We will be flying from Edinburgh to the US with a connection time of about 1 1/2 hours at Heathrow. Is that enough time? We will be checking our bags and changing airplanes, but using the same airline. Do we go through customs in Edinburgh or in Heathrow? As an alternative, we’re thinking of taking a train from Edinburgh to London and then flying directly from London to the US. That might be more relaxing. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2604 posts
90 minutes is enough time to connect at Heathrow.
Immigration (and security) will take place at Heathrow; any items you need to declare for customs will take place at Edinburgh.
Taking the train from London to Edinburgh is all your responsibility: carrying luggage to central London, deciding which train to take, and it will take an extra 6 hours once you factor in getting to the station - I would not do that.
Posted by
Freedonia
16486 posts
With all due respect to the previous poster, the answer is incorrect. (He gave instruction for USA to Edinburgh via Heathrow.)
From Edinburgh to Heathrow is a domestic flight. At Heathrow, you will not have to go through immigration, customs or security. (You only go through security for a connection if your arriving flight is from outside the UK. There is no exit immigration or customs from the UK.)You will simply proceed to the next gate once it's announced. Ninety minutes should be enough time. Make sure this is all on one ticket so your bags will automatically be transferred to your second flight and if there is a delay, the airline will put you on the next available flight at no charge.
Go to this website, plug in your flights and you will get step by step instructions:
http://www.heathrow.com/flight-connections
Taking a train is fine. You will arrive in London at Kings Cross station and will have to get to Heathrow from there. It's slight over an hour on the tube but it's direct with no changes.
However, if you are going directly to Heathrow, flying is so much easier especially on one ticket.
Posted by
Singapore
607 posts
Frank II is correct - there is no immigration or customs as you are leaving.the country. You will of course have both when you enter the US.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34137 posts
I'm a little confused - partly it sounds like a through ticket, all on one ticket and just changing planes. But partly it sounds like you don't have the Edinburgh tickets, and you are self connecting in Heathrow.
The experience could be quite different.
Are you doing the in and out flights of the trip separately?