My wife and I have a 24 hour layover in London where we've never been. We arrive Heathrow at 7:30Am on Thursday Sep 1 and depart 7:30 AM on Friday, Sep 2 for Paris. We are booked at the Heathrow Hilton which I understand is walking distance to Terminal 4. My thought was to drop luggage at the Hilton when we arrive and then head to London. My wife would like to visit Harrods but other than that we are not sure what to do in such a short time. We also don't know how to best get from Heathrow to Harrods. Any suggestions on how to spend such a short time? Thank you!

Knowing your interests would help, but...

I would get Tube to Covent Garden, walk over to Trafalgar Sq, walk down to Parliament Sq, seeing Banqueting Hall, Horses Guard, 10 Downing, War Rooms, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben. Then could wander back and head up to Buckingham Palace, St James Palace, St James Park...

You could fill a day in this general area.

Thanks Michel...Much appreciated.

I'm not sure of the logistics of getting to the Tube from the Heathrow Hilton; hopefully someone else can advise you there. But Harrods is close to the Knightsbridge tube stop, which is on the Piccadilly line - conveniently, the line that goes all the way to Heathrow. So if Harrods is a must, I'd just take the Tube in from Heathrow and stop there first. If your wife plans to shop a lot, it might be tempting to stop there last, but it depends on when you plan to head back to the hotel. Per the Harrods web site, it closes at 8pm.

As far as what else to do, it really does depend on your interests. Personally for a first-timer I'd do something similar to Michel's suggestion - head to the Westminster/Trafalgar/Buckingham/Covent Garden area and just walk around. With some research and a good map, you can see a lot of what you think of as "London" in a few hours there. The Leicester Square tube stop is just north of Trafalgar Square and is also on the Piccadilly line.

From Terminal 4, take Piccadilly line direct to Covent Garden

Do you know how I'd get to the tube from the Heathhrow Hilton?

One more question. Should I purchase an Oyster or Travel Card for this or just pay as we go?

THe LHR Hilton is connected by a covered walkway to T4. just follow the walkway, then the signs to the Tube.

Do NOT do what you're calling pay as you go: the fare structure is deliberately designed to destroy financially serial buyers of single-trip tickets. Assuming you're staying that night at the Hilton,buy a one-day Travelcard. this won't give you access to 2 for 1 deals, but it's the least hassle option.

I really would not go to Harrod's, most British people wouldn't. And you can see a mini shop at Heathrow if you are really keen.

Fortnum and Mason and the Burlington Arcade, both on Piccadilly, will give you a far more interesting and "local" experience.

Is there some reason for staying at heathrow. i'm assuming you re flying to Paris when the Eurostar is actually much faster as there is no real wait for security lines and you get right into the center of the city rather than an outlying airport.

I should have booked as you say avalon...however...our original intention was to go to Paris. When I booked the flight last December there was a short layover in London. Delta changed the flight times and I ended up with a 6 hour layover....I called and was able to get them to change to a 24 hour layover thinking it would be nice to see London....even if only for a short time. Next time I'll do as you suggest. While I'm experienced with USA travel I'm a novice with travel in Europe.