There is a very distinct possibility that I will end up with a 9 hour layover in London Gatwick. If we do end up with the layover we will be in London from about 7AM and will need to be back to Gatwick by 4PM (to be on the safe side).<BR><BR>I will be traveling with my 10 year old daughter and if we do get stuck there for the day I would love to show her a quick whirl-wind tour of the city. I have never been to London so I have no clue. <BR><BR>Does anyone have any suggestions? Taxis, hop on/off busses, tour companies. Please remember I can't book anything in advance because we will only end up there for the day if we miss our connection (this was a previous post) because we have only a 75 min. layover scheduled and have to change terminals.<BR><BR>The 9 hour layover won't be so bad if we can take in London but I really need your help so I can plan what to do.<BR><BR>Thanks so much<BR><BR>April

To add to the above question, I guess I should have told you, I will be traveling the last week of November.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>April

Paging Ben Haines.<BR>

I have a 12 hour layover at Gatwick next week and I posted a similar question. Most people have answered one of two things. One response has been to get a hotel room and go to sleep. The fun response has been to jump on the express train that ends at Victoria Station. From there I've been told that I can walk to Buckingham Palace, past Big Ben and Parliment, and across the river to Westminister where there are some nice pubs.

April. You may not have the choice. If you are traveling on a through ticket with London siply a transit point between the States and your final destination, you will not leave the airport. They will keep you "airside" and you will not go through immogration. So if you are simply traveling through LGW plan on duty free shopping and eating.<BR><BR>BUT - if you are on two tickets, one RT to London and another RT from London to your final destination, you could leave the airport. The gatwick express takes 30+ minutes to Victoria station. You could go into London, spend a couple of hours walking along the river, to Buckinham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, etc and then take the express back to LGW.

Please excuse all the typos - but you get the idea. It depends on which type of tickets you are traveling on . . . .

OH NO!! I am booked thru to Naples. I will be changing from US Air to British Airways but it is one ticket. <BR><BR>Would they not allow me to go thru immigration and customs and then come back and do the whole thing again? I know that sounds like a hassle to some people for just a few hours but compared to being stuck in an airport from 7AM till the flight leaves at 6PM it sounds wonderful. I am beginning to wonder if I should just cancel this whole trip, every way I turn there something a little worse than the last stressor. <BR><BR>Thanks for the info,<BR><BR>April

April- When I saw that in response to my post, I called my airlines and they told me I would be allowed to leave the airport. I asked them to verify so the rep checked with her supervisor. Call your airline, and I think I'm going to call the British Embassy (I live in DC). I'll let you know what I find.

April, the embassy told me that the UK does not have any restrictions on leaving the airport, it's up to the airline, so you should check with them.

I have called British Airways and they said there is no problem or restrictions on leaving the airport unless you are a citizen of a country which requires a special visa. I am a US citizen and they assured me there will be no restrictions.<BR><BR>Thanks for your tips Mike and also for your extra checks for me.<BR><BR>Now I can plan my "maybe" day in London.<BR><BR>Thanks for the itinerary hints thus far. I can relax once again and look forward to this long planned trip.<BR><BR>April