1Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
Free royal park adjacent to Paddington. The Serpentine Gallery contemporary art shows are free.
Photo: Iridescenti, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Heathrow Airport (LHR) · UK
24-Hour Layover in London: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Gianluca Pugliese on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 24-hour layover in London?
Entry
UK is not Schengen. US, EU, AUS, Canadian — visa-free up to 6 months. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) required for US/EU visitors from 2025 — apply via UK government site.
Into town
Heathrow Express to Paddington: 15 min, from £10 one way.
Time outside
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
Times from LHR arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top London: Where to Go
The sights in London worth leaving the airport for.
1
2Borough Market
London's finest food market under London Bridge arches. Open Thu–Sat. Sample before you buy.
Photo: Øyvind Holmstad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
3Tate Modern
Free world-class contemporary art museum on the South Bank. The Turbine Hall is unmissable.
Photo: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Itinerary ideas for London
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
3 hours in London
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
See the 3-hour planPhoto: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
6 hours in London
4–5 hours in the city (stay close)
See the 6-hour planPhoto: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
You are here24 hours in London
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Insider tip
The Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) is much cheaper than Heathrow Express and only 20 minutes slower. It goes direct to Bond Street and Liverpool Street for a true London experience.
Photo: LadyJetA1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Getting to London City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Heathrow Express (to Paddington) | £28 | 15 min |
| Elizabeth Line TfL (to Paddington) | £12 | 35–40 min |
Photo: Secretlondon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Eat Like a Local in London
A proper pie and mash at M. Manze on Tower Bridge Road — London's oldest surviving pie and mash shop (1902), £5.
24 hours in London
24-Hour Itinerary
1
Day 1 — Arrival
Into London and check in to your hotel
Take Heathrow Express to Paddington (15 min, from £10 one way). Most hotels hold bags before check-in.
2
Day 1 — Afternoon
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
Free royal park adjacent to Paddington. The Serpentine Gallery contemporary art shows are free.
3
Day 1 — Evening
Dinner like a local
A proper pie and mash at M. Manze on Tower Bridge Road — London's oldest surviving pie and mash shop (1902), £5.
4
Day 2 — Morning
Borough Market
London's finest food market under London Bridge arches. Open Thu–Sat. Sample before you buy.
5
Day 2 — Late morning
Tate Modern
Free world-class contemporary art museum on the South Bank. The Turbine Hall is unmissable.
6
Day 2 — Departure
Back to Heathrow Airport
Head back to Heathrow Airport by Heathrow Express to Paddington (15 min, from £10 one way). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 24-hour layover in London?
UK is not Schengen. US, EU, AUS, Canadian — visa-free up to 6 months. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) required for US/EU visitors from 2025 — apply via UK government site. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 24 hours enough to leave Heathrow Airport?
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip. Getting into London by Heathrow Express to Paddington takes 15 min each way.
How do I get from Heathrow Airport to London centre?
Heathrow Express to Paddington: 15 min, from £10 one way. Elizabeth Line TfL (to Paddington).
Where can I leave my bags in London?
Luggage storage near Heathrow Airport and in London is listed in our London luggage storage guide.
Getting out of Heathrow Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Car hire at Heathrow Airport: desks, ratings and prices
Things to do in London
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for London and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse LondonJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in London? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in London.Trains & buses from London
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near London Airport
With 24 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in London
Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com
Search hotels
Planning a longer stay in London?
Read our full destination guide — hotels, attractions, visa tips, and more.
London Destination Guide →Also useful for your London trip
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
Airlines that fly to London
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from LHR.
Flights to London from 321 cities: fares and airlines →
British Airways route mapVirgin Atlantic route mapAegean Airlines route mapAer Lingus route mapAeromexico route mapAir Algerie route mapAir Astana route mapAir Baltic route mapAir Canada route mapAir China route mapAir France route mapAir India route mapAir Mauritius route mapAir Peace route mapAir Senegal route mapAir Serbia route mapAir Transat route mapAll Nippon Airways route map
Airport lounges at Heathrow Airport
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
London travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in London works
01
Check you can leave
UK is not Schengen. US, EU, AUS, Canadian — visa-free up to 6 months. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) required for US/EU visitors from 2025 — apply via UK government site.
02
Head into town
Heathrow Express to Paddington: 15 min, from £10 one way.
Photo: Artem Yellow on Pexels.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to Heathrow Airport by Heathrow Express to Paddington (15 min, from £10 one way). Be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Ready for London?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.
Daylight on the ground
Daylight in London swings from about 7.6 hours in Dec to 16.4 in Jun. The same six-hour stopover is a city break in Jun and mostly darkness in Dec — worth checking before you plan to leave the airport.