nervous about landing at Heathrow

Let's see... Most ATMs can be found in the arrivals area just after you exit the luggage hall; they'll be easy to spot. Just follow the signs for the London Underground Station, there you will be able to get a map. The Piccadilly Line which serves Heathtrow goes direct to Earls Court, so just hop on any train heading into London. Wait to buy you shampoo when you arrive in the city center. Boots is the leading drug store chain, it seem like they have a location on most every corner in London:)

Is no. 4 necessary? Wouldn't it be easier to find a shop in town to buy shampoo, when you are settled and have dropped off your luggage in your hotel room? Also no. 2 can wait till later. There are tube maps posted at all stations. Until you get the real print version, you could also print one out at home here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk and bring.

Go to www.heathrowairport.com and click on the "Which terminal guide" link to find out where your plane will arrive. There's lots of information on the site that will help you get acquainted with LHR.

Jodi, I had a similar concern my first time flying into Heathrow, I'd heard horror stories, and how big and confusing it was. So I think I budgeted an hour or more for getting my luggage and wandering around lost and confused and trying to find my way.

I had all the same basic needs at you (except #4, don't quite get that one), find an ATM, find the tube stop, head into London.

Anyway, after planning that it might take me two hours to get situated, I think within 15-20 minutes of getting off my plane (I only had carry-on so no waiting for luggage), I was sitting on the tube on my way into London thinking, "that was way easy!"

Also the tube web-site has all the information you need (Google: London Tube), so you won't even need a map right away, and it looks like Earl's Court is right on the Picadilly line from Heathrow

If you can see and read and have ever navigated any major US airport you won't have a problem!

Don't be nervous.

Maybe I've just been lucky but after a dozen flights into and out of Heathrow, never a problem. Even did the new British Airways terminal last December.
One VERY positive thing to help dispel your fears is that everyone speaks English so you won't have an communication problem. Also I've always found the British to be very polite when asked for help. As others have noted check out the Heathrow website www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk as well as the London Tube website: www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2625.aspx ATM's are easily found in the terminals and directions to the Tube are well marked. The tube is the easiest public transportation I've ridden in Europe. At each station you'll find great little pocket size maps. I still have one I got on a 1999 jaunt. Boots is also very easy to find and there might be one in the terminal. Still I'd wait until you dropped off your luggage and headed out to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood.
Don't forget to get a Timeout magazine at the airport. Great way to see what's on where. London is a GREAT city. Have fun!

Having flown into Heathrow probably 50+ times, there really is no reason to worry. Everything is very well marked and in English. It is really not particularly different than a U.S. airport ... just larger than most. The airport website is very good and includes maps. Your itinerary should show the terminal. If not, the airport website shows which flights land where.

1) You should find ATMS after you exit the baggage claim / customs area. In the UK, people often refer to ATMs as "cashpoints". If you don't see one, just ask someone in a shop where the nearest cashpoint is located.

2 and 3) Follow the signs to the underground station. You can pick up a tube map there; if for some reason they are out, you can pick one up at Earls Court. It is a direct ride to Earl's Court from Heathrow on the Piccadilly line.

4) Earls Court tube station has two exits (Warwick Rd and Earls Court Rd). Earls Court Road is where most of the shops are. There is a Boots on Earls Court Road within a block of the tube station exit. This will be far cheaper than shopping at the airport. Check into your hotel and then look for shampoo. There is a good chance that your hotel might supply this.

Enjoy your first trip to London. It is a fabulous city.

If you're really anxious about Heathrow, you could eliminate all but #3 from your list. Take some GB pounds with you, download or study the tube map online at home so you are familiar and comfortable with how it works, and as others have said, buy your hair products once you are settled into your accommodation. Don't be shy about asking for help or directions.

Heathrow is one of my least favorite airports of the world (by shere size and its set-up),. for transfers.

but fear not, Jodi!

Heathrow is totally idiot-proof in all matters of getting OUT of it!

Once you get off - take a DEEP breath, and SLOW down!
Like a previous poster stated, just go with the flow - follow the signs.
Take the first step into Europe without anxiety.

Hit an ATM - there are many, many of them. Don't worry about the shampoo and conditioner until the next day, or the day after.

have fun & happy travels!

Jodi,, relax. You are worrying,, but don't ,, there is no race , you are not in a rush. Take your time. Remember , langauge is not a problem, you can read signs and ask people for help. Look at everything as a fun learning adventure ,, not a scary task to be conquered quickly. Attitude is everything in travel. You will love Europe,, but you must just take everything in stride. Travelling is not just about getting there, its about enjoying the process too!

Bring a small shampoo from home( yes you can, they sell little ones in drugstores that are carry on legal ) that will be enough for first day. Then , next day, after a good sleep and meal, you can shop for shampoo, not at an airport!!!

Thanks to all for your help. sounds like it will be a breeze! I've been in enough US airports, I think we should be ok.

Just relax, keep your eyes open, and follow the signs. They're all written in English, after all!

It will be almost impossible to walk through the airport without passing at least on ATM.

Follow the signs to the tube station. Even if you do take a wrong turn, there will be other signs.

The only thing I would be worried about at Heathrow is losing luggage. Since I only carry on, I've never tested the system personally so I'm not sure even those worries are well founded.

I didn't think Heathrow was bad at all-just follow the signs and the people getting off of your plane and you'll be fine. RE the Tube map- I bought a Streetwise map here before I left- it is small and laminated so it doesn't get wet in the rain. It has a Tube map as well as a map of the city with the tube stations-it's been very helpful on my trips.

There are ATMS in the airports. Dont stress. Plenty of places to get maps, news shops, WH Smith, etc.. You can get the Tube right out of Heathrow, just take the Piccadilly line directly into Earls Ct. (Oyster cards can be bought in the Heathrow tube station). Go to Earls Ct station, step out of the station onto the Earls Ct Road side and there will be a BOOTS drug store on the side the station is on, dont cross the street. Its either directly left or right of the station. Not far, you should see it. If you came ou of the station on the Warwick Rd side, it would lead you down to Tesco on Cromwell Rd, a grocer where you can also get Shampoo, etc. I stay in Earls Ct myself (Awesome area!) and Boots is the best place for toiletries, their brand is dirt cheap, 59p for a full size shampoo,conditioners, face washes, toners, shower gel, etc... Im like you, I like to get clean as soon as I get to where I am going!!!! I dont like to have to think about getting to the hotel then going back out to get shampoo when im all greasy and icky from spending 14 hours in airports and flights!