We have a 7 hour layover in London’s Heathrow. 10 am - 5 pm. Work day. Any chance it’d be wise to try to venture away from airport for a couple of hours? Thanks.
Posted by
2319 posts
Are those times arrival and departure times or actual free hours
Posted by
Halifax, NS
260 posts
I would say in the current climate of long security lines, it isn’t enough time.
Posted by
OP
Hill Country, Texas
6 posts
Arrival and departure times. And I tend to agree not enough time. I’m conservative, and don’t want to panic. Happy to hang out in airport but was just wondering. Thx.
Posted by
361 posts
Seven hours is enough to make it gate to gate, not to go anywhere. Heathrow is huge and so busy. Plan on circling duty free for a while....yuck. J
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11179 posts
If your class of travel does not include Lounge access, you may want to consider buying a day pass; if it has shower facilities use it.
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
I’ll repeat Joe32F’s advice, but with a twist- be sure the lounge you pay for access to has showers. There are plenty that do, so no need to compromise.
Posted by
NJ
51 posts
I just want to applaud the OP for asking the question! It was worth a shot!
Posted by
San Francisco area
1803 posts
I agree with the others but when is your trip? If it’s many months away conditions may be quite different then. In precovid times you might have time to make it to Windsor for lunch.
Posted by
Almost Heaven
2945 posts
Sir, definitely procure a situation that includes a shower. You will feel 100% better.
But for the love of creation wear shower shoes. I got a nasty toe fungus (and another rash I will not mention but it burns, painfully, and keeps recurring) at JFK.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6502 posts
I agree with everyone else about the seven theoretical hours between one plane touching down and the next pushing away from the gate. A few years ago I spent part of an 8-hour LHR layover here. I didn't shower but I would always take Big Mike's advice, on anything.
Posted by
OP
Hill Country, Texas
6 posts
Thanks everyone for the advice. Very helpful.
Posted by
Almost Heaven
2945 posts
Dick, thank you. BTW we just enjoyed a nice week in the Seattle area while visiting the Olympic NP and Mt. Rainier. Anyway, I'm your Huckleberry.
Mike, here's an option worth considering: https://www.runwaycycling.com/
You can get in a good workout plus a little local sightseeing. Just avoid Terminals 2 and 3.
Heathrow can be reached by bike via a network of cycle paths. If you want to ride into central London you can plan a cycle-only route using the Transport for London journey planner. There is currently no direct cycle route to Terminals 2 and 3 due to construction work to the main road tunnel.