We have a long layover (overnight) at LHR on the way to Rome.
Flight from the states is set to arrive LHR at 10PM and next flight to FCO is at 7AM the next day.
Question: Can we stay at the Terminal to rest/lounge around until our flight the next day? Or do they close and usher you out?
I know the other option is getting a hotel for the night, but couldn't find any answers regarding folks actually staying at the Terminals to rest.
See the Guide to Sleeping in Airports: https://www.sleepinginairports.net/europe/londonheathrow.htm.
See the Guide to Sleeping in Airports: https://www.sleepinginairports.net/europe/londonheathrow.htm.
Thank you. I guess that would be good enough for now...unless someone here has actually done it and would like to chime in.
You will rest way better if you just book a room at the airport hotel or one near by. At least you will have a bathroom that is handy, a bed and a shower to start the morning.
You will rest way better if you just book are room at the airport hotel or one near by. At least you will have a bathroom that is handy and a shower to start the morning.
Thank you. That seems to be the better alternative.
I thought there was a micro hotel at Heathrow that you almost rented by the hour. Also the arrival lounges for business/first class passengers have showers. The one at Heathrow for United is outside of security but very nice with complimentary breakfast that was decent.
I stayed at the Premier Inn near Terminal 4 (covered walkway, about 10 minutes) last September. It was relatively new then, and perhaps underutilized. I got an incredible rate of under 50 GBP for a single. Maybe you can get a similarly good deal.
The Yotel rents rooms by the hour. It's in Terminal 4.
I thought there was a micro hotel at Heathrow that you almost rented by the hour. Also the arrival lounges for business/first class passengers have showers. The one at Heathrow for United is outside of security but very nice with complimentary breakfast that was decent.
There is Yotel inside Terminal 4 that's like a micro hotel
EDIT: Frank II beat me to the name :-)
I stayed at the Premier Inn near Terminal 4 (covered walkway, about 10 minutes) last September. It was relatively new then, and perhaps underutilized. I got an incredible rate of under 50 GBP for a single. Maybe you can get a similarly good deal.
Thanks! Looks like this is a better deal and its just right outside Terminal 4.
We'll just come back in this way again in the morning and catch the free shuttle/train to Terminal 5.
Yes, you can sleep in the terminal overnight at Heathrow but it is not recommended. I believe security are tolerant of travelers staying overnight as long as they have a boarding pass. I know my brother (living in the UK) sometimes stays overnight at Heathrow when he has an early morning flight. I asked him fairly recently if he had ever been told to leave the terminal and he said no, security make checks but he has never been told to leave. I honestly don't know why any one would actually choose to sleep overnight in any airport. It is a miserable experience. BTW - the executive lounges will be closed and Heathrow will be very quiet and empty. The only flat surface you might find is the floor. I slept at JFK last year before a trip to Europe (bad luck on delayed and cancelled flights) and it was just awful. I felt like I had a two day hangover and it made for a bad start to an expensive European vacation. My recommendation is for you to get a nearby airport Hotel and get some sleep. I really enjoy staying at the Sofitel at Heathrow as it is conveniently connected by skywalk to Terminal 5. But it is expensive. Don't underestimation how tired and cranky you can get after so many hours without sleep.
My recommendation is for you to get a nearby airport Hotel and get some sleep. I really enjoy staying at the Sofitel at Heathrow as it is conveniently connected by skywalk to Terminal 5. But it is expensive.
Thanks. I think I'll go with acraven's recommendation and get a couple of rooms at Premier Inn right outside Terminal 4.
There's four of us travelling, and £64 for 2 rooms looks like a pretty good deal.
I've done it and would never do it again - we had a flight time same as yours so travelled down in the evening and set up camp in a public lounge for a very early check in. Didn't get a wink of sleep and it was the most uncomfortable night. I was amazed to find Heathrow semi shuts down overnight but that's when the cleaners move in with vacuum cleaners and the like. Peaceful is not the word that springs to mind! We vowed never to do it again.
The next time we had a similarly early flight from Heathrow we did book the Yotel. Those who believe in karma will be pleased to note that the Yotel was closed due to a plumbing issue, and we were upgraded to a very large comfortable room at the nearby Hilton Hotel at no extra cost. A filthy job but someone had to do it!
Shell out for a short night at a hotel - there are plenty of reasonably priced ones near Heathrow (find one near your departure terminal via booking.com or similar) with shuttles, free buses if they are running, or, push come to shove, a taxi. Adds cost of course, but worth it.
Hope all goes well!
Ian
I've done it and would never do it again - we had a flight time same as yours so travelled down in the evening and set up camp in a public lounge for a very early check in. Didn't get a wink of sleep and it was the most uncomfortable night. I was amazed to find Heathrow semi shuts down overnight but that's when the cleaners move in with vacuum cleaners and the like. Peaceful is not the word that springs to mind! We vowed never to do it again.
Oh wow ... thanks for the advice.
I know it's more expensive but there is a Sofitel connected to Terminaal 5. I've stayed there a few times and it's nice.
On a recent trip, our flight had a similar connection through London. Realizing that I'd probably wind up booking a hotel room and having to go/come back from the hotel, we decided to spend three nights in London. Best decision ever. We found a great hotel in Westminster that didn't bankrupt us, and we were able to do sightseeing 101 there.
In fact, we had such a good time, we're already planning a longer London trip for next time.
I hope you have a wonderful adventure on your way to Rome!!
On a recent trip, our flight had a similar connection through London. Realizing that I'd probably wind up booking a hotel room and having to go/come back from the hotel, we decided to spend three nights in London. Best decision ever. We found a great hotel in Westminster that didn't bankrupt us, and we were able to do sightseeing 101 there.
In fact, we had such a good time, we're already planning a longer London trip for next time.
I hope you have a wonderful adventure on your way to Rome!!
Thanks! We'll try
I did this last June, only because I used miles to return first class on BA the next morning. If you come from outside UK, you will go thru the immigration and they will check your boarding pass. You can then spend the night in the terminal; no one from security bothered me or anyone else.
The lounges close about 11 and don't reopen until 5 AM, so it will be a long night. I doubt I'd do it again. But there was an M&S grocery store open all night, which helped.
@Scott
Thanks for this info!
