Trading the familiar streets of Montreal for a transatlantic adventure, we recently embarked on the simple test of minimalist travel: flying to the UK with carry-on baggage only. Taking an overnight red-eye flight from YUL to London is always a race against the clock, especially when you only have six short hours to catch some sleep before landing into the British morning.
As an international couple travelling with two different passports (British and Japanese), our journey through UK border control and the eGates came with its own set of unique questions. How quickly can you actually exit the airport when you skip baggage claim entirely? And how do you survive the brutal fog of Day 1 jet lag without accidentally falling asleep at 2:00 PM?
From our cabin-bag sleeping strategy to navigating public transport stress-free and tracking down our very first British supermarket meal deal, here is the real-time diary and survival guide of our first 24 hours back in the UK.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む: モントリオールからイギリスへ！大西洋横断フライトの過ごし方と空港からの移動・到着初日リアル体験記
- 1. Leaving Montreal (YUL): How to Survive an Overnight Red-Eye Flight
- 2. Arriving in the UK: Fast-Tracking Through Airport Immigration
- 3. Travelling Light: Getting from the Airport to Our Accommodation
- 4. Fighting the Nod: Our Day 1 Jet Lag Survival Routine
- 5. Wrap-Up: Making It to Bedtime and What’s Next
1. Leaving Montreal (YUL): How to Survive an Overnight Red-Eye Flight
The Art of Carry-On Only: One Backpack Packing Essentials
On this trip, we flew with just one carry-on backpack—no checked luggage. That means we were travelling light and it made our lives much easier!
[Related Article] 3-Week UK Packing List: Minimalist Travel Strategy with a Single Carry-on Backpack
The 6-Hour Transatlantic Dash: My In-Flight Sleep Strategy
We’ve flown the Montreal–London route many times before; it’s a night flight of six hours—a bit of an awkward duration. As we arrive in London in the morning, getting a good night’s sleep on the plane is essential.
[Related Article] Flight Review of British Airways BA94 Montreal to London Heathrow
2. Arriving in the UK: Fast-Tracking Through Airport Immigration
Can International Couples Use the eGates Together at UK Border Control?
You can go through immigration at London Heathrow Airport using the unmanned eGates. The immigration signs inside the airport display the nationalities eligible to use the eGates using flags, so please proceed according to the nationality on your passport.
My wife is Japanese, but both British and Japanese nationals use the same eGates. It’s reassuring to know that you can use the same route even if your nationality is different.
[Related Article] UK Entry Requirements: Insider Guide 2026
Skipping Baggage Claim: From Plane to Arrival Lounge in Record Time
Once we’d cleared immigration, we came to the baggage reclaim area, but as we had no checked-in luggage, we simply walked straight through without a second thought. We headed for the exit via the ‘Nothing to Declare’ green channel at customs.
3. Travelling Light: Getting from the Airport to Our Accommodation
After leaving the airport, we took public transport to New Milton. New Milton, where my mother lives, is a small town in the south of England. From Heathrow Airport, you can easily get there by taking a bus and then a train.
Leaving the airport, the bus journey through the countryside of southern England is pleasant and heightens the sense of travel, but in reality, as we hadn’t slept enough on the plane, we fell fast asleep and had no time to enjoy the view from the window. The fact that you can sleep soundly on a bus is a testament to the relatively good security in the UK, but do please keep an eye on your valuables.
[Related Article] Heathrow to South Coast: The Smartest Way to New Milton
Why travelling with a small Backpack Makes UK Public Transport Stress-Free
Carrying just a small backpack makes UK public transport stress-free because it eliminates the physical bottlenecks of traditional luggage. Navigating narrow train aisles, crowded Tube carriages, and historic stations with endless stairs becomes effortless when you are hands-free and agile. Instead of worrying about packed luggage areas or rushing for tight platform connections with a heavy suitcase, a backpack allows you to move seamlessly, fit into any tight space, and adapt instantly to sudden platform changes or busy commuter rushes.
4. Fighting the Nod: Our Day 1 Jet Lag Survival Routine
How to Stay Awake on Your First Day in the UK
The time difference between Montreal and the UK is five hours (as both observe daylight saving time, this may be reduced to four hours depending on the time of year). Jet lag can be quite tough, but once you’ve got through the first couple of days, it’s no problem.
As we arrived in London in the morning, I think the best way to combat jet lag is to stay awake until the evening. That’s why our approach is to keep as active as possible from the very first day. Though when I say ‘active’, we don’t actually do much more than arrive at my mother’s house just after midday, then spend the rest of the time going for a walk, doing some shopping or preparing dinner.
Hit the Supermarket First: Grabbing Our First British Beers
One of the joys of staying in the UK is British beer. I am a huge beer fan, so we bought some from the supermarket on our very first day. We started drinking while we were preparing dinner, so by the time we sat down to eat, we were already in a good mood.
[Related Article] Best British Supermarket Beers Top 5
5. Wrap-Up: Making It to Bedtime and What’s Next
Jet lag can last for several days, so even once I’ve got through the first day, I can’t afford to let my guard down just yet. I normally take a little melatonin to help me combat the jetlag. Our plan for now is to relax and enjoy our stay in the UK. We’ll be posting about the places we discover on this trip to the UK as we go along, so stay tuned!
🌐 Explore More of Our UK Travel Guides
- For airport transfers, train booking apps, and navigating local rail networks, check out our ➔ UK Public Transport & Transit Guide
- For entry requirements (ETA), internet setups (eSIM), and managing travel money, head over to our ➔ UK Trip Preparation & Essentials Guide
- For minimalist travel packing list and tips ➔ UK Travel Paking List and Tips
- To browse our complete collection of British slow travel itineraries and destination hubs, return to the main directory ➔ The Ultimate UK Travel & Destination Guide
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