London Heathrow connection to Budapest

I wouldn’t do it on non-connected flights, and I’d be anxious about making it on a true connection.

It does seem odd to buy non-connected flights in order to save money, but then risk having to buy a whole new flight ticket.

Do you think that’s enough time to make the plane if we don’t check any bags?

Possibly, IF everything runs like a fine Swiss watch

Would you do it?

No

No way. This is almost guaranteed not to work.

The Heathrow Flight Connections website for these flights says the minimum connection time is 70 minutes so this connection is doable.

However, that is if everything runs on time. If not, you could be waiting for the later flight and buying a last minute ticket.

If you don''t have any checked luggage, you don't have to go through passport control. Just follow the signs for flight connections. Go to the website I linked above ad it will give you step by step instructions of what you have to do.

If you need to collect and recheck bags, then forget it.

If you don't then this is certainly doable on a good day but risky. This is slightly mitigated if you are flying on a BA 'plus' fare as you can change on the day to a later flight free of charge up to 1 hour before departure if there is space available. If on a basic fare you would need to pay a fee plus fare difference.

Note that some gates in T3 are a good 15 minutes walk from the central area where you would need to go through security.

have it in my head I can make a connecting flight that seems a little risky.

You said it yourself. Allow the rational half of your brain to win out in this case over the wishful side.

How about spending the night in London and flying the next day earlier in the day?

We allow 4 hours when changing planes in Europe like you are. Missing the flight to Budapest cancels the return trip to London from Budapest and thus you'd have to buy a last minute roundtrip which will be the most expensive way to travel. This is why we allow 4 hours when we take 2 different non-aligned airlines on a trip. We don't have that kind of budget to take such a risk.

Nigel's suggestion of spending the night in London would not only be easy and stress free but it would be CHEAPER than buying a last-minute roundtrip between LHR and Budapest if you make the reservation now.

Let me add on to Nigel's suggestion of a hotel.

In Terminal 3 are Airside Bedrooms that allow you to get a small pod like room by the hours. It is airside so you would not have to go through passport control. Not the cheapest but the most convenient.

If you want a similar concept, there is a Yotel in Terminal 4. They rent rooms out by the hour and you can check in and check out at any time. Might be a little cheaper but more of a hassle since you would have to go through passport control and change terminals.

Why not take the later flight but get yourself a room at one of the above mentioned places.. You can catch a nap, take a shower, and you'll feel much better than just hanging around the terminal for 8 hours.

I would not want to spend 7 hours in the airport ( even with a pod/room) after a long-haul flight, and then subject my host to a post-midnight arrival.

You would be safest to spend the night near Heathrow and then take that 14:50 flight to Budapest the next day. Windsor is a nice place to spend an afternoon and evening, close to the airport. We spent a night there when returning to Seattle France m Barcelona on separate tickets.

And you will definitely want a night around London before your return flight to Seattle. It is never a good idea to fly into Heathrow the same day as the long-haul flight if you are on separate tickets.

I realize the extra nights near London may wipe out any savings you achieved by booking the separate tickets. That is unfortunate, but it is the best way to minimize the risk of missing the 14:50 BA flight, with the expensive consequences.

On our last 2 flights to Europe, one left 2 hours later than scheduled, one left 3 hours later. So a window of less than 2 hours is pretty chancy.

One other thing to consider: Do you really want to spend all your travel time sweating it out? With this proposed itinerary, you're going to be sweating it out until the last leg of London back to Seattle. I'd rather be bored on those long flights than be nervous I'd miss a tight connection.

I will toss this out for your consideration.

Plan on the later flight from LHR and buy yourself a day pass to a lounge to have a comfortable wait. When you get to Budapest, get a hotel near the airport and show up at your hosts place the next morning. Suspect hotel costs in Budapest are better ( lower) than in London.

Sometimes the cheapest airfare is not the most economical trip.

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice.
I am sorry it has taken me so long to say THANK YOU!
We have decided to roll the dice and make the earlier flight, with no checked luggage and a prayer. It's just THAT SEDUCTIVE to get into Budapest for a late dinner. Honestly I'm just a spendthrift generally, so if I have to buy another ticket or get stuck over night in London, it won't ruin our trip or even the night. I am leaving my spendthrift self at home and I am going to enjoy our holiday no matter what.
Thanks again
Tracy

If you are not checking luggage, I think 1 1/2 hours in the same terminal is do-able. And a late dinner in Budapest is definitely worth it!! Such a fun city.

After all that flight anxiety...
Virgin Air changed the flight time; it was to arrive at 13:00 but now it's arriving at 7:30! I am glad I booked the 14:50 to Budapest!
Thank you everyone for responding.
Tracy

Well, there are times that being lucky is better than being good---- just hope Virgin does not change it again before you fly. ( or BA changes their schedule)