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Heathrow

Landing tomorrow at T3 with only a carry-on. I always forget the protocol when traveling international. Do I just go to passport control then exit the terminal or are there other steps I will need to take? I should keep a list for every airport I visit. Lol.

Posted by
1315 posts

Just follow the signs - they'll even be in English.

it depends on if you want to stay in England or you are transferring to another plane for going somewhere else.

Posted by
653 posts

I am arriving from the US and staying the week in London then returning to the States.

Posted by
533 posts

While you're still on the plane, you'll fill out a small form with some information about yourself, including the address of the first place you'll be staying in the UK - so it's best to have that information available. Then in the airport, you'll go through passport control, where you'll hand over your form and answer any questions they may have. They may ask you for proof of your return flight, so it's best to have a printout of that ready to show them.

After that, it's on to baggage claim (irrelevant for you), then customs (unless your carry-on is stuffed full of tobacco products or similar, you can just walk through the green "nothing to declare" lane), then out of the airport.

Posted by
653 posts

MrsEb I arrive 10:55 local time. I will keep you posted. I have to admit I am extremely nervous about the trip as this is the first time traveling solo.

Posted by
8572 posts

Steve, Heathrow is huge but manageable. Once you deplane Merely follow the masses.

You've gotten excellent info from khbuzzard.

Traveling solo is my preferred mode of transport.

You'll be fine as you've already figured out how only bring a carry on.

Have a great trip. Great city. Make the most of it!

Posted by
13809 posts

After you deplane and follow the masses I usually make a bathroom stop before I continue. Sometimes the Immigration line is long, sometimes it's short but it's nice to be comfortable, lol. They usually have people at the head of the line sending you to open agents. Very easy and I've had some very cordial agents greet me there.

Posted by
11294 posts

You don't have to remember any "protocol," as you won't be allowed to skip any necessary steps. Just follow the signs and the herds.

Posted by
330 posts

I was just there.
Just follow the signs.
Passport control was long, 35 minutes.
Then just walk thru the baggage area for the exit.
About another 10 minutes to get to the tub station.
Have fun!

Posted by
448 posts

Hi Steve,

Adding my invaluable 2 cents about LHR:

Icelandair disembarks WAY the heck out in the middle of nowhere at LHR and the trek to customs became known as "The Bataan Death March with Crumpets" -- except there were no crumpets. When we asked our ever-so-friendly stewardess where we should go, we were informed to "follow everyone else". Except everyone else seemed just as lost as we were. So we walked and we walked and we walked and we walked s'more and then because it was so much fun, and we were basically lost, we just kept right on walking -- at which point we saw the line at customs and my wife's good humor, buffetted by a cold, hunger, and no sleep on the plane since taking off from Seattle, gave out entirely.

That was a LONG wait in line, lemme tell ya. Nothing beats indeterminate waiting combined with a irritated partner when you've flown half-way across the globe and it's currently 5:00am on your body's clock. But we got through it without divorce proceedings ensuing and took a 110 GBP taxi ride from the airport to Fulham. I was never so happy to spend money in my life. Also, I was never so happy to be in Fulham in my life. Actually, by thay point, I might have settled for the fabled Bromley.

Anyway, the point of this rambling missive is that LHR is huge, Icelandair parks basically on the Moon, and a good marriage can survive anything: even the customs line at Heathrow.

Posted by
448 posts

Sorry -- getting things mixed up. The line for admission into the UK. Thought that was customs.

Posted by
653 posts

Passport control was ridiculous. Hundreds I line. Took about 2 hours!!