 years since we last saw it, but am not sure that this really doable as it will be later afternoon before we get there. Is there anywhere else within, say half an hour, that would be worth going to. We love the English countryside and English pubs.

We of course can pop into London for a bit. We have been to London several times so am not thinking of rushing around trying to see some of the major sites but may be one of the lesser known museums that we haven't been to before and a nice dinner before heading back.

Thanks for any help.

<<< Do we need to go through immigration etc if we wish to leave the airport? >>>

Em, yes you are entering the country after all.

Main problem for you is that by the time you get to Central London it would be 4:30-5:00pm by which time many attractions will be closing.

Could you tell us the exact date as some attractions are open late depending on the day of the week.

You could try a ride on the London Eye, at that time of the year they'll be no problem with sunset times.

As for getting back, allow at least 2h30 from Central London

ie leave before 7:00pm

&quot;<i>Is it just time to get through the security checks</i>&quot; Yes - but you still need to allow 1.5 to 2 hours at LHR. Which is why analRow mentions heading back before 1900.

So you can see you 7 hours really only nets you about 2 hours anywhere (whether it is Windsor or central London)

It is up to you if you think it is worth the effort. What day of the week? Could make a difference re if you are traveling during the aftrenoon commute or an a weekend, etc. Do you qualify for any of the airline lounges? That might be a better option.

If not, then a wander around Windsor would probably be my preference - you'd have time for a quick visit to the castle and then a walk along the river/dinner. But if you store your carry-ons at LHR left luggage, be sure to allow time to retrieve them because there is sometimes a queue.

oh - oops. Make that <u>alanRow</u>

I've made typos before but that is a doozie . . . .

My goodness, is it necessary to be so
unkind?

Shandy, I lived in London two years
and agree that travelling and getting
through immigration takes far longer
than you might expect. I second
the recommendation for a wander around
Windsor. Just take the coach (National
Express) outside the terminal. You
could spring for a cab, according to your budget!!

Another option is to take the Heathrow Express, a train service from Heathrow Airport to Paddington in central London. Departs every 15 minutes, and takes 15 minutes.

Woody

H. Express is a very good idea ;it is expensive but for a 15 min. ride to central London worth the money.

We'll have a 5 hour layover in Heathrow on a Tuesday in June. Arrive 12:15 pm from the States and connect on a 5:15 pm flight to Zurich. Would that be enought time to go anywhere outside the airport? I'm not familiar with the area near the airport at all and have just been to central London once, so I don't recall travelling methods or times to get there for perhaps a little stroll or a meal. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

Nope - 5 hours isn't enough time.

You need to count on 1 hour or often more before you are ready to board your transport (bus/tube/train or taxi). Then you need to be back at the terminal about 2 hours before your flight, allowing about 45 mins to an hour too get there.

Don't be lulled into the suggestion of the Heathrow Express being &quot;only 15 minutes&quot;. You have to walk quite a distance to get to the HEX, then wait for the next departure, then 15 mins to Paddington and then another 15 - 20 mins from Paddington to anywhere interesting.

Heathrow is a huge mess; by the time you get off and including the time to go through immigration, and security on the way back , I would say : no .
There are a lot of nice shops at H. so spend time looking around.

Oh - hit post too soon. There are quite a few restaurants at LHR so you can get a decent meal right at the airport.

If you wanted to dash over to Windsor you could. Or you can take the hotel hoppa bus (just about any of the routes will do) to one of the hotels near the airport and either eat something there or walk a block or two to a nearby restaurant or fast food place.

The Heathrow Express is not only expensive, but it terminates in the northwest corner of London. By the time you get from there to someplace of interest (and back), you might as well have taken the Tube for much less money.

If you decide that's what you want to do, note that HX offers a &quot;Visit London&quot; ticket for &pound;17 round-trip that's valid between 13:00 and midnight.

Shandy: you didn't say where you were coming from,,,and I guess it doesn't really matter. However: if you are catching a long flight to Melbourne that night you might want to spend a lot of time walking around for exercise. This could be done in Windsor, and the evenings will be long in May.
THe idea someone said of taking a hotel shuttle would be good, OR just take a taxi to the center of Windsor, have a bite to eat, walk around etc. and be back at Heathrow by 7:30 or earlier.

Or you can walk and walk around the airport, see the shops, eat something etc.
You might want to wait and see what time you finally get into the terminal and clear passport control...that timing usually varies from flight to flight according to how many flights arrive &quot;at the same time&quot; &gt

There's loads of stuff to do at Heathrow. I know people seem to make fun of it, but I think it's a terrific airport. I can easily spend a 3-4 hour layover there, well entertained.

I've used the shower facilities, had a meal at a nice restaurant, glass of wine in the pub, browsed the book store, all kinds of great window shopping, and absolutely world-class people-watching. Buy a trashy british tabloid to read on your next flight.

While 7 hours is enough to leave the airport, 5 hours is not imo.

Personally, I'd leave the airport too, just to be able to walk around outside.

As Janis suggested, if you or your husband are American Air (or Oneworld) with Platinum or above status, you can use the BA (and the nicer Cathay) lounge for free. Very nice showers, Molton Brown spa supplies, self-serve open bar and finger food (or dimsum at Cathay).

Thanks everyone for the info. Sounds like 5 hours just isn't quite enough time to go anywhere. Also, we'll be travelling with our kids, which I didn't mention , which adds time to everything. Therefore, since we'll be hanging out at Heathrow, does anyone know if there's anything specifically for kids to do or that kids would enjoy during the layover? Thanks.

I am afraid I an unable to help out things to do in Hethrow, as I always stay at the lounge till the last minute. However, if you and your family like to walk around, get some fresh air (I think 5-7 hours for children to stay inside the terminal is a bit too long), the Osterly Park (several hundred acres) is open daily from 8AM to 7:30PM (the park section, free admission), it takes less than 15 minutes by tube Piccadilly Line to Osterly station, then a short walk to the park, there is bluebell woods blooming now, but must be something interesting to see at the end of May.

How about six hours? Is that enough time to go to nearby Osterly, for instance?

Flight arrives terminal 4 at 11:45 am, leaves terminal 1 at 6:35 pm.

Wouldn't it be easily to stay in the airport to avoid security lines?

It is a long time, though!

we go to windsor when we have more than 5 hours.
a piece of cake form terminal. buses constantly or taxi.
about 15 minute ride.

lovely stroll , pub. then always get back with time to spare.