How to Make the Most of Your Airport Layover in London

How to Make the Most of Your Airport Layover in London

When we think of airport layovers, we often picture people aimlessly wandering the airport, impatiently waiting to continue their journey. These sorts of long, arduous layovers are part of the package deal we get for travelling cheaply. However, all you need to do is change your perspective, and you might realise that an airport layover, especially one in a London airport, can be a blessing in disguise.

Fasten your seatbelt (metaphorically speaking). In this blog, let’s take a step back and learn a few tips and tricks to make the most of your layover in London. It’s high time we made long airport layovers tolerable — nay, truly enjoyable!

Airports in London Layover Plans Why should you use a ride service? How can we help plan your trip?

Airports in London

London is arguably one of the most popular tourist and layover destinations in the world. Statistics show that the London airport system is the busiest system in the world in terms of sheer passenger numbers and the second busiest in terms of aircraft numbers.

Thus, a single airport is not enough to deal with the sheer amount of air traffic that comes and goes. To that end, the greater London area has six major airports and many other smaller airstrips and helipads. The major international airports are:

Heathrow (LHR) Gatwick (LGW) Stansted (STN) Luton (LTN) London City (LCY) South End (SEN)

Knowing which airport you land in for your layover in London is important since it allows you to plan the way in which you make the most of your layover in London.

For example, if you want to step out of the airport and visit some popular tourist attractions in Central London, landing at London City International Airport would be the most advantageous since the travel time to the tourist destinations is much shorter compared to the other airports.

Heathrow

Location: Heathrow Airport Official Website: Heathrow Airport Distance to Central London: Approximately 24 km

Gatwick

Location: London Gatwick Airport Official Website: Gatwick Airport Distance to Central London: Approximately 45.7 km

Stansted

Location: Stansted Airport Official Website: London Stansted Airport Distance to Central London: Approximately 63.56 km

Luton

Location: London Luton Airport Official Website: London Luton Airport Distance to Central London: Approximately 54.7 km

London City

Location: London City Airport Official Website: London City Airport Distance to Central London: Approximately 13.8 km

South End

Location: London Southend Airport Official Website: London Southend Airport Distance to Central London: Approximately 66.78 km

To learn more about London’s major international airports, check out our blog on The Ultimate Guide to Airport Transfers in London.

Layover Plans

As we mentioned, a little change in perspective can make airport layovers an enjoyable experience. Here are some of the things you can do when you have a layover in one of London’s international airports:

Call your family and friends. Check out the airport lounge. Experience local television shows. Airport Shopping Spree Freshen up Plan your next steps. Catch up on your reading. It’s game time! Book a room at a transfer hotel. Explore the city. Experience the local food scene.

Call your family and friends.

We all have family and friends that constantly worry about us, and in the midst of travelling, it is quite easy to forget to get in touch with them. The next time you find yourself on a layover, connect to the airport Wi-Fi and let them know you are alright.

Your family and friends will be thrilled to see that you are all right, and you will be rejuvenated for the next leg of your journey. The best part about this is that you can do it even if the layover is on the low or high end of the spectrum.

Check out the airport lounge.

Airport lounges are the epitome of comfort in airports, and the lounges in London airports are purpose-built to offer travellers of all sorts a relaxing and comfortable environment to wait out the time.

If your layover in London is less than 4 hours, we do not recommend that you leave the airport premises. Therefore, checking in to an airport lounge is arguably the best way to maximise your airport layover.

Remember that a lot of credit cards offer free lounge access. Alternatively, you could purchase a lounge pass. Getting access to the lounge becomes all the more appealing when you realise that lounges offer complimentary food and drink, faster Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating.

Airport lounges are the perfect place to experience comfort and escape the hustle and bustle of the busy London airports.

Experience local television

Much like how we experience local cuisine, you should also experience what local television has to offer.

Take Netflix as an example. The popular streaming platform has shows that are region-locked, meaning unless you are from a specific region, you would normally not be able to view the show. When you enter a layover in London, simply connect to the local networks or use a VPN and enjoy the best of British television. You may just find your new favourite show.

Airport Shopping Spree

London’s major international airports host stalls from world-famous brands, some of which are rarely found outside the United Kingdom, making it the perfect place to sample products and buy some gifts for family and friends. Plus, since the products are duty-free, you’ll be able to buy most of them at a lower price. We recommend that you do a bit of research on the particular airport and find the stores that strike your fancy, allowing you to make the most of your duty-free shopping experience. The research you do will go a long way, especially if your layover in London is short.

Freshen up

People tend to underestimate the importance of a refreshing shower. When experiencing a long layover, a simple shower can go a long way towards helping you feel rejuvenated, allowing you to pull through.

Most of London’s major airports offer free or low-cost shower facilities to the general populace and more luxurious facilities in airport lounges. Make sure to pack a simple toiletry kit and towel, but in case you forgot to do so, the airports offer supplies for a small sum.

The larger and more modern shower facilities can be seen in airport lounges. Therefore, you might consider purchasing a day pass to get access to the showers and other amenities of the lounge.

Plan your next steps

World-famous inventor Alexander Graham Bell once stated, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success”. A layover need not be limited to merely rest and relaxation, it also gives us the perfect opportunity to further refine and add on to our travel plans.

Since time is of the essence, we can use the layover to do further research on our ultimate destination, arrange transportation for when we arrive, create a more detailed itinerary, update the travel budget, and take stock of our luggage.

The sooner you plan your next steps, the sooner you can enjoy your layover in London’s major international airports.

Catch up on your reading

We all lead very busy lives, so it’s hard to find time to engage in some light reading. However, a layover gives you the perfect opportunity to do just that.

You can carry a book or magazine that you’ve always been keen on reading in your carry-on luggage or take a chance at the airport’s book store. London’s international airports all host WHSmith book stores, so you’re sure to find a book or magazine that strikes your fancy.

Alternatively, you could use the airport’s Wi-Fi to download an ebook on your phone or a designated ebook reader like a Kindle. It will do wonders for your luggage management.

But, if you want our opinion, it’s tough to beat the weight and feel of a genuine book in your hands.

It’s Game Time

If reading or shopping is not up your alley, there’s always the option of gaming to pass the time. Gaming is arguably one of the most fun ways to pass the time during a layover, and there are so many versions of it for you to choose from.

If you are travelling alone, you can always download a few games on your phone or tablet. We recommend that you choose games that support offline play because airport Wi-Fi may not be strong enough to support online play.

You can take this philosophy to the next level by having a designated handheld gaming console, such as a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, and choosing from a wide selection of games. Zelda, Pokemon, and Mario are all excellent choices.

If you’re travelling in a group, you always share your console or create a local network to engage in multiplayer. But it would help pass the time and get everyone involved; thus, we recommend you pack a few card and board games. UNO, Cards Against Humanity, and Scrabble are fantastic choices for layovers.

But make sure you’re not too immersed in the game and miss your flight.

Book a room at a transfer hotel

If your layover is long or the flight is part of an overnight connection, spending all your time in the airport is not feasible. Thus, booking a room at a transfer hotel is a smart way to rest and recharge.

You’re not going to be the only one looking for a place to stay; therefore, it is advisable to plan ahead and book a room depending on your flight plan. Each of London’s major international airports has multiple transfer hotels in close proximity to the airports.

Choose the hotel based on your preferences and the facilities available, and unwind until it’s time for you to embark on your journey.

Explore the City

If your flight is subject to a long layover in London, we recommend that you step out of the airport and explore what the city has to offer. London is a vibrant metropolis and hosts some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.

If you are comfortable and know your way around London, you can hire a cab from a London ride-hailing service and have a solo expedition. If this is your first time in London, do a bit of research beforehand and join an organised tour group.

While organised tour groups will help you experience the major tourist attractions, a solo expedition gives you the flexibility to explore the hidden gems of London. To find out about London’s hidden tourist attractions, be sure to check out our blog on Exploring London’s Hidden Gems: Must-Visit Places Off the Beaten Path.

Be advised that most of the major international airports except for London City International Airport are quite far away from Central London, and thus it will take a while to reach the tourist spots in the city. So make sure to take all the subjective factors into consideration and have fun exploring London and checking out what the great city has to offer.

Experience the Local Food Scene

London is truly a global city, and this is significantly reflected in the city’s vibrant food scene. Experiencing the city’s food scene is a delightful way to experience London, and an airport layover provides a perfect opportunity to do exactly that.

You can experience some classic UK dishes such as fish & chips, a full English breakfast, jellied eels, and beef wellington, and also feel close to home in the city’s many Asian, African, and Mediterranean-inspired restaurants.

Your options are endless. Choose your ideal spot and satisfy your cravings.

Why Should You Use a Ride Service?

Unless you are a regular traveller or familiar with the public transportation schedule in London, you might feel a bit overwhelmed and lost. Furthermore, the public transportation system is notorious for being overcrowded and not being punctual. Therefore, to make the most of your time, we recommend that you plan ahead and book a ride with a reputable ride-hailing company, such as Smartzi.

There are a wide range of benefits to using a ride-hailing service on such occasions. They include;

Greater Convenience, Efficient time management, Direct Routes, Comfort and privacy, Local Insights, Real-time tracking, Safety and Reliability Cashless Payment Plans, Customizable Itineraries, Safe return to the airport

The next time you experience a long layover in London, book a ride with Smartzi and make unforgettable memories in London.

How can we help plan your Trip?

We are Smartzi, an innovative cab service that operates in the UK and offers unmatched services at lower fares, resulting in happier drives and customers.

You can call on one of our trusted drivers through our website Smartzi and our ride-hailing app, found in the Apple App Store & Google Play Store.

By becoming one of our valued patrons, you will gain access to our regular special offers, allowing you to get the best deals that exceed every expectation.

So join the Smartzi family and make the most out of your airport layover in London. Don’t delay; Check us out today!