5 hrs at LHR between flights: What to do?
Dec 27, 2019, 5:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
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5 hrs at LHR between flights: What to do?
I have a 5 hrs 20 minutes connection in a couple of weeks arriving with UA Polaris EWR-LHR (PP upgraded with PlusPoints to J) connecting to OSL with SAS. Traveling with my wife.
Not really familiar with LHR, so I was wondering what to do for 5+ hours at LHR?
I assume it won't make much sense to leave the airport?
What is the lounge situation? I have PriorityPass too and *G.
Lounge hopping? Seems a bit dreary...
Any suggestions or tips welcome.
(First UA flight in a few months...)
Not really familiar with LHR, so I was wondering what to do for 5+ hours at LHR?
I assume it won't make much sense to leave the airport?
What is the lounge situation? I have PriorityPass too and *G.
Lounge hopping? Seems a bit dreary...
Any suggestions or tips welcome.
(First UA flight in a few months...)
Dec 27, 2019, 5:31 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2009
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I have a 5 hrs 20 minutes connection in a couple of weeks arriving with UA Polaris EWR-LHR (PP upgraded with PlusPoints to J) connecting to OSL with SAS. Traveling with my wife.
Not really familiar with LHR, so I was wondering what to do for 5+ hours at LHR?
I assume it won't make much sense to leave the airport?
What is the lounge situation? I have PriorityPass too and *G.
Lounge hopping? Seems a bit dreary...
Any suggestions or tips welcome.
(First UA flight in a few months...)
Not really familiar with LHR, so I was wondering what to do for 5+ hours at LHR?
I assume it won't make much sense to leave the airport?
What is the lounge situation? I have PriorityPass too and *G.
Lounge hopping? Seems a bit dreary...
Any suggestions or tips welcome.
(First UA flight in a few months...)
Dec 27, 2019, 5:39 pm
#3
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Is there an earlier flight to OSL?
As far as lounges, there are many to choose from. Your flight (short-haul) is probably going to leave from the A concourse of T2. LH lounge is one level above.
On the B concourse side, AC and SQ are next to each other near gate B36. UA is further away near B46. Best UC by far.
You do have time to go into the city but it will be tight.
As far as lounges, there are many to choose from. Your flight (short-haul) is probably going to leave from the A concourse of T2. LH lounge is one level above.
On the B concourse side, AC and SQ are next to each other near gate B36. UA is further away near B46. Best UC by far.
You do have time to go into the city but it will be tight.
Dec 27, 2019, 6:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2014
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I agree on the train to Paddington, if you don't have luggage... then it might be a bit of a pain.
https://www.heathrowexpress.com/timetable/timetable
That might be good to go into the city for a meal!
The lounges are good, as others have noted, and the United club is really good (and worth the ~12 minute walk, given how much time you have).
There is also a fair bit of shopping in T2...
https://boutique.heathrow.com/en/retailer/terminal/2
Oh, and forgot to add, I'm flying there on Saturday the 4th - the 9PM EWR-LHR flight.
https://www.heathrowexpress.com/timetable/timetable
That might be good to go into the city for a meal!
The lounges are good, as others have noted, and the United club is really good (and worth the ~12 minute walk, given how much time you have).
There is also a fair bit of shopping in T2...
https://boutique.heathrow.com/en/retailer/terminal/2
Oh, and forgot to add, I'm flying there on Saturday the 4th - the 9PM EWR-LHR flight.
Last edited by jonisflying; Dec 27, 2019 at 6:35 pm Reason: Adding that I'm also flying there soon
Dec 27, 2019, 6:44 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2019
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I have a 5 hrs 20 minutes connection in a couple of weeks arriving with UA Polaris EWR-LHR (PP upgraded with PlusPoints to J) connecting to OSL with SAS. Traveling with my wife.
Not really familiar with LHR, so I was wondering what to do for 5+ hours at LHR?
I assume it won't make much sense to leave the airport?
What is the lounge situation? I have PriorityPass too and *G.
Lounge hopping? Seems a bit dreary...
Any suggestions or tips welcome.
(First UA flight in a few months...)
Not really familiar with LHR, so I was wondering what to do for 5+ hours at LHR?
I assume it won't make much sense to leave the airport?
What is the lounge situation? I have PriorityPass too and *G.
Lounge hopping? Seems a bit dreary...
Any suggestions or tips welcome.
(First UA flight in a few months...)
Regarding security at LHR, I went through "fast track” showing my BP. Avoided a big queue.
Dec 27, 2019, 9:03 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2004
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And then xxx minutes to and from Paddington and wherever in London your final endpoint may be (hopefully it is not Paddington station or thereabout).
Personally I don't think you have enough time to make it worthwhile going into London. I agree with going to arrivals lounge or finding earlier flight to Oslo or alternatively (if possible) a SDC to a later LHR flight (assuming you are on an early flight)
Personally I don't think you have enough time to make it worthwhile going into London. I agree with going to arrivals lounge or finding earlier flight to Oslo or alternatively (if possible) a SDC to a later LHR flight (assuming you are on an early flight)
Last edited by ani90; Dec 27, 2019 at 9:20 pm
Dec 27, 2019, 9:14 pm
#8
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I would catch the bus to Windsor. About 45 minutes by bus, or 15 minutes by taxi.
I think Windsor Castle may only be open in summer, but the town is quite nice and there are some good pubs and nice way to spend a couple of hours rather than sit at the airport.
Agree not enough time to get into the city and back.
I think Windsor Castle may only be open in summer, but the town is quite nice and there are some good pubs and nice way to spend a couple of hours rather than sit at the airport.
Agree not enough time to get into the city and back.
Dec 27, 2019, 9:59 pm
#9
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Will move this to the UK forum where there are threads like LHR layover tour
There is also in various forums
LHR Terminal 2 United Club, GS Lounge (was GFL) and Arrivals Lounge Discussion Thread
Comparative Review of Five Different Star Alliance Lounges at Heathrow T2
T2 LHR lounges
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
There is also in various forums
LHR Terminal 2 United Club, GS Lounge (was GFL) and Arrivals Lounge Discussion Thread
Comparative Review of Five Different Star Alliance Lounges at Heathrow T2
T2 LHR lounges
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Dec 27, 2019, 9:59 pm
#10
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I would catch the bus to Windsor. About 45 minutes by bus, or 15 minutes by taxi.
I think Windsor Castle may only be open in summer, but the town is quite nice and there are some good pubs and nice way to spend a couple of hours rather than sit at the airport.
Agree not enough time to get into the city and back.
I think Windsor Castle may only be open in summer, but the town is quite nice and there are some good pubs and nice way to spend a couple of hours rather than sit at the airport.
Agree not enough time to get into the city and back.
If the OP is desperate to get out of the airport, Runnymede is a short taxi ride away. It's where the magna carta was signed and has great historical significance even if it's not well known in our modern era.
Dec 28, 2019, 1:04 am
#11
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If this is a single ticket, no need to recheck bags or go through immigration and customs, only security. This should take less than 30 minutes. Then there are 5 lounges you can visit. SAS flights usually depart from the A gate area, but 3 of the Star Alliance lounges are in the B gate area which takes 10 minutes to get to by travelator (moving walkway) and 20 minutes to return by walking. So about 45 minutes in each lounge.
Next time you know to book a shorter layover and just visit your favourite lounge, or a longer layover so that you actually have time to visit London.
Next time you know to book a shorter layover and just visit your favourite lounge, or a longer layover so that you actually have time to visit London.
Dec 28, 2019, 2:23 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
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Posts: 2,963
Agree that 5 hours between landing and push back does not give you enough time to clear immigration, meaningfully visit anywhere, re-clear security.
Yes, you could certainly get the train to Paddington, but why? The area around it is a hole. Yes you could get the underground somewhere else, but only really with enough time to pop your head above ground before heading back.
And let’s not start on the possibility of disruption to the trains!
PS - just be glad it’s 5 hours at LHR, and not 5 hours at LRH (as per thread title); having recently spent 1 hour at LRH airport, that is more than enough!
Yes, you could certainly get the train to Paddington, but why? The area around it is a hole. Yes you could get the underground somewhere else, but only really with enough time to pop your head above ground before heading back.
And let’s not start on the possibility of disruption to the trains!
PS - just be glad it’s 5 hours at LHR, and not 5 hours at LRH (as per thread title); having recently spent 1 hour at LRH airport, that is more than enough!
Dec 28, 2019, 3:19 am
#13
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I would catch the bus to Windsor. About 45 minutes by bus, or 15 minutes by taxi.
I think Windsor Castle may only be open in summer, but the town is quite nice and there are some good pubs and nice way to spend a couple of hours rather than sit at the airport.
Agree not enough time to get into the city and back.
I think Windsor Castle may only be open in summer, but the town is quite nice and there are some good pubs and nice way to spend a couple of hours rather than sit at the airport.
Agree not enough time to get into the city and back.
Call Windsor Cars, set price and decent cars.
C
Dec 28, 2019, 4:08 am
#14
Original Poster
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Thanks for all the replies, suggestions, and specific lounge recommendations & procedures.
Much appreciated!
Yeah, sorry for typo.
Aye, for sure!
The not-so-favourable routing was a compromise for having the upgrades to J on the EWR-LHR leg clear at booking.
Much appreciated!
Yeah, sorry for typo.The not-so-favourable routing was a compromise for having the upgrades to J on the EWR-LHR leg clear at booking.
Dec 28, 2019, 5:39 am
#15
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I'd second (or is thet 3rd ot 4th?) a visit to Windsor even for just a wander for some fresh air
OP and his good lady have plenty of time to get there, have a wander and get back for some lounge time.
If Windsor seems too far away then the tube to Hounslow would suffice even if just for a walk aroudd the park near the tube station and a bite to eat.
All this on the assumption the OP arrives at a tourist suitable time. If they land at 6AM then the airport is the best place to be!
OP and his good lady have plenty of time to get there, have a wander and get back for some lounge time.
If Windsor seems too far away then the tube to Hounslow would suffice even if just for a walk aroudd the park near the tube station and a bite to eat.
All this on the assumption the OP arrives at a tourist suitable time. If they land at 6AM then the airport is the best place to be!