London Travel Forum

I am flying to Heathrow from the US on Continental, and meeting someone who is traveling from Paris to Heathrow on Air France.

I know Heathrow is a big airport, we land around the same time, is anyone familiar enough with Heathrow that could tell me if there is a good meeting place.

I would prefer close to customs but not even sure if we use the same customs section.

Thanks.

This might be a bit tricky - Air France uses terminal 2 and Continental use terminal 4 which is a separate building on the other side of the air field. This web site maybe of help http://www.heathrowairport.com/

Regards

John

Heathrow is a massive and complex place. You won't use the same custom unless you use the same terminal.

I suggest your friend waits in Arrivals at Terminal 2, and that you make your way there from T4 (assuming that the terminals suggested above are correct).

Get each other's mobile numbers to keep track. He/she can tell you exactly where they are (e.g. in front of a cafe/whatever) once you have both arrived.

To get from T4 to T2 you'll need to take the Heathrow Express train transfer(free). Details here:

http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/terminals.html

I assume you'll be going into central London afterwards, so you will have to get yourselves to the central bus station/Underground/rail station at Terminals 1,2,3 anyway.

Leics - that website you quote is the not the official one and is out of date the BAA one is the best one to use.

Regards

John

I didn't suggest it was the official site. I posted it in good faith.

The fact remains that arranging a meeting point for two people who do not know Heathrow is not going to be very simple. It is, imo, better for one to wait and the other to make his/her way to them.

I agree - meeting people at LHR is not the easiest thing to do and I know the airport very well.

Please do not think I was being critical of you re the web site, my comment was simply to help ensure whatever plans the OP makes they will be done using the most accurate and up to date web site.

Regards

John

Let's hope he/she comes back to check.

Thank you for the information. I will suggest he wait at the terminal for us. I assume they have a section for International Arrivals. He will not have a cell phone so I will have to find him. I arrive on Continental earlier, so I will take the train as suggested to Terminal 2 once I confirm the flight is Terminal 2. I just hope they have an international arrival section.

We are going directly into the city, we are going to a hotel near the Picadilly station. I read on this forum to buy an Oyster Card, and I was just hoping to ask someone at the airport which train to the Picaddily station. If anyone knows that would be great.

All arrivals at Terminal 2 are international - if you look here you can see a map of the terminal http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/Heathrow_T2_Terminal_Map_01_2008.pdf
The first page shows departures, the second shows arrivals. My suggestion would be to meet by the car hire desks.

Regards

John

There are several ways to get from Heathrow to London. Options are linked here:

http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/heathrow_central_london.htm

The fastest (and most expensive) is by Heathrow Express train to London Paddington. The other train option is the slightly slower and cheaper 'Heathrow Connect' (also to Paddington).

Coaches run from Heathrow to Victoria coach station. They are cheaper, but the journey is longer and can be delayed by traffic congestion.

You can travel on the Tube from Heathrow into London. The journey time is around 40-60 minutes, and it can be crowded (depending on the time of day). This is the Piccadilly Line, so you will not need to change trains to get to Piccadilly Circus (your stop, I assume).

To get to Piccadilly from Paddington or Victoria you can either take a taxi (expensive) or get the Tube. Tube map here:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/1108.aspx

Thanks for all your help.

Since we are staying close to Picadilly and we arrive mid-morning I think the tube should be fine, it seems the easiest.

Looks like this one is sorted, but......... Heathrow is an utter hell-hole, labyrinthine, poorly signed, vast and, for the most part, unpleasant. The both of you get out of there asap and meet somewhere in Central London!