Long Layover in London - Self-Guided Walking Tour from Paddington Station ~ Help!!

How long is your layover so people can see what is realistic for a break from the airport? Also, potentially you could start your walking tour anywhere the direct Piccadilly line from the airport takes you.

Oh yes, that might help! Sorry! We have a 10.5 hour layover.

Are you flying in internationally and out on one ticket, US to U.K.? Or do you have some other itinerary and ticketing?

Just how long is your layover? Also what is your itinerary? This thread from a few days ago discussed it in some detail: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/heathrow-express-to-paddington-on-layover-worth-it-for-a-short-time.

We are flying from US to UK on BA and leaving LHR to Vienna on BA.

Thanks Ed. I saw that topic but it discussed mostly going to Windsor which we are not going to do (as of now).

Depending on the variables ie flight delays/early arrival, passport control, Heathrow Express to Paddington and back, security at LHR etc it is doable. Be prepared for a drive by / in the blink of an eye type of tour. Plus remember you are transiting from a country that definitely not a part of the Schengen Area to one that is, I am not too sure what is involved there. You may want to consider a private tour.

From an OU guy.

Emma - isn't taking the Piccadilly line from the airport time consuming? I was trying to avoid wasting time which is why I thought the Express to Paddington might work. Is walking to any of the sites from Paddington feasible?

Emma - isn't taking the Piccadilly line from the airport time
consuming? I was trying to avoid wasting time which is why I thought
the Express to Paddington might work. Is walking to any of the sites
from Paddington feasible?

I'm not Emma, but I'll chime in. Nope, the sites you're interested in are not a feasible walk from Paddington. By the time you get off the Heathrow Express at Paddington rail station, then walk to the Paddington underground (Tube) station, take a Tube and maybe change lines at least once? You've burned more time (and money and energy) than if you do what Emma suggests.

Thank you!! From what I am researching - I think you have great advice!!!

Would you recommend going to Windsor instead?

If you have money to burn you could arrange for a limo to pick you up at Green Park Tube Station and take you for a ride and return you to the same spot. Or you could take a black cab outside the station.

Whoever thought up the Heathrow Express name was very good at marketing, it appears that a lot of visitors are seduced by the word express even though it goes nowhere near where they want to go.

harleydonski, exactly!!! I'm guilty!

I've decided to take all of your great advice and skip the Express. So, one last question - can you recommend a pub with good food in the general area of the sites we will be visiting?

One more factor. Since you are leaving the airport, you must go through immigration control in order to do so, rather than staying in the airport and moving to your ongoing flight, which only requires a security re-screening. The immigration for non-UK entrants can often mean up to an hour in line the morning.

I will defend the Heathrow Express as we use it on every visit to London. I cannot stand the noise and underground section of the Tube, especially after a long-haul flight. And one definitely can walk from Paddington to Westminster Abbey. It is one of our favorite walks, through Hyde Park, Green Park, past Buckingham Palace, and then through St. James Park with its lovely plantings.

But it does not meet all the OP's wishes somI will suggest a different walk. Take the tube from the airport to Westminster as suggested (never done it myself but I believe one angel is required). Walk around and enjoy the views of the Abbey and Parliament buildings ( Big Ben is covered up for renovation). Then cross Westminster bridge and walk the Thames Path right along the river all the way to Tower Bridge. Gorgeous views of many iconic London sights and opportunities for lunch at sidewalk cafes as well as a bit of shopping.

Then cross Tower Bridge and walk around the Tower area. Take the No. 15 bus from the Tower to the end at Charing Cross station. Ride upstairs if you can. If there is time, you can get off at St. Paul's for a lookmaround and then board a different bus.

https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/15/

From Charing Cross station, walk to Leicester Square (pretty much the heart of London) and catch the Piccadilly line back to Heathrow.

What I'd recommend is to get off at Green Park station, walk through Green Park/St.James Parks(lovely parks) you will see Buckingham Palace and Pall Mall. Keep walking towards the River Thames and there will be Big Ben(with scaffolding) and the Palace of Westminster(Parliament). Right across from Parliament is a pub called St Stephan's Tavern. Prices are a bit higher but it's a regular hangout for MPs and staffers. Food isn't bad either.