London Heathrow Airport info for long layover

[Vash01]

I am arriving LHR at T5 in the evening and have a connection at T3 next morning. I would prefer not to go outside for a 15 hour layover. The lounges close at 10:30pm. Is there a hotel inside LHR that I could walk to? Cost is not an issue.

I am OK with spending the night in a chair but I read that they don't allow it. The day rooms at LHR are literally Day rooms. Spending the night seems difficult there.

I just want to stay inside the airport. I feel 15 hour layover is not long enough to find a hotel outside, although there are many hotels near the airport.


I am thinking of going to the Assistance area near gate A21 although I am not a wheelchair passenger. Not sure if they can direct me.

Any suggestions?

 

[Deleted member 1204]

There are several hotels adjacent to the airport: https://www.heathrow.com/plan-and-book-your-trip/heathrow-hotels

It rains a lot, though, so if you go outside, wear boots.

 

[alexikeguchi]

I am thinking of going to the Assistance area near gate A21 although I am not a wheelchair passenger. Not sure if they can direct me.

Any suggestions?

Bwahaha assistance at Heathrow? Have you ever been there? Assistance desks are about as useful as Walmart greeters, except they're also rude. Google will be much more helpful.

 

[Vash01]

Bwahaha assistance at Heathrow? Have you ever been there? Assistance desks are about as useful as Walmart greeters, except they're also rude. Google will be much more helpful.

I have read comments that the Assistance at LHR gave wrong directions and the signs to the hotels were nonexistent.

I looked up hotels.com. Looks like Yotel at T4 may be a possibility inside the airport. If I decide to go outside, Holiday Inn Express may be good. Free breakfast. Will need to pay for the airport shuttle. In the past I had stayed at the Radisson Park but their breakfast was very expensive.

There is a Soffitel at T5, but not worth the price. I may settle for Yotel at T4. I will have a small bed there, better than sleeping in a chair.
The HIExp sounds more attractive though. For the bus I will need some GBP. I don't think they will accept my Euros (the shops do).

 

[meggonzo]

Found this when I Googled "hotel inside Heathrow airport"

Hotels Connected to Heathrow Airport | Get Up To 70% Off

Stay in a hotel connected to Heathrow Airport! No stress, no transfers: Hilton Garden Inn connects to T2, Hilton connects to T4 & Sofitel's connects to T5.

www.holidayextras.co.uk

 

[overedge]

@Vash01 I've stayed in the Yotel for an eight-hour layover. The rooms are really small, and it's quite claustrophobic - you're basically sleeping in a capsule with no outside light or air - but it has everything you need, and the beds are quite comfy. You do have to climb up a little ladder to get into the bed, though, like getting into the top of a bunk bed.

If you take the Heathrow Express train, you can be at Paddington Station in central London in 25 minutes. Honestly I would much sooner do that and see a bit of the city, instead of hanging around Heathrow for 15 hours. There are a couple of reasonably priced hotels near Paddington, like the EasyHotel.

 

[skategal]

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We stay at this one. It is very reasonably priced on the weekends.

There is a shuttle bus (cost is 4 pounds).

It is less than a 5 minute drive from the airport and very close to Terminals 2 & 3.

Some rooms have awesome views of the runways.

 

[Vash01]

@Vash01 I've stayed in the Yotel for an eight-hour layover. The rooms are really small, and it's quite claustrophobic - you're basically sleeping in a capsule with no outside light or air - but it has everything you need, and the beds are quite comfy. You do have to climb up a little ladder to get into the bed, though, like getting into the top of a bunk bed.

If you take the Heathrow Express train, you can be at Paddington Station in central London in 25 minutes. Honestly I would much sooner do that and see a bit of the city, instead of hanging around Heathrow for 15 hours. There are a couple of reasonably priced hotels near Paddington, like the EasyHotel.

Thanks. I believe they have larger rooms, like one with a double bed (sounds like a 10 x10 ft room instead of the 7x10 ft which you probably rented. I am considering that. Not sure what the landslide at the airport means. I will need that to get to the Yotel. Everyone is mentioning a free train but I have always used a bus to change terminals. May be the buses start very late?

I am considering the Novotel or the HI outside the airport but for a 9 or 10 hour stay there it may not be worth it. Same with the Renaissance.

 

[Aerobicidal]

There are several hotels adjacent to the airport: https://www.heathrow.com/plan-and-book-your-trip/heathrow-hotels

It rains a lot, though, so if you go outside, wear boots.

How many metres of standing water are likely to be on the ground in London during this time of year?

 

[alexikeguchi]

Not sure what the landslide at the airport means. I will need that to get to the Yotel.

Maybe it's landside? I believe the majority of hotels attached to Heathrow are landside rather than airside, though I googled and found this as an airside alternative at T3. I would pay just about any price to avoid going through security at Heathrow if at all possible. I practically had to disrobe in public the last time I was there due to my lingerie setting off the metal detector, and no I am not into BDSM. Can you tell I really hate Heathrow?

 

[Erin]

Maybe it's landside? I believe the majority of hotels attached to Heathrow are landside rather than airside, though I googled and found this as an airside alternative at T3. I would pay just about any price to avoid going through security at Heathrow if at all possible. I practically had to disrobe in public the last time I was there due to my lingerie setting off the metal detector, and no I am not into BDSM. Can you tell I really hate Heathrow?

That one is only open 6 am until 10 pm so won’t work for an overnight stay. Also, Vash would have to clear security anyway since she is coming from the US and you have to do security after customs and immigration. Plus my recollection is that the terminals are all separated at Heathrow anyway, so changing terminals would be another reason there is no getting around going through security.

 

[Aerobicidal]

That one is only open 6 am until 10 pm so won’t work for an overnight stay. Also, Vash would have to clear security anyway since she is coming from the US and you have to do security after customs and immigration. Plus my recollection is that the terminals are all separated at Heathrow anyway, so changing terminals would be another reason there is no getting around going through security.

This would be helpful advice; however, I only ask for advice on FSU when I don't intend to take it.

Do you know if there are hotels near Heathrow?

 

[ballettmaus]

Thanks. I believe they have larger rooms, like one with a double bed (sounds like a 10 x10 ft room instead of the 7x10 ft which you probably rented. I am considering that. Not sure what the landslide at the airport means. I will need that to get to the Yotel. Everyone is mentioning a free train but I have always used a bus to change terminals. May be the buses start very late?

T5 has trains that shuttle you to the gates. But the last time I was at Heathrow, you still had to go between the terminals with a bus.

 

[KatieC]

Have you tried https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/london-heathrow-airport-guide.htm
I really like this website, lots of great info about airports, great stories too.

 

[overedge]

@Vash01 I had the larger room at the Yotel and it still....wasn't that large.

You can take the train (extension of the Underground system) between some of the terminals. But I believe there is also a bus between all the terminals at street level.

I would still recommend taking the Heathrow Express train into London and finding a hotel there. It will be much more interesting and possibly less expensive than staying at the airport.

 

[nlloyd]

@Vash01 We have used the Hilton Hotel at Terminal 4 for day rooms. There is a free train from the other terminals (we are usually transferring between Terminal 3 and 5), but it still entails quite a lot of walking (around 25 mins?). More information here: https://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/u...ow-airport-LHRAPTW/maps-directions/index.html

There are two Hilton hotels at Heathrow: make sure you specify Hilton Terminal 4 if you decide to stay here and are asking for directions. More here: https://www.londontoolkit.com/lhr/hilton_lhr.htm

Last year we used the day rooms at Novatel London Heathrow T1, T2 and T3 at 234 Bath Road (Novotel London Heathrow Airport T1, T2 & T3 - Website). Again, there are at least two Novatel Hotels near Heathrow, make sure you specify "Novatel T1, T2 & T3."

We used the Heathrow Hotel Hoppa bus service to get to the Novatel T1, T2 & T3, but at the hotel we were informed we could use free public buses, which run more frequently and have bus stops near the hotel: https://www.londontoolkit.com/lhr/heathrow_local_buses.htm.

We had to ask directions a few times from fellow travelers, firstly to the exact place in the Hotel Hoppa bus rank for the bus that went to the Novatel T1, T2, and T3, and then when we were at the bus stop going back to Heathrow. If using the Hotel Hoppa, look into buying the ticket in advance (ask the reception desk at the hotel about this, when making your booking). Or consider a cab, if it is easier.

I realize you are looking for overnight accommodation, but I thought it might be helpful to know that we had no problem with getting back to the airport in time for our flights from a hotel outside it. I would suggest setting an alarm in addition to asking for a wake-up call, though, if your flight leaves early the next morning.

Both hotels are highly recommended, have good reviews, and we enjoyed the rooms and slept well. For other options, see here: https://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/heathrow_hotels.htm

 

[Vash01]

Maybe it's landside? I believe the majority of hotels attached to Heathrow are landside rather than airside, though I googled and found this as an airside alternative at T3. I would pay just about any price to avoid going through security at Heathrow if at all possible. I practically had to disrobe in public the last time I was there due to my lingerie setting off the metal detector, and no I am not into BDSM. Can you tell I really hate Heathrow?

I am unfamiliar with the terms landside and airside. What do they mean? Is this mentioned on the signs?I assume airside means where the planes are.
I don't care for LHR but I go through it to get a direct flight to Phoenix . I hate having to go through another US city.

 

[Deleted member 221]

Landside means you’ll have to clear customs and immigration (airside means in the terminal, after security). US citizens can now use the e-gates, so it’s not the disaster it used to be. Usually < 10 minutes v. 45-60. You always have to go through security, even when connecting, so no way around that.

Train transfers between terminals are free. You need to go to a machine to get a code to scan. The Heathrow Express will get you to Paddington in 20 minutes. To be honest, you may be able to get to a (cheaper) hotel in Paddington faster, door to door, than you would getting to a Heathrow airport hotel in a different terminal.

 

[acraven]

I have stayed three times at the Premier Inn Heathrow T4. It is fairly new and apparently often underbooked. Every time I've checked, it has been shockingly inexpensive for an airport hotel. Rates do go up as the travel date approaches, but it should still be very reasonable. (I've paid under 50 pounds when I booked way ahead.) The one time I compared its price to that of the Yotel, the PI was much cheaper, and you get a real room.

That PI is about a 15-minute walk from Terminal 4 through an enclosed, elevated walkway. I believe there's a restaurant of some sort in the hotel, but I've never used it.

There have been longstanding problems with the PI corporate website. It sometimes changes your arrival date as you move through the reservation process. Be very careful about that. I had better luck when I used my tablet rather than my desktop.

 

[allezfred]

I am unfamiliar with the terms landside and airside.

Landside - anything before security at an airport that the general public can also access
Airside - anything after security that only those flying can access

 

[Vash01]

There are several hotels adjacent to the airport: https://www.heathrow.com/plan-and-book-your-trip/heathrow-hotels

It rains a lot, though, so if you go outside, wear boots.

Thanks but I don't have boots. I live in a desert.. I do have a rain jacket with a hood .

 

[ballettmaus]

Thanks but I don't have boots. I live in a desert.. I do have a rain jacket with a hood .

Where are you going? If you stay somewhere in Europe you might want to consider buying some. Fall weather is not the prettiest around here

 

[skatemomaz]

Thanks but I don't have boots. I live in a desert.. I do have a rain jacket with a hood .

I live in a desert too, I wear boots all winter.

 

[Vash01]

Where are you going? If you stay somewhere in Europe you might want to consider buying some. Fall weather is not the prettiest around here

I could buy the boots in Seattle, next time I am there. Actually I saw some in a shop in Phoenix couple weeks ago but I did not think I would need those.

 

[Vash01]

Dumb question. When a hotel near LHR says they provide airport shuttle, does the shuttle have the name of the hotel on it (either front or side) for identification? Many years ago when I took a shuttle from LHR to Park Radisson, it looked like a shuttle for many hotels. I had to pay exactly 5 GBP to the driver. The shuttle was dropping off passengers at various hotels. Same on the way back (pick up at many hotels). Is it still the same way?

I wrote that cost is not an issue but I hate to pay almost $300 for Sofitel at T5 when there are many good hotels outside. There is a Garden Hilton near T2 and it is walking distance but I read many complaints about the lack of signs to get there. So people were wondering around for long periods. . so I am thinking that taking a bus to another hotel may be easier. There are many good options.

 

[ballettmaus]

I could buy the boots in Seattle, next time I am there. Actually I saw some in a shop in Phoenix couple weeks ago but I did not think I would need those.

I think it depends on where you're going. You probably won't need them in the south of Europe. If the weather behaves normally, there's a likelihood you'll need them throughout the rest.

 

[Deleted member 221]

I have stayed three times at the Premier Inn Heathrow T4. It is fairly new and apparently often underbooked. Every time I've checked, it has been shockingly inexpensive for an airport hotel.

This doesn’t surprise me because T4 is the most inconvenient Heathrow Terminal, especially from T5. You either have to take a bus or transfer on the train; no train or tube goes to both T4 and T5. Transit time will be ~20 minutes, maybe longer. If the hotel is a further 15 minute walk, then I can understand the price point. The journey time gives it minimal to no advantage over hotels a few miles from the airport, or even in Paddington by train.

The airlines from T4, with the exception of Qatar Airways, are mostly second tier ones, e.g., Air Serbia, Bulgaria Air, etc. I suspect that the hotel has to cater to lower-budget passengers with early flights on these “niche” airlines.

 

[overedge]

Dumb question. When a hotel near LHR says they provide airport shuttle, does the shuttle have the name of the hotel on it (either front or side) for identification? Many years ago when I took a shuttle from LHR to Park Radisson, it looked like a shuttle for many hotels. I had to pay exactly 5 GBP to the driver. The shuttle was dropping off passengers at various hotels. Same on the way back (pick up at many hotels). Is it still the same way?

@Vash01 pick a hotel and then ask the hotel how to identify its shuttle. There's really no point in asking this now, because each hotel could operate its shuttle differently.

 

[acraven]

Hmm. 50 pounds vs. "almost $300". Why might I choose the Premier Inn?

A friend of mine who was landing at Heathrow this summer then traveling the next day to Scotland by train decided to head straight downtown on arrival day. She didn't want to be stressed the next morning about the airport-to-city transfer with a train departure looming. It was a rational decision, but it cost her around 100 pounds more than the airport PI, I think; she stayed at a Premier Inn near Euston Station. She had enough time in the city that she was able to accomplish something she wanted to do, so she got some benefit from the extra expenditure.

 

[allezfred]

The airlines from T4, with the exception of Qatar Airways, are mostly second tier ones, e.g., Air Serbia, Bulgaria Air, etc. I suspect that the hotel has to cater to lower-budget passengers with early flights on these “niche” airlines.

OMG, the condescending tone of this post. It’s positively Tinamiesque.