I have a 7 hr layover in LHR between QR003 (arr 12:25) and BA183 (dep 19:55) on separate reservations (QR for work, BA personal). Assuming I can't get moved to an earlier BA flight, can I clear immigration/customs and head to central London for a few hours, while my baggage is checked through? Or do I have to collect bags for a temporary airside visit? (Australian passport, for the record.)
If your baggage can be checked through then yeah, you can certainly zip into London – the only thing is that with time being of the esssence, the fastest way – Heathrow Express – can cost you quite a bit, although as you're in the position to make an advance booking there are quite some savings (see https://www.heathrowexpress.com/tickets-deals/prices-fares). If you do HEX then at Paddington you can change for the tube or just walk up the ramp to Paddington itself (veer left once you get through the gates at the end of the HEX platform, look for the roadway with smokers all clustered along the one side) and then use your Oyster card to hop onto a bus into the city (as far as I recall, 7 or 23 will both do the trick - the bus stop is to the left at Praed Street, across from SUbway/KFC).
If you manage to check baggage through to final destination, I fail to see why you cannot get out airport and came back. I did it numerous times in Bangkok and do not think that London differs anyhow in this regard. However 7 hr is not that much - one hour to clear passport control, one hour to get center one hour to get back and you have to be in airport 2 hours before flight. So 7-1-1-1-2=2hr. I personally too bloody lazy to rush around 5 hours just to spend 2 hours in city. But if you never been in London it may worth it. Personally I rather rest few hours in hotel.
Tip: be sure to show your baggage tickets at counter when you will register on BA183
Serg makes a good point, in that while relatively east to to to London you won't have much time there. HEX is 15 minutes, another 15 on the bus to the CBD, allow 5-10 waiting for the bus or HEX = 90 minutes (to be safe) in travel time. If you have Oneworld Platinum status you should be able to take avdantage of express lanes at the airport if they have them (can't recall on a terminal-specific basis off the top of my head, although T5 definitely has such at the BA First checkin counter ar the far end of the terminal) which can cut time off your transit experience.
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I have a 7 hr layover in LHR
twiningb
twiningb
Member since 30 Jan 2015
Total posts 22
I have a 7 hr layover in LHR between QR003 (arr 12:25) and BA183 (dep 19:55) on separate reservations (QR for work, BA personal). Assuming I can't get moved to an earlier BA flight, can I clear immigration/customs and head to central London for a few hours, while my baggage is checked through? Or do I have to collect bags for a temporary airside visit? (Australian passport, for the record.)
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,016
If your baggage can be checked through then yeah, you can certainly zip into London – the only thing is that with time being of the esssence, the fastest way – Heathrow Express – can cost you quite a bit, although as you're in the position to make an advance booking there are quite some savings (see https://www.heathrowexpress.com/tickets-deals/prices-fares). If you do HEX then at Paddington you can change for the tube or just walk up the ramp to Paddington itself (veer left once you get through the gates at the end of the HEX platform, look for the roadway with smokers all clustered along the one side) and then use your Oyster card to hop onto a bus into the city (as far as I recall, 7 or 23 will both do the trick - the bus stop is to the left at Praed Street, across from SUbway/KFC).
Serg
Serg
QFF
Member since 12 Apr 2013
Total posts 923
If you manage to check baggage through to final destination, I fail to see why you cannot get out airport and came back. I did it numerous times in Bangkok and do not think that London differs anyhow in this regard. However 7 hr is not that much - one hour to clear passport control, one hour to get center one hour to get back and you have to be in airport 2 hours before flight. So 7-1-1-1-2=2hr. I personally too bloody lazy to rush around 5 hours just to spend 2 hours in city. But if you never been in London it may worth it. Personally I rather rest few hours in hotel.
Tip: be sure to show your baggage tickets at counter when you will register on BA183
twiningb
twiningb
Member since 30 Jan 2015
Total posts 22
Thanks, all.
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,016
Serg makes a good point, in that while relatively east to to to London you won't have much time there. HEX is 15 minutes, another 15 on the bus to the CBD, allow 5-10 waiting for the bus or HEX = 90 minutes (to be safe) in travel time. If you have Oneworld Platinum status you should be able to take avdantage of express lanes at the airport if they have them (can't recall on a terminal-specific basis off the top of my head, although T5 definitely has such at the BA First checkin counter ar the far end of the terminal) which can cut time off your transit experience.