First time in London, 24hrs on return transit, options?

[SeatBackForward]

Have my first trip to London coming up, first into Europe actually. Have a couple of days in London on business, then a single day in Norway attending a conference. The return flight just misses QF2 which means I'll have close to 24hrs transit time.

If QF2 is delayed I *may*be able to get on if seating is available, will be HLO so that may help.

Otherwise, what is my best option, stay in a hotel near LHR then spend a good part of the following day sightseeing - what can be achieved in the space of half a day? Or head into a city hotel?

Or Just slum all that time in various OW lounges at LHR?

 

[RooFlyer]

If it were me, I'd get a hotel near Paddington Station (end of Heathrow Express train in from the airport) so you can leave hand luggage there after you have checked out & gone sight seeing,and pick it up again easily when you return to the airport. With a LHR hotel, you'll need to shuttle-bus back and forth. There's a Mercure right next to Paddington Station. Not stellar but OK for one night. The Hilton is right above the station but about 400 quid a night IIRC.

You'll have to decide if its just a walk around a lot of places or whether you want to explore inside just a couple of sights (such as Tower of London, British Museum). Might be dictated by the weather. I'd be hoping its fine then walk around and see as many sights in central London as I could. Quite a lot in half a day.

Covent Garden area for dinner.

 

[JohnM]

Given that it is quick into London on the Heathrow Express, I'd take that (it goes to Paddington) and get a hotel there (there is a Hilton right at the station).

Paddington is on the tube Circle Line, which takes you easily to all key places in London (eg. short walk from Victoria to Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament & Downing St at Embankment, Tower of London at Tower Hill). You could get a lot scoped in one day.

I think an excellent way to get your bearings is to buy a Snap-Map Overground/Underground map for about 2 pounds at vending machines at stations: https://www.waterstones.com/book/london-pocket-map/snap-map-ltd/9780954217549

 

[JohnM]

RF can type faster than me!

 

[SeatBackForward]

If it were me, I'd get a hotel near Paddington Station (end of Heathrow Express train in from the airport) so you can leave hand luggage there after you have checked out & gone sight seeing,and pick it up again easily when you return to the airport. With a LHR hotel, you'll need to shuttle-bus back and forth. There's a Mercure right next to Paddington Station. Not stellar but OK for one night. The Hilton is right above the station but about 400 quid a night IIRC.

You'll have to decide if its just a walk around a lot of places or whether you want to explore inside just a couple of sights (such as Tower of London, British Museum). Might be dictated by the weather. I'd be hoping its fine then walk around and see as many sights in central London as I could. Quite a lot in half a day.

Covent Garden area for dinner.

Thanks. The Paddington station idea is a good one. I'll look what's around there, hotel prices in London are a quite a bit, at least the airport hotels seem cheaper.

Most likely will just walk around, there will be future trips to do more. As for dinner will probably end up being a T3 Flounge meal... But will keep it in mind for the earlier night I have.

Thanks again.

 

[JohnM]

There are a lot of much cheaper hotels with a few hundred metres of Paddington.

 

[Hvr]

And another vote to catch the train to Paddington and enjoy a day in London. Have stayed at the Hilton and if you're Diamond then the lounge is awesome. As others have mentioned there are lots of hotels in the area that are cheaper.

See the lay over as an opportunity rather than an inconvenience. Oh and let the AFF community know the date and have an AFF meet up. You'll have a meal with some wonderful people just to make the day complete.

 

[robd]

We did the Hop On Hop Off bus in London. It was great for getting around to all the tourist spots.

 

[Deleted member]

Thanks. The Paddington station idea is a good one. I'll look what's around there, hotel prices in London are a quite a bit, at least the airport hotels seem cheaper.

Most likely will just walk around, there will be future trips to do more. As for dinner will probably end up being a T3 Flounge meal... But will keep it in mind for the earlier night I have.

Thanks again.

Pay the extra. The airport hotels are too far out and what you save may end up being consumed with other travel costs. ( and time)

 

[SeatBackForward]

And another vote to catch the train to Paddington and enjoy a day in London. Have stayed at the Hilton and if you're Diamond then the lounge is awesome. As others have mentioned there are lots of hotels in the area that are cheaper.

See the lay over as an opportunity rather than an inconvenience. Oh and let the AFF community know the date and have an AFF meet up. You'll have a meal with some wonderful people just to make the day complete.

Thanks HVR, I think meeting for a meal might not work, timing wise. I land into LHR at 9:30pm and need to be back the next day for the 9:25pm QF2. Cuts either side of dinner

 

[SeatBackForward]

We did the Hop On Hop Off bus in London. It was great for getting around to all the tourist spots.

Great idea, I'll look into it.

 

[OATEK]

"Most likely will just walk around, "

As JohnM said, it would be worth dropping your bag at a Paddington Hotel, and get the tube to say Victoria. You can walk up to Buckingham Palace, through St James Park, and then through Horseguards to Whitehall. If the legs are holding out head north through Trafalgar Square, Piccadiully Circus, Regent St, Oxford St, and when the legs give out hop a bus or tube back to Paddington.

 

[Sprucegoose]

We did the Hop On Hop Off bus in London. It was great for getting around to all the tourist spots.

Agree. The hop on off is is great anywhere if you need to cover ground in a hurry.

Having said that we are in SCL at present and Uber everywhere off a bus map!!

 

[SeatBackForward]

Hilton Paddington is pricing at about $530 per night for the dates I'm looking, while the Hilton Metropole down the road is about $50 cheaper. There's also the Novotel Paddington at about $100 cheaper. Any thoughts ?

 

[pagingjoan]

Another option is the T5 Sofitel.
I can't check rates at the moment but they do have specials. And the location is brilliant.
I endorse the walking tour suggestions, to tick off a few of the major sights.
Enjoy your first visit to the Monopoly Board.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Hilton Paddington is pricing at about $530 per night for the dates I'm looking, while the Hilton Metropole down the road is about $50 cheaper. There's also the Novotel Paddington at about $100 cheaper. Any thoughts ?

Replying to myself..

Bit the bullet, have booked two nights at the Hilton Paddington - having hotel access as you step off a train is simply too good to pass-up. I arrive on QF1 at too-early O'clock, will drop bag off and then attend a conference for that day. Stay the night, spend following morning in meetings before a 5pm flight to Norway - get to sample T5 FLounge goodies on this one. Return Thursday night 9:30 to LHR and will stay at the Hilton Paddington again, which leaves me a good part of Friday to sightsee. The only catch is that I've booked non-refundable, if by two strokes of luck - 1) QF2 leave late enough for me to make the connection 2) they are able to put me on that flight, then i forfeit that nights accommodation, but coming home 24hrs earlier is worth it too.


Thank you for the suggestions above, a good day of walking will make the flights back to SYD oh-so more sleepable.

 

[Hvr]

When I booked at Hilton Paddington I received a voucher with the booking for a discount on the HEX. Well worth considering using it considering your limited time in London.

 

[SeatBackForward]

When I booked at Hilton Paddington I received a voucher with the booking for a discount on the HEX. Well worth considering using it considering your limited time in London.

I booked through QF hotels (I know, but there is a method to this madness) - so not sure if the voucher will be forthcoming...will see what I can do.

 

[Boca68]

I think everyone has given you great suggestions. Could only add that using the Hop on/off bus, also do the London Eye. Takes about 35 to 40 mins from queueing to end of ride, but worth it for a first timer to London. Especially if the weather is kind.

And , if the weather is kind, as a previous poster suggested, St James Park for a picnic. Worth it! Or perhaps a side trip to Borough Market for lunch. Wonderful food to be had there. The aromas will make you hungry anyway.

Enjoy!

 

[andye]

There are a lot of much cheaper hotels with a few hundred metres of Paddington.

Don't go too cheap though. When I was a student I lived on Sussex Gardens which is one block from Paddington station. I returned a couple of years later for a party with my then girlfriend and walked up to a cheap hotel. The clientele looked 'interesting' but we dropped off our bags and went out. When we returned, we realised that the door to the room had a (non-opaque) window with no curtain-I think we were the only guests not paying by the hour