12 hours in Heathrow

[Meg]

Hi, I'm flying into London Heathrow airport at about 6 am and I am there until 6 pm on April 29th... I don't really like the idea of staying in the airport the whole time, but I don't know if it's unrealistic to do anything else. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what I should do with my time? Any help would be great, thanks!
-meg

[LHR02]

Heathrow is the easiest London airport to travel from. There is a tube station right there and you can be in downtown/central London in 1/2 hour or so. (Muvver may chime in to say it will be longer but that has been my enperience ;D ) I should think you could easily tube in to Westminster and have several hours to visit Westminster Cathedral, Big Ben, London Eye, the Tower, a museum or two....whatever is your fancy. With 12 hours between flights you really have several options......BUT is this on your flight 'in'? If so, jet lag may dictate that you do nothing more than find a bed for a few hours. ;D

Bottom line, with 12 hours between flights in Heathrow you have several quick options to pass the time and no need to remain stranded at the airport.

ging

[WillTravel]

Look into luggage storage at Heathrow. I think it's available. If not, there is luggage storage at Victoria Station.

DOM's plan would work fine.

Another suggestion I've heard is to take the bus from Heathrow to Windsor, if you fancy spending the day there.

Either way, look at London transport options here:
www.thetube.com (and click on Journey Planner)

If you want to take a shower somewhere in there, you can do so at Heathrow - or so I've read, but I don't know the details. Or find someone who can give you a pass to the Arrivals Lounge. Check the Heathrow web site. Alternatively, you could probably pay to take a shower at a hostel.

I would probably opt to store my luggage at Heathrow, take the tube into London, get a bite to eat, walk around for a while, and maybe go to the British Museum or the National Gallery. Or maybe take a London Walk: www.walks.com
With all the time that everything takes in London, I would probably head back to Heathrow starting around 2:30 or 3 - maybe too much time, but better too much than too little.

[Meg]

I leave Winnipeg at 1:20pm on the 28th and arrive in Toronto around 4:42 pm and leave at 6:15 pm then its onto London at 6:25 am and leave at 6:20 pm to Dublin...on the 29th. I know it'll be a long trip, and I'll try to sleep on the plane but who knows. I don't want to sleep too much at the airport, so can fall asleep at a good time that night.

[MuvverRussia]

30 min on the Piccadilly line? It must have been your lucky day - I'd leave at least an hour for that, if not 90 minutes. Also, the Terminal 4 station is now closed (due to T5 works), so if you're flying in there then you have to take a bus to/from Hatton Cross and then join the Piccadilly line.

As well as this, you can take the exorbitant Heathrow Express which'll get you into Paddington in about 15 min though, although it's £25 return.

I'm fairly sure that Heathrow has showers. Also, all mainline train stations in London do - around £2 a shower I believe, although they aren't particularly great. As well as this, both Heathrow and all train stations have a secure left luggage facility, although they have a one drop policy (i.e. you can't get something out of your bag and then return it). Last time I used it (in Victoria station) it was around £8 per bag per day.

[nitsansh]

Before you consider where to leave the luggage... perhaps your airline will transfer the luggage for you and you don't need to worry?? If it's the same airline they surely can do that, and if another IATA airline it might be... it won't work if your flight to Dublin is on board a no-frills airline, but those usually don't fly from Heathrow...
Also, you should check what's the check-in deadline for your onward flight... if you have no luggage to check in it's a quick process and 1-1.5 hour is enough time...