10 hour Layover in Heathrow

[O'Callaghan]

I once took the tube to Heathrow when my Algerian friend Ben, who I knew when we were students at uni, was flying home. I believe it took us 45 minutes one way, albeit not from the centre of London, but from Rotherhithe, a lit bit SE of the centre, where I lived at the time, Heathrow being due West of central London. They actually held the plane for him, under the impression that he was some sort of security risk. This is funny because (a) he is quite small and slim; (b) this was long before they got panicked about moslems; and (c) he isn't one anyway.

So, allow 45 minutes each way, but I guess with ten hours that is doable, even allowing ridiculous amounts of time for clearing security when you get back. Also, they have multiple tube stations inside the airport at different terminals, so getting to the right terminal is not a huge problem if you travel that way. The right line is the Piccadilly line, coloured dark blue on the tube maps, although of course in the airport it is the only tube line. South Kensington is on the same line, and there are three museums near that station, Natural History, Science and V&A (Victoria and Albert). If it was me, I wouldn't get any further than that. Do all three of them and you could miss your plane!

[Angstrom]

I had a similar layover a few years ago. I took the train into London, wandered a bit, and ended up at the Victoria & Albert museum which I thoroughly enjoyed.

So yes, you can enjoy a bit of London instead of being trapped in a terminal.

[Drwill4]

Thinking about heading in the other direction towards Windsor primarily because of the assumption that it might be a simpler endeavor. Probably won't actually make the decision till I'm on the ground.

[tripleblessed]

I cleared customs about 7:30 AM, and the bus to my conference was not due at Heathrow until 2:00 PM, so I took the tube
to Victoria Station, suitcases in locker, and wandered. Big Ben, the Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, changing of guard, the
Methodist church nearby is the second largest dome in Europe,.... Caught my bus at Royal Albert Hall, and off to Glastonbury.
Ten hours can get you a lot. Enjoy.

[tripleblessed]

OOPS. Earlier edit posted as a separate post. Don't know how to delete this post.

[Dileasgubas]

Just next to Heathrow and a great place to spend a few hours. A fine pub and possibly a place to get your head down in a day-room.

[Drwill4]

Well, the London layover went better than expected. We took the Heathrow express to Paddington and the tube to Piccadilly. Managed to get eyes on Trafalgar square, the Thames, the eye, big Ben, parliament and Westminster Abbey. Got in three pubs also, the Admiralty, Ship & Shovell, and the Buckingham arms. Got it all done including the train, tube and the 37 miles of walking in the airport alone in 6 hours. Enjoyed the following three buskers along the way. One of which played some AC/DC which was a bit surprising.

[Lake Mist]

Long time ... had a 10 hour layover once in Sapporo Japan ...