We are flying from Detroit to Budapest and have an 8 hour layover at the Heathrow airport (7 am-3:15 pm).I'm wondering what to do during that time. Does anyone know if there are tours from the airport into London. I'm thinking we'll need to be back at the airport by 1:00 pm.

Buy a one-day Travelcard at the Heathrow Tube station for unlimited travel on the Underground and bus networks. Ride the Piccadilly Line to Hyde Park Corner and strike out on your own bus and walking itinerary from there. Here's a bus map of London's sights: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/pdfdocs/cen_bus.pdf

And here's a geographical map that shows where things (including the Tube lines) actually are: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/buses/pdfdocs/centlond.pdf

I guess in total you'll have something like 3-4 hours if you do get to London what with traveling to and from the city. I wouldn't do it but perhaps some others will suggest lots of options for you.

I'll assume your bags are checked through and you'll have your boarding pass for the Budapest flight.

I wouldn't bother going into London. You would have time to see a bit - but who wants to learn how to use the tube and buses when you are worried about getting back to LHR.

Me personally I'd catch a cab to Windsor which will take about 15 minutes. (or a local bus which takes approx 30 mins). Windsor is a lovely town right on the river, w/ the magnificent Castle right in the very center. If you land at 0700 you'd be in Windsor by maybe 0830 and would have until 1300 or 1330 to catch a cab back to the airport. Plenty of time for a nice lunch and/or walk along the river and/or a visit to the Castle.

If it's raining or the weather is otherwise miserable (this is the UK after all), take the Tube to South Kensington & have a wander around the V&A, Natural History or Science Museums. In that case don't buy a day travelcard. The only possible problem is that they don't open until 10:00am but that should give you time to have breakfast in only of the places around South Kensington Tube Station. Aim to get back by 1:00pm but you could get back as late as 2:00pm and still be able to get your flight*


*subject to you NOT having to check in again and you don't have to recheck luggage