Some journeys become part of the calendar. We have regular clients in Brockenhurst who do the same thing every time they have an early flight: we collect them the afternoon before and take them to the Sofitel at Heathrow Terminal 5.
On this occasion it had been raining, and the hotel forecourt was still wet when we pulled up. The side door slid back, the bags came out, and they were in reception a minute later with the whole evening ahead of them.
Travelling to Heathrow the afternoon before an early flight
Our clients’ routine is simple. Rather than set an alarm for the small hours, they travel up the afternoon before, stay the night beside the terminal and walk to check-in in the morning.
Why the afternoon before works so well
An early flight from the New Forest normally means a very early start from home. Going up the day before means none of that. You leave at a civilised time, travel in daylight, and whatever happens on the roads overnight is no longer your concern.
The Sofitel at Terminal 5
The Sofitel London Heathrow is joined to Terminal 5 by a covered walkway, and the walk takes about five minutes. There is no shuttle bus to wait for in the morning.
Check-in is from 3pm, which is another reason an afternoon arrival suits. The room is ready when you get there.
One thing to check: this only works so neatly if your flight leaves from Terminal 5. If you are flying from another terminal, allow time in the morning to get across the airport.
A treat in the Senzati Jet Class
For this trip we sent our Senzati Jet Class as a thank-you. It is built on the Mercedes V-Class, with quilted leather seats and a partition between the passengers and the driver.
They had not asked for it. When people travel with us again and again, it is nice now and then to give them something they were not expecting.
From the New Forest to Heathrow
Brockenhurst is home ground for us, and Heathrow is one of our most regular journeys. If you would rather go straight to the terminal on the day, we have written about how the Terminal 5 drop-off works. For everything else, see our airport transfers page.
Questions we are often asked
Is it worth paying for a hotel the night before?
That depends on the flight time and on you. A hotel adds to the cost of the trip, so it will not suit everyone. For a very early departure, plenty of people decide that a full night’s sleep and a five-minute walk to check-in is money well spent.
Can you take us to other Heathrow hotels?
Yes. We take clients to hotels at and around all the terminals. Tell us which one when you book.
Will you collect us when we come home?
Yes. Give us your return flight details when you book and we will arrange the collection at the same time.
Request a quote or book your journey
If you have an early flight coming up and like the idea of going up the afternoon before, we would be glad to take you. Let us know your pick-up address, hotel, date, passenger numbers and luggage, and we will come back to you with a price.
Telephone: +44(0)3333 444 018
WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447554496186
Email: enquiries@pluschauffeurs.co.uk
Request a quote: https://www.pluschauffeurs.co.uk/contact-plus-chauffeurs
Online booking: https://www.pluschauffeurs.co.uk/bookings
