Long layover in london

We'll have about a 7 hour layover at Heathrow in October when traveling back from Paris. I've looked in to it, and a trip to Windsor Castle definitely seems doable. It's only about 20-30 minutes away from the airport, so based on what I've read, as long as you 3-4+ hours, it shouldn't be a problem. With 12-16 hours, you could probably make your way into London proper and do some sight seeing, if you want, but I was looking for something a bit shorter.

The tube (subway train) takes you from Heathrow to the middle of downtown London easily. I have taken it to my hotel before. That would be the thing to do with a long layover.

We did that last October. At that time the black taxi was significantly cheaper round trip. We were shocked at the number of tourists that were in town. Most of them from the Pacific rim. The line to get into Windsor Castle was wrapped around the buildings across the street. We had drinks and lunch at a pub directly across from the castle and it was very good.

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(12-16 hour) layover

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Where are you going that you have that long a layover?

If it were me and I was going to have to check back in through security I would go with a private tour of some sort. One that would pick me up at the terminal, take me somewhere and back to the terminal.

My wife and I did sort of what you're thinking of in Mexico City 7 or so years ago. We had about 9 hours. Mexico CIty is not London but it is very modern and has good public transportation. The airport is closer to the city center than Heathrow is to London. We had no intention of leaving the airport until we boarded and we started talking about going to town. We had no plan at all. When we landed we asked and were told to take a bus from the terminal to the city center (historic center). We did, it cost us about a dollar each way, walked around a few hours, ate lunch and went back. Did not see a lot but saw more than we would have in the airport. I am not sure I'd do it again though, it was pretty hectic honestly, pretty stressful worrying about time and using a public transportation system we were unfamiliar with. And we did have to check back into security. This was a domestic flight from Guadalajara to Juarez so we did not have to clear customs...had we been on an international flight I doubt we would have done it. I say that to suggest having a solid plan in place (sounds like you are working on that) and consider paying a guide to pick you up, take you to some sites and back....public transportation in London is very efficient but there is a learning curve like there is with all public transportation, if you have the money it may be better to skip it altogether and hire a guide. Most of our travel has been done on a budget 'cause I am cheap that way,, and some of the best memories we have of traveling stem from experiences on public transportation...it is a great way to live like a local. That said if money is not tight you will probably see more sites with a private tour. Won't get a feel for the location as much but may see more.

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Where are you going that you have that long a layover?

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When we've done it twice in the past we booked a flight that layover like that on purpose so our flights would be overnight and we could be in London during the day.

For example...Charlotte to London overnight and then we landed in London the next morning then London to Cape Town South Africa overnight rather than leaving London shortly after arriving then getting to Cape Town in the middle of the night.