London stopover recommendations

[Eric Menchen]

I might have a few hours in London on a Tuesday with a connection through Heathrow. Depending on the flights, I might have no time, two hours, or perhaps 4-6 hours if I'm lucky. Any recommendations on things to do, Port related or not? It looks like the fastest (albeit more expensive) way into town is the Heathrow Express train into Paddington Station, so things around there might warrant greater consideration.

[Andy Velebil]

I'm no expert but from my experience you won't have much time to do anything. Heathrow is a massive airport and by the time you get on the Train and then need to get back your 2-4 hours will be up. As you'll need to clear security and customs at some point along the way. Which can be quick or slow...I've experienced both.

There are some pubs near the airport you could head to for a bite and real pub experience which would be doable if you've got a longer layover.


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[Edward J]

A couple of years ago we had a 8-9 hour layover in London. It was enough time to take the tube down to the British Museum and toodle around for a few hours. We then walked over to Neal's Yard and visited the famous cheese monger. Great stuff, then walked over to the Opera Tavern for some Iberico Jamon and tapas, not bad. Back on the tube for our flight to South Africa. Pretty much brain dead at that point, but it was better than sitting in the airport for all that time.

[Glenn E.]

I'm no expert but from my experience you won't have much time to do anything. Heathrow is a massive airport and by the time you get on the Train and then need to get back your 2-4 hours will be up. As you'll need to clear security and customs at some point along the way. Which can be quick or slow...I've experienced both.

There are some pubs near the airport you could head to for a bite and real pub experience which would be doable if you've got a longer layover.

This has been my experience as well. The train ride into London is ~45 minutes as I recall, so 1.5 hours of your time is simply riding the train. Then, as Andy said, you'd have to clear customs on the way back in and that can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours depending on airline/lines/etc. 8-9 hours like Edward described would work, but I suspect that even 4-6 hours would be tight.

If we're hoping to do anything in London, we always schedule to arrive on the last possible flight of the evening so that we "can't make the connection" that day and can instead fly back to the US the following day. Then we get an overnight and can meet people for drinks/whatever.

[Edward J]

If we're hoping to do anything in London, we always schedule to arrive on the last possible flight of the evening so that we "can't make the connection" that day and can instead fly back to the US the following day. Then we get an overnight and can meet people for drinks/whatever.

This is what we will do next time we pass through London .