London Heathrow Airport

Hi, I have two upcoming trips that have me on a BA flight from Paris CDG that arrive at LHR at 12:30 and then have the long wait until my QF2 flight at 21:35.

Is it feasible to go into London for a few hours? I am assuming Yes, time wise, but...

I presume that if I have my baggage checked through from CDG to SYD I will not be allowed to leave the airport. (Though that may be moot as I seem to recall that BA don't like to check through luggage to 'connecting' flights anymore.) Is this correct?

So, presuming I have NOT checked through my luggage, are there any lockers or places for short term storage so I can catch the tube into London for a few hours? Or have they all be scrapped due to security concerns? ***(Side note: Was happily surprised when I forgot my passport the other week on a trip to Singapore via an overnight in Adelaide, and discovered that I could stash my luggage at the SYD domestic airport for an hour or so while I raced home to collect it.)

Any other suggestions as to how to use the time other than explore the lounges? Heathrow really is a horrible place to spend such a chunk of time :-( Yes, I have podcasts to listen to, books to read and videos loaded on my laptop, but with the long flight back to Oz, moving around would be good if possible, and I mean more than just getting up for refills of the Shiraz!

Thanks.

Are the BA and QF flights to seperate bookings? as BA generally won't check through if they're not.

however if they are or have been booked under the same PNR code then they should be checked through.

going of what I've read, no personal experience with this.

Thanks freshthoughts.

Yes, the flights are on the same booking, but if checking the bags through precludes me leaving the airport for a few hours, I may wish to avoid that.

Hi TheRealBabushka,

I have been trying to think who told me this (about not leaving the airport) and believe it was the Qantas member who was helping book the ticket for me, and commiserated with me about the long wait between flights.

But that is great news if it was just a furphy that I hooked onto. In my mind it was like your luggage being unloaded if you didn't get on the flight or something, so it made some kind of sense.

But you are right, who WOULD stop me? Feeling a bit stupid over here :-)

Thanks. 

If all the above works out for you I would suggest catching the Heathrow express direct into London Paddington and not the tube. Heathrow Express is fast and comfortable although a little pricey. It takes roughly 15-20 mins. The tube takes far too long.

Heathrow express departs from all terminals and is located under the terminals.

Once you clear customs allow yourself at least 2-2.5 hours return to get to central London and back either on the Heathrow express or Tube. I know the express is quick but depending on where you end up you'll still need time to get back across the city to where the express deaprts from which can be an exercise in itself. 

If you are on one ticket then your bags will definitely be checked through so no need to collect them. All you need to do is to go through immigration but be sure to ask for and fill in the landing card on your flight to London.

Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it.

It is good to know about the storage lockers should I need them - why didn't I think to look at the LHR website for them? - though the consensus seems to be that my bags will be checked through which is great news.

And thanks especially for the tip about getting a landing card on the CDG - LHR flight, that's just the sort of think I would forget.

I will probably take the tube, but thanks for the reminder of the Heathrow Express option.

If your bags aren't checked through there is a Left Luggage service at every terminal at Heathrow - it cost 11 GBP for up to 24 hours - they are shopfronts rather than lockers.  If you google "Left Luggage Heathrow" you will find details.

An option is to just get a cab and take the short ride into Windsor (then back later). Windsor is a nice town with plenty to see and do, shops to brouse, nice parks for a walk alongside the river Thames and not forgetting HRH the Queens Castle. Easier and closer than getting into central London.

Windsor is a good idea... PS it's HM (Her Majesty) The Queen, you demoted her drgmarshall.. :)