layover in London

That is not a lot of time, TBH, but you might be able to get out for a small bit around Heathrow, I would not go to the City proper though, you could get stuck in traffic and miss your flight.

DD

 

I think they recommend being at the Airport 3 hours prior to an international flight. So using that, you have about 2 hours to land, get out the airport, eat and return.

I'd say you are cutting it too close.

 

I would go out and catch a movie.

 

not enough time....i'd recommend going to the heathrow website and checking if they have any restaurant in the airport that serves typical authentic british fare (ie. fish & chips).....at least you'll get a taste of england on your stopover

 

Which is a taste of nothing. English food is absolutely horrible. Bangers and mash... total bleh. If you really want food then look for Indian.

 

Get something quick and go walk around Piccadilly or something. You will have at least 45 min for it. And when I mean get something fast I mean buy some food and walk around while you eat. That's what I would instead of sitting there for 5 hours.

 

imo every cuisine has something good to take away from it (as long as it's properly prepared). and he doesn't necessarily have to order bangers and mash

 

5 hours? You will have about 1 hour - 2 hours max to explore Hounslow or a surrounding area before heading back. Not worth it.

 

The British have no cuisine.

 

I recently had a 5-hour layover at Heathrow as well, and did leave the airport.

Take the Tube a few stops to Hounslow (predominantly South Asian neighborhood) and grab some Indo-Pak food. It won't take you longer than 15 minutes and $5 to get there on the Tube. I just Googled restaurants in the area, and this place looks promising.

I wouldn't venture any further than Hounslow, not enough time.

 

I hate to say it but a layover of 5 hours isn't much. Not for London.

I was at Heathrow once. It took awhile to reach it from the city center, and that was on the Tube (no street traffic). I also had to leave the airport to get to a bank only 5 miles (oops, sorry, 8 km) away, and the traffic was jacked up. Took forever.

I suppose if you want to catch the Tube for a nearby destination, stroll around a park, that's one thing, but will you have to deal with Customs when you arrive? You'd have to re-enter airport security, etc.

If you have the means, do visit the city itself when you have the occasion. Expensive, yes, but well worth it.

Just saw this. Good post. Hounslow was where they filmed "Bend It Like Beckham", hence, the South Asian neighborhood.

 

Miles is correct. Remember that we got miles from the British and are the last few to holdover from moving to the metric system.

 

I have been to London dozens of time. 5 hours is not enough time sorry. The Heathrow express could get you into the city (at paddington) in 25 minutes, (cost 20 pounds) but then you would need to actually get out to see somehting interesting.
you also need to take into acoutn cealring customs on arrival (can take a lot of time) and then again when you depart.

 

So Bangers and Mash is the only food considered "English food"?

That's lazy bullsh talk about British food that gets spewed way too much imo.

 

Are you travelling business? They have an awesome lounge there for BA customers. Otherwise, go to Wagamama in the airport and eat some delicious noodles. 5 Hours isn't enough to get out and back in without feeling rushed... womp womp

 

Yeah, I flew BA through London too and can attest to that lounge. It's got tons of food and reading material, etc.

 

^^ and don't forget, alcohol [all free].

 

That airport is actually very nice and some good spots to spot up, eat & drink. 5 hours is not enough to leave.

 

Wagamamas is so overpriced its ridiculous, charging 9-12 pounds for a frickin bowl of noodles.

5 hours isn't really enough. By Piccadilly Line (direct from Heathrow) to central London will take 1hour 15 minutes, and that's hoping nothing breaks down or repairs. So if you really want to do that, that eats up 2:30 hours already. Will you have to check out all your bags and stuff as well, because depending what the immigration counters are like, that could be another 45 minutes of waiting if you do want to leave the airport.

if you are lucky enough to be at Terminal 5, have a great look around, it's by far the best terminal at Heathrow. Terminal 3 isn't too bad either, tons of shops but its easy to get bored. If you have something like Priority Pass, the Number One lounge at T3 is amazing, great views and has a home cinema in the lounge! Plus all the furniture are like big luxury couches.