Previous trips to/from the UK I flew in and out of Gatwick, no early morning departures.
This trip I am ending a trip in London, then flying back from Heathrow. Researching hotels there are lots on the perimeter. I see no mention of shuttles. Are they all on an above or below ground mass transit - tube? I am flying American, so departing from Terminal 3.
With a 10 AM departure I figure that I should head for the terminal by 6. All suggestions and recommendations welcomed.
Posted by
Washington DC
29502 posts
There are a few hotels at Heathrow that are within walking distance of one of the terminals, and the terminals are connected via the Underground. I prefer that situation to being on a bus route; I'd be less confident the buses would run frequently.
I've only stayed at the Premier Inn T4, which is usually very reasonably priced. With your T3 departure, a hotel located at that terminal would be more convenient. Google Maps shows a Hilton Garden Inn and an Aerotel right at the terminal. I think I remember others on the forum have stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Here's a list of threads mentioning (I hope) the Hilton Garden Inn at Heathrow within the last two years: https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=heathrow+hilton+garden+inn+terminal+3
You might find that hotel listed on booking.com. It probably would be less expensive to book it on the corporate website, but the booking.com reviews can be useful.
Posted by
Singapore
1022 posts
The Hilton Garden Inn is connected to the terminal via a walkway, so that would be the one I'd recommend.
Normally I'd arrive at Heathrow 3hrs prior.
Posted by
AZ 🌵
3424 posts
Another vote for Hilton Garden Inn. More £££ than I usually pay for a hotel but so worth it for the convenience.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6660 posts
On our visit last fall, we had a very early morning departure. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn because it was walkable to our terminal. Like most airport hotels the cost was higher simply because of the location, but it was worth it for us. I believe most of the hotels on the perimeter are connected to the airport by a bus service, but have no idea about their frequency.
Posted by
Portsmouth
5827 posts
I also stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn a few weeks ago. The room was pleasant enough, it served its purpose of somewhere to sleep for the night prior to an early morning departure. The main attraction is the couple of minutes walk to the the airport terminal.
Previously I've stayed at some of the perimeter hotels on Bath Road. There are no shuttles anymore as far as I'm aware so you'd either have to get a taxi (expensive) or the bus which is regular but nowhere near as convenient as being within walking distance to the terminal.
Posted by
London and Chester
120 posts
There are a number of local buses that serve Heathrow and the local area. Details are available on the Heathrow website here.
https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/by-coach-or-bus/local-buses
The reason why there is no shuttle service is because the bus network does the job.
Obviously staying at a hotel connected to the airport is more convenient but the perimeter hotels still have good access.
Posted by
Lake District, England
10597 posts
It depends what you call a shuttle but the Hotel Hoppa bus service still runs to all off site Heathrow area hotels. This is the full timetable booklet (indexed for ease of use)- https://www.hotelhoppa.co.uk/media/1731/hoppa-dl-booklet-jul25.pdf
From the other Hilton Garden Inn (the one on the Great South West Road, near Hatton Cross Tube station) for instance you use service HHL to Terminal 3- first departure 0427, so for a 10am flight you would use the 0558 departure arrive 0610, or the 0643 arrive 0655.
The fare is £6.80 each to/from any of the hotels or £13 for a family including at least one child- up to 2A and 3C.
For any of the hotels on the Bath Road there is also very frequent 24/7 public bus service straight in to the Central Bus Station- which serves Terminals 2 and 3.