Short trip to London

Have you been to London before? Any particular interests - museums, churches, WWII?

Have you considered exploring Windsor/Eton instead?
It is convenient to Heathrow, and If your hotel booking is refundable, I’d stay in Windsor for your overnight and arrange a prebooked car to Heathrow. We used Windsor Cars.

Another thought is Richmond-upon-Thames, also relatively close to Heathrow.

But if you have your heart set on going into London, then by all means do!

• in Westminster, marvel at the clock tower containing Big Ben, visit Westminster Abbey.
• walk halfway across Westminster Bridge for a great view of Parliament.
  
• from westminster, walk down Whitehall to Trafalgar Square.
• Pop into one of the free museums on Trafalgar Square for an hour: National Gallery, Nat Portrait Gallery.
• Consider a boat ride on the Thames
• make time to walk in one of London’s wonderful parks
• Have a pint at a pub
• go a show, concert, etc in the evening
• Consider a London Walks 2-hour walking tour; their schedule is at walks.com

Enjoy!

How about a show on your one evening?

You do have time for a couple of big “attractions” like Westminster Abbey or the Tower of London or the British Museum - or one and some nice wandering. So it depends on what tops your list.

My question is what happens with your suitcase if you are staying near the airport but want to be in London in the morning after checkout - or if you have to leave early to go pick it up. It actually makes more sense to me to change your hotel and stay in London near a stop that gets you back to the airport directly. Then you could probably leave your suitcase till time to head back to the airport. Actually, this makes more sense to me, even if all you have is a backpack, than going into London twice. Stay in London and go once.

I would agree with the idea to stay in London if you can, especially with those flight times. Is your airport hotel refundable?

You can be in London in time for lunch, then drop your bags at a central hotel. Then you have all afternoon to visit a museum, a walk, see a show, dinner. You have most of day 2, perhaps jumping on an Elizabeth Line train in central London about 5.30 or 6 to get back to Heathrow.

Baggage solution: leave your bags in Zurich (lockers at the airport or station) and only take what you need for 24 hours.

If you're committed to staying at Heathrow, then this is all still possible. Depending on exactly where the hotel is.

I did something like this a few years ago but with even less time.-we got there at 11 and left the next morning for the airport. I was with a friend who had been to London many times and she was my guide. No doubt that was more efficient than wandering in my own. We wandered past Buckingham Palace all the way to Tower of London which we visited. That night we went to dinner and a show. It was all great fun.

The most important thing I wanted to share was we stayed near Victoria station where we dropped our bags upon arrival. I would stay in London if you can.

Hi all,
Much appreciate your replies! I have never been to London before. The reason I will be staying at a hotel near LHR is b'cos it's free! :) I can leave my bags at the hotel even after I check out the next morning. I can collect them just before I leave for my flight. If I use the Heathrow express I belive I can be in London City in 15 minutes. I have approx 7 hours each of the 2 days to spend in the city.

Thanks,
Thomas

I would suggest you check out the Elizabeth line for London transportation. A little slower than the Heathrow express but generally cheaper and gives you the option of more stations/destinations.

Prioritize the things you want to see, then see which ones are located close to each other. If you don't know what you want to see, there are two TV Shows about London in the "Watch and Listen" section of this website.

Regarding the Heathrow Express, it’s the fastest way into London, but get your ticket(s) early for a much lower price. You have to know the date(s) you’re going to be traveling on the Express, because the early bird discount ticket is good only for the date you buy it. Go to the Heathrow Express Website for details, and to buy your advance ticket(s).

It actually runs between the airport terminals and Paddington Station in the northwest of central London, though. Once you reach Paddington, you’ll need to transfer to another Underground line, or walk, take a taxi, or bus to reach sights or activities. If you need to get to your hotel to drop off your luggage first, or to stop at the hotel to pick up your luggage before returning to Zurich, the Heathrow Express may not be a practical way to get between the actual airport and downtown London.

I agree with Accidental Southerner - Check out the London Walks Website. They have all kinds of interesting guided walks that are worthwhile, and a great value. Even cheaper if you do more than one!

How about using some of the money you’re saving with the free hotel room, and have a fancy Afternoon Tea? You can do that at lots of places in London, but the poshest is at Fortnum and Mason, on Piccadilly street.