Our plane to Amsterdam has a five hour layover at Heathrow on a Sunday at 2:30pm. Any suggestions for a quick visit to the city or should we stay put?
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5508 posts
You need to stay put. Five hours is not enough time to leave the airport and get back for your flight. It could take an hour or more to get through immigration. It will take 30 minutes to an hour to get into London. You need to be back at the airport at least 2 hours before departure to get through security. If you are just connecting, you will stay in the secure area and you don't need to go through immigration. You will go through a security check regardless. Find a restaurant in the airport and have a leisurely meal.
Posted by
Land of La
8649 posts
Stay put.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Don't even think about it. It is out of the question.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32713 posts
Very unlikely that you could make that work.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
You could try to go to nearby Windsor. Taxi will be abit pricey so be warned.
Walk around and leave.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32713 posts
Even a trip to Windsor is likely just to be a drive-by. 5 hours minus 2 hours (minimum) to check in and security for Amsterdam minus the 90 minutes in the morning to disembark and clear Immigration Customs at Heathrow leaves just 90 minutes. Assuming that you walk straight into a taxi immediately after walking out the frosted glass doors, and have no traffic issues at all either direction it will take about 20 minutes to drive there and 20 minutes back. That gives you 50 minutes to enjoy. You might want to start back a little sooner in case anything slows you down ...
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Sadly, too tight. So, plan on shopping! Heathrow is amazing in this way. Plan on trying the food. Are you a whisky fan or try the ale. See what new British mysteries are out. They have "airport specials" on books which I sometimes enjoy. Pam
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Unfortunately immigration, customs on the way out, and security on the way back will eat up most of your five hours. Not worth it. There is pretty good shopping within the terminals- a chance to stock up on British food and trinkets
Posted by
Brangwin, Wa, USA
349 posts
I have taken the tube to covent garden( 1 hour) spent 2 hours looking around then tube back I felt smug about using 5 hours BUT in this day of lines and security I would never leave Heathrow !!!!! NEVER Gordon Ramsey has a newish restaurant at terminal 5 FYI.My lunch not so cheap and not so special but not bad may try again.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32200 posts
Karen, I agree with the others - five hours is simply not enough time for even a quick trip into London. Even if it is feasible to get into the city and back in time for your flight, it wouldn't allow time to see much, so not worth the effort (IMHO). Cheers!