Help with Area to stay? Double-Check my itinerary?

Remember you need an antigen test within 3 days of return to the U.S. I see where you have the day 0-2 test, but not the one for your return. I know you can get them at a Paddington Station lab. It’s run by the same company that offers them at Heathrow.

Thank you, Jaime!

I think you may be too optimistic about getting to and from Heathrow. With a flight scheduled to arrive at 10:15 AM and the need to clear Immigration, I would not bank on getting to Kings Cross in time for a 12:12 train. We need to see what the UK posters think.

At the end of the trip, the standard advice (pre-COVID) was to be at the outbound airport 3 hours before your flight. I haven't taken the Heathrow Express, but there's likely to be some walking involved before you reach your check-in point. With COVID, I think a lot of people have said they allowed some extra time and needed it; others have passed through airports easily. I haven't flown since 2019, so I have no personal experience to share, but Heathrow is not at all a small airport.

I agree that your timing from the airport is pretty risky. You are assuming your arriving flight is on time, there aren't huge lineups at Immigration from other incoming flights, Immigration is fully staffed, you are doing carry on luggage only, with no need to pick up checked bags, you have no delay purchasing your Heathrow express ticket, there are no service disruptions on the tube line from Paddington to Kings Cross, and you can quickly find the platform for your departing train. With jet lag. You might sail right through. Or you could still be stuck at the airport as your train is leaving.

With your departure, you should be AT Heathrow by 1145 at the very least, so you should probably take an earlier Heathrow express.

As for hotels, you could either pick one close to St Pancras, so you could quickly check in, drop your bags, and head out for the rest of your day - in which case I can recommend the Premier Inn St Pancras. Access to the tube lines at Kings Cross is just a block away.

OR stay close to Paddington Station for a quicker getaway the next morning. That station also has access to the tube lines to get you to Tower Hill. Booking.com will allow you to filter your hotel selections for location, price range, and amenities.

Thanks all!

We (just 2 of us) are only bringing carry on and I did get the 1 day passes for Heathrow and Rail so the times are adjustable - having said that I will definitely leave to had to the airport earlier.

I thought about staying in Trafalgar. Would that add in too much wasted travel time?

1 day passes for Heathrow and Rail

?sorry?
I don't get that one.

Day one, I think other posters are far too optimistic that you will be on a train in Kings Cross 2 hours minus 3 minutes from scheduled transatlantic arrival at Heathrow, luggage or no luggage.

Maybe. I wouldn't take that bet.

I don't think you will make your tests at 104-106 Judd Street. It is out of the station and across Euston Road, no fun in the best of times (I used to work there). There is vast traffic there and the only way across is the traffic light controlled crossings which are not straight. If you know exactly where you are going it is 10 minutes walk nonstop (it won't be nonstop) once you are out of the station. Thameslink station is 3 floors down and out the top of the station.

You might just make it if the train is on time. Maybe. I wouldn't take that bet.

You need to be checked in for Eurostar an hour ahead, both ways. Possibly more now with Covid and paperwork checks on top of immigration and customs x2.

I didn't see a day 2 test for reentry to the UK on the return from Paris. You need one. Every time you enter.

I didn't see a 3 day test for entry back to the US.

I'm past my bedtime - I'll look more tomorrow

Exactly the honesty I was hoping for.

I will move our covid test., I appreciate your knowledge!

Yes. The tickets I purchased are for any HE train that day and the Rail pass works for any off-peak times.

As for return test - my airline says vaccinated day 2 or of unvaccinated day 2 and day 8. Obviously I’m vaccinated. I have been keeping up on the rules and will keep checking if I’m wrong. I am also using the VeriFLY app.

We will have the France Heath Pass. From what I understand we sign forms to board Eurostar etc and do not believe the tests are required with Heath Pass and Vax records. Again - with the input here I will be double checking all of this.

I’m still overthinking the area I want to stay in London, was hoping to be close enough to walk to a few sights - or take the river cruise to Tower of London. (Ticker to that is also a window thank goodness).

Anyway, this forum is so very helpful, thank you.

Here are my thoughts....

Like others, your chance of making that arrival day train is slim, but possible. Make sure you have a way of getting in touch with your driver if you need to rearrange the time.

Are the tests on Thursdays your Day 2 test? If you haven't paid for them yet, get one that will arrive at your hotel on Wednesday? That's what I did three weeks ago and am doing week as I return to rhe UK.

For the Eurostar to Paris. You will need proof of vaccination and a filled out French Locater form. No tests needed. If you already have the Pass Sanitaire, you can use that as proof. If not, you won't be able to get it until you arrive in Paris. Your country's proof of vaccination should be okay. (CDC card.)

For Eurostar to London, you will need a Day 2 test booked and paid for, UK locater form, and proof of vaccination. (Since you are leaving the UK to return to the U.S. in one day, you have to pay for the test but you don't have to take it.)

For return to the U.S, you will need a negative test within 72 hours of departure

Plan for an earlier arrival at Terminal 3. You may need more time. (If your flight is on AA to NY it may leave out of Terminal 5. All other AA flights out of Terminal 3)

Download the "Verifly" app. Both BA and AA use it to make check in easier. If you fill it out, you can print your boarding passes at your hotel or check in online. If not, you will have to check in at the airport and that will take time.

The UK locater form can only be filled out within 48 hours of your arrival in the UK.

Four weeks ago, I flew into the UK on AA. Three weeks ago I took the Eurostar to Paris. Today I fly back to the UK on BA. My information is current.

Even though the Paddington Express says 15 minutes....that's only part of your trip. You still have to get from Paddington to Kings Cross. Figure an additional 25-30 minutes. The same in reverse.

Your two walks are in a more eastern part of London. If you stay near the stations, it will mean backtracking because it is doubtful you could check in to your hotel before your first walk. They will probably hold your bags for you.

Fron St Pancras to Tower Hill for your tour your travel time will be about 25 minutes. The same for Aldgate East. (If the Underground is running smoothly.) If you stay near Paddington it will take 35-40 minutes.

Awesome, Frank - thank you. Got all the above except the day 2 for Paris to London. Can sort out then. I’ll also see about getting the test at my hotel, it just seems less stress to not worry about it arriving and doing it in person.

To return to the US - I have to book a test to take after arriving hime, correct? I feel like VeriFLY didn’t mention that but I suppose it will after I complete my departure checklist and arrive in UK.

Anyway, I think Covent Gardens or Holborn look like my bets for the night in London. Can drop off luggage before TOL without going all over. 👍

As it stands now, you are not required to test after returning home to the US. You must test prior to departure on that flight home, or you will not be allowed to board the plane. This information should be laid out on your airline's website. Be sure you take a test your airline will accept.

for your first Day 2 test (any time between landing and the end of day two, your landing day is day zero) why don't you have one sent to Lynford Hall and do it when you get there. Then a photo of the cassette (testing device) on your phone, snd it in via the app and you're done.

Or surely there is a Boots in Thetford. Even in Norfolk they have Boots. Then its done. You just have to plan and buy ahead.

Congrats on what should be a fun trip, by the way. Rushed, but fun.

There is a Boots in Brandon - about a 10 minute walk south from the station on the High Street just past The Bell. Lynford Hall may be classed as Thetford, but it is situated north of Brandon.

I have to agree with the others, Day 1 is...sporty. Is it technically doable? Sure - but my word, you will need everything to go spot on to make it. You've already said you are moving your test on 18 NOV, so thats good.

This seems like a grand (if quick) adventure!

You all have been super helpful! I appreciate all the little knowledge bits.

I'll be available for Indianapolis Motor Speedway tours, the best places to stay and eat in Indianapolis AND - I'm a former resident of many areas of Chicago, too. I'm sure you're all REAL interested. ;-)

don't be a stranger, marie - write back after the dust settles and let us know it all went. Have a croissant for me...

Ha! I'm sure we'll have some misadventures but we'll do our best!

I canceled the in-person test altogether and had the Day 2 and Pre-Departure tests sent to my hotel. woot!

London Hotels I'm kicking around...

Mercure London Bloomsbury
Club Quarters Trafalgar Square
The Hoxton Holborn
Victory House

I'm going to jump on Nigel's train (see what I did there, Nigel? :) ) - do come back and let us know how it all went.

As to your hotel choices, its all in what you want. It looks like your choices are in the center of it all. Nothing wrong with any of them (of your list, my choice would likely be the Hoxton), but given the vibrancy of the areas, may be a little noisy.

As potential alternatives, you might check out:

100 Queens Gate Hotel, a Curio by Hilton
Thistle Kensington Gardens
The Dixon, Tower Bridge

Are you guys just curious to know if I manage all this? ;-) I love it!

I've made some changes that will greatly reduce my stress level and hopefully work so much better thanks to all the input here!

• As mentioned, we have the required covid tests arriving at our hotel vrs the in-person.

• I have ensured I can take the train to Cambridge an hour later (or two if need be) without any extra stress/$$. I also have not booked a tax in Brandon yet. I can either call once I know when I will arrive or find a pub and schmooze a ride. (I'm kidding. Maybe) Last resort, there will be people at Lynford I can ask.

  • We will plan to arrive at Heathrow and St. Pancras as early as possible.

I've also decided to stay at either Clermont Charing Cross or Royal Horseman. Now I just need to find a good deal.

T minus 3.5 !

hey hey marie
happy you got it all put together, can't wait to hear how it went. i'm on the same train as nigel and tom.
stressed spelled backwards is desserts!
have some tea and crumpets plus an eclair for me. LOL enjoy
aloha