VERY early flight from London, getting there on time.

You need to be at Heathrow by 03:30, not 05:00. The rule of thumb is to be at Heathrow a full three hours before a flight across the Atlantic. The only public transportation at that hour would be night buses. A private car service will cost less than a taxi. A good choice would be Just Airports. There is a discount for paying cash. You can choose a saloon (sedan), an estate (station wagon), or a MPV (minivan). Considering how short your night is going to be, the Yotel would be a good choice.

Thanks for the info Tim! Will the airline (KLM) desk really be open at 3:30 am? When we flew home from Paris in 2007, we also had an early flight, got there at 4:30 for a 6:30 flight and the whole airport was shut down, no coffee, no-one at the airline desks. We found our way to the correct terminal and waited almost an hour before anyone appeared there and started doing security checks and such. That is why I thought it would be okay to get to Heathrow at 5:00 or so? Sounds like Heathrow may be different though. Thanks again, wish I hadn't booked such an early flight but it was the most direct. I will check out Just Airports, thank you. Happy Travels!!

You're welcome, Jaye. I don't know if the KLM desk will be open at 03:30. And for your very early departure, getting to Heathrow at 04:30 probably will be fine. 05:00 would be pushing it, IMO. I hope some people who have taken an early flight out of Heathrow will respond to this thread.

I've used Minicabs 3 or 4 times, though not that early; reliable with good drivers and cars. Don't worry, you don't have to squeeze into a Mini. Google minicabs London. I usually aim for being at the airport 3 hours prior to the flight. Then if there's a problem on the way, such as a flat tire (which happened to us once), there's plenty of time to deal with it.

I took an early flight out several years ago. Moved the night prior to a hotel by the airport just to avoid the mess. (And honestly since I took the tube to the airport it was not much more then a taxi would have been) I got there about 2 hours in advance and my airline was open You can call and ask what time the desk opens (Since you are on KLM Delta might know too)

Book a cab in advance http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/taxisandminicabs/taxis/1136.aspx Get to Heathrow no later than 4am. 30 minutes from Bayswater at that time in the morning. We stayed at a flat booked through airbnb.com in Camden.
Owner ordered us a cab. Very easy, very convenient. Why stress?

Thank you all for taking the time to help me out - really do appreciate it! Claudia, that website is awesome! I think we will just pre-order a cab or mini since we have already paid for our flat that last night. Thanks Rick Steves for this wonderful tool to help with planning our travel! :0)

jIn a previous post I suggested that you check Just Airports. The cash fare for a saloon (sedan) to Heathrow from anywhere in postal code W2 is £26. A taxi or a minicab will cost a lot more than that.

Used airbnb for the first time in May of last year. Secured two great places in London for my pre and post stays following the RS 7 day tour of Istanbul. One of the places I loved so much it will be where, if available, we will always stay when visiting London. The ability to "speak" directly with the owner of the property is such a huge plus. Both owner/hosts were stellar. I will use airbnb before any other accommodations website for future travels anywhere. No, don't work for the company. Simply expressing a positive response. Jaye, glad you enjoyed it. Have a wonderful trip. Great city!!!

For peace of mind, I would stay in or adjacent to the airport. Save a lot of hassle and probably not much more than a taxi/mini car from London to Heathrow.

Hey, Thanks everyone!! I also love the Just Airports idea, Tim, thanks! Claudia, I actually booked our flat through airbnb! Although staying at Yotel would work, I think we will just price the mini/cab versus Just Airports and schedule an early am pickup and buck up and deal with it! We can always sleep on the long leg of our journey home, right?! :0) I am going to call KLM to find out what time they actually do open so I know the appropriate time to show up. I checked out their website plus Heathrow's website and could not find that info listed anywhere. I want to be there in plenty of time but don't want to sit and wait for 'opening time' like we did in Paris in 2007! Bottom line, I can't wait to explore both Ireland and England for the first time - so excited!!!!! Thanks again travel buddies - you have really helped me out! :0)

Hi everyone, Just some information to share. I did speak to KLM and was told that their desks in London Heathrow open at 5:00 am. The lady I spoke with said it was a surprise to her as in the US they always had to be open 3 hours before an intl flight. She advised me to be at Heathrow at 4:30 am to be in line and ready to go when they opened up at 5:00 as the security takes quite a while to go through. Thanks again for the help! Happy Travels!!

Hi travel buddies. Hope it OK to be posting this here. Just wanted to report that we were picked up at our flat in Notting Hill at 4:00 am. We used Just Airports as suggested by Tim and he was there on time, very professional, and the cost was a lot less than a taxi. We arrived at Heathrow at 4:30 and got in line to check bags. Got bags checked, through security (no wait at all that early) and ended up with a long wait time before we could board our flight (OK by me, would always rather wait than be late). :0) Thanks again for the great advice!

Jaye thanks for coming back to post!