Arriving at London Heathrow Airport: What to do next

So you’ve touched down, stepped off the plane, cleared passport control and accidentally collected somebody else’s luggage from the carousel. What next? Our guide to arriving at Heathrow Airport has all the answers, and then some!

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: March 7, 2025
Wing of aeroplane over Central London and Tower Bridge

London Heathrow Airport in Brief

Young couple at the airport

London Heathrow Airport aka LHR aka Heathrow is the daddy of all European airports, serving up to 80 million passengers every year. The airport, located around 14 miles west of Central London, acts as a major international hub, with New York, Spain, Singapore, India and the Middle East among its most popular routes.

There has been an airfield in this location – formerly a quaint ye olde English village called Heath Row – since 1926. But it wasn’t until after the war, amid rapid expansion of the site, that the first passenger service took flight: a converted Lancaster bomber called Starlight which took off for the then-impossibly-exotic shores of Buenos Aires on New Year’s Day, 1946.

Ok, we get it: your feet are already itching to get to the big London attractions. So, having arrived at London Heathrow Airport, what happens next?

Getting into London from Heathrow Airport

Woman about to step onto a London Tube train

Given it’s the UK’s biggest international hub by far, it should come as little surprise that there’s a mind-boggling variety of ways to get to the heart of the capital. We break down the most popular methods below…

  • Fastest: the Heathrow Express is a non-stop service that connects the airport with London Paddington station in as little as 15 minutes. You’ll pay for the privilege though: tickets cost £25 one-way. Paddington is well-connected to the rest of the city via London Underground (Tube) services.
  • Cheapest: old-fashioned but generally reliable, the Tube takes up to an hour depending on your destination. On the plus side, a one-way ticket costs less than £6. 
  • The third way: a relative newbie on the scene, the Elizabeth Line connects Heathrow with several stops in Central London and beyond. It takes about half as long as the Tube and costs around twice the amount for a one-way ticket.
  • And finally: you could also opt to travel by road, but would then be at the mercy of London’s notorious traffic. And there’s surely no less satisfying way to start a vacation than stuck in a jam in the middle of nowhere watching powerlessly as your cab meter ticks up into triple figures. Coaches and local bus services are cheap (but very slow) alternative options. Car hire is of course also available at the airport: a rather awkward and costly way of getting around London, but certainly convenient if your onward journey from Heathrow is into the bucolic British countryside.

Are We There Yet?

Eros statue at Piccadilly Circus

We’d hope that by the time you touch down at Heathrow you’ll already have selected and booked your accommodation. But, if not, you could do worse than checking out our guide to some of the most attraction-friendly places to stay in London. 

But what if your flight into Heathrow arrives at an unsociable hour, i.e. late in the evening or early in the morning? There are of course plenty of airport hotels in which late arrivals can rest weary heads, among them Hiltons, Sofitels, Holiday Inns, Mercures, Sheratons and Premier Inns. Many offer shuttle services from your terminal to the hotel.

If, on the other hand, you're flying in on the red eye and have a few hours to kill before check-in, well, there are options for you too. As you’re in no particular rush, you could for example take the Tube’s dark-blue Piccadilly line into town and hop off for a spot of sightseeing somewhere like Hammersmith, Hyde Park Corner or Piccadilly Circus, all of which are well-equipped locally with left-luggage facilities either in or around the stations. 

Deck chairs by the Serpentine in Hyde Park

The same is true of Victoria Station, which is reachable by coach and lies a short, cap-doffing stumble from Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park and Westminster. Hit the links below for more on what to do in these locations…

Top London Attractions: the Bucket List

View of St Paul's Cathedral

So you’ve successfully negotiated your way from Heathrow Airport to your London digs, sunk a reviving glass of bubbles at the bar and had a long soak in the tub. What’s next? Why sightseeing, silly! Did you know you can save £££s on entry to more than 100 London attractions, tours and activities with The London Pass®? Well, now you do. Click to find out more and bag yours here.

You’ll likely already have a good idea of which attractions you want to visit – the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower of London, right? – but we also have a few others up our sleeves that we’d recommend regardless of whether you’re a first-timer or an old hand at London.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London

And here they are:

  • Historic London pub tour. Expect crooked beams, timeworn wooden floors, cozy nooks and frothing pints of nut-brown ale in this tour that takes in former haunts of Dickens, Conan Doyle and others.
  • The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace. Ogle exhibits from the largest private art collection in the world, including masterpieces from Rembrandt, Hogarth, da Vinci and others.
  • Shakespeare’s Globe. This pin-perfect reconstruction of the Bard’s original 17th-century playhouse is worth a visit for the selfie opportunities alone. But the guided tour, which peeks behind the curtain (and under the carpet) of Elizabethan theatre, is also too good to miss.

Hit the buttons below to find out how much you could save with The London Pass®…

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Windsor Castle
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Did You Know? 10 Facts About Windsor Castle

It's one of London's most iconic landmarks, but how much do you really know about this royal castle, beloved by King Charles III and the late Queen Elizabeth II? Read on to learn 10 facts about Windsor Castle, including: The reason Deliveroo drivers hate it How many visitors it gets a year And how its name has changed the course of the UK monarchy   1. It’s the longest-occupied palace in Europe The original building was constructed in the 11th century, after the Norman invasion of England. Construction started under William the Conqueror, who built it as a fortress, but it has been used as a royal residence since the reign of Henry I. Henry VIII used it as a giant pleasure dome, enjoying shooting, dancing, wrestling, and playing tennis on its grounds. It was a favourite weekend retreat of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who lived in Windsor Castle. Around 40 other reigning monarchs have lived here throughout history. It’s located a fair distance from Buckingham Palace - about 22 miles. 2. It caught fire in 1992 Windsor Castle has suffered multiple serious fires over its 1000-year history. But the most recent — and most damaging — occurred in November 1992. A portion of the castle was undergoing renovations and it is thought that a curtain was too close to a construction spotlight and set alight. The fire spread quickly, and 200 firefighters arrived to help tackle the flames. Fortunately, because of the renovation work, many rooms had been emptied of their artworks, furniture and other historical treasures. However, over 15 hours, the fire burned through much of the Upper Ward, destroying nine state rooms and severely damaging around 100 others. The restoration work cost around £67m in today’s terms. The question of who should pay for the repairs was a complex and fiercely debated one. In the end, it was decided it would mostly be paid for by opening Buckingham Palace to the public at certain points of the year.  3. Windsor Castle has a fantastic art collection It’s just as well the rooms had been cleared during the renovations, or the country would have lost a fantastic collection of artworks. One of the highlights of any trip to Windsor Castle is seeing the fabulous art collection on display. Masterpieces by Rubens, Michelangelo, Van Dyck and Rembrandt can all be seen during a tour of the many luxurious state rooms, halls and galleries. Inside Windsor Castle, the collection speaks to the wealth and tastes of the monarchy over the centuries. 4. The castle has 300 fireplaces Yep, and it’s one bloke’s job to look after them all. The King’s fendersmith (possibly the only person left with that awesome job title) is responsible for cleaning and lighting all 300 of Windsor Castle’s fires. He’s been doing it for decades, taking over from his dad in 1984. It’s a big old job, and it needs to be done with a level of care and attention fit for a King, so it hasn’t been subcontracted out as yet. 5. ...and nearly 400 clocks And again, it’s one man’s job to be in charge of them all. The castle’s horological conservator is responsible for the maintenance of all the historic timepieces. Many of them have outdated, highly complex mechanisms, so it takes a lot of skill to keep them all ticking over. The two busiest weekends of his year are when the clocks change. It takes him around 16 hours to move all of them forward an hour in spring. But moving the clocks back is even more time-consuming. This is because the conservator has to wind them for 11 or 23 hours, rather than just back one. Despite its size, the castle is contained within just one time zone, which makes it all a bit easier. 6. The kitchen is the oldest in the country The oldest working one that is. It’s been feeding kings and queens for centuries and is a huge operation, particularly when the castle is holding a state dinner. And the sense of pomp and ceremony doesn’t make it easy for the kitchen staff: for instance, each little lump of butter has to be hand-rolled and stamped with the royal crown. To keep the whole dinner service running efficiently, the clocks in the kitchen are set (by the one bloke, as we now know) five minutes fast. If you want to test your knowledge of Windsor Castle, check out our True or False self-test! 7. There is a changing of the guard at Windsor Castle too Just like at the Queen’s other main residence, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle has a changing of the guard. A ceremony that signifies a new group of soldiers becoming responsible for guarding the palace, the Changing of the Guard usually takes place at 11am each day. Try and time your visit to witness this iconic military event. The proximity and historical ties between Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are echoed in these ceremonial traditions. 8. Windsor Castle attracts over a million visitors each year And you could be one of them, with admission to the castle included with your London Pass. Its most famous visitor (until you show up, of course) is His Majesty King Charles III and his predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II, who has a long-held affection for the castle.  And if you're wondering how far Windsor Castle is from Buckingham Palace, it's about a 50-minute drive, making it a perfect day trip destination. 9. The Royal Family got their family name from the castle The current Royal Family is originally of German descent, and their name was previously Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. During the First World War, George V changed the name of their royal house, because of anti-German public sentiment and the name’s highlighting of the family’s German lineage. So, the family name was changed to Windsor and remains so to this day. Many assume that the castle is named after the family, but that isn’t so. Unusually in the world of royal naming, it is the building that gave the name to the royals, rather than the other way round. 10. Windsor Castle has a very, very long driveway There is a 2.65-mile approach to the front door of Windsor Castle. That’s a long stretch to cover before you get inside. Apparently, the late Queen had to meet all Deliveroo drivers at the gates to the drive. And she’s had flaming rows with Uber drivers who just want to drop her off at the gates and make her walk the rest. But how many rooms in Windsor Castle are there for a visitor to explore? Well, the castle boasts an impressive 1,000-plus rooms, reflecting its stature as a home of the monarchy. Summing up why you need to visit Windsor Castle... Windsor Castle is a must-see landmark that boasts both architectural and historical significance. As Europe's longest-occupied palace and a favoured home of the late Queen, its heritage covers hundreds of years and is hard to match, Visitors can enjoy over 1,000 rooms filled with an extensive art collection, learn about the Castle's role in significant events, and witness daily ceremonies like the Changing of the Guards. Despite surviving destructive fires, the Castle remains standing as a testament to royal tradition. It's no wonder that it attracts over a million visitors annually. For those interested in British monarchy or architecture, a visit offers a unique opportunity to appreciate its grandeur and gain valuable cultural insights. You might even say... it's fit for a king. Experience everything London has to offer with The London Pass® Planning your London trip? With The London Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50% compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️

Matthew Pearson
Pub Crawl London
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The Best Pub Crawls in London

These are the best London pub crawls and bar crawls London has to offer, whether you’re on a historical hunt or looking for something louder. The pub scene is bustling with excitement and creativity, giving rise to some innovative ideas and pub crawl themes that will make your night unforgettable. Visiting your local pub is a rite of passage for many Brits. And that’s certainly the case for Londoners. But once in a while, when the weather is fine (or not fine), you’re feeling in the mood (or really not in the mood), you’ve got money in your pocket (or barely any money in your pocket) and you’re in good company (or completely alone), you want to go out for a pub crawl. We reckon this is particularly true for day-trippers and other holidaymakers, just in London for a bit. Because why see one pub on your visit to London when you could see 30? So here’s our guide to some of the most popular pub crawls in London and ideas to inspire your adventure. Featured in this guide: Monopoly Pub Crawl The Historical Crawl London Literary Pub Crawl The Shoreditch Pub Crawl And more... Monopoly pub crawl Named after the beloved board game, the goal of the Monopoly Pub Crawl is to make it to 26 different pubs located close to 26 different London tube stations. It’s so popular that it’s garnered its own website and internet following, with a monopoly board detailing every single location from the Lord Nelson on Old Kent Road through to the Spread Eagle on Oxford Street. Remember kids: drinking, unlike Monopoly, is not a game. But both the game and the crawl can take up an entire day. And ruin the next one. Pubs on the crawl include: Ye Grapes in Mayfair, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, and 24 other pubs that may or may not have Ye in their name Attractions along the way: Trafalgar Square, Eros Statue, King’s Cross Station, London Transport Museum The Historical pub crawl Hailed by The Telegraph as a crawl taking in ‘London’s most fascinating historical nuggets,' this route starts off in Blackfriars and takes you through to Holborn. It’s a much more manageable trek with just six spots on the list, but each one is steeped in British history from the Grade II listed Blackfriar with its stained glass details, through to the rich timber wood of the Cittie of Yorke, tucked away in a cellar. If you’re on the lookout for more historic watering holes, check out our guide to the Oldest Pubs in London. Pubs on the crawl include: Cittie of Yorke in Holborn, Blackfriar in Blackfriars Attractions along the way: London Transport Museum The Circle Line pub crawl No surprises here: this pub crawl is a relatively straightforward one that follows the Circle Line around the heart of London. It one-ups the Monopoly Pub Crawl, both literally and metaphorically, as you’ll have to hit 27 bars to fully complete the crawl. Starting and ending in Embankment (with a suggested celebratory tipple in Leicester Square, because you’ll probably need a drink after you’ve completed it), it follows the Circle Line – which, funnily enough, doesn’t resemble a circle, but a beer bottle. They suggest you do it in 12 hours, having half pints in each pub. Pubs on the crawl include: The crawl website gives you multiple options for each station, so take your pick. Or choose a pub local to a station to suit your tastes. Attractions along the way: Tower Bridge, King’s Cross Station, Barbican Theatre, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben Wimbledon Eight pub crawl Along with the tennis whites and Wombles, Wimbledon’s also home to a pretty amazing pub crawl route. The crawl was popularised by actor Oliver Reed, who allegedly took Steve McQueen on a night out to his favourite Wimbledon pubs.  After a 15 minute pint in each, they started the crawl again, though now the common route goes around the board just once. It starts in the Hand in Hand and finishes at the Swan (a replacement for the now-closed Finch’s).  Pubs on the crawl include: The Fox and Grapes, The Fire Stables  Attractions along the way: Wimbledon Tennis Stadium 💰 >> See how you can save up to 50% with a London attraction pass! Shoreditch pub crawl  Shoreditch: home of the hipsters, craft beer hangouts and street art. The neighbourhood has plenty of bars which put a twist on the usual melon man and there's a dedicated Shoreditch Pub Crawl company that'll take you to the quirkiest spots in the area. The kind of places that give Shoreditch its reputation for being...very Shoreditch.  It starts off at Sink Pong Bar, a bar filled with ping pong tables. Better bring your A-Game and gym shorts: this is one for shots and dancing and playing around, rather than quiet pubbing.  Attractions along the way: Brick Lane, Old Spitalfield Market  Because sometimes it’s good to have some culture with your crawl. This special guided crawl lasts 3 hours, involves about a mile of walking. You don’t stop in every pub...so you can still take in all the info. This pub crawl takes you to the favourite boozy haunts of London’s writers and creatives, from Shakespeare to Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf.  You’ll be accompanied by actors playing some of the deceased literary figures and reading famous extracts from their works. It’s a lot of fun and you might find you have something in common with one of the country’s most popular writers...you both like drinking.  Pubs on the crawl include: Shhh...it’s a secret  Attractions along the way: Pollock's Toy Museum The Sam Smiths pub crawl  Okay, so this is officially more of a challenge than a crawl. It’d be impossible to do all of these on one crawl. So please don’t try. Samuel Smith’s Brewery is located in Yorkshire, but they’ve got a number of very popular (and cheap) pubs across London, mainly in the very centre.  These guys came up with the Sam Smiths Challenge, where they looked to visit every Sam Smiths pub across the capital. But you can make your own route between these charming, welcoming, and affordable pubs using their map of London Sam Smiths pubs, located on their website.  Pubs on the crawl include: every Sam Smiths pub in London  London pub crawl themes and ideas Pub crawl themes can add an extra layer of fun to the experience. Some themes could include a costume theme, like dressing up as characters from British history or a favorite movie, or a foodie pub crawl where each stop includes a small bite to mix perfectly your pint experience.  Looking for more unique pub crawl ideas? Why not create your own crawl based on your interests? Perhaps a crawl that only stops at pubs with live music, or one that explores London's haunted pub scene? Join the Historic Pub Tour of London with The London Pass® Discover London’s legendary pub culture on this guided tour of four historic ale houses in the heart of the city. Follow in the footsteps of great stalwarts of London’s pubs from centuries gone by: Cromwell, Dickens, Conan Doyle, and more! Planning your London trip? With The London Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50% on loads of London attractions, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️

Megan Hills
Tower Bridge
Blog

A complete guide to visiting Tower Bridge

You've seen it in the movies, now come and see this star of a bridge in real life. Read on for our tips on how to get there and what to look out for. Don't forget your camera!

Beth Levicki

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