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5 hour layover

We have a 4 1/2 hour layover on a Wednesday. Any suggestions for what to do? We are there 10:45 - 15:10. It’s just my hubby and I, and we will have no checked luggage. TIA

Posted by
60 posts

Is that from landing to taking off for the next flight? You’ll have to be in the boarding area 1 hour prior to that flight, so allowing for deplaning and through the usual Heathrow stuff, you’ll be left with 2.5-3 hours. Enough time to grab a bite to eat, hit a restroom, walk around for a bit, and make it to your gate for the onward flight.
Food offerings depend on the terminal. I like to stop at a bookstore or Boots and see what’s on offer. Pick up a magazine and a bottle of water, maybe buy something I forgot (toothpaste, shampoo, chapstick) and before I know it, it’s time to head out.

Posted by
6732 posts

Assuming you're talking about Heathrow, that's not enough time to get out of the airport and go anywhere (well, not if you're going to get back in time for your flight). I'd just relax, grab a bite, stretch the legs and chill.

Posted by
169 posts

If you are laying over in London (which I am assuming you are) you are not going to have enough time to do anytime outside of the airport because Gatwick, Stansted, and Heathrow are all at least 45 minutes outside of London proper. I have either flown out of or into each of those airports and I could entertain myself for 3 hours, which to be honest once you count de-planing is what you will have. Depending on the terminal if you are at Heathrow there is a cool Harry Potter store (which may or may not be your thing) a Harrods, and a plethora of other shopping to entertain, plus food, which you will need to make the time to eat.

Do yourself a favor and stay put, even if you are coming from inside of England or Scotland or Northern Ireland and don't have to do immigration it would just be easier and less stressful to charge your phone, do a little shopping (or window shopping, like I do) and take time eating lunch.

Posted by
362 posts

We now have friends who are going to be able to come to the airport for a bit to catch up. We’re good!!

Posted by
20 posts

Halfdozmom—- just keep an eye on the clock. Your going to have to clear immigration and exit....that can be an hour or two ( last Feb it was two for me as staffing was low on a Sunday afternoon and a good number of packed A380s arrived just in front of us). I have a good 15 arrivals into Heathrow and my record from the wheels hitting the tarmac to “outside” headed towards the Tube is just about 1 hr and everything went perfectly, no line at immigration.

With a 10:45 arrival your not getting into the terminal until 12-1 pm. Your going to have to go back in through security as an outsider for your next flight and that can be quick or not at Heathrow, especially if there is a terminal change involved. Thus you need to head to security by 1 pm, 2 hrs preflight.... You get the idea.

Sid

Posted by
362 posts

Sid - thanks for the heads up! We will be sure to watch the time. Helpful to know this ahead of time. 😁