As many people know, it's not that expensive to buy inter-Europe flights. On most days, you will find Heathrow to Zurich flights for well under $100. But trying to book a last minute flight presents a completely different problem.

For Heathrow to Zurich, my options were:
British Airways direct flight for $500/ person
Swiss Air direct flight for $600/person
Iberia with connection in Madrid with 8 hour layover for $150/person
blah blah blah.

Oh wait. I see a direct flight from London City Airport to Zurich for $120/person. Sold!

I mean this is Europe. They should have an easy train that would connect Heathrow to City Airport.

W R O N G

The next morning, as we touched down in London I cursed at myself while waiting 2 hours for the infamous Heathrow Immigration.



Phew. As an expert traveler, I gave myself plenty of time to connect off-airport/ separate ticket connections. I wasn't going to miss this flight.

But here I encounter another problem. UK Immigration is suspicious of me.

How can it be? I come to London all the time. I am a model American citizen with Global Entry, NEXUS and TSA Pre Check. I am a "Trusted Traveler" you know?

Immigration> Why are you coming to the UK?
Me> So that I can transfer to my flight leaving from the City Airport?
Immigration> Why are you going to Switzerland?
Me> Vacation
Immigration> Why did you buy the ticket last minute?
Me> Because I missed my flight
Immigration> Fine. Here's a stamp for 24 hour entry permit to the UK. <<-- This still gives me trouble all the time. Every time I go to the UK, they look at the 24 hour entry permit stamp and ask me if I have been deported from the UK. Ever since this stamp, I always get secondary inspection there. What!?!?



It's 7AM. We are both groggy and tired, so we decide to call an Uber rather than looking for "cheaper option"



Our flight from LCY takes off with out an issue.




[To be continued]