1 night post cruise--stay at Heathrow?

[KKB]

So we have ONE night...it's all we've got folks.

Thought we could take the cruise transfer to Heathrow, drop our luggage & then grab the tube to London for the day.

Then we would be near the airport for our flights home the next day.

It will just a be a "taste" of London, but a taste is better than nothing!

Not even sure what our priority to see would be--perhaps just hit some pubs.

Just thought that made more sense than staying IN London, especially with Monday 11AM flight.

 

[Thejuggler]

Sounds like a sensible plan.  Heathrow Express is much quicker than the tube and only £5.50 each way if booked in advance.

 

https://www.heathrowexpress.com/tickets-and-offers/tickets-offers

[Bob++]

I agree. No point in staying in town since you need to be at the terminal by 8:30.

 

You should make a plan though. Just wandering around will not be good value for the time available. Decide on one attraction you want to actually go to: Tower of London, Buck House,  Westminster Abbey, St. Pauls - the list goes on. Whatever you are interested in. The HOHO busses are pretty good for a not too exhausting tour, and a trip down the river is also a good way to get to The Tower from Westminster.

 

There are plenty of nice pubs for lunch and an evening cruise up the Thames, with all the bridges and buildings lit up is memorable.

[john watson]

Sounds like a good plan. If I were doing it I would find out which terminal I were flying from and book a hotel within walking distance. Some are 200 yards from the terminal.

Regards John

[RetAF98]

Two months ago, we stayed at the Hilton Garden at Terminal 2/3 both pre and post cruise.  We found it to be very comfortable and covenient.  We were able to walk to/from our flights.

[Shaporama]

We are thinking of doing the same thing in early February 2024.  Did you manage to squeeze in a short London visit before your flight home?

 

Our ship (Viking Venus) docks in Tilbury in the early morning.  I am wondering if its doable to debark the ship at 8 am then transfer to our hotel (Hilton Garden at Terminal 2), drop our bags and take the Express train or tube into London for a days tour and meals.

 

Also, we are responsible for our own transfers, any suggestions on the most efficient method of travel from Tilbury to Heathrow would be helpful.  We would be more interested in saving time, instead of saving money.

 

Thanks much!

[Meander Ingwa]

outside of  the box thinking for getting to heathrow.  

Get a cab for the 16 miles to Shenfield station (north of Tilbury).  There you can get the Elizabeth Line to Heathrow

[Meander Ingwa]

and for returning to town, the Elizabeth Line will get you back where you need to be.  Select your interest, the EL intersects with many stations where you can transfer to tube lines.  at the end of your day in the city, if you plan it well, you can take an evening Uber Boat down to Canary Wharf and get the Elizabeth line back to Heathrow.  You get the enjoyment of a Thames eye view of all the iconic places like Westminster, Southwark, The Globe Theatre, St Pauls, London Eye, Tower of London.  Can be beautiful at  sunset / dusk

[Island2Dweller]

Instead of schlepping all the way out to Heathrow (west of London, whereas Tilbury is well east of London), I would take the train into the centre and put your bags into left luggage.  Going all the way to Heathrow and then retracing the journey back into central London will use at least two hours.

There are facilities at most mainline stations, though Liverpool Street station probably makes most sense because from there you can continue to Heathrow on the Elizabeth line after you have done your sighseeing.

[Meander Ingwa]

Island that is a very good thought!  

[Shaporama]

Thank you to all for the excellent suggestions.  Island2, here in the states it would often be: 1] unlikely to find a locker large enough to accommodate a big suitcase (we will have been on an almost 2 week cruise); and/or 2] foolhardy to leave your bag in such facilities.  How can we assure ourselves that this would be a safe alternative?

[Meander Ingwa]

I have used  the left luggage service at Heathrow and at Paddington.  Excess Baggage Company next to platform 12  for Paddington   Left luggage is not the same as the old coin operated lockers.  It is a secured storage provider and can accommodate odd sizes and shapes.

[JRice]

On 6/14/2023 at 6:53 PM, Shaporama said:

We are thinking of doing the same thing in early February 2024.  Did you manage to squeeze in a short London visit before your flight home?

 

Our ship (Viking Venus) docks in Tilbury in the early morning.  I am wondering if its doable to debark the ship at 8 am then transfer to our hotel (Hilton Garden at Terminal 2), drop our bags and take the Express train or tube into London for a days tour and meals.

 

Also, we are responsible for our own transfers, any suggestions on the most efficient method of travel from Tilbury to Heathrow would be helpful.  We would be more interested in saving time, instead of saving money.

 

Thanks much!

We stayed at the LHR Hilton Garden Inn at Terminal 2/3 recently ..... it was very convenient after our overnight flight.