I am traveling from Madrid, Spain to Dallas, Texas on May 10th. I go from Madrid to London City Airport then from London Heathrow Airport to Dallas. There are 3 hours and 20 minutes between landing in London City(9:05am) and taking off at London Heathrow(12:25pm). I am an experienced traveler (although it´s been years since I´ve been in London), but I will have 2 checked bags and a carry on. Do you think that I will be able to make it in enough time to re-check in, make it through security and to my gate in time? I would be willing to pay for a taxi/transfer. If so, do you have a recommendation for a transfer company? Thank you,
Elizabeth
Posted by
near Ringwood, Hampshire, UK
521 posts
It's 25 miles from London City to Heathrow, straight through the middle of London. The quickest possible time that will take by road is probably just under an hour. It doesn't take much to hold things up in central London, so reckon on an hour being the best you can hope for if nothing goes wrong. According to the TfL journey planner it would take about the same time by public transport, but it's not very convenient with 3 items of luggage: Docklands Light Railway from City Airport to Canning Town Underground (Jubilee Line) Canning Town to Baker Street
Underground (Bakerloo Line) Baker Street to Paddington Heathrow Express Paddington to Heathrow I've heard variable reports of the wait times for baggage claim and immigration at London City, where it seems to depend on how many flights have arrived and whether the immigration people have enough staff on duty. Your schedule seems very, very tight to me.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Even under ideal conditions, the odds of making this connection are not in your favor. For flights across the Atlantic it's wise to be at Heathrow a full three hours before your scheduled departure time.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you decide to book a private car service, Just Airports would be a very good choice. Is there any chance you could change your ticket and fly from Madrid to London the evening before you fly home from Heathrow?
Posted by
OP
St. Louis
2 posts
I think I am going to call American Airlines and have them re-route me. I don't want to risk not making it to Dallas by the 10th. Thank you all for your help.
Posted by
washington
837 posts
I think you just answered my question. This was booked as one flight, on one airline, from Madrid to Dallas? If so, it is the airlines' responsibility to get you there and if the connection cannot be made, they should get you on the next flight. If not, I suspect you are toast. Two problems: you have a specific time to get to Dallas and that is the part that might be at issue; secondly, the airline is American.