13 hour layover in London

[phorsenuf]

I posted this in The Community Board (where I usually hang out) and was suggested to ask here. They are so smaaaart.

So it looks like I am going to go visit my husband in Kuwait next month. I was looking at flights and trying to find one that would coordinate with when he is done at work and could come pick me up at the airport.
There is one that has a 13 hour layover in London. I have to admit that one intrigues me because it gets in at 7:30am and departs at 9pm (roughly) I was thinking it might give me a little time to explore London, as I've never been. Mostly I was thinking of one of those double decker bus tours. I'd love to see the sights, like Big Ben, Parliment, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and such.
Is that doable? I would be flying in to Heathrow. I did look and see that I could store my carry-on at the airport so I wouldn't have to lug it around.

Thanks so much!

 

[Dimplenose]

Don't forget to schedule in time to clear immigration on the way in and security etc on the way out.

But I'd still say you'd have enough time to do something useful.

The trains into central London take about 30 minutes but are expensive (£16 - £32 depending on time you catch them. The underground (tube) is cheaper but can take over an hour to get into central London.

I haven't done the bus trip in London but have found them a great way to get sn overview of othe cities I have visited. (Be prepared to pay about £25). Maybe just get on the bus and do the whole route rather than hopping on and off.

If you keep you expectations realistic and I think you could have a fun few hours in London.

 

[Dimplenose]

I just wanted to add that I often go to London because I only live half an hour away. I usually arrive in London at about 10am visit a museum or shopping, have a sandwich lunch and then do more museum/shopping/sight seeing. I usually leave about 5pm feeling as though I've had a full day out.

So your timings should give you more than enough time for a visit.