london day trips from heathrow

The Pilot Who Explores

Travel the world like an Airline Pilot.

London Heathrow Airport: The Ultimate 3-7 Hour LHR Layover Guide (by a pilot)

One of my favorite short layovers ever : London Heathrow (LHR). Amazing lounges, easy and efficient public transportation, and endless options to eat/sleep/dine/explore. You can always count on London being a great layover.

• Should I leave Heathrow on a short layover ?
• What is there do do inside Heathrow ?
• What are the best lounges at LHR ?
• Which lounges can I access ?
• What is there to do close to Heathrow on a layover ?
• Renting a car to explore London on a layover
• Best tours to join on a short layover
• How long does it take to get through security at Heathrow ?

As the busiest airport in the UK, Heathrow offers a vast array of international flights and fantastic connections on over 80 airlines. This means you will likely have the chance to try it out for yourself someday! But don’t worry – whether you have a 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 hour layover in London, there is a lot you can do to have fun.

As an airline pilot flying internationally from New York’s JFK airport , I normally layover in London multiple times per month . Here’s a little foreshadowing, if I haven’t made it obvious already: I love it. It’s an epic city.

And for those not looking to leave Heathrow airport, fret not – the lounges, restaurants, and terminals are world class . You just have to know where to go.

Wondering which suitcase to buy before your epic London layover? Here are 5 Suitcases Airline Pilots Use and Why You Need One .

Should I leave London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) on a short layover?

That depends. There are many factors in play:

• Is it a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday? These are busy days and security lines will be longer.
• Are there planned strikes by public transportation workers or taxi workers? These are usually announced ahead of time and cause massive delays.
• Is the weather bad enough to create chaos with cancellations, delays, and rebookings?
• Are you arriving on an international flight? Do you need a visa to enter UK territory? If so, going through customs may add time. (US passports are eligible for entry through fast-lane visa-free passport scanners, saving ample time)
• Do you have bags to collect and check back in? Check-in lines could be long, though you can save time by checking them in at a transfer desk before exiting the secure zone.
• Are you arriving at night? This may call for a short hotel layover instead of going out and exploring.
• Do you have Priority Pass and less than 4 hours before your connecting flight? If so, it may make more sense to spend your layover at an excellent free lounge.

This summer is extremely busy, and airports and airlines are suffering from short staffing . Because of this, you can expect long lines at check-in, security, help desks, and more. Plan extra time for this.

What you can do inside London Heathrow International Airport on a layover

For those who prefer not to leave the airport, fret not – there’s a lot to do.

You have 6 terminals to chose from, each offering an array of restaurants, shops, and lounges. Many of these lounges offer free access for Priority Pass members , while others are reserved for business/first class fliers and members. Check below.

Some of the restaurants here are world class, and there’s everything from delicate sushi to fried chicken to feast one.

Many of the lounges have excellent wining and dining, showers, and even spas. The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse has a wonderful outdoor terrace, while the No1 Lounge has a separate TV Lounge room.

And if you really want to get some exercise, there’s miles of corridors and hallways to explore. If your terminal isn’t enough, it’s super easy to take a bus to another one, though you will likely have to pass through security again if you do.

Best LHR Lounges (and what you need to know first)

Most of the lounges at LHR Heathrow are excellent, and some are even world class. Take the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse for example, boasting everything from Peloton bikes to an outdoor terrace – with champagne and fine dining in between. I prefer it over even the flagship KLM Crowne Lounge in Amsterdam !

Priority Pass members can rejoice – there are several wonderful lounges included for free! The No1 Lounge , for example, features a spa, showers, movie theatre, and a very diverse bar. At this time, the showers are still not operating.

AmEx Platinum members have access to the world-renowned Centurion Lounge in Terminal 3, with top notch fare and a comfortable, but slightly cozy environment.

Lounges at LHR included with Priority Pass

The No1 Lounge Heathrow

As a benefit to Priority Pass members , Terminal 3 is home to both the Club Aspire Lounge and the No1 Lounge Heathrow complimentary. Both are excellent complimentary options.

Those transiting Terminal 5 can enjoy yet another excellent Club Aspire Lounge.

Lounges at LHR that allow purchase of a day pass

Unless you’re flying in business or first class, you might be worried about finding a nice lounge to relax in between flights. But luckily, most terminals at LHR have at least one lounge that allows purchasing of a day pass.

Here they are, with their respective prices (which may not be 100% up to date):

Terminal 2:

• Plaza Premium Lounge (£40/3 hours, £65/6 hours)
• Lufthansa Business Lounge ($74)
• United Club ($59)

Terminal 3:

• No1 Lounge (£36 online)
• Club Aspire (£35 online)
• American Airlines Lounge ($59, currently closed)

Terminal 5:

• Club Aspire (£40 online)
• Plaza Premium (£35/3 hours, £65/6 hours)

Exclusive airline lounges

Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Qantas, SkyTeam (T4), and United all have their own respective lounges. Most of these are reserved for business and first class passengers, but some offer paid options for those flying in economy or comfort.

There are typically also yearly options available for those who travel constantly (and always with the same airline(s).)

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in T3 is particularly worldly, offering multiple restaurants, peloton bikes, showers, a pool table area, and even an outdoor patio with epic views of LHR. Those flying business class on Virgin Atlantic and SkyTeam partners have access.

Catch some sleep at an LHR Day Room

Though there are no hotels inside the secure area at Heathrow Airport (which means you’ll have to exit and go through customs/security), there are some on or near the airport that offer day rooms.

Day rooms are my newest dangled “travel hack”, because there’s nothing more refreshing than catching up on rest and taking a shower between flights. They’re actually my biggest travel hack to beating jet lag .

The best day rooms around LHR include:

• The Aerotel in T3 arrivals, which offers blocks of 3, 6, and 9 hours.
• The Hilton Garden Inn Terminals 2 & 3 , step away from arrivals. Note there is another Hilton Garden Inn on Bath Road.
• Next to Terminal 4, you can stay at the Heathrow Hilton or the Premier Inn just a touch further.
• By Terminal 5, there’s a Sofitel connected by a covered walkway. The Sofitel is for sure the nicest Heathrow area hotel.
• The Hilton Garden Inn , just steps from Hatton Cross, one stop away from Heathrow on the Picadilly line.

These hotels and many others offer shuttle service. My personal best way to snag a cheap room is on dayuse.com .

Going out and exploring on a short Heathrow layover

Even after having traveled to over 80 countries , I still have to contend that London is one of my favorite cities. And excellent public transport makes it one of the most accessible cities in the world, even on a short layover.

You have so many options on places to go and how to get to them – you can tailor your layover to any level of exploration. I’ve found that even after many, many layovers, London just does not get old. There’s always more to do.

So whether you see a lot or a little, you’ll be glad you did. Here are my recommendations on what to do during your London layover.

Getting to downtown London from LHR – quick!

Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus, Harry Potter. Whatever your rhyme or reason is for visiting London, you’ll be glad to know there is a fantastically fast way to get downtown from LHR airport.

It’s namely the Heathrow Express , offering direct service to downtown with a journey time of about 15 minutes. Though it’s more expensive than the tube (metro/underground), I highly recommend it. The underground/tube often has delays and many stops, making it a much more tedious way to get to London from LHR.

Renting a car for the day and going more in depth

Though public transportation in London is excellent, you may prefer the flexibility of having your own car. This unlocks the ability to see even more of the area, including:

• The Royal Observatory of Greenwich, located at the Prime Meridian (0 degrees longitude)
• Oxford University and its Museum of Natural History
• The Windsor Castle
• The incredible Brooklands Museum, featuring everything from rockets to the Concorde
• With more time, the coast of Brighton

In my experience, Hertz offers the most reliable and convenient rentals.

Just beware of parking downtown, which is mighty inconvenient and expensive.

Join a free (or cheap) guided tour of the city

London is easily one of the most walkable cities in the world. I would know – I’ve walked close to 100 miles around the city.

But to really learn about the history, culture, and hidden gems of the city, I highly recommend a guided tour – especially if you’re in a hurry.

Otherwise, here’s a sample itinerary I curated for your viewing pleasure:

Some of the sites you won’t want to miss include:

• Buckingham Palace – you can even visit a State Room from 22 July to 2 October and some dates in winter! Changing the Guard, an amazing show, occurs most days at 10:45AM
• Go shopping in the historic area of St. James.
• Hit up Westminster Abbey . Don’t miss out on that giant clock tower they call Big Ben somewhere around there.
• Visit Churchill’s War Rooms for a chilling and enlightening experience
• Ride the London Eye for epic views of the city
• Walk through SoHo and experience London’s most vibrant neighborhood
• Tour the 900-year old Tower of London and learn about the medieval history of the city
• Take an elevator to the top of the Tower Bridge
• Head up the the observation deck at The Shard , that pointy building that rises high above the city skyline

Each of these sites is located near an Underground (Metro/Tube) station, and the order listed above is a good way to do it. Note that it would probably take an entire afternoon (4-6 hours at least) to see all of that in a hurry, so you’ll have to pick and choose.

Eat local, classic British fare

Fish n’ chips, a nice meat pie, bangers n’ mash, Shepherd’s Pie – all nice boring British food for you to try.

The Indian food is where it’s really at. Let’s bring the spice and the taste. There’s no lack of great Indian food here.

My favorite Indian place? Dishoom , a local favorite with several locations across town, is flabbergastingly good. Probably the best in London.

For a great fish n’ chips, the Mayfair Chippy is your spot. And for a local chain with fantastic fare, try The Ivy .

If you want to eat at one of Gordon Ramsay’s excellent dining experiences, make sure to book ahead.

And lastly, great coffee is everywhere. For a unique experience, try Attendant Coffee Roasters , situated in what used to be a Victorian public toilet.

Getting back to Heathrow on time for your next flight

In recent years, we’ve experienced unparalleled travel chaos . That meant dealing with travel disruptions such as delays, cancellations, late bags, and more.

Luckily, staffing is already better as of 2023 and it’s only improving from here.

That being said, you should still plan to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before any international flight and 1.5-2 hours before a domestic flight. Whether you use an Uber, rental car, the tube, or the Heathrow Express – always plan in extra time.

Best of luck with your London travel plans!

Disclaimer: As an affiliate, I may receive commission for some of the links above. This is what keeps this website alive and running.

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 Erin London Tours

LONDON LAYOVER TOUR

Layover Tours from Heathrow Airport

Long London layover? Nothing to do at London's crowded Heathrow airport? Meet Erin - your private tour guide!

I offer private London Layover Tours from Heathrow airport for solo travellers, couples, families and small groups up to 6 people.

Stonehenge tour from Heathrow or Windsor Castle private tour, t here are many more to choose from.  Your London layover tour experience can be customized to your choice, whether you enjoy visiting medieval castles and villages, the skyline of London city or having a pint of beer in the same pub William Shakespeare did. 

London Heathrow Layover Tours, day or night!

I will meet you at the airport and take you to the most fabulous places of London or countryside of England, then take you back to the airport on time to catch your connecting flight.

BELOW IS A SELECTION OF TOURS

London Sightseeing Tour from Heathrow Airport

see highlights of London in a day

Buckingham Palace

Tower of London

The London Eye

Tower Bridge

Westminster Abbey

Trafalgar Square

Piccadilly Circus

St. Paul's Cathedral

National Gallery

Churchill War Rooms

The Beatles Crosswalk

Authentic British Pub Experience

Hampton Court Palace Tour

Day Tours from Heathrow Airport 

see countryside of England in a day

Stonehenge Tour

Salisbury Tour

Avebury Tour

Canterbury Tour

Warwick Castle Tour

Blenheim Palace Tour

Stratford-upon-Avon

Glastonbury Tour

Cotswolds Tour

White Cliffs of Dover Tour

Shakespeare's Birthplace Tour

Oxford Tour

Windsor Castle Tour

Leeds Castle Tour

Dover Shore Excursions

English Countryside Tour

Southampton Shore Excursions

All tours are private and can be customized to my guests interests

If the place you are looking for is not mentioned on the list, you can always contact Erin and ask to make arrangements that suit you.

Booking is easy and immediate, please click  ENQUIRY  button, provide your arrival and departure flight details and write a short description of what you would like to see. You will receive a possible custom made itinerary and prices for your London Layover Tour from Heathrow airport.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED

SOUTHAMPTON CRUISE TERMINAL

Private transfer tours to / from London Heathrow airport

Enjoy a hassle-free private transfer from London Heathrow airport to Southampton Cruise Termina l , that combine a transfer with sightseeing along the way, with visits to places such as Central London, Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Salisbury, Cotswolds Medieval Villages, Avebury, Downtown Abbey and more.

DOVER CRUISE TERMINAL

My sightseeing private transfer tour from London Heathrow to Dover Cruise Terminal  via Canterbury and Leeds Castle is perfect if you are looking to turn your transfer into a fun day trip!

You name it – we arrange it! Anything is possible!

Private Sightseeing Tours of England

• London Tours
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• London Tours Blog
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• Online Booking
• General Information
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London Layover Tours: London tours from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, City Airport and Ports

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Tour Description

Private tours of London, Windsor, Hampton Court, Stonehenge and Oxford with transfer services to and from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, City Airport, as well as the Cruise Ports of Southampton, Harwich and Dover. Perfect for visitors on transit and layovers to maximise their visit.

What's Included?

• Original founders of the Layover Tour
• Make the most of an Opportunity - Avoid lengthy waits at the Airport or Cruise Ports
• Choose from our range of tours to London, Windsor, Hampton Court, Stonehenge and Oxford
• Private car/minibus/coach according to your party's size
• Available to/from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, City Airport, the Cruise Ports and the Eurostar
• Exclusive to London Magical Tours: Driver/Guide or Tour Team (Tour Guide plus additional Chauffeur)

Learn more about the London Magical Tours Difference

• Tours from Heathrow Airport
• Tours from Gatwick Airport
• Tours from London City Airport
• Tours from Heathrow to Gatwick or City Airport (or vice-versa)
• Tours from Dover Cruise Port
• Tours from Southampton Cruise Port
• Tours from Harwich Cruise Port

TOUR ITINERARY

As the original pioneers of the Layover Tour, we are aware of how important your time is while on transit. Whether it be that you only have a few hours in between journeys or that you just want the safety and comfort of a London Magical Tour after a flight, cruise or train journey, we can help. Avoid all travel worries and hassles during your layover. With our meet and greet service, the tour begins from the moment you arrive in London. You will be welcomed inside the arrivals hall at Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, City Airport or the Cruise Port by a representative carrying a London Magical Tours sign, before being chauffeur driven to your destination to begin your guided tour. Following the tour you can be returned to a central London hotel or if on a layover, back to the airport, train station or port to continue with your journey. Simply choose from any one of our tours to London, Windsor, Hampton Court, Stonehenge and Oxford, all of which are available as a layover option, including the popular Harry Potter London Tours . Tour times are offered according to your layover schedule and our dedictated team are happy to advise accordingly. Tours are available in most languages and outside working hour services are also available on request for late arrivals.

TOURS FROM HEATHROW AIRPORT

Collection and return is available directly from your terminal of arrival and return to your departure terminal at Heathrow Airport following your tour. The terminals at Heathrow Airport are numbered 1 to 5.

TOURS FROM GATWICK AIRPORT

Collection and return is also available directly from your terminal of arrival and return to your departure terminal at Gatwick Airport. The terminals at Gatwick Airport are called North or South.

TOURS FROM CITY AIRPORT

Our layover tour services are also available directly from London City Airport. London City Airport only has one terminal.

TOURS FROM HEATHROW TO GATWICK

Tours are also available if you have a mixed airport layover, that is where you arrive at one airport and depart from another. Collection is also directly from your arrival terminal at one airport and return to your departure terminal at the other following your tour. As a guideline for the London airports, allow approx. 40 minutes to clear Immigration and Customs to begin your tour. Check in for flights to Europe is at least one and a half hours before your scheduled departure time and two hours for long haul flights. Our customer service team is happy to advise on the best option according to your schedule. For further information on airport layovers, including useful tips on baggage and terminal information, please see our London Airport Information Guide Blog entries.

Passengers on layovers will normally have their luggage forwarded to their final destination by their airline, meaning you will only have your carry on bags in London. Passengers are able to bring one item of carry on luggage each with them onboard the tour vehicle. If you will have greater luggage requirements please let us know the number of full size bags and hand luggage and we will be happy to advise accordingly.

TOUR DATES / TIMES / LANGUAGES

Tours are available according to your schedule. To see our range of tours, all of which are available on layovers, please see the London tours page. We will be glad to recommend tour times according to your flight/train schedules. Tours are also available in most languages through our specialist multi-lingual guide team, including Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese. Language surcharges apply.

LAYOVER TOURS BLOG

We are proud to welcome guests on our Layover Tours on a daily basis at the London airports. Please take a moment to read a selection of our London Tour Reviews , including comments from single travellers, couples, family visitors, corporate visitors, missionary groups, universities, ambassadors and Heads of State. We are on occasion even able to arrange a personal hello from Her Majesty the Queen during your layover - as our clients at non-profit health organization Oldways were only to happy to share! Read more about their layover tour experience with the Queen on the Oldways Blog .

Tour Extras

Service levels.

Platinum VIP

Platinum Plus VIP

Meal options.

Fish and Chips Pub Option

Two Course Pub Option

Three Course Pub Option

Express Afternoon Tea Option

VIP Afternoon Tea Option

Tour prices.

There are no hidden extras: prices include your own private driver-guide or team of a tour guide and chauffeur (at VIP levels), private vehicle, parking fees, collection and return to your London airport of arrival and departure and all taxes. Sample pricing below based on the Private London Half Day Tour plus return transport from and back to Heathrow Airport (4.5 hours total), with layover saving rate.

There are no hidden extras: prices include your private tour guide, your chauffeur, private vehicle, parking fees, collection and return to your central Manhattan hotel or Grand Central Station, and all taxes. We do not charge additional fees for card payments. Lunch/Entrance fees not included. Internet prices include a discount for online bookings. Prices are according to your party size. For example, the cost of the Half Day London Tour is $449 for a party of 5, which works out at $89.80 per person. At less than $90 pp, private tours are amazing value, offering a personal experience for less than the cost of bus tours

Normal Price

Online price (save £20).

More than 6 passengers? Benefit from our group savings for 7 to 100+ passengers: please see Private London Group Tours.

More than 5 passengers? Benefit from our group savings for 6 to 100+ passengers:please see Private London Group Tours. On transit through London? See Our London Layover Tours

Tour Comments

Our driver and our guide were super nice and friendly. It was so much fun for my sister and I to do this on our layover at Heathrow Airport - our parents enjoyed it too!

The Michaels Family, USA

London Magical Tours took us on 2 days of great touring. We were picked up from the airport and they took such great care of us throughout. The tour guide was fabulous, extremely knowledgable and the driver was very attentive. Thoroughly enjoyable, we had a wonderful time.

Mr. and Mrs. Olig, USA

Other tour ideas.

London Group Tour Specialists: Tours of London For All Size Events

London Transfers- Airports, Trains & Cruise Ports

• What is a private tour?
• What time do the tours start?
• Where can I be collected from?
• What are the differences between the 3 hr and 7 hr London tours?
• Will we get out of the vehicle to sightsee and take photos or is it just a drive-by?
• Are lunch/entrance fees included?

UK: 020 7859 4561 Abroad: +44 20 7859 4561 USA/Canada: + 1 866 834 8371

Enquiry Form

Magical Tours Blog

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London  Layover Tour

London Layover Tour

England day tours from London airports 

Private London sightseeing tours  from Heathrow or Gatwick airport

 Meet Erin

Private Tour Guide London England

A local offering your very own London layover tour

[email protected]

  Tel.  +44 77073 55975

LONDON, ENGLAND

Private London layover tours for solo travellers, couples, families or groups if you have at least 8 hour layover in London.

Private London England sightseeing tours from Heathrow or Gatwick airport. 

I will meet you at the airport and take you to the most fabulous places of London or countryside of England, then take you back to the airport on time to catch your connecting flight.

Heathrow layover tours, Gatwick layover tours - day or night!

PRIVATE ENGLAND TOURS

Long layover in London? Nothing to do for hours at London's crowded Heathrow or Gatwick airport? Well, I provide tailor made London layover tours to your satisfactory on your visit. However, if you can't decide and are overwhelmed by the choices London England tour offers, you can always ask Erin for advise on what to see on your London layover here to deliver your full  experience of England.

PRIVATE LONDON SIGHTSEEING TOURS

- BUCKINGHAM PALACE

  (change of guards)

- HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT

- LONDON EYE

- TOWER OF LONDON

- WESTMINSTER ABBEY

- SKY GARDENS

- HYDE PARK

- COVENT GARDEN

- PICCADILLY CIRCUS

- TOWER BRIDGE

- ROYAL GARDENS

- TRAFALGAR SQUARE

- NIGHT TOUR OF LONDON

- RIVER THAMES CRUISE

- HAMPTON COURT PALACE 

PRIVATE DAY TOURS FROM LONDON

- WINDSOR CASTLE TOUR

- STONEHENGE TOUR

- BATH TOUR

- STRATFORD- UPON- AVON

- SALISBURY TOUR

- AVEBURY TOUR

- COTSWOLDS TOUR

  (medieval villages)

- ARLINGTON ROW TOUR

- BROADWAY TOUR

- SLAUGHTERS TOUR

- GLASTONBURY TOUR

- CANTERBURY TOUR

- WHITE CLIFFS DOVER TOUR

- OXFORD TOUR

If the place you are looking for is not mentioned on the list, you can always contact Erin and ask to make arrangements that suit you. 

PRIVATE ENGLAND TOURS FROM SOUTHAMPTON CRUISE PORT TERMINAL

- PRIVATE SOUTHAMPTON SHORE EXCURSIONS

- PRIVATE TOURS FROM SOUTHAMPTON TO LONDON VIA STONEHENGE

- PRIVATE STONEHENGE AND BATH TOURS FROM SOUTHAMPTON PORT

- PRIVATE DAY TOURS FROM SOUTHAMPTON ENGLAND

IN ENGLAND THERE ARE...

OF SEVEN WORLD WONDERS

WORLD FAMOUS ATTRACTIONS

RELATED LINKS

On this page, most popular tours, special interest tours, tours from london, hop-on hop-off bus tours, central london tours.

• Guide to hotel areas
• Bed & breakfast
• Backpacker hostels
• Airbnb London
• Central London tours
• Tours from London
• Hop-on hop-off bus tours
• Harry Potter tours
• Stonehenge tours
• Downton Abbey tours
• Windsor tours
• Cotswolds tours
• Private tours
• Ticket & pass offers
• Central London attractions
• Attractions outside London
• Harry Potter attractions
• Tower of London
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT
• London City
• London Southend
• Southampton

London from Heathrow Airport & hotels

Your sightseeing options from few hours or a day in london during your heathrow airport stopover.

No public tour bus visits Heathrow!

OK, let's get one thing clear first, the answer to the most common question from people on a layover at Heathrow Airport.

There are no sightseeing tours that pick up from Heathrow or its hotels that will take you sightseeing into London, (or indeed anywhere).

If you want a public tour of London then you will need to take public transport into the centre of London and join the tour there or charter your own private sightseeing capability.

Heathrow - Central London transport options   London Underground from Heathrow   Hop on buses   Black taxi tours from Heathrow   Windsor stopover   Sightseeing map from Heathrow   Enquiry form

Heathrow - Central London public transport options

The full range of transport options between Heathrow Airport and Central London are laid out for you on our dedicated Heathrow Airport - Central London transfer pages.

London Underground from Heathrow

By far the majority of people travelling between Heathrow and Central London for layover sightseeing use the London Underground, by far the cheapest transport option as well as taking you direct to the sights themselves.

Underground trains leave Heathrow about every 5 minutes throughout the day between about 5.30am and midnight, (slightly shorter times on Sundays).

There are 3 stations at Heathrow covering all 5 passenger terminals.

London Underground Heathrow - Central London - full details

Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours of London from Heathrow

The most popular way of seeing London's sights in a short space of time are London's Hop on, Hop Off sightseeing buses.

There are three competing tour companies, for a discussion of the differences between them, read our dedicated page,  Comparing London's hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses .

Though note, you need at least 3 hours to do one lap of the main sightseeing route on these buses even without hopping on or off.

At this moment in time we would suggest Tootbus as being a good fit for those travelling in from Heathrow.

From Heathrow the  Piccadilly Line of the London Underground  stops at Gloucester Road, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park Corner and Green Park Stations in a journey time of between 30 and 45 minutes. Tootbus stops outside all of these stations.

TOOTBUS HOP-ON BUS & GUIDED WALKING TOURS

Tootbus London Discovery tickets + Vox City guided walking tours

• Choose from 24, 48 or 72-hr tickets • Audio guide in 5 languages • 2 professionally guided walking tours: The Wizard Walk - Harry Potter Walking Guided Tour & The Royals and Landmarks - Walking Guided Tour 

Tours of London from Heathrow Terminals & Hotels by London black taxi (Maximum 5 People)

The least hassle and most straight forward way to get a good look at London's iconic sights from Heathrow is to let one of London's famous black taxi cabs and one of their equally famous cabbies show you around London.

The tour departs and returns to your hotel at Heathrow or passenger terminal and you decide where you would like to visit. Alternatively let your cabbie suggest an itinerary for you. Luggage can be carried as well. For full details of this opportunity, click through on the link below.

Black Taxi tour of London from Heathrow terminals and hotels

Windsor - an alternative to London as a stopover, closer & more convenient

If your priority is to just find something more pleasurable than killing time between flights in an airport terminal then Windsor is a great alternative to London, it is very close to Heathrow. Public buses run from Terminal 5 frequently stopping outside Windsor Castle, but there is much more to Windsor and Eton than the castle.

If you have luggage we have a solution that takes care of that too.

Windsor stopover solution for Heathrow Airport - more details

Semi independent & guided tours from Heathrow for individuals or large groups

We can customise a day to remember reflecting your interests and time available. We can offer solutions for one or two people with a friendly driver right up to a formal coach tour for large groups requiring a formal tour with top grade guides and attraction tickets included.

Full details at our Private tours from Heathrow page.

HEATHROW TO/FROM LONDON

Tours from heathrow, airport to airport, cruise port transfers, to the rest of the uk, heathrow hotels, hotel to terminal, heathrow hotel areas, heathrow parking.

What to do on a layover in Heathrow

Sep 4, 2019 • 5 min read

Why stay trapped in Heathrow Airport, spend your layover enjoying a few London sights © Sharrocks / Getty Images

As a gateway into Europe, London Heathrow is one of the busiest airports on the planet. Based on sheer volume, chances are you’ll have some extra time to waste. Why spend it walking up and down the aisles at Boots or ogling all the stuff you can’t afford at Cartier. Make the most of your layover in Heathrow with these suggestions. 

Two things often stop people from making the most of their downtime in a foreign airport – fear of missing their connecting flight and having nowhere to leave their luggage for a few hours. But with a bit of forward planning, you can make the absolute most of your time in London .   

But a word of warning – make sure to check your visa requirements for entering the UK before planning to leave the airport. 

How to get to London from Heathrow

Don’t be tempted to take the ‘Tube’ – London’s underground system – from the airport or a famous black cab into London – it typically takes too long. The Heathrow Express train is the fastest way into town. You will be at London’s Paddington railway station in 15 minutes (cab or tube will take you at least three times that) and from there, many of the world-famous sights are easily reached by a short Tube ride.

For a 3 to 4-hour layover, head to Windsor or Eton

Just a 15-minute taxi ride from Heathrow are the beautiful ancient towns of Windsor and Eton situated on either side of the River Thames. 

The well-known, 900-year-old Windsor Castle is still ‘home’ to the British Royal family making it the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. St. George’s chapel is a magnificent Gothic structure and if this is the only place you visit, it will be worth the admission fee. 

 The Queen's Walkway is a hidden gem. The easy, circular 6.37km (3.7 miles) trek links 63 of Windsor's best attractions and views and commemorates the date when the Queen became the longest-reigning British monarch (63 years, 7 months and 3 days). 

There are many traditional pubs, cafes and restaurants on the route, and the walk is the perfect way to see Windsor while stretching your legs during a short layover. If you’re lucky, you may also see the colourful pageantry of the Changing of the Guard as they march up Windsor High Street.

Just across the Thames from Windsor is Eton, famous for its 550-year-old private (though called ‘public’ in England) boys school. Alumni include Princes William and Harry and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnston. The Eton Walkway, a similar concept to the Queens Walkway, is an easy 3.2km (about 1 hour) circular walk that connects 18 points of interest in the town starting at Windsor Bridge. 

You might also like  

Make the most of a stopover in Fiji

What to do on a stopover in Qatar 

For a 6-to-8 hour layover, go into London

If you have six hours or so, try a Thames river cruise or a guided walk and there’s still time for visiting one or more of London’s famous landmarks.

If you visit St. Paul’s Cathedral , be sure to visit the ‘Whispering Gallery’ where your whisper against the wall will be heard on the opposite side. 

From St. Paul’s, it’s a short five-minute walk to the rest of the ‘Square Mile’, which is actually a fraction more than a square mile and is THE City of London. Here you will find exceptional architecture – from the Guildhall and Sir Christopher Wren’s St. Paul’s Cathedral to Norman Foster’s modern ‘Gherkin’. 

If time permits, a quick ride in the lift to the 40th floor Gherkin Sky Bar will reward you with a panoramic view of the City. An alternative is the Sky Garden on top of the Walkie Talkie building on Fenchurch Street. Access is free, but you do need to book a ticket on your phone before you go. 

For a more leisurely visit, take time to stroll around one of London’s museums or art galleries. Most are free to enter – check out the British Museum, Natural History Museum, the Science Museum or Victoria & Albert Museum. 

A hidden treasure, and one that should be a lone stop during a layover from Heathrow, is the site of the Churchill War Rooms in Westminster. It was here that the British Prime Minister and his cabinet lived and worked during the Second World War. Set aside at least 90 minutes for the tour and definitely buy tickets online though there is timed entry. 

For a 24-hour layover, make a trip to Little Venice, Greenwich and Soho

A full day layover in London is an opportunity to explore gems away from popular tourist traps.  Relatively close by is Little Venice – as the name suggests, is a picturesque canal neighborhood built in the 19th century. During the summer, it’s a wonderful place to stroll and watch the narrow boats glide along Regent's Canal. Close to Paddington, it's easily accessible and only a 15-minute train ride from Heathrow. 

 A little further is Greenwich , where East meets West – or at least the hemispheres meet and yes, you can stand with one foot in either hemisphere. Explore the architecture of the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Naval College then wander around the eclectic stalls of Greenwich Market. To end the day, head to Soho for dinner where there is an extensive array of international cuisines to choose from and prices to suit every pocket. 

Luggage Storage

Although Heathrow has luggage storage facilities, not all airports do. Having a place close by to safely store you bags for a few hours will make or break your decision to make good use of those few, precious, idle hours. The answer is BAGBNB . Founded in 2016, BAGBNB is a community network that collaborates with business partners (called Angels) in over 2,500 locations all across the world, who, for a small fee, will store your luggage securely on their premises.

London alone has over 90 Angels whose businesses include cafes, rental outlets or shops. It’s advisable to ‘book’ with your Angel on bagbnb.com before you arrive to make sure their opening hours fit your schedule. Each Angel has been certified by BagBNB but it still pays to be prudent.  The cost is five GBP a bag/day in the UK.

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Home » Europe » England » Seeing London on a Long Heathrow Layover

Seeing London on a Long Heathrow Layover

By Author Lance Longwell

Posted on Last updated: July 18, 2022

Imagine you’ve booked a vacation and you end up with a connection through London’s Heathrow airport (LHR). And your long Heathrow layover is over 6 hours. Welcome to the world of long-haul travel. If you’re wondering what to do during a long layover in London, the answer is get out of the airport!

You could spend those hours wandering around Heathrow, but why not get out of the airport, get some sunshine (hopefully), and see a little of London, England? This London layover guide contains everything we learned and everything you need to know to make the most of your time in the city, including a breakdown of options by length of layover.

Make the Most of a Long Layover in London

Getting from heathrow airport to london, underground, heathrow express train, layover tours, self-guided london walking tour, london layover options based on time, less than 6 hours.

Whether you have 5 hours or 20 hours in England , your layover will all start the same way–the arrivals area of the airport. When you get off the plane, you need to clear immigration and there can be a considerable wait here. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter the UK, but residents of other countries may need a LHR transit visa.

However, we were required to produce three documents: a valid passport, the boarding pass for the flight we just got off, and proof of onward travel (the boarding passes for our next flight and a printed itinerary).

Depending on how your flight was ticketed, it is likely your checked baggage will remain checked to your final destination. However, unless you want to take any hand luggage or carry-on bags with you, you’ll want to drop them off for the day (the British call this service “left luggage” but it is “baggage storage” for everyone else). Once officially admitted to the UK, drop any access baggage off at the Excess Baggage Company counter on the ground level. The cost to store a bag is £12.500 for 24 hours. From there, you will need to get into London.

There are four options to travel from Heathrow to London:

Inside the arrivals hall, follow the signs to the Underground just across the terminal lobby from the Excess Baggage Company storage counter in Terminal 5. You will need a one-day travelcard valid for zones 1-6. If you have a pin-and-chip credit card, you can buy directly from the machines. Otherwise, you can purchase from a teller. The cost for us on a Saturday was £17 and was valid for the Tube and all buses.

Follow the signs to the Underground, take the escalator down two levels, and get on the Piccadilly Underground line. If you follow in our footsteps, you’ll be going to the Green Park station. This will take approximately 50 minutes and a large part of it will be above ground so you’ll get to see some of the suburbs.

There is another faster option than the Underground. The Heathrow Express is the most direct train option, but it is quite a bit more expensive than the Underground. The Heathrow Express drops you off at Paddington Station, which means you need to take a second metro to connect to the self-guided tour provided below. The Underground, despite being slower, saves you from needing to change trains at Paddington station.

We’ve taken the Heathrow Express at least 10 times and appreciate the wifi, in-seat power, and comfort compared to the metro. Ticket prices are discounted by how far in advance you purchase.

Visitors who are flush with cash and have time to burn can take one of the famous black cabs into the city…for a price. Because of London’s famous traffic, the taxi is actually a slower option than either of the trains. The cab will cost a minimum of £50 (~$70) and will take over an hour. We’ve only done it once when we were traveling for business because it helps to have an expense account, and we didn’t know better at the time. Note: You can also pre-book a private car for about the same cost.

A number of companies offer professional, chauffeured guided tours from the airport. These tours tend to be more expensive than our suggested self-guided tour that we’ve outlined below, but they are an option. The real advantage of the tours is that you don’t need to handle any of the planning or logistics yourself. You can pre-book here .

Now, your adventure can begin! Assuming you’ve followed our instructions above for taking the Underground from the airport to the city, you’ll find yourself in Green Park. The Green Park tube station is the most direct route from Heathrow to Buckingham Palace.

Once inside Green Park, walk down the gently sloping pathway to the trees on the far side of the park. You might glimpse Buckingham Palace through the trees. If you are at the Palace around 11:00am, you’ll see the masses of people for the Changing of the Guard. As my friend Megan would say, be sure to “mill about smartly” in front of the Palace.

After taking a million pictures, continue down the street opposite Buckingham Palace known as the The Mall. At your first available opportunity, turn right on a path and go into St. James Park. The path will head downhill and lead you to a beautiful pond. Head towards your left and walk along the pond’s edge (be extremely careful not to step in the excessive amounts of bird droppings on the path) until you reach a footbridge over the pond.

Be sure to stop for a few moments on the bridge and note the Princess Diana plaque. This is also a great photo vantage point of both Buckingham Palace behind you and the skyline in front of you.

Continue through St. James Park to the Horse Guards grounds on the far side (crossing the Horse Guards Road, be sure to look in both directions for speeding cars). As you cross the gravel courtyard, you’ll see an archway. Pass through the archway and see masses of tourists behaving inappropriately with the guards – trying to get them to break character. On the far side of the Horse Guards, make a right on Whitehall Street and go one block to see 10 Downing Street.

From here, you have several options:

• Continue two blocks past Downing Street and then make a left, crossing the Westminster Bridge. On the far bank, turn left and walk the entire South Bank of the Thames River , past the London Eye, the National Theatre, etc. Across the river, you’ll see St. Paul’s from a distance (you can cross back over the Millennium footbridge if you want to see St. Paul’s). Continue past the Globe Theatre, The Tate Modern, City Hall to the Tower Bridge. Admire the bridge and cross it to see the Tower of London. This is a total walk of approximately 2.5 miles.
• If the weather is poor, jump on the Underground. Continue two blocks past Downing Street to the Westminster Underground stop. From here, you can take the District or Circle lines on the Underground from Westminster Station to Tower of London station. If you take the Tube, you’ll sacrifice the 2.5 mile walk, but end up with more time at the Tower.
• One of the best ways to see the city is by boat. You can get the boat from Westminster pier (near the train station) and take it to Tower Pier, right at the foot of the Tower of London.
• If the weather is really bad, skip it all and go in search of the perfect fish and chips, followed by high tea.

No matter how you get there, your ultimate objective should be the Tower of London. This was the original royal residence and the center of the city’s history for hundreds of years. Now preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tower is a first-rate attraction. The tour given by the guards called Beefeaters is a fantastic overview to the Tower explaining its dual purpose as Royal residence and also prison.

After the Beefeater Tour, spend some time wandering around the walled ramparts and visiting the Treasury to see the royal jewels. We found the Treasury to be much more manageable and better organized than similar exhibits elsewhere, such as Vienna’s Hofburg Palace .

By this time, you’re probably a little tired from your long, sleepless night on the overnight flight. You’re also probably a little hungry. There are numerous restaurants and street food in the area. We opted for the perfect fish and chips at a nearby pub.

When you finally tire of the fun, make your way back to the Underground and transfer to the Piccadilly line, taking it back to the airport (last stop).

London is a world class city and there is so much to do! A person could spend weeks exploring. A 13-hour layover offers just a quick taste but is sure to make you want to come back.

Everyone’s definition of a long layover is different. If you’re asking yourself the question, ‘how long of a layover do I need to see London,’ the answer is at least six hours. Here are our recommendations on what to focus on, depending on how much time you have.

Be sure to keep in mind that it takes a minimum of one hour each way to get to and from Heathrow airport. Also, when going back to LHR, you will need to pick up any baggage you may have checked at the excess baggage left luggage counter and clear security and immigration. You should allow two hours plus transit time to ensure you’re on time for your flight.

If you have less than 6 hours, you’re really not going to be able to leave the airport. With this amount of time, you’ll need to think about things to do at Heathrow. After an overnight flight, the first thing we try to do is get a shower. Check out our guide to Heathrow showers . Then, we usually visit the VIP lounge, get something to eat, and maybe do some duty free shopping. You probably won’t have time for much more than that.

Remember it takes one hour each way to and from the city center, so don’t spread yourself too thin. You won’t have much time and you’ll really need to keep moving. Using the itinerary above, focus on the one or two things you really care to see. Our recommendation is to focus on Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London. You probably won’t have enough time to do both, so you’ll need to visit again to see it all!

Keep moving if you want to make your flight! You’ll need to make some choices: Option A: Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Horse Guards, 10 Downing Street, and Westminster Abbey. A quick lunch of fast food somewhere. Option B: The Tower of London, plus a quick lunch near the Tower Bridge.

Time will fly by on this layover excursion. We would focus on either: Option A: Green Park, Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Horse Guards, 10 Downing Street, and Westminster Abbey. Proper British lunch either near Westminster Abbey or Trafalgar Square. Option B: The Tower of London, plus a lunch of proper British fish and chips along with a nice cold pint.

This may seem like a lot of time, but you’re going to have to make compromises. We recommend focusing on: Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Horse Guards, 10 Downing Street, and then the Tower of London. If you have any extra time, see Westminster Abbey. Don’t waste time on lunch, instead grab a quick takeaway or fast food.

Our complete itinerary may be possible in this amount of time, but you might need to make compromises. Focus on: Green Park, Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Horse Guards, 10 Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, and then the Tower of London. If you have any extra time, get a proper British fish & chips lunch.

Our complete itinerary should still be possible in this amount of time. Focus on: Green Park, Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Horse Guards, 10 Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, a proper British lunch of fish & chips complete with a pint, and then the Tower of London. One of the shorter city tours from the airport would be possible in this amount of time.

You should easily be able to complete our self-guided itinerary above in this amount of time. Our recommendation is to focus on the itinerary above: Green Park, Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Horse Guards, 10 Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, a proper British lunch of fish & chips complete with a pint, and then the Tower of London. You would also be able to complete one of the day tours from Heathrow in this amount of time.

This is a good, long, proper layover. Put differently, this is really the answer to what to do in London for a day. Our recommendation is to focus on the itinerary above: Green Park, Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Horse Guards, 10 Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, a proper British lunch of fish & chips complete with a pint, and then the Tower of London. You’ll be able to do this at a fairly leisurely pace.

Special thanks to our friends Megan and Indiana Jo for their help in putting together this itinerary.

Lance Longwell is a travel writer and photographer who has published Travel Addicts since 2008, making it one of the oldest travel blogs. He is a life-long traveler, having visited all 50 of the United States by the time he graduated high school. Lance has continued his adventures by visiting 70 countries on 5 continents – all in search of the world’s perfect sausage. He’s a passionate foodie and enjoys hot springs and cultural oddities. When he’s not traveling (or writing about travel), you’ll find him photographing his hometown of Philadelphia.

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Tuesday 14th of November 2023

I followed this guide exactly during a 12-hour layover and was over the moon happy with my time spent in London. Highly recommend! I would add to take a look up when you get to Westminster station, Big Ben is right there! I took your advice and ended off the day with high tea at the Soho hotel! From another guide I found it to be one of the most affordable and is a 40 minute ride on the underground to the airport!

Yvonne Carr

Tuesday 7th of November 2023

I will arrive in London at 7am on Thursday Nov 9th. Considering the time it takes to get through and back to the airport through customs again. I want to be safe and say I should have a 6 hour layover from the airport.

Please tell me how I can get transport from the airport to see the major sites in London and get back to the airport by 6:35pm to go through customs for my next flight? And please provide me with a quote for the ride and events. Thank you!

Lance Longwell

Sunday 12th of November 2023

6 hours is enough time to do an expedited visit. Follow the instructions above.

Thursday 14th of September 2023

I have an 18 hour layover. Is it safe to book a hotel near the airport after our day of sightseeing? Any recommendations?

Friday 15th of September 2023

There's a bunch of hotels north of Heathrow on Bath Road. We've stayed at the Sofitel, the Sheraton Heathrow, and the Renaissance as well.

Tuesday 7th of March 2023

We are passing through London arriving at LHR at 7:30AM from the states, then leaving out of Gatwick at 5:40PM. Can you suggest some options for this 11 hour layover if we cannot drop off our luggage. Is there a black taxi senic drive that we may consider from one airport to another

thankyou brian

This is probably what you are looking for: https://www.getyourguide.com/royal-albert-hall-l3211/london-custom-private-tour-by-car-t216168/?partner_id=UPYALU2&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=%22other%22&cmp=LondonLayover Will pick you up at Heathrow, and you'll need to make arrangements for a Gatwick drop off. I've found that these private tours have a lot of flexibility if you're willing to tip $$$.

Tuesday 31st of January 2023

Thank you so much for writing this guide! I had a 9 hr layover and had the best time going around London!! The instructions were so clear that I barely had to use Google maps :)

‘Good To Go’, providing Covid-19 safe tours

Reschedule at any time if your plans change

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• Layover Tours from Heathrow Airport /

2021 London Heathrow Layover Tours

Experienced Tours frequently organise private day trips from the Port of Southampton Cruise terminal. Our bespoke shore excursions from the Port of Dover are tailored to your interests and typically cover more attractions and distance than larger pre-orgnaised group tours.

The Port of Southampton is situated on The Solent around 80 miles Southwest of London. Cruise ships dock alongside meaning disembarkation is easy and your guide will be waiting on the quayside. Typically a day tour from Southampton starts at 9am and finishes at 5pm, however that is influenced by the arrival and departure time of your ship and we can be as flexible as you need us to be on the day.

From Dover it is possible to explore London and the outlying areas in a day trip. Each shore tour is unique so please let us know your dates and what you would like to see on your visit to England.

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PRIVATE LAYOVER EXCURSIONS FROM LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT

Each of our tours are bespoke, but here are a few suggestions of private day tours from London Heathrow Airport (all terminals)

WINDSOR CASTLE HALF DAY TOUR

Visit the royal residences at windsor on this half day tour from london.

STONEHENGE FULL DAY TOUR

Visit the ancient and mysterious standing stones at stonehenge.

STONEHENGE AND BATH FULL DAY TOUR

Visit the standing stones at stonehenge and continue to the roman spa town of bath.

OXFORD & BLENHEIM PALACE FULL DAY TOUR

Explore the university city of oxford and continue to one of england’s finest country mansions at blenheim.

WINDSOR CASTLE & HAMPTON COURT FULL DAY TOUR

Visit two royal residences in one day from london. windsor castle is the current royal retreat in england and hampton court gives a fascinating insight into the royal life of the past.

THE CLASSIC OXFORD

Walk in the footsteps of famous alumni on a day visit oxford from london. explore the college quads and city landmarks such as the bridge of sighs and visit oxford castle.

THE COTSWOLDS & STRATFORD

Visit the birthplace of william shakespeare and travel through the cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty. call in at the picture-postcard village of bourton on the water.

  Tours from Heathrow Airport 

Our tours from Heathrow Airport to Southampton Cruise Terminal & Dover Port are carefully coordinated with your ships departure time. Pickup is from all Heathrow airport hotels and includes a visit to a nearby heritage site along the way. This includes tours to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle or Winchester Cathedral. At the end of the visit, we drive to your Cruise Terminal, with plenty of time to check-in. Your baggage is taken directly to the cruise ship by porters. These tours departing from Heathrow airport are a great solution for passengers staying overnight at airport hotels, as well as arriving at the airport in the early morning.

We also arrange private Heathrow layover tours, which are a perfect solution for travellers with a long layover between flights. Book a layover tour to London or Stonehenge and make the most of your time in England.

Pre Cruise 3 Day London Package - with Transfer to Southampton

Stonehenge Tour from London & Heathrow to Southampton

Windsor Castle Tour from London & Heathrow to Southampton

Shuttle from London & Heathrow to Southampton

Dover Private Transfer via Leeds Castle or Canterbury Cathedral

Heathrow Layover Tours

Windsor or Stonehenge Private Transfer from London to Southampton

The best ways to get from Heathrow Airport into London

Editor's Note

After a long flight, you just want to get from the airport to your hotel in the easiest (and, ideally, the most cost-effective) way possible.

With an airport as vast as London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) — the biggest and busiest flight hub in the United Kingdom — achieving that goal can seem daunting even though it's only 16 miles from central London.

There are several options for getting from Heathrow to the city center, depending on your flexibility, the amount of luggage you're carrying, your budget or your time constraints. You can choose between taxis, the Tube, Uber, dedicated train services and even the bus.

Here are the best options for traveling from Heathrow to London — along with how long they take and other pros and cons — so that you can start your trip off on the right foot.

London Underground (aka the Tube)

Heathrow is on the London Underground's Piccadilly line. To spot it, simply look out for the dark blue line on any Tube map.

The popular service — run by the Transport for London (or the TfL for short) — connects the airport to plenty of central city locations. Often, you won't even need to transfer once you've made it to the city center.

If you're looking for the cheapest option to get you from Heathrow into the city, this is likely it. However, it may not be the most comfortable if you are carrying lots of luggage or traveling during peak commuter hours — especially during summer.

Depart from : Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5; the latter two have Underground stations in Zone 6.

Possible destinations : The Piccadilly line directly serves Hammersmith, Gloucester Road, South Kensington, Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Holborn and King's Cross St. Pancras, among other stops. The first and last stops on the line are Uxbridge (Zone 6) and Wood Green (Zone 3).

When does it run? Typically, you can expect Tubes to run from all terminals from around 5 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.; nighttime services from stations in Terminals 2, 3 and 5 run on Fridays and Saturdays. You can check the timetable from all stations here .

Transit time : This will obviously vary depending on your final destination. As a guide, it takes approximately 50 minutes to reach Piccadilly Circus from Heathrow's Terminal 5 or an hour to reach King's Cross St. Pancras.

Estimated cost : Single journeys from Heathrow to destinations in Zone 1 (such as Piccadilly and King's Cross) cost 5.60 British pounds ($7.09) if you pay contactless or with an Oyster card. Buying a ticket to central London at a machine will cost around 6.70 pounds (about $8.29) per person. Children under 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

If you're going outside of Zone 1 (such as to Hammersmith, in Zone 2), then you're looking at a smaller fare of 2.10 pounds (around $2.60) during peak times and 3.40 pounds (around $4.21) at off-peak times.

Paying for your trip : You can pay as you pass through the gates or by buying a ticket. The most convenient method is to use your contactless payment card by touching it on the yellow card readers found at Tube entrances and some platforms.

Note: The card readers aren't always connected to gates and are sometimes free-standing. Keep an eye out for them. If you don't tap in and out at the start and end of your journey, you'll get charged for traveling through Zones 1 to 9.

You can also tap in using a prepaid Oyster card, which is available to buy at all Tube and Overground stations, plus most Elizabeth Line stations, for 7 pounds (about $8.69); they're also available at some newsstands and visitor centers throughout London.

After purchasing an Oyster card, you can add money to the card using the ticket machines found inside Underground stations. You can then purchase daily or weekly travel cards covering various zones.

Alternatively, you can buy paper tickets from the ticket machines at each Tube, Overground and Docklands Light Railway station. One-way, return, daily and weekly travel cards are available.

Some stations also have staffed kiosks instead of ticket machines; you can ask for advice here on the best tickets to buy or routes to take.

Related: The best lounges at London Heathrow — and how to get inside

Elizabeth Line

A relatively recent addition to the TfL network, the Elizabeth Line opened in 2022. It is one of the fastest and cheapest options for traveling into central London from Heathrow Airport.

While not as cheap as the Tube, the Elizabeth Line trains are newer, roomier, air-conditioned and equipped with Wi-Fi. It's not quite as fast as the Heathrow Express (more details below), but it is more affordable.

Depart from : Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 railway stations.

Possible destinations : The Elizabeth Line travels direct from Heathrow to Abbey Wood, serving Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf. You can see the full map on TfL's website .

There are no direct services between Canary Wharf and Terminal 5 except for some early morning and late evening services; instead, you must go via Paddington or transfer at Terminal 4. Trains arriving at Heathrow from Canary end at Terminal 4.

When does it run? Times vary by terminal and whether you're traveling during a weekday or weekend. Typically, the first trains leave between 5:15 and 6:05 a.m., and the last trains leave the airport between 11:46 p.m. and 12:13 a.m. Depending on your destination or starting point, you may find trains start slightly earlier or run marginally later. Find specific timing here .

Transit time : It depends on where you're headed. As a guide, Terminal 5 station to Paddington takes around 35 minutes, while traveling from stations in Terminal 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street takes about 45 minutes.

Estimated cost : Heathrow claims journeys to or from the airport that start or end in Zone 1 cost up to 12.80 pounds ($15.83) per person. However, if you use contactless payment or Oyster, TfL's single fare finder shows a single journey from Terminal 5 to Paddington on the Elizabeth Line costs 12.20 pounds ($15.44).

A journey from stations in Terminals 2 and 3 to Liverpool Street costs 13.30 pounds ($16.45). These prices only apply to contactless payments or Oyster payments. Buying a paper ticket via station ticket machines costs a small amount more — as discovered by TPG recently when we paid 14.30 pounds for an off-peak ticket from Liverpool Street to Heathrow via the Elizabeth Line.

Generally speaking, while savings are only minor, it's better to pay by contactless or Oyster card. Children under the age of 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

Heathrow Express

The direct train, Heathrow Express, is the fastest option to get from Heathrow to Paddington. The trains are relatively modern and, despite the short distance between its sole stop, they also have luggage racks and plugs for charging phones — handy if you're boarding after a long journey.

For onward journeys, Paddington is well connected to multiple Tube lines. Do note, however, that the Heathrow Express is more expensive than all other rail options.

Depart from : Terminals 2 and 3 station and Terminal 5 railway station; you'll need to take a free connecting shuttle to the station if you land in Terminal 4.

Possible destinations : Paddington station; for an extra cost, you can add connecting Tube travel.

When does it run? It typically operates from around 5 a.m. until midnight. Trains run every 15 minutes. See the full Heathrow Express timetable here .

Transit time : It takes 15 minutes to get to Paddington from Terminals 2 and 3 or 20 minutes from Terminal 5.

Estimated cost : A single Heathrow Express journey from Paddington to Heathrow usually costs 25 pounds ($31.65) per person, but you can sometimes pay less if you book in advance. If you're from Great Britain and have a National Railcard, you could pay as little as 16.50 pounds ($20.89).

Alternatively, you can sometimes find discounts online by searching for Heathrow Express vouchers or coupon codes.

The trains also have Business First Class carriages that start around 32 pounds ($40.51) for a single journey. This may not seem worth it given the short distance and travel time. However, Heathrow Express Business First Class ticket holders are also eligible to use Heathrow Airport's fast-track security service — it may be worth it if you're in a rush.

While the Heathrow Express is more expensive than other options, it can sometimes be a good deal for families; children under 15 travel free with a fare-paying adult.

If you are returning to the airport within one month of your ticket, an anytime ticket is cheaper overall than booking two single journeys, which start at 32 pounds ($40.51).

Frequent travelers can also save by buying carnets — starting at six tickets for 109.80 pounds ($138.99) for standard class or 160 pounds ($202.54) for Business First class.

If public transport isn't your thing or you need to travel between Heathrow and central London when other transport isn't running, you can easily book Uber rides. Naturally, this will cost more than a Tube or train ride.

Depart from : Short-stay parking lot in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5; the app will tell you where to go once you've requested a ride and your driver is confirmed, depending on the terminal you're in.

You can typically find Uber pickup spots in the following locations:

• Terminal 2: Level 4, Row H (Short Stay Car Park 2)
• Terminal 3: Level 3, Row A (Short Stay Car Park 3)
• Terminal 4: Level 1, Private Hire Pickup
• Terminal 5: Level 1, Row R (Short Stay Car Park 5)

Possible destinations : You can use Uber to go wherever you like.

When does it run? In theory, you can get an Uber at any hour, but be wary of long waits during peak times.

Transit time : It varies depending on traffic, destination and other factors. (Pay attention to rush hour and commuting times.) As a rough guide, it typically takes approximately 50 minutes to reach Paddington by car or one hour to reach Piccadilly Circus from Terminal 5 (on a good day).

Note that despite its convenience, Uber isn't necessarily the quickest way to reach Heathrow from most locations.

Estimated cost : The cost of an Uber depends on traffic, your destination and other factors. As an example, it can cost 59 British pounds ($74.69) from Terminal 5 to Paddington or 63 British pounds ($79.75) to Piccadilly Circus for UberX rides, excluding tips.

Do note that groups of four or more with more than small suitcases will need to order either a larger car or multiple cars. Expect to pay more for an Uber Lux or Comfort journey.

Related: Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you

Taxis (including black cabs, WeKnow and Addison Lee)

Beyond Uber, there are plenty of other taxi services in London. Options include hailing an iconic London black cab, prebooking an electric car from Heathrow's private hire transfer service WeKnow or arranging a pickup from a company such as Addison Lee.

The latter two options provide a meet-and-greet service to help get you and your luggage straight into the car.

If booking with Addison Lee, you'll be required to share your flight number at booking so the driver can adjust your ride in case of a delay.

Again, this mode of transport will be more expensive than using public transport.

Depart from : The relevant taxi rank outside Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 for a black cab; other services will specify the pickup location when you book, or the driver will meet you at the terminal.

Possible destinations : You can use this option to go wherever you'd like.

When does it run? In theory, you should be able to arrange a taxi or car transfer anytime.

Transit time : As with Uber, it varies depending on traffic, destination and other factors. Terminal 5 to Paddington will typically take around 50 minutes while heading to Picadilly Circus will usually take roughly one hour.

Estimated cost : Prices vary depending on the taxi service you opt for and traffic. Some estimates are below.

• Black cab : The meter starts when your ride begins. TfL — which manages London's black cabs — says trips from Heathrow to central London cost between 52 pounds ($65.83) and 97 pounds ($122.79). More information about black cabs is available here .
• WeKnow : Prices are fixed, so you'll know what you're paying when you book. Terminal 5 to Paddington or Piccadilly Circus typically costs 70 pounds ($88.61) to 94 pounds (around $118.99), depending on the car booked. A meet-and-greet service costs 9.99 pounds (about $12.65) extra. Book here .
• Addison Lee : Like WeKnow, prices for Addison Lee rides are fixed. A sample Terminal 5 to Paddington journey (leaving ASAP) was quoted online as 94.32 pounds ($119.40) or up to 122 pounds ($154.44), depending on the car size needed. The meet-and-greet is included in both prices. For an exact quote, visit Addison Lee's website and input your flight number and journey details.

Coach (including National Express and Megabus)

From Heathrow, National Express and Megabus coaches can drop you off at Victoria Coach station. They're usually inexpensive and often have Wi-Fi and power outlets. They can also carry your luggage in the hold. Here's where you can find Megabus luggage allowances and National Express luggage allowances .

While cheap, buses are not the quickest way to reach central London, as times fluctuate considerably depending on traffic, time of day and other factors.

Depart from : Heathrow's Central Bus Station between Terminals 2 and 3 is the quickest departure point for both National Express and Megabus coaches. From Terminal 4, you'll need to take the free shuttle to the bus station. You can also board a coach from Terminal 5 (look for arrivals level stops 13, 14 and 15 for the Megabus).

Possible destinations : You can use these modes of transportation to reach Victoria Coach station, which is a short five-minute walk from the Victoria Line at Victoria station. This line stops at Green Park, Oxford Circus, Warren Street and King's Cross.

When does it run? National Express coaches run throughout the day, with a service gap between 1 and 3:45 a.m. You can check times and prices here . For Megabus times, head here .

Transit time : From Terminals 2 and 3, National Express coaches take between 55 minutes and one hour and 20 minutes to reach Victoria Coach station. Megabus takes between 45 and 55 minutes for the same journey.

From Terminal 5, National Express coaches can take anywhere from one hour and 20 minutes to one hour and 35 minutes.

Estimated cost : National Express coach rides start from 6 pounds ($7.60) per person. For Megabus coaches, a single journey starts from 8 pounds ($10.13).

Other travel options

The 285 bus from Heathrow's Central Bus Station (serving Terminals 2 and 3) will take you to Feltham train station — it's 16 stops away. From there, you can take a 30- or 45-minute train to Waterloo via Clapham Junction.

London bus hopper fares cost 1.75 British pounds ($2.22), and train tickets start from 8.60 pounds ($10.89) per person. The hopper fares allow you to take unlimited journeys from one hour of tapping in.

This is probably the cheapest option from Heathrow to central London, but it is a long-winded option.

There are several local bus routes from the airport for those traveling somewhere in Greater London rather than central London. View them here .

Bottom line

The best route from Heathrow to central London depends on your budget, the amount of luggage you're traveling with and the amount of time and hassle you are willing to put up with.

The Elizabeth Line and Tube are our top picks to avoid street traffic and save money. If speed is your primary concern, then consider the Heathrow Express.

Need to get away from dragging luggage around or just want the absolutely simplest path from point A to point B? Consider an Uber or taxi.

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Windsor Castle from Heathrow airport - London Forum

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Windsor Castle from Heathrow airport

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6 replies to this topic

Has anyone…?

No, no one, EVER..!

Use the direct and regular bus.

The bus from Heathrow to Windsor takes about 1 hr, I think.

The journey central London - Windsor isn’t that much of a trek to do it another day. Direct train from Waterloo or one change from Paddington. Hundreds of tourists and commuters do it every day.

Details of the buses from the airport.

https://www.windsor.gov.uk/visitor-information/travel-information/getting-here/by-bus-and-coach

Windsor town centre has lots of cafes and restaurants, just look at the number of Google maps.

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17 day trips from London to escape the city

Whether you’re after a seaside jaunt or a country retreat, here are the best trips from London we’re planning right now

As much as we love London here at Time Out, we’re also partial to the odd daydream about a leisurely getaway to somewhere that’s not quite so big and busy. Microdose on that holiday vibe by taking a day trip to one of the many laidback, joy-inducing destinations just a few hours away from London, which pack in plenty; from historic cities and cute villages to sandy beaches and rolling countryside.

If you’re wanting a quick getaway, here are 17 of the Time Out team’s favourite day trips from London, complete with our recommendations of cute pubs and ace restaurants – all close enough to the city to get there and back in one sweet day. 

RECOMMENDED: ✨The best day trips from London 👪 The best  family day trips from London ☀️ The best  weekend trips from London 🏘️ The best  Airbnbs near London 🌳 The best  quirky Airbnbs in the UK

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Dreamy day trips from London

1.  St Leonards-on-Sea

Famed for how many Londoners moved here during lockdown (it’s even been referred to as Dalston-on-Sea, which is cringe, we’ll admit), St Leonards-On-Sea is a cracking day out from the Big Smoke for beachside drinks and a tonne of great food spots. Head to food market Heist  (basically a much nicer version of Boxpark) for orange wine and street food, then sink pints at Goat Ledge , a vibesy, colourful shack right on the beach. If you fancy splashing out a little, book dinner at the fabulously old-school  St Clement’s for white tablecloths and delicious seafood. Plus you've got easy access to the rest of Hastings for its Old Town, pier and the Norman castle ruins.

How far? 58 miles

How to get there: A one hour 18 minute train from London Charing Cross

2.  Dungeness

Dungeness’s shingly, shipwreck-dotted beach is so spookily empty that it’s been described as Britain’s only desert (though the Met Office refuses to technically recognise it as such, the party poopers). It’s a beautifully eerie landscape, with the (disused) nuclear power station and two lighthouses looming over a motley mixture of weathered shacks, beached fishing boats and sleek, modernist bungalows – all clustered along a single in-and-out road.

But despite all that emptiness, there’s a surprising amount to do here. You could catch the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch steam train down the coast, and hop off in Dungeness for a walk and a pint at the lonely Britannia Inn. Grab a freshly-caught lunch at the famous Snack Shack: specialities include lobster or crab rolls and smoked cod chowder. And check out the galleries and open houses showcasing the work of the (surprisingly) many artists who have moved down here, including the shingle garden of the experimental filmmaker Derek Jarman, whose yellow-windowed Prospect Cottage is a major landmark here. Book in advance for a 40-minute tour inside.

If you’ve got time, head over to RSPB Dungeness nature reserve for a chance to glimpse glossy ibises and marsh harriers – plus the huge concrete ‘sound mirrors’, pre-radar experiments from WW1 that were designed to listen out for planes. (Look out on the RSPB site for news of the rare open days when you can get up close.) Finish off your day with dinner at the Pilot Inn; I’m willing to back the quality of their famous fish and chips, which were the thing that brought Derek Jarman here in the first place.

How far? 86 miles

Get there O ne hour  by train from St Pancras International to Folkestone, with a one-hour 30-minute bus ride to Dungeness. Or take a bus or taxi from Folkestone to Hythe station to board the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. Alternatively, Dungeness is  around two hours from London by car.

3.  Stratford-upon-Avon

As a born-and-bred Midlander, I’ve spent many Saturdays traipsing around Stratford-upon-Avon’s lovely streets. With its half-timbered houses and canalside pubs, Stratford’s got just enough of the  small-town charm you’re craving on an escape from the Big Smoke, but unlike a small town, there’s actually loads to see and do.  

The Bard, of course, is the big draw here, and Shakespeare’s house, his wife Anne Hathaway’s cottage and the RSC’s famous theatre are all must-sees. But Stratford is more than just a Tudor Disneyland, we promise. Take a boat tour of the canal basin to find out more about the West Midlands waterways, refresh yourselves in the Grade II-listed Old Thatch Tavern and stop for a scoop of Eton mess ice cream at Hooray’s British Gelato Kitchen. 

How far? 104 miles

Get there T wo hours 15 minutes  by train from Marylebone; around two hours by car. 

4.  Whitstable

Don’t even think about thinking about it: Whitstable is far from overhyped. Sure, the secret is most definitely out about this fabulous little seaside town, but the vibes here are as great as they were 20 years ago. Grab brunch at Farm & Harper , fish and chips at Ossie’s and a glorious pint of craft at the Twelve Taps , and treat yourself to a dozen oysters to go at Wheelers Oyster Bar on the high street. Once you’ve walked the length of the beach and admired the beach huts, settle in at the famous pub-on-the-beach Old Neptune for a pint and wait for sunset to fall. Plus, Whitstable is so near, you’ll be back home before you can say ‘ another   bank holiday?’. But that’s if you don’t miss the last train.

How far? 50 miles

Get there One hour 15 minutes from St Pancras International, around two hours by car.

5.  Brighton

With its pebble beach, wall-to-wall live music venues and buzzing LGBTQ+ scene, there’s nowhere better for topping up your Vitamin Sea levels than Brighton . Start your day by dodging seagulls on the Palace Pier, then shop up a storm in the Lanes, which are packed with independent boutiques, record stores and vegan eateries. Sit down with a couple of pints in the Brighton Beer Dispensary, which champions small Sussex breweries like the Hand Brew Co.

How far?  A little over 50 miles

Get there One hour by train from Victoria, Blackfriars or London Bridge; around two hours by car. 

6.  The New Forest

A trip to the New Forest is about as close as you can get to going on safari without buying a plane ticket. As you make your way down dappled lanes and across the heather-covered heath you’ll be watched the famous ponies, which have grazed there for thousands of years, plus free-ranging Highland cattle and pigs hoovering up fallen acorns. Don’t fancy being stuck in the car all day? Hire a two-seater electric Twizzy buggy to explore in, or book a beginners’ hack at one of the stables. Don’t forget to make time for a proper ploughman’s lunch at the Royal Oak in Fritham.

How far? 90 miles

Get there  One hour 30 minutes by train from Waterloo to Brockenhurst; around two hours by car. Just remember that animals, not drivers, have right of way here.

7.  Rye

The antique shops and higgledy-piggledy cobbled lanes of Rye make it feel like a little slice of the Cotswolds on the coast. After you’ve satisfactorily browsed around the accurately named Tiny Book Store, treat yourself to a seafood lunch surrounded by lobster pots at Globe Inn Marsh, followed by Sussex real ale or a glass of local wine at The George. The Chapel Down vineyard is just up the road and well worth a visit if you want to know the ins and outs of wine-making – or simply enjoy a tipple with their signature wine tasting. Ten minutes away are the pillowy dunes of Camber Sands: roll your trousers up and splash through the shallows, take a kite for a spin or just park your towel and stretch out.

How far? 79 miles.

Get there  One hour 10 minutes by train from St Pancras International (with a change at Ashford); around two hours by car. 

8.  Box Hill

Biking to green and pleasant Surrey is a wheely nice way to spend a Sunday (sorry) – plus, Box Hill was part of the 2012 Olympic road-cycling route. Start in Richmond Park and pedal down past Hampton Court – it should take you about two hours. After a 1.6 mile climb and some hairpin bends (easier than it sounds!), you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the North Downs from the top of Box Hill. Grab a slice of cake from the National Trust café, and save space for lunch at The Tree, which serves homemade pies and crumbles. Your last stop is Box Hill and Westhumble station, where you can load your bikes on to a train back to Waterloo. Whew!

How far? 30 miles

Get there  Two hours by bike (obviously). Plan the route carefully before you set out, and take a map and a puncture repair kit, plus water and snacks.

9.  Bath

A glorious water-themed day awaits you in the city of Bath . Start as you mean to go on with a tour of the Romans baths (no paddling allowed, you’ve been warned), before making a splash in the Thermae Bath Spa – the rooftop pool has stunning views of the city. Once you’ve dried off, make like Jane Austen and stroll along the Royal Crescent. Peckish? Sally Lunn’s teahouse is home to the Sally Lunn Bun, a kind of sweet brioche bap – for a Bath take on the cream tea, order one toasted and spread with strawberry jam and clotted cream.

How far? 115 miles

Get there  One hour 30 minutes by train from Paddington; two hours 30 minutes by car. 

10.  Mersea Island

Attached to the mainland by a causeway that floods (and pub quizzers, take note: this is the UK’s most easterly inhabited island), Mersea feels properly remote at high tide. The big draw is The Company Shed, which serves seafood platters that pull in crowds from all over the country every weekend. It’s BYOB – bring your own bread – and they don’t take bookings, so get there before noon to make sure you can feast on prawns, smoked fish, oysters and dressed crab. Speaking of which, catch-and-release crabbing is encouraged – there are specially marked areas near the water, and shops selling the kit. Or you can book a boat trip around the bay.

How far? 69 miles

Get there  One hour by train from Liverpool Street to Colchester, then a 45-minute bus to Mersea Island; around two hours by car. D on’t forget to check the tide timetable before you set off...

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I've been to more than 30 countries, but I'll always think this European city is the best destination for children of any age

• Of all the countries I've been to, I think London is the best place for kids of any age.
• My husband and I took our son to the city when he was a baby, a preteen, and a teenager.
• The city has many museums, parks, and other activities to entertain kids of all ages.

As a travel writer, one of my greatest loves is experiencing a new country , region, or city with my son. But one place has always been our favorite: London.

The city, which is projected to be the top summer travel destination in 2024 , is popular among tourists due to its iconic sites, gardens, and history. But if you ask me, London is also the best spot to bring your kids, especially if they range in age.

I've been to over 30 countries, and out of all of them, London is the place we chose to bring our child when he was a baby, a preteen, and a teenager.

From the city's amazing architecture to its bustling museums , there are plenty of activities to catch any kid's attention. Here's why I'll always believe London is a terrific destination for children of any age.

Transportation in London is usually a breeze

In my experience, arriving in and getting around London is pretty easy. The Heathrow Express, an airport rail link operating from London Heathrow Airport, can transport passengers to Paddington Station in 15 minutes or less.

Once in the city, we take the Tube, a rapid underground transit system, to get to the big sights. Children under 11 travel for free when accompanied by an adult, and discounts are available for older kids.

When my son was 11, he loved the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus, a touristy but fun experience that takes passengers to major city sights like Big Ben and the Tower of London. Passengers can get off the open-top double-decker vehicle anytime, take a tour, grab a bite to eat, and then continue their journey when the next bus comes.

I recommend getting a 48-hour pass because you can get a great city overview on the first day and then dig deeper into certain spots on the second.

Finally, in an emergency like an infant meltdown or a toddler tantrum, Ubers are almost always accessible.

The city is full of parks for children to play in

London has incredible green space for such a large city. Many of the city's parks are free to the public and are wonderful spots for kids to picnic, sightsee, and burn off energy.

Regent's Park has gorgeous gardens, a playground, and a lake. At Hyde Park, families with two adults and up to four children can swim in the Serpentine Lido for only £15, or about $19.

Related stories

Greenwich Park is another one of our favorites because it offers beautiful views of the River Thames and an expansive lawn surrounding the Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian.

There's no need to worry about a language barrier

I'm a seasoned traveler, but language barriers can still throw me for a loop. I always try to learn a few simple phrases, but not understanding a language and juggling a kid can cause a lot of stress.

In London, there's no need to worry about a language barrier. Though over 300 languages are spoken in the city, most people know English.

There might be different words for various objects — like "nappy" or "diaper" — but I've easily communicated with the people around us in London.

London is full of kid-friendly eateries

Each time we've traveled to London, I've seen terrific restaurant options for palates of all ages. For example, Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen offers a deal so children 8 and under dine for free when ordering off the kids' menu.

Delicious international foods , such as Italian, Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian cuisine, are also available all over London. Fast-food chains like Simit Sarayi and Yo! Sushi are also located throughout the city.

We loved taking our son to sample sweets at Harrods' Food Halls and enjoy sandwiches and scones at St. Martin-in-the-Fields' Café in the Crypt in Trafalgar Square.

There are tons of entertaining museums that offer free admission

London offers nearly 200 museums for patrons to soak up the city's culture and history. They're the perfect places to seek shelter from rain or serve as quiet, interesting respites for a napping baby.

On our first family trip, we strolled our then 8-month-old son through several wings of The British Museum as he peacefully slept. When he was 11, we hit The British Library to marvel at the Magna Carta and checked out the artwork at the National Portrait Gallery.

On our most recent excursion, we watched as our 16-year-old perused the masterpieces at Tate Modern. Most of these museums offer free admission, great kids' activities, hands-on exhibitions, and terrific gift shops.

London is close to tons of easy day-trip options

If you're a traveler who needs a change of pace or scenery every few days, London is a gateway to several day-trip destinations. Places like Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Birmingham, and Brighton are only a bus ride away.

Visiting cities like Paris , Brussels, and even Amsterdam in a single day is doable thanks to the Eurostar train, which runs through several Western European countries.

The bottom line: London's fun, full of great transportation options, and offers endless activities to entertain the entire family. It's truly a winner for kids of all ages.

• Main content

Heathrow UK Border Force strike begins – but no one seems to notice

T he first arrivals at London Heathrow on day one of a strike by UK Border Force have reported no problems getting through passport control.

More than 300 PCS union members working for UK Border Force have walked out for four days , from 29 April to 2 May.

The strike coincides with the introduction of a new roster that, the union says, means 250 members will be being forced out of their current jobs on passport control.

The PCS said: “Members are committed to the action and expect that their walkouts will disrupt passport checks for travellers coming into the UK at Heathrow airport.”

But interviews with a sample of travellers arriving on the Heathrow Express at London Paddington station identified no problems with passport control.

Angie, a Delta passenger from Boston, told The Independent : “It was kind of ridiculously easy – no people in front of me. I put my passport down [for the eGate], it beeped and I was through.”

Other passengers told similar stories. A male passenger from Dubai with Emirates said: “It couldn’t have been easier. I went straight through. I wasn’t aware of any issues.”

A traveller from Dallas on American Airlines said he was impressed with the “super-fast” progress through passport control.

Most of the passengers The Independent met had been through Terminal 3. A woman who had arrived at Heathrow Terminal 5 on British Airways from Hong Kong reported passport control was “very smooth”.

Passengers from the UK, the European Union, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore can use the eGates at the airport.

It is possible that travellers arriving at Terminal 4, which has a higher proportion of passengers who cannot use eGates, will face longer waits.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are disappointed with the union’s decision to strike but remain open to discussing a resolution with PCS union.

“The changes we are implementing will bring the working arrangements for Border Force Heathrow staff in line with the way staff work at all other major ports, provide them with more certainty on working patterns, and improve the service to the travelling public.

“We have robust plans in place to minimise disruption where possible, but we urge passengers to check the latest advice from operators before they travel.”

Heathrow did not give permission to report from the airport itself. It earlier posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Border Force officers at Heathrow plan to strike from Monday 29 April to Thursday 2 May.

“We’re supporting @ukhomeoffice with implementing their contingency plans. eGates will be open as usual, and most journeys should be unaffected. However, some longer queue times may be experienced.”

On Thursday 25 April, eGate failures across the UK led to some severe delays, with passengers at Edinburgh having to wait up to two hours to be processed through passport control.

Another strike, involving members of the Unite union, is set to run for a week in May at Heathrow.

Unite is calling out firefighters and staff in airside operations, passenger services, trolley operations and campus security from Tuesday 7 May to Monday 13 May.

The airport says it does not expect passengers to be affected.

A planned strike by 50 aircraft refuellers working for AFS Aviation , scheduled for 72 hours from 4 May, was called off five days before it was due to start.

Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “This is another victory for Unite in its campaign for members' pay and conditions and workers at AFS should be congratulated for standing firm against their employer and winning these improved terms.”

Travellers between Heathrow and central London will be affected by the train drivers’ overtime ban that begins on Monday 6 May and continues until the following Saturday, 11 May. On Wednesday 8 May, the train drivers will strike and services will be reduced to half-hourly between around 7.30am and 7pm.

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.