Hi Everyone,

My family is taking a trip in August and we have a 7 hour layover in London on a Saturday. Our flight arrives (into Heathrow) from the US at 10:40am and departs for Egypt at 6:00pm later that day. We are considering taking the Heathrow Express into London to do some sightseeing. Specifically we would like to take a ride on the London Eye (purchase Fast Track tickets ahead of time). Do you think, considering airport formalities, transit to and from, etc., there is enough time to do this?

Thanks for your input.

Chris

You probably have time, assuming your flight is on time and your bags are checked through. But Heathrow Express is not cheap and if your family has 3 or more people you may want to get a car service. Although traffic from the airport can make driving slower than the HE, you will get dropped at Paddington and still have to make a transfer to the London Eye.

No I don't think so and I wouldn't do it because..

1. even if you have a direct flight you might be delayed
2. London Eye is only worth doing in good weather. No point if raining!
3. even if bags are checked through you should be back at Heathrow by 3pm (advised to check in 3 hours before international flight)

Taking the HEX wouldn't be the best option. Paddington is not near the Eye - you'd get to Paddington fast, but then have to take a cab or the tube to Westminster to get the Eye.

You won't be through immigration and out of the airport until probably noon-ish.

Then count on about about an hour total to the Eye (whether you take the tube all the way from LHR or the HEX the tube. A little bit less for the HEX plus a cab, but at many times the cost)

But you couldn't pre-book the Eye even if you wanted to since you really don't know what time you actually land and how long you'll be delayed at passport control.

Then an hour back to LHR and 2-3 hours at the airport depending on what your airline advises.

So - your 7+ hours turns out to be about 1 hour free time in central London.

Have a cup of tea and people watch instead?

Egypt in August?

And... since you can't pre-book the eye (due to your itinerary), you may have a long, long wait in line to board, especially since you're talking about mid-day Saturday.

Take a look at Windsor, instead. Only a few miles from Heathrow and you'll have time to tour the castle and have a nice lunch.

Thanks everyone for the input. It's much appreciated. I think you're correct about being short on time for the Eye. I didn't realize you had to choose a time slot when booking Fast Track tickets. Windsor sounds like a good alternative but we are concerned about it keeping the attention of a 15 year old boy. Does anyone think there are any other interesting options given the timeframe?

I didn't know about Fast Track tickets to the Eye so long lines would not be an issue if somehow you could buy those. But let's suppose you do, then your flight is delayed and you no longer have time to go into the city. Then you have spent £27.88/pp for those Fast Track tix you can't use.

I must agree that Windsor is a better plan than the Eye. IMO it's too much trouble and expense to try to do the Eye in the time you have, not to mention the possibility of bad weather which could make it all for nothing.

Dutyfree- I know, I know, it's going to be HOT but we're on our way to a safari in Kenya and couldn't pass up a chance for a glimpse at the pyramids. Keep your fingers crossed for a cold snap.

So the trip is for your son and not he rest of the family? IMHO the Eye is a amusement ride, however, if you can't do better, it will fill the void of time.

It isn't at all an amusement ride IMO.

It isn't fast, it isn't scary, and no one would ever confuse it w/ a ferris wheel or tilt-a-whirl. Heck, you can even have champagne while 'flying' the Eye. Don't try that on an Octopus or roller coaster (I've been on the Eye 5 times - twice for champagne or special flights)

It is more like an excursion w/ amazing views.

But in any case it doesn't make sense for long2travel's situation . . . .

Thanks everyone for all the great input.

Roger- Actually, the entire trip is a birthday gift for our nephew's 16th birthday. That being said, of course we want to do things we would all enjoy. I think we agree, as janisj mentioned, that the Eye doesn't make sense in our situation. I do think Windsor is a good option I just wanted to see if anyone had any other thoughts. I think, ultimately, what we will do is first finish with airport formalities and then make a decision based on how much time we actually have. Windsor Castle being one option, almost anything else to get us out of the airport being another. This includes taking a walk in a park or going to a pub for lunch.

I do wish you a grand trip! Regarding my opinion towards the eye, With so much art, history and diverse museums, I guess I don't get it. Now if you want a view, go to St. Paul's and climb to the top of the dome. Great view and good exercise.

I understand what you're saying, Rogeruktm. But 7 hours will barely get you on the "Eye" let alone visit a museum. Travel, IMO, should be part learning, part eating and a whole lot of fun. And the London Eye is fun.

Here's my shot: http://www.thelostcompass.net/index.php?showimage=26

I think you have plenty of time to see it provided all goes according to schedule. I had a layover with less time and managed to visit Westminster Abbey which I had missed on a previous trip.

Jim - OMG, that's beautiful! Now I really want to go up in the Eye, especially in the right light. And yes, food, fun, and education. Did I mention food?

Roger - I agree with you as well. If I had only one shot at London I don't think the Eye would be my first choice considering everything else available. In all fairness, you don't have the whole story. We have another layover in London (a week later) that is 12 hours long. I was saving that for another thread as to not overcomplicate this one. During that layover we hope to pack in as much as possible. We were hoping to knock something off the list on the first layover. Climbing St. Paul's sounds like a good option also.

Since you're coming back, Windsor is probably a good choice for your first stop. You can do the Eye when you return...and there's plenty more to do in that same area.

rogeruktm: "<i>With so much art, history and diverse museums, I guess I don't get it.</i>"

If one doesn't have time for the Eye, they 100% sure don't have time to climb St Paul's, or to visit the British Museum.

<u>of course</u> St Paul's, or the British museum or 100 other sites are wonderful. That doesn't mean the Eye isn't also worthwhile. IMO one can appreciate JMW Turner, The RSC, or the London Philharmonic, and also enjoy the Eye. One doesn't preclude the other