Getting from London Heathrow to London

Located 32km (20 miles) to the west of Central London, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is one of the busiest and most advanced airports in the world. With 190,000 passengers arriving and departing every day, Heathrow handles more international passengers than any other airport in the world.
The airport is spread across five terminals, each with shops, restaurants, currency exchange facilities, information counters, accommodation desks and left luggage facilities.
Heathrow's latest addition, Terminal 5, opened in 2008 as the airport's new long-haul base. Heathrow Terminal 5 is the largest freestanding building in the UK and is five times the size of Terminal 4.
Heathrow's Terminal 2 closed for renovations in late 2009 after nearly 60 years of operation. The new and improved Terminal 2 is due to reopen in 2014. Visit the London Heathrow Airport website

Heathrow Hotels and Transfer Services

There are numerous hotels near Heathrow. See our Where to Stay section to find and book a hotel near Heathrow Airport.
Hotel Hoppa is a convenient way to travel between your hotel and Heathrow Terminals 1, 3, 4 and 5. Tickets are £4 each way for adults and children travel free. Hotel by Bus is a rapid shared ride service by coach, linking you to your hotel or other destination in Central London. It serves all Heathrow terminals. For more information on hotel transfer buses visit the Heathrow Airport website.

Heathrow Airport by Train

The Heathrow Express is the fastest way to travel into Central London. Trains leave every 15 minutes and the journey takes 15 minutes. Trains leave Heathrow Airport from approximately 5am until 11.45pm. Standard adult fares are £20 for a single ticket purchased online or at a ticket office/machine (or £25 when purchased onboard). Visit the Heathrow Express website for further details.
Heathrow Connect services run from London Paddington, calling at Ealing Broadway, West Ealing, Hanwell, Southall, Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Central (Terminals 1 and 3). For Terminals 4 and 5, there's a free Heathrow Express transfer service from Heathrow Central. Heathrow Connect journey time is about 25 minutes from Paddington to Heathrow Central and adult single tickets cost £9.50. Visit the Heathrow Connect website.

Heathrow Airport by Tube

The Piccadilly line connects Heathrow Airport to Central London and the rest of the Tube system. The Tube is cheaper than the Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect but it takes a lot longer and is less comfortable. Tube services leave Heathrow every few minutes from approximately 5.10am (5.50am Sundays) to 11.45pm (11.30pm Sundays).
Journey time to Piccadilly Circus is about 50 minutes. There are three Tube stations at Heathrow Airport, serving Terminals 1-3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. A single paper ticket from Heathrow (Zone 6) into Central London (Zone 1) costs £5.50. If you're going to be using London's public transport system, it's worth buying an Oyster card. Visit the Transport for London (TfL) website.

Heathrow Airport by Coach

National Express runs frequent coach services between Heathrow's central bus station and Victoria Coach Station. The journey takes between 40 minutes and one hour 30 minutes, depending on the route. Some services stop en route in Hammersmith or Earl's Court. Standard single tickets cost £6. Services from Heathrow commence at 5.35am and run until 9.40pm.

Heathrow Airport By Bus

Between approximately 11.30pm and 5am (depending on the day of the week), the N9 night bus runs about every 20 minutes to Central London (Trafalgar Square). Journey time is approximately 76 minutes. For more information visit the Transport for London website. Standard bus fares apply (£1.40 Oyster/ £2.40 cash) and Travelcards are accepted.

Heathrow Airport By Taxi

There are usually taxis queuing for customers at London's airports. Only use a black cab or reputable minicab and never use unauthorised drivers. Ask the driver or minicab company how much your journey will cost beforehand. A metered trip in a black cab to/from Central London generally costs from £50 to £80 and takes 30 minutes to one hour. All Heathrow Terminals have an approved taxi desk and authorised taxi rank. Visit the Heathrow Taxis website.

Accessible Transport

Dedicated Heathrow Airport staff can provide assistance to passengers with special needs. Heathrow Express trains have areas for passengers using wheelchairs and exiting at Paddington station is straightforward. Visit Heathrow Airport's special assistance page.
On the Tube, disabled travellers should be aware that a significant number of stations are not equipped with lifts. Nearly all London bus services are equipped for wheelchair users. Visit the Transport for London accessibility page.

Tips for Getting into London from Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport, the second largest and busiest in Britain after Heathrow, is located in West Sussex, 30 miles or so south of Central London. Even with the best of traffic conditions, a licensed taxi ride takes over one hour and costs more than £100 ($156). Arrive at rush hour on a weekday, or hit a delay, and things get rapidly worse from there. Exploring cheaper options is something to know before you go, especially if you are traveling solo or with one or two people.
Gatwick Express
Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, connected by a free aerial tram. The older, busier South Terminal has a train depot for the Gatwick Express, which serves London's Victoria Station. Gatwick Express departs every 15 minutes, and its journey time is 30 minutes. Tickets are sold at the top of the escalators.
While there is a first-class option, the regular fare is less steep at £18.90 ($29.50) one-way for adults and £9.45 for children under 16, free for children under 5. Save a bit by buying online in advance, which lets you print your tickets at home or collect them at the station, and by purchasing a return (round-trip) ticket. Some airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, offer passengers advance purchase prior to landing. Tickets are not sold on the train, so avoid a penalty by planning ahead. The first morning train departs Gatwick at 4:35 a.m., and the last train to London departs at 1:35 a.m.
Tourists head for Victoria Railway Station as seen in this 2009 London, United Kingdom, …From Victoria Station onward
Of course, you'll have to add on your cost of transportation from Victoria Station. The station has a taxi rank at the Gatwick Express exit; a busy underground station for the Victoria, Circle and District tube lines and a London bus terminal. There’s a major coach station a block away for long-distance bus rides on National Express.
Don't confuse "bus terminal" (for local buses) with "coach station": These are in two different locations at Victoria. Escalators serve all these stations, so look for the elevator signs if you have heavy bags; there is usually just one rather old and small “lift” in high demand.
A cheaper train option
Southern Rail operates a train in and out of Gatwick. This option takes a bit longer than the Victoria Express, but is still faster than a taxi. Tickets cost as little as £7.50 if purchased online, and the train arrives at Clapham Junction in Battersea, Southeast London. Here passengers can connect to another train (known as the Overground) from one of the 17 platforms to travel further into Central or West London or all the way to North London. If you continue on to Kensington Olympia Station, for example, there is no additional fare to pay for the onward train.

I Didn't Know That - Fun Facts About Great Britain

Britain is the only country in the world that does not have the country's name on its postage stamp.

The Tube system, despite being the first and the largest underground system in the world, is also the most ununreliable and the costliest.

Did you know that Windsor Castle is the oldest royal residence in the world that is still being used by the royal family.

Buckingham Palace was built in 1702 on the site of an infamous brothel.

The English are tea addicts: they drink more tea than any person of any other nation(over twenty times more than Americans).

Contrary to popular belief that Big Ben refers to the world famous clock, it is actually the name of the thirteen ton bell.

The London Eye is the tallest observation wheel in the world and each rotatoin takes about 30 minutes.

In the Great Fire of London that wreaked havoc on the city and necessitated massive reconstruction work, the casualty count was only eight.

Nowhere in Britain is more than 74.5 miles from the sea.

About 25% of Londoners were born outside of the UK and can speak over 300 different languages.

England is the second largest economy in Europe. It is the fifth largest economy in the world.

Tourism is the sixth largest industry in the United Kingdom.

London's Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world.

Red Lion is the most popular name of a pub in Britain.

The world's oldest public zoo was opened in London in 1828.

A Birds Eye View of Britian by Jason Hawkes

This collection of aerial photographs giving a spectacular bird's eye view of Britain from above has been released to mark the Queen's Jubilee year. Bustling cities contrast with serene stretches of glorious countryside as sites that might seem ubiquitous from the ground are transformed into unique and wonderful images when viewed from above. The heart-stopping shots are the work of aerial photographer Jason Hawkes who developed a love of Britain 's varied landscape since taking his first flying lesson 20 years ago. Perfect location: The Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland featured in the Harry Potter films. Jubilee year: Buckingham Palace dominates the landscape in this aerial view of London Jolly hockey pics: Pictured from above these sports pitches and the ant like people playing take on a strange geometrical beauty Field of dreams: The Oval cricket pitch in South London at night Fun land: A rollercoaster track twists and turns to form an incredible colourful image at this amusement park in Southend-on-Sea . Looking down on an angel: A rarely seen view of Anthony Gormley's Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead Brighton Pier: Hanging out with Nelson: A view looking down on Nelson's Column in London 's Trafalgar Square Ace view: Centre Court at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club London suburbs: Heritage site: A quiet moment at Stonehenge Nooks and crannies: A lighthouse looks out over a rugged stretch of coast near East Prawle in Devon Myth and legend: Some believe Glastonbury Tor in Somerset is the final resting place of King Arthur Bluegrass: A field of Flax in Buckinghamshire takes on magical properties Longleat maze is the largest in Britain

Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend

Royal diamonds go on display to mark Queen's Jubilee

More than 10,000 diamonds owned by six British monarchs will go on display at Buckingham Palace to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The special exhibition, Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration, will include a number of the Queen's personal jewels and pieces from the Royal Collection.

Some of the items included will be shown in public for the first time.

The exhibition forms part of the summer opening of the palace and runs until 8 July and from 31 July to 7 October.

Many of the jewels being put on show have been used and worn on state occasions by different British monarchs over the last three centuries.

The collection includes pieces made from the Cullinan Diamond - the world's largest - which weighed 3,106 carats as an uncut stone.

Jewellery containing seven of the nine principal stones cut from the diamond are reunited for the first time.

They include the Cullinan III and IV Brooch, worn by the Queen at the National Service of Thanksgiving for her 60 year reign, at St Paul's Cathedral, in June.

Several of the jewels on display have not been exhibited to the public before, such as the Delhi Durbar Tiara and the Kokoshnik Tiara.

Jewellery commissioned by Queen Victoria - the only other monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee - will also be on show during the exhibition, including her coronation necklace.

The necklace was also worn by Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and Queen Elizabeth II at their coronations.

State occasion

The collection includes a number of other pieces used by British monarchs for state and ceremonial occasions, including the Diamond Diadem - a type of crown - made for the coronation of George IV in 1821.

Curator Caroline de Guitaut shows Jenny Hill some of the highlights of the exhibition

The diadem has been worn by the current Queen to and from the State Opening of Parliament since the start of her reign, and appears on stamps and certain banknotes and coinage.

Jewels marking important events in the Queen's life will also be displayed, including the South Africa Necklace presented to the then Princess Elizabeth on her 21st birthday in 1947.

The exhibition's curator Caroline de Guitaut said: "Over the past three centuries monarchs have used diamonds to display magnificence, whether in personal adornment or as a statement of power.

Big Ben's tower renamed

The clock tower know world wide as Big Ben will now be called Elizabeth Tower in honor of Queen Elizabeth. It follows a campaign to rename the tower in recognition of the Queen's 60 year reign. The motion called on the House of Commons Commission to consider the change "in recognition of Her Majesty's 60 years of unbroken public service on behalf of her country".

 The Big Ben nickname originally referred to the 13.5 tonne Great Bell within the tower, but has long been the commonly used name for the clock and tower as a whole. Some how " look kids Elizabeth Tower" just doesn't sound right.

Things to do in London

British Museum



The British Museum, in London, is widely considered to be one of the world's greatest museums of human history and culture. Its permanent collection, numbering some eight million works, is amongst the finest, most comprehensive, and largest in existence and originates from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. Some objects in the collection, most notably the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon, and the Rosetta Stone.



Crown Jewels

The Tower of London has been the home of the world-famous Crown Jewels for over 600 years. The Crown Jewels include the Coronation Regalia, items used at the coronation of a Sovereign. You can see the "Cullinan I" diamond at 530 carats, the largest cut diamond in the world, set in the Sovereign's Sceptre. You will also see the Imperial Crown of India, set with emeralds, rubies, sapphires and 6100 diamonds. I go see them every time I have been in London.



The London Eye

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England. It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually.



Climb the Monument

The Monument to the Great Fire of London, more commonly known simply as the Monument, is a stone Roman Doric column. The only way to the top of The Monument is to climb the 311 spiral steps. It is a narrow staircase and there is nowhere to stop and rest, Plus you come down the same way so be prepared to pass others going the other direction. Do bring your camera as you will have some fantastic views from the gallery at the top.



Harrods Food Hall

Harrods is known for offering everything from fine chocolates to lavish cuts of meat and seafood, cheeses, baked goods, and even fine wines.

Churchill War Rooms

The Cabinet War Rooms provided the secret underground headquarters for the core of the British government throughout the Secord World War. You get to walk thru the rooms just as they were left after the war was over.

Jack the Ripper Tour

As the shadows fall over the city, we approach London's east End, a hotbed of crime and vice in the 19th century. During the autumn of 1888, terror struck when Jack the Ripper came out of the fog and dimly lit alleys just long enough to stalk and butcher his five victims. You will get chills up and down your back just thinking about the panic that spread thru London during this time.

Peter Pan Gardens

In Kensington Gardens, you'll find a statue of a very famous boy. Although he has been here since 1912, he has not aged one day. This is because it's of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. He is an inspiration to the large crowds that the statue draws, reminding them to never grow up. The gardens themselves have great open spaces as well as trees that can be used for climbing and hiding.

Fish and chips

For a cheap and fast lunch, nothing beats it. Stop into a pub order your fish and chips maybe a pint or two, then off for more sightseeing.

The Royal Mews

State vehicles are housed and maintained at the Royal Mews. They include the carriages used for royal and State occasions, such as State Visits, weddings and the State Opening of Parliament. Carriages from the Royal Mews are also used on roughly 50 occasions each year. The most dazzling of all coaches housed in the royal Mews is the Gold State Coach, which has been used at every coronation since that of George IV in 1821.

Cadbury Chocolate

It’s chocolate enough said! I think this is the best chocolate in the world. Stock up before you head back home.



Hard Rock Cafe

Stop by for lunch and see where it all started. That's right this is the very first Hard Rock Cafe. Buy a t-shirt or start collecting Hard Rock Cafe pins.

Covent Gardens

At the heart of the Covent Garden piazza lies the famous market, designed in 1632 by Inigo Jones and now visited by 30 million tourists each year. The large glass covered building comprise several arcades of fashionable boutiques, cafes and arts and crafts.

In the open piazza jugglers, mime artists, variety acts and musicians delight and amaze the crowds. Buy you a cheap lunch and watch the entertainment, I have done this many times and it never gets old.

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