London Airport
- Heathrow -
Lasting Impressions....
"Probably more comfortable than half of the hotels I slept in." (Jamie Anderson)
"My god ...I would sooner eat my own face than sleep here again. I was contemplating suicide at 3:30AM" (?)
"I fully woke to the janitor guy touching my bum." (jenn)
"i was suddenly bitten by something on my left arm at my elbow. I ignored it and than it bit me in my back.Now i had enough and i had a look at my arm finally. And there where 3 massive big blotches in dark red.And i saw a strange looking insect running away into the seat cover. " (?)
"I don't understand why the airport doesn't offer youth hostel-style accommodation in the T123 area - there would certainly be a market for it!" (Milo)
"FLEA INFESTATION causing 400 bites on exposed flesh of lower legs, wrists, hands and rear of neck, occurred at London Heathrow departure terminal 3, 1st floor" (John E Pratt)
"LHR is one of the dirtiest, smelliest, most crowded airports in the world." (?)
"After getting into the arrivals part of the terminal I crawled under the seats with a blanket" - sandrabillingsley
Quick Reference Airport Guide
Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date info:
- 24 hour coffee shop
- Padded seats in transit area
- prayer room
- cushioned benches in the restaurant near arrivals
- cold
- clean bathrooms
- insects
- serious flea infestations
- smelly carpets
A few airport reviews from the archives
by gradstudent2010
Terminal 3:
Heathrow is a very large airport. On this site, there has been some debate on which is the best place to sleep.
If you arrive before the airport opens and have not crossed security, Terminal 3 is the best opinion. In fact, even if you are in the secured section, exiting the airport (depending on your visa) is a better option.
Where to find where people sleep:
Go to Terminal 3, Check in area Zone B. On the map, look for the 1st floor (upper floor). People sleep in front of the WHS Smith, Pontis and Three Bells Stores.
If you plan on sleeping, arrive very early cause seats are taken early.
Police do not hassle and the cleaners are polite. There is a 24 hour coffee shop near by.
Killing time if you cant sleep: If you have a laptop, the network called The Cloud allows you surf myspace sites for free.
A better way to kill time: Travel into the city. You can return to the airport early in the morning using the N9 bus which runs from Piccadilly Circus 24 hours. It costs 2 pounds and not 1 pound as the websites erroneously state.
Avoid missing your flight: Get up early and make sure you are at your terminal at least 1 hour before departure. Heathrow is a maze.
Showers: All public showers are now closed (despite what the map says). An alternative is to go into a baby changing room (they have sinks) and sponge yourself. I did this and was not bothered by anyone.
by ritaxis
I was herded from one place to another because staff did not think that the places I wound up at were suitable. I ended up with almost 100 other people in a vast, freezing, loud, uncomfortable waiting area, with access to a clean bathroom but no drinking fountain and no place to lie down but the floor -- the benches were made of formed wood, bucket shaped, with metal armests preventing one from lying down. A few had no backs, and the first persons to arrive had pushed them together and were lying perpendicular. As they were male and I was female I did not think it was appropriate to lie down next to them, and as they were asleep I did not want to ask them to move closer to each other so I could have a space.
Naturally everything was closed. The airport is full of signs but nothing actually explains the things the overnight traveller needs to know. As far as I can tell the airport is not heated at all, and relies on the presence of many human bodies to warm up.
Next time I travel from US to Prague I will do whatever it takes to avoid Heathrow at all costs.
