Ah, Heathrow... GBWO
Written: Jul 05 '04 (Updated Jul 05 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good choice of shops etc, good transport links
Cons: Expensive, delays
The Bottom Line: It's a good airport - not perfect, but then show my the airport that is!
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| captaind's Full Review: London Heathrow Airport |
Since I lived within a few hundred yards of Terminal 3 of Heathrow Airport for the first 25 years of my life, I think it’s something I should be able to review fairly easily! And since SpiderKid is hosting The First Great British Write Off, reviewing Britain’s biggest and busiest airport seemed appropriate.
Heathrow benefits from extensive public transport links, which are mostly very reliable (if not exactly pleasant to use!). If you’re coming in by road, the airport is well sign-posted from many miles out, and is signed well internally as well – on the roads. Signing actually inside the terminal buildings is less satisfactory and leaves a little to be desired, though generally it does its job well enough.
There are both short-term and long-term car parks, and both are expensive. Don’t do what my friend did when we went to Paris – he picked me up late (he said it was because his alarm clock failed to go off… but I’m not convinced…) He ended up shoving his car in the short-term car park… as if that wouldn’t have been expensive enough, he proceeded to lose his ticket and end up paying £70 for two days’ parking! (Those who have already read my review of Paris will have realised that this turned out to be a very expensive trip for him!) So, don’t be late, and arrange your parking beforehand if you’re going by car!
There are plenty of shops, snack bars, and restaurants in Heathrow Airport, which is a good thing since delays are fairly common. The shops are often open for long hours, though not usually 24/7. There’s a good variety of trashy fast food (yep there’s a McDonalds…) to some very nice Italian eateries. The range of shops is fairly comprehensive for an airport, too, so if you suddenly realise you’ve left an important item at home, you’re pretty much guaranteed to be able to buy one (perhaps less likely if you’re there at 4am…) – though nothing at Heathrow is cheap. To keep you occupied there are a few arcade game centres and the odd individual coin-op scattered around, but of course these will swallow up your money like nobody’s business… Speaking of money, there are plenty of Bureau De Changes around the airport, and the exchange rates are usually competitive.
I’ve seen other reviews state that connecting flights are bad. I have no experience of this personally, but it’s something to be aware of if you are coming in for a connecting flight. (If so… how dare you come to our great country without stopping for a visit!?!?!?) I have no really point of reference either, as the only airport I’ve ever been to just to pick up a connecting flight is Texas. My memories of the service from various members of staff at Heathrow has always been good, but I seem to remember baggage handling being painfully slow at times.
If you’re a plane-spotter type (I will never understand the appeal myself, but each to his own), or simply want to stare at something other than the wall, there are a decent number of viewing platforms scattered around the airport (usually adjacent to a coffee shop).
Overall
Considering the sheer weight of numbers pushing through the doors of Heathrow Airport every day, everything runs surprisingly smoothly. Sure there are delays and other problems, but no airport is immune from these things. I wouldn’t say it’s perfect, but well above average.
Just a side-note – unless I am very much mistaken, the review that states there is no Tourist Information Desk at Heathrow is wrong. There is one – but it’s in Terminal 4, so if you happen not to be in that terminal, it’s quite understandable that you would think there wasn’t one at all!
CaptainD’s Travel Writing
AUSTRIA
Kitzbühel
Salzburg
ENGLAND
London
Birmingham
York
London Gatwick Airport
FRANCE
Paris
Eiffel Tower
USA
Universal Studios Theme Park (Florida)
Florida
The Grand Canyon
Recommended:
Yes
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