What time for early flight to Heathrow
 

We have a 7:50am flight from Heathrow to US, what time should we be picked up by car service? 5:00am or earlier? I'm thinking of using Just Airports. Hotel near Lancaster Gate.

I'd stay perhaps at one of the bevy of airport areas hotels with shuttle buses to the terminals. Or leave yes very early - what time do you have to check in?

With an early flight out of Heathrow's Terminal 5, we splurged at the Sofitel, which is attached to the airport. We walked over a bridge directly into the terminal. Likewise there is a Hilton attached to Terminal 4.

Alternatively there are hotels (kinda) near Heathrow and connected by the Hotel Hoppa shuttle bus. This bus has departures starting in the 4 AM hour.

Obviously a night in London is preferable. Depends on how comfortable you are with that. Shouldn't be any traffic at that hour of the morning.

There's also a Yotel in Terminal 4 which may be cheaper.

I would confirm with your airline what time they want you to check in (NOT arrive at the airport - but actually check in - allowing for lines). Heathrow can be a bear.

Thanks for the replies. We don't really want to switch hotels. I will check with the airline about check in time they didn't say on their Web site just that they open at 5:00am. I was wondering if it takes an hour or more to get to the airport without much traffic that early?

Without much traffic, probably an hour or less. Have done it in 35 minutes, just no guarantees.

S.O. wants to stay at the airport. United airlines says we fly out of Terminal 2, any hotel you suggest which is closest to there?

There are no hotels anywhere near the centsal core of Heathrow.

Your boyfriend is ill-advised.

In time terms, the closest hotels to T2 & 3 are those within easy walking distance of Paddington. The 0510 first Heathrow Express will get you into T2 by 0530. It will almost inevitably take longer to get a bus from any airport hotel, though you might get there from the T5 Sofitel in about 15 mins if you're lucky

Thanks flanneruk I agree with you!