In August our flight arrives LHR at 7:30 am on a Sunday and we catch our international flight back to the States the next day at 10:55 a.m. Any suggestions of places to stay near the airport and what to see in 24 hours? Also any suggestions on a place to eat (inexpensive to middle of the road in price) for different meals? Would it make more sense to stay close to LHR or to travel closer to sights and then catch public transportation or taxi to airport in the morning?
Posted by
2081 posts
Connie,
considering your flight time out of LHR i dont see a reason not stay in london for you short time there. However if you want to sleep in on your flight out i can see how staying at LHR would be nice too.
taking the Heathrow Express to/from isnt that much of deal and i like using it since its direct.
i graze when im on vacation so a site down meal isnt that often so i will let others chime in as to where you could chow down.
happy trails.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
Yes, consider the Heathrow Express to and from Paddington Station, and a hotel near the station. That keeps you close to a quick ride back to the airport in the morning, and gives you lots of overnight options in a real neighborhood instead of the airport. Try booking.com to find a hotel near the station. The tube from Paddington will take you wherever you want to go for your busy day in London.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5865 posts
Another option is to stay somewhere near Earls Court/Gloucester Road. It is only about 40 minutes on the tube (Piccadilly line) from Heathrow and trains run frequently. The tube is your cheapest option to London and you can easily catch it about 7am on Monday morning and be at Heathrow for your flight. I typically stay in this area when I have a short trip to London that involves a LHR flight.
Posted by
OP
Austin, TX, USA
5 posts
Such excellent suggestions. It confirms our desire to stay in the city.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3298 posts
We like the Heathrow Express even if it is more expensive than the Tube. Much less stress. There are lots of hotels close to Paddington so it is easy for a one-night stay in London. It is a nice walk from there through Hyde Park to lots of London sights ( Buckingham Palace, Victoria and Albert and Natural History museums) and only a bit farther to Trafalgar Square.
Another option, if you don't mind the Tube, is to book a room at Fleet River Rooms ( if you can, they go fast because they are so well priced). Take the Piccadilly line from Heathrow to Holborn station, just a block from the Fleet River location. This is a very nice and lively area by Lincoln's Inn Field, easy walking to Covert Garden or to the Thames walk. There is a grill/pizza place in the Field which might work for a fun dinner ( I didn't check the hours but assume in summer they are open in the evening). Or you could walk to one of the pubs that Rick mentions (Old Chesire Cheese? Or Blackfriers). They aren't far.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3298 posts
OK, here is the cafe in Lincoln's Inn Fields:
http://www.benugo.com/restaurants/fields-bar-kitchen
They are open until 9 pm in summer and have outdoor and indoor seating. Menu looks nice (pizza, salads, and some mains like fish or risotto). It is connected with the Sir John Sloane Museum which is nearby ( read about that in Rick's London book).
Posted by
OP
Austin, TX, USA
5 posts
Thanks Sasha for your helpful input on POI and dining. We are piecing our day together. We like to leave a little room for unexpected adventures too. We are looking forward to our trip.