U.K. and Ireland - 7 hours in LHR - questions

So the wife and I are transiting through LHR on our way to South Africa this Thursday. We arrive at 1100 and depart at 1800. I've got a few questions for folks who travel through LHR that I'm hoping you can answer.

First, I understand that even if we wanted to stay in the airport we have to go back through security. We're traveling in on United and out on South African (in First). I'm worried about the carry-on rule, as between my wife and I we were hoping to take three carry-ons. In an emergency it could be compressed to two, although one of them is a pelican hardcase with my camera gear that measures 20x11x8 inches (50x28x19 cm). From some research - it sounds like that hardcase should be acceptable for carry-on in LHR - any opinions?

Second, I'd obviously not enjoy hanging out in LHR for 7 hours. I haven't been to London in years, but I'm guessing we can take the Heathrow Express to Piccadilly and back? If our South African flight leaves at 1800, what time should we get on the train back to LHR to make it through security at Terminal 1?

Lastly, if we go into London I don't want to lug my carry-on into town with us, is there a place landside in Terminal 1 where I can check it for the afternoon and retrieve it prior to the flight?

You will definitely not be able to take more than ONE item of hand luggage per passenger through security when you return to the airport for your onward flight. This is very strictly enforced. The stupid rule means if you have carrier bags (say if you go shopping in London) you have to try and fit them into your ONE piece of hand luggage.

No idea if there are left luggage facilities at LHR. If Piccadilly Circus is your destination it may be easier just to hop onto the Piccadilly line direct for the 45min journey into central London rather than taking the HEX - which in actual fact goes to Paddington from where you have to change for the 12 min tube journey to Piccadilly Circus. And of course it's much cheaper by tube. A one-day all zone travelcard is only £6.30 for unlimited travel in London.

I would suggest an arrival time of 16:00 (16:30 the latest) back to LHR for your flight. SAA has its own lounge in T1. This will mean leaving central London, if travelling by tube, between 15:00 and 15:30 to allow for any potential delays on the tube network. That doesn't give you much time but I'd rather spend 3 hours sightseeing (or having a decent meal) than being stuck in an airport lounge.

Left Baggage
Each terminal has a left baggage facility for storing luggage for a number of hours or days. Items are security checked. Left baggage offices also offer competitive unaccompanied baggage rates and services and sell luggage and travel accessories. Charges are £6 per item per 24 hours (or part thereof). The service is operated by the Excess Baggage Company, who can be contacted on +44 (0)20 8745 4599. Opening times are:

Terminal 1 (06:00 - 23:00)
Terminal 2 (05:30 - 23:00)
Terminal 3 (05:00 - 23:00)
Terminal 4 (05:00 - 23:00)

Carry-on rules are now 100% enforced. No exceptions.

And this includes your wifes handbag, which counts as her 'one piece'. She will have to pack her handbag inside another carry-on or not take any other hand baggage.

Thanks for the replies.

I'm an idiot - for some reason I confused the 'P's in London and confused Piccadilly with Paddington. The plan is to go wherever the train takes me - spend time wandering around taking pictures - get back on the train.

So the term is "left luggage" - that helps a lot. I was searching on every term I could think of but "left luggage" never crossed my mind.

Yes you have time to get out of LHR and into London and you should do it for sure. You can see some good sights and have a bit to eat in a round 3 hours.

Thanks for the replies.

I'm an idiot - for some reason I confused the 'P's in London and confused Piccadilly with Paddington. The plan is to go wherever the train takes me - spend time wandering around taking pictures - get back on the train.

So the term is "left luggage" - that helps a lot. I was searching on every term I could think of but "left luggage" never crossed my mind.

It's not very cheap and they charge by the piece! You might want to see if you can check your big luggage through. I think it was about UK£5 for 24 hours.

It's not very cheap and they charge by the piece! You might want to see if you can check your big luggage through. I think it was about UK£5 for 24 hours.

£6 according to http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?CiID=b417b65fbe442010VgnVCM10000014 7e120a____&ChID=3cc6d125cc775010VgnVCM10000036821c0a____&Ct=B2C_CT_GENERAL&CtID=448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____&ChPath=Home%5ELHR%5EAirport+Information%5ETerminal +4%5ETerminal+A-Z%5ELeft+Baggage
!!!

£6 according to http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?CiID=b417b65fbe442010VgnVCM10000014 7e120a____&ChID=3cc6d125cc775010VgnVCM10000036821c0a____&Ct=B2C_CT_GENERAL&CtID=448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____&ChPath=Home%5ELHR%5EAirport+Information%5ETerminal +4%5ETerminal+A-Z%5ELeft+Baggage
!!!

Yeah with some of the rudest people working there.

I alot of luggage coming back from a business trip and was stopping in London for a few days so didn't want to take it all with me. As I was arriving in T1 and departing T4 I asked if I could leave some of what I had at T1 and take the rest over to T4 then come back and take the rest with me. "Sure, no problem that will be 6 pound". When I pointed out that it would probably be there for 15 minutes before being moved to the other terminal where I would be storing it and paying, they guy just said, "I dont care if it comes back here (behind the counter) it'll cost you 6 pound".

Yeah with some of the rudest people working there.

I alot of luggage coming back from a business trip and was stopping in London for a few days so didn't want to take it all with me. As I was arriving in T1 and departing T4 I asked if I could leave some of what I had at T1 and take the rest over to T4 then come back and take the rest with me. "Sure, no problem that will be 6 pound". When I pointed out that it would probably be there for 15 minutes before being moved to the other terminal where I would be storing it and paying, they guy just said, "I dont care if it comes back here (behind the counter) it'll cost you 6 pound".

That's certainly not called for, but at a guess...

1) he was on minimum wage
2) the system will be fully integrated, so when you get a receipt the computer starts charging. He has to collect the £6 to ensure the till balances - after all if he's being paid less than the average parking meter in London, the temptation to be a bit creative would surely be a little too good...

Thanks for the replies.

I'm an idiot - for some reason I confused the 'P's in London and confused Piccadilly with Paddington. The plan is to go wherever the train takes me - spend time wandering around taking pictures - get back on the train.

So the term is "left luggage" - that helps a lot. I was searching on every term I could think of but "left luggage" never crossed my mind.

Paddington is NOT a very interesting part of London. Although I love a Shwarma joint that is mostly across the street fom Paddington.

I suggest saving lots of money and taking the tube to better parts of London.

Enjoy....

That's certainly not called for, but at a guess...

1) he was on minimum wage
2) the system will be fully integrated, so when you get a receipt the computer starts charging. He has to collect the £6 to ensure the till balances - after all if he's being paid less than the average parking meter in London, the temptation to be a bit creative would surely be a little too good...

I wasn't expecting service from two guys cooped up in the basement of one of the ugliest airports in the world, his colleague was slightly more helpful and told me I could probably get it all on the train.