Day Trips from London Heathrow Airport
Day trips from London Heathrow are plentiful due to the large number of regular scheduled business flights that the airport offers across Europe. For years, the airport has catered to business executives seeking early morning departures and late evening returns to maximise their time abroad. Now, this same convenience appeals to leisure travellers looking for a quick escape to Europe’s leading cities.
Whether you’re ticking off historic landmarks from your bucket list, wandering bustling city streets, or enjoying a break by the sea, Heathrow offers unparalleled access to some of Europe’s top destinations—all achievable within a day.
What Is a Day Trip from Heathrow?
A day trip from Heathrow is all about efficiency and enjoyment. We’ve curated a list of destinations based on our Nanotrip specific criteria for a day trip to help you make the most of your time:
- Early Morning Departures: Flights leaving early, with arrival in your destination city by around 11 a.m., giving you a full day to explore.
- Short Flights & Easy Transfers: Destinations with quick flights and seamless airport-to-city public transport, so you spend less time in transit and more time experiencing your chosen city.
- Late Evening Returns: Flights departing after 8 p.m., allowing you to savour an early evening meal or drink before heading back home.
After highlighting some top destinations, we also share below tips to ensure your day trip goes smoothly. Get ready to explore Europe with ease and excitement—all in just one day.
Day Trip to Paris from London Heathrow Airport
Flight Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
Look for flights with Air France departing just after 6am with return flights departing at 9pm. British Airways also has flights to CDG but the times are not as favourable. The trip from Charles de Gaulle to the centre of Paris can eat into your day so plan the quickest route into where you want visit. If you are wanting to visit the main must-see destinations such as the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, we suggest you book in advance. But there is so much more to see in this wonderful city so do explore and find something unique.
Do think of your carbon footprint and consider the Eurostar as an option for a day trip to Paris by train. St Pancras has some good rail connections that can get you into the centre of London. The first train out departs just a few minutes after 6am and departs back from Gare du Nord just after 9pm.
Day Trip to Amsterdam from London Heathrow Airport
Flight Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes
Look for flights with British Airways and KLM for your day trip to AMS. BA has slightly better timings with a later flight back, but KLM has the earlier departure time. Take the train connection from the airport which takes 20-25 minutes and you can be in the centre of Amsterdam for just after 10am. Amsterdam is a charming and compact city, ideal for a day trip, but as always plan ahead to get the most of your day
Day Trip to Dublin from London Heathrow Airport
Flight Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
Fly with British Airways before 7am and return at 8pm in the evening. If you live north of London, consider Stansted flights with Ryanair as they are slightly better and can offer better value. Consider visiting Trinity College or the historic streets of Temple Bar. At the Guiness Storehouse you can learn about Ireland’s most famous export and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the Gravity Bar. Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral are both rich in history and architecture.
Day Trip to Zurich from London Heathrow Airport
Flight Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
Swiss has one of the first flights out of Heathrow in the morning departing at 6am. The early start rewards you with a full day in Zurich with return flights departing Zurich airport just before 9pm. Rail connections get you swiftly into the centre of the city. Football fans should look consider the FIFA museum which is in the centre of the city.
Day Trip to Vienna from London Heathrow Airport
Flight Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes
Another early start allows you to visit Vienna with flights from Austrian. Departures at 6am arrive in Vienna just after 9am with trains taking 15 minutes to get into Vienna Central Station. It is one of the more extreme day trips from London Heathrow but with year-round flights you can visit Christmas Markets in early December or take a spring or summer break in one of Europe’s most fascinating cities.
Day Trip to Barcelona from London Heathrow Airport
Flight Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes
Fly with British Airways on a flight that departs just after 6am from Heathrow and return just after 9pm from El Prat airport. Trains get you into Barcelona Sants station in 20 mins but depart every 30 mins so plan your time carefully. Taking a hop on-hop off bus is one way to see the most of the city but the route from Barcelona Sants (west route) does not cover Sagrada Familia. You will have to switch routes and also pre-booking is a must to visit Gaudi’s masterpiece.
Day Trip to Copenhagen from London Heathrow Airport
Flight Duration: 1 hour 55 minutes
Both British Airways and SAS have flight times to Copenhagen departing at the same time. British Airways edges it with better departure and return flights but do compare prices here as the difference is minimal. Connections from the airport into the city are easy taking 15 minutes and trains are regular. This allows you to maximise your day in this delightful Scandinavian city known for its design, culture, and canals. Begin your visit at Nyhavn, the picturesque harbour lined with colourful buildings and cafes. A short walk takes you to the Amalienborg Palace, home of the Danish royal family. The nearby Little Mermaid statue is one of Copenhagen’s most famous landmarks. Explore the Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Copenhagen’s compact city centre and excellent public transportation make it easy to explore in a day.
Day Trip to Brussels from London Heathrow Airport
Flight Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Fly to the Belgian capital with Brussels Airlines who have flights from Heathrow that depart just before 7am and return after 9pm. A day trip to Brussels is straightforward with many things to explore – make sure you indulge in some Belgian waffles! As with Paris, do consider the train as an alternative to reduce your carbon footprint. Trains depart just after 6am which also gives you a full day in Brussels.
Day Trip to Geneva from London Heathrow Airport
Flight Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
Flights to Geneva are available with both British Airways and Swiss. The BA flight times are preferable for a day trip. Train times into the city are extremely short and regular. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Alps and Lake Geneva, Geneva is a beautiful and sophisticated city. Tour the United Nations Office, visit the Patek Phillippe Museum (a must for watch lovers) or just explore the charming streets of the old town.
Day Trip to Frankfurt from London Heathrow Airport
Flight Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes
Flights with Lufthansa depart around 6:30am, getting into Frankfurt just after 9am.Trains to the centre are frequent and take 10-15 minutes. Ideal for a Christmas market break, Frankfurt is an underrated German city that can be easily explored in a day.
Day Trip to Madrid from London Heathrow Airport
Flight Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Perhaps our most extreme day trip but with early morning flights departing around 6:30am you can arrive into Madrid airport at 10am and be in the centre of the city for 11am via the underground. Take a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, explore one of the many museums or just take in the wider sights of this capital city. You can find reasonable airfares, especially in the off season and fly back just before 9pm. It’s a possible day trip but personally we recommend a Nanotrip to Madrid. Staying overnight allows you to enjoy the nightlife which extends into the early hours of the morning.
Tips on Day Trips from London Heathrow
While taking a day trip and flying from London Heathrow can be an exciting and enriching experience, there are several things to consider before booking your trip. These include logistical challenges, time constraints, financial costs, and environmental impact, among others. Here’s a detailed look:
1. Time Constraints
Limited Exploration Time: The biggest downside of a day trip is the limited amount of time you have to explore your chosen destination. With flights, security checks, and travel to and from the airport, the actual time you spend at the destination can be quite short. To maximise your time at the destination, we suggest taking early morning flights and return late at night, but this can be exhausting. Do consider a one-night break, even if it is staying by the destination airport as this gives you that little bit more time to explore.
2. Logistical Challenges
Airport Procedures: The flights we highlight above depart between 6-7am. Getting through security checks at Heathrow, passport control and arriving at the boarding gate with time to spare means arriving far earlier. Consider the total time of travel for your day tip and include travelling to/from LHR plus getting to the gate. Please work this out before booking to ensure you are comfortable with timings.
3. Financial Costs
High Costs: Flights, especially last-minute or during peak travel times, can be expensive. Our advice is book early and travel out of school holidays if you can. Additionally, costs for transportation, meals, and activities at the destination add up.
Hidden Fees: Costs like airport parking, transportation to and from Heathrow airport
4. Fatigue and Stress
Physical Exhaustion: A day trip involving flights can be physically demanding. The early start, long day of exploring, and late return can leave you feeling exhausted.
Mental Stress: The tight schedule, coupled with the need to navigate unfamiliar places quickly, can be stressful. Delays or missed flights add to the anxiety.
Although a spur of the moment day trip might sound exciting, the more planning you can do for your trip will hopefully take the stress out of your day out.
5. Environmental Impact
Carbon Footprint: Air travel has a significant environmental impact. Taking a flight for a short-day trip contributes to carbon emissions, which is a consideration for environmentally-conscious travellers. Where possible take the train and also most travel comparison sites now show the more fuel-efficient aircraft used on certain routes.
6. Limited Flexibility
Fixed Schedule: Day trips require strict adherence to schedules. Any delays can significantly impact your plans and reduce the time available to explore the destination.
Rush to See Attractions: To make the most of your limited time, you might find yourself rushing through attractions, which can diminish the overall experience.
We recommend planning ahead, pre-booking the attractions you want to see but be realistic in what you can achieve in a day.
7. Potential for Delays
Flight Delays and Cancellations: Flights to/from Heathrow are subject to delays and cancellations due to weather, technical issues, or other unforeseen circumstances. Such delays can severely impact your day trip, reducing time at the destination or causing you to miss important activities.
8. Lack of Immersive Experience
Superficial Exploration: A day trip doesn’t allow for deep immersion into the culture, history, or daily life of the destination. You might only scratch the surface of what the place has to offer.
Missing Out on Local Experiences: Many authentic local experiences, like enjoying a leisurely dinner or participating in evening activities, may be missed due to time constraints. We do recommend you stay at least one night, a Nanotrip, in the cities mentioned above. Travel for a one-night weekend break from Heathrow and you won’t have to take any annual leave.
9. Limited Luggage Options
We recommend you travel with only a carry-on bag as it keeps flight price down. However, it does limit what you can bring and how many souvenirs you can bring back.
10. Health and Safety Concerns
We still recommend you have travel insurance for your day trip as accidents can happen. Wear comfortable footwear as you will be on the go all day and don’t overdo it. Ensure you take 15 minutes or more for a drink in a café or enjoy the local food.
Image by Wael
