5 hour London layover

I have a 5 hour layover in London.  Is that just too short of a period of time to go outside of the airport?  The thought of scouring the overpriced high end shops doesn't appeal to me very much.  It will be a Saturday afternoon.  Any suggestions? 

Why not treat yourself to a stay in one of the executive lounges..some of them are pretty reasonable. Nice drinks, food and comfy chairs! I think you get 3 hours and can stay longer if they are not to busy....

my sister is doing this..she has a 6 hours layover at Gatwick South Terminal before they fly to the IOM. I think it is costing them about 37 gbp's for both of them to go into the lounge.....

I have a 5 hour layover in London.  Is that just too short of a period of time to go outside of the airport?  The thought of scouring the overpriced high end shops doesn't appeal to me very much.  It will be a Saturday afternoon.  Any suggestions? 

Heathrow Bowl is a 5 minute cab ride away on the Heathrow parameter:

http://www.airport-bowl.co.uk/


David.

Assuming it's Heathrow airport and it's during the day, you could hop on the Piccadilly line and get off at South Kensington and visit the museums.  I think that's what I'd do. It will take about 45 mins on the tube each way I would think.

Thanks for the suggestions. 

Assuming it's Heathrow airport and it's during the day, you could hop on the Piccadilly line and get off at South Kensington and visit the museums.  I think that's what I'd do. It will take about 45 mins on the tube each way I would think.

Check the tubes!
Saturdays are mental on the picadilly line at the moment, For instance this Saturday there is NO service from central London to Heathrow at all.

Why not treat yourself to a stay in one of the executive lounges..some of them are pretty reasonable. Nice drinks, food and comfy chairs! I think you get 3 hours and can stay longer if they are not to busy....

my sister is doing this..she has a 6 hours layover at Gatwick South Terminal before they fly to the IOM. I think it is costing them about 37 gbp's for both of them to go into the lounge.....

I'm not sure I can do this, although it's a great idea!  The following is at the bottom of the site:

Important Information: Please be advised that the Lounge is NOT available for domestic departures- International only.

Since I'm going from London to Glasgow, that's considered domestic, isn't it?  I've written to them to find out for sure, but was thinking your sister might want to check this out as well. 

You might have a five hour lay over, but if you have to claim luggage and change terminals you may need to knock time off.  Also, you might have to check in again, which means you may have to turn up an hour before the flight, so you might actually find yourself with only three hours to spare.

I take the Piccadilly line every week.  It sucks.  On Friday it took an hour to get from Hatton Cross to Hammersmith.  I don't think I'd risk going all the way to South Ken unless you have a clear 5 hours at least.

Vicky

What about calling a minicab and going to Kew Gardens?  It's not so far.. should be about 18 pounds and 20 minutes one way.

That will depend on the time of day and the weather, I think.

Vicky

I think with how long things take at airports, security, any check-in/baggage stuff i'd stay close and not really leave the general airport area. I think it would be potentially too risky even though 5 hours will seem interminably long, its better than missing your outgoing flight.

Fortunately, my baggage will get checked through as I'm staying with the  same airline.  However, my options seem limited and yes, I certainly don't want to risk missing my flight!  It's already been 7 months since I last saw my husband!   

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. 

Ellen

Check the tubes!
Saturdays are mental on the picadilly line at the moment, For instance this Saturday there is NO service from central London to Heathrow at all.

Sorry, cb- but where did you get this information?  I just checked the tube website and it says that on Sat 11 Jul the Picadilly is closed between Acton Town and Uxbridge, and not to Heathrow.  Just want to double check, because my mom arrives into Heathrow on Saturday. TIA.

I'm not sure I can do this, although it's a great idea!  The following is at the bottom of the site:

Important Information: Please be advised that the Lounge is NOT available for domestic departures- International only.

Since I'm going from London to Glasgow, that's considered domestic, isn't it?  I've written to them to find out for sure, but was thinking your sister might want to check this out as well. 

Thanks Ellen
Didn't even see that bit........let me know what they say about it.....

Sorry, cb- but where did you get this information?  I just checked the tube website and it says that on Sat 11 Jul the Picadilly is closed between Acton Town and Uxbridge, and not to Heathrow.  Just want to double check, because my mom arrives into Heathrow on Saturday. TIA.

No worries I  posted that on the 2nd July, the tube was closed to Heathrow on the 4th July, so last weekend, not this weekend.

There's a pdf about it here :
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/emails/worksandclosures/Dis_Pic_Leaflet_4_5_JULY.PDF
Looks like anyone with a tube pass could take the LHR Express or Connect from Paddington (which would have been annoying for me as I live in Hammersmith )

I'm sure the info on tfl is correct for this weekend.  I get my "weekend tube closure" emails on thursday and I'll post back if it has any issues affecting LHR