Anyone here try leaving Heathrow, visiting central London and back to Heathrow in an eight hour time frame?

With the e-gates at immigration and the Elizabeth line, getting into central London can be very quick. 8 hours is plenty of time.

Time of year matters, London will be nuts this summer season and you risk long security lines coming back, the public transport is excellent and easy though.

Just departed Heathrow yesterday. Outbound security was painless and efficient. In addition to new Elizabeth line, the Heathrow Express train takes only 15 minutes between Heathrow and Paddington and runs often. Enjoy London for a few hours. It will be better than sitting in the airport lounge.

Should mention dates. Arriving at 7:30 am London time and have flight out at 4:45pm. Arrive terminal 3. Leave terminal 2.

Would love three hours to see a few iconic downtown sights in London.

Should be good. Take the Elizabeth line from T3 to South Kensington, then change for the Circle/District Line like four more stops to Westminster, where you'll see Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. Get your tickets to Westminster in advance if you've never seen it. You're in a great central part of London around all the royal parks and the Churchill War Rooms as well.

Agreed that you can do it no problem. Start the trip back to Heathrow 3 hrs before departure and you should have plenty of time - 1 hr to get to LHR, 1 hr to get through checkin and security leaves you 30 min extra at the gate

Plenty of time! Enjoy!

Just wanted to add that LHR T2 has Star Alliance gold track for security and departure customs so if you have status, it's a breeze. Was there a month ago and took me all of 5 minutes to get through.

HeightsAg said:

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Just wanted to add that LHR T2 has Star Alliance gold track for security and departure customs so if you have status, it's a breeze. Was there a month ago and took me all of 5 minutes to get through.

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So we don't travel constantly but also intend to go to Miami, El Salvador and Spain/Portugal in the next two years. Is the StarAlliance Gold an economical and effective thing to have? How much does it cost and does it have to be renewed every year?

How does this differ from TSA PreCheck?

Straight Talk said:

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HeightsAg said:

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Just wanted to add that LHR T2 has Star Alliance gold track for security and departure customs so if you have status, it's a breeze. Was there a month ago and took me all of 5 minutes to get through.

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So we don't travel constantly but also intend to go to Miami, El Salvador and Spain/Portugal in the next two years. Is the StarAlliance Gold an economical and effective thing to have? How much does it cost and does it have to be renewed every year?

How does this differ from TSA PreCheck?

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StarAlliance Gold (and higher levels) is earned through flying StarAlliance airlines so you can't really buy it that I'm aware of. United did have some offers over the past year or so to bump up levels for $$$ but I think that was only something offered to current members with status.

AgCPA95 said:

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Straight Talk said:

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HeightsAg said:

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Just wanted to add that LHR T2 has Star Alliance gold track for security and departure customs so if you have status, it's a breeze. Was there a month ago and took me all of 5 minutes to get through.

---

So we don't travel constantly but also intend to go to Miami, El Salvador and Spain/Portugal in the next two years. Is the StarAlliance Gold an economical and effective thing to have? How much does it cost and does it have to be renewed every year?

How does this differ from TSA PreCheck?

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StarAlliance Gold (and higher levels) is earned through flying StarAlliance airlines so you can't really buy it that I'm aware of. United did have some offers over the past year or so to bump up levels for $$$ but I think that was only something offered to current members with status.

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Oh, I see. That's why I could not find easy answers on line.

You'll be fine.

Only thing I'll add as a forewarning is everybody is striking over here right now… and some security staff at Heathrow just announced they plan to every weekend here starting end of June so plan accordingly,

Hopefully they settle by August 31!