LHR · Layover Guide
London
Stop in London.
Best layover: 5–72h
LayoverScore™
Base city score. Your route score varies by savings and timing.
Exit realism
Comfortable window
Enough room in London for a real stop. Keep the buffer at the end anyway.
Landside playbook
If time slips
- Drop the last stop. Go straight to the train, taxi rank, or ride pickup you already chose.
- Add 15 minutes to map ETAs for the return leg at rush hour.
- One ticket for the whole trip protects you when the inbound is late. Separate tickets do not.
Worth knowing
- Do not stack three stops. One solid block in the city beats a rushed loop.
- Do not treat one map time as gospel for immigration lines. Pad on your first pass through this hub.
Planning a stop in London?
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Places to stay
Search hotelsLayoverScore™ breakdown
Score 81 · Discover 54 · Ease 5
Why London scores 81
Getting there
Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) $16 · Heathrow Express $32
min to center
metro- 01Elizabeth Line (25 min)
- 02Heathrow Express (15 min)
- 03Piccadilly Line (60 min)
59 min by train
- 01British Museum
- 02Borough Market
- 03Tower Bridge
- 04Notting Hill
Experiences in London
Timed tours and tickets for London are listed on our partner site.
Open listingsOpens in a new tab.
- Zoya Grill & Lounge - Indian Cuisine~60 min1 min walk
- Caffe Nero~60 min1 min walk
- Zoya Grill & Lounge - Indian Cuisine~75 min1 min walk
- London Party Boats~75 min1 min walk
- London Streets Photography~90 min1 min walk
- Get London Transfer~90 min1 min walk
- Buckingham Palace4.5
- The British Museum4.7
- Harrods4.4
- Big Ben4.6
- London Bridge4.6
Need a room for your layover? Browse hotels near the airport.
Where to stay →Drop your luggage. Don't drag it around the city.
Excess Baggage Company — T2
Terminal 2, Ground floor, Arrivals
$12/bag
2 min walk
Excess Baggage Company — T5
Terminal 5, Ground floor, Arrivals
$12/bag
2 min walk
From the terminal to the good part.
Elizabeth Line (Crossrail)
Paddington, Bond Street, Liverpool Street
Fastest affordable option. Direct to Paddington, Bond Street, Liverpool Street. Runs every 10 min.
25 min
$16.00
Heathrow Express
Paddington Station
Fastest train to Paddington. No stops. Every 15 min. Book in advance online for cheaper fares.
15 min
$32.00
Piccadilly Line (Underground)
Earl's Court, Covent Garden, King's Cross
Cheapest option. Stops at Earl's Court, South Kensington, Covent Garden, King's Cross.
60 min
$8.00
Taxi (Black Cab)
Central London
Metered. Central London journey typically £50-75. Ranks outside all terminals.
60 min
$65.00
No city pass available for this city.
Getting there
Get an Uber from the airportAt the airport
- 01No.1 Traveller lounges
- 02Shower suites
- 03Airside hotels (T4, T5)
- 0424-hour Boots pharmacy
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