Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport (LHR  ^IATA) is the main airport for London, the largest airport in the United Kingdom, and the second busiest in the world in terms of international passenger traffic. It is in the west of London, 17 miles (27 km) from central London. It is the primary hub for the UK's flag carrier, British Airways, and for the airline founded by Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic.

Understand

This aerial view of Heathrow shows its huge dimensions

London Heathrow is a giant, sprawling airport divided into four passenger terminals (numbered 2, 3, 4 and 5). Terminal 2 is also called "The Queen's Terminal". Terminal 1 was closed permanently in June 2015. The airport was established in the late 1940s, and is London's primary airport and the premier air gateway into the United Kingdom. It is also the second busiest airport in the world for international passenger traffic and Europe's foremost hub airport.

Due to its size, increased security requirements and the fact that development had not kept pace with its growth, Heathrow has become overcrowded and has developed a reputation for long queues, inefficiency and delays. It has only two runways although its traffic is more typical of airports with four or more, so delays are common, particularly during inclement weather.

Heathrow does not have good snow clearing facilities, and the airport often has to be shut down during snowstorms in the winter.

Baggage security checks

Details for the United Kingdom can be found at the Security Control section of the official Heathrow Airport website.

Watch

“ Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. ”

—Introductory voiceover from Love Actually (2003)

As the most well-known airport in the UK, Heathrow appears in a large number of films, but rarely in a starring role.

• Airport (BBC, 1996-2008). Fly-on-the-wall style documentary series following life at the airport through the eyes of several staff from various different parts of the airport. Running for many years, the series, and some of the staff it followed, became something of an institution.
• Heathrow: Britain's Busiest Airport (ITV, 2015). Documentary series about the complex day-to-day operation of the airport, including areas you may not think of like the wittily-named ARC (Animal Reception Center).
• UK Border Force (Sky, 2008-2009). Documentary series about the UK border agency. Much of the show is centred around border agents scrutinising travellers, ensuring they have entered the country legitimately and not for the purposes of fraud or smuggling.

Flights

Countries served by flights from London Heathrow Airport

Make sure you double-check which terminal you need to use on the Heathrow Airport website as the allocation of airlines or certain flights may change. As of 2024, Heathrow's four passenger terminals have been assigned as follows with not all airlines depicted:

Terminal 2, the Queen's Terminal Star Alliance (Lufthansa, SWISS, SAS), SkyTeam (China Airlines, China Eastern, ITA Airways, Saudia, Tarom and Vietnam Airlines), Aer Lingus, Emirates, El Al, Eurowings, Icelandair, Loganair, Malaysia Airlines, Vueling, and other non-aligned airlines

Terminal 3 Oneworld (except British Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Iberia flights), Etihad Airways, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, and other non-aligned airlines

Terminal 4 SkyTeam (Air France, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air and MEA), Qatar Airways, and other non-aligned airlines

Terminal 5 British Airways and Iberia

Connecting flights

Passengers connecting between two international flights, or from a domestic to an international flight need not pass through customs and immigration if your baggage has been tagged through to your next destination; just follow the signs to "Flight Connections" after exiting the aircraft. However, be sure to have printed copy of your itinerary, or a boarding pass for your next flight in hand, as you will need to present it to security before you can proceed into the airside area of the departure hall.

If you are connecting from an international flight to a domestic flight, follow the signs for "Flight Connections", but you will need to pass through immigration before proceeding into the departure hall. However, if your bag has been tagged through to your next destination, you do not need to collect your bags, and you will instead clear customs at your final destination.

Ground transportation

By car

The airport is some 17 miles (27 km) west of central London. A large part of the journey can be made by means of the M4 motorway, which can, however, be quite congested at peak periods. Terminal 5 can be reached directly from junction 14 of the M25. The airport is also near the M40 and M3.

The car rental depots are all concentrated along the northern periphery of the airport, and free shuttle buses are available from all terminals. There can be time delays when arriving at the hire desk with large queues so make every effort to get to the desk before the crowd, perhaps by getting one member of the party with hand luggage to go straight through. You may find at early morning or late evening that the arrivals hall desk is closed and you have to go straight onto the shuttle bus and check out your rental at the depot instead.

If you are intending to drive into the centre of London you will be liable for the Congestion Charge, which is £11.50 per day and applies on Monday-Friday 7AM-6PM. Automatic number plate recognition cameras are in operation, and your car rental company will track you down and bill you with the hefty fine if you fail to pay.

Parking your car

Entrance to one of Heathrow's carparks

Different car parks have different procedures. There is no shortage of choice when parking your car at Heathrow but there are many procedures to follow depending on which car park you choose. Some simply get you to turn up and report to a reception area which is easy enough. However some others have different procedures such as using the credit card you used to pre book with to enter the car park or even registration plate recognition.

Parking services at Heathrow Airport are just one part of a wide range of ancillary travel service options designed to improve the travel experience. In addition to parking, these services include valet parking, car wash and detailing options, and premium lounge access for those looking for extra convenience. Heathrow also offers features such as pre-booking discounts and fast-track access, helping travellers save time and hassle.

When parking your car, you’ll find options ranging from on-site premium parking to more budget-friendly alternatives off-airport, each catering for different travel needs.

There is also a massive difference in the prices charged by many car parks in and around Heathrow. For example, you can find individual house owners in the vicinity of the airport who are happy to rent you a space outside their house for a week or two and it’s usually very cheap in comparison to the large car park operators; however, this is definitely a case of "buyer beware"!

Of course, there is no security at these spaces – you get what you pay for to some extent – plus you often find that you are left to your own devices to get to the airport. This could mean public transport if you’re lucky, but more often than not, it means getting a taxi both there and back. This usually results in negating any of the cost savings you have made in the parking itself.

Public transport to and from London

Rail and tube lines go to different terminals at Heathrow

London airport links map

All the terminals have very good public transport links to and from central London, with options ranging from local and express buses to the London Underground and rail services. The majority of travellers heading to central London use public transport as it the easiest way to go. Note that there are different rail stations for the five terminals at Heathrow - be sure you take the right train as not all trains go to the same terminals. You can usually check the front of the train or listen to the on-board announcements for an idea of where the train is going. There are no longer off peak fares when travelling by train or tube between Heathrow and zone 1.

By train

A Heathrow Express Train at Heathrow Terminal 5 Station

• Heathrow Express. 05:33-23:48 (Terminals 2 & 3). The fastest way to central London is also by far the most expensive. The Heathrow Express departs from Terminal 5 every 15 minutes, stops at Terminals 2 & 3, and then runs non-stop in 15 min. to Paddington Station where connections are available to the rest of London’s transport system. New Class 387 Heathrow Express trains introduced in 2021 are air-conditioned, modern, comfortable and are fully accessible with a wheelchair area, disabled toilet and level access to the station platforms. Free Wi-Fi Internet access is available on board. Mobile phone coverage is available throughout the entire route, including in the tunnels under Heathrow. On board TV entertainment plays throughout the journey, offering news bulletins, destination information, comedy clips and trivia. Quiet zones are available where this does not play. There are two classes of accommodation - Express (Standard) Class and First Class. First Class offers a larger seat, more legroom (though there’s plenty in Express Class), tables and complimentary newspapers. The First Class area of the train also stops closer to the station exits. Since the journey is only about 15 minutes long either way, the First Class area is something of a real luxury and really only for those with money to burn. Fares can be purchased in advance on the internet, from the station or on board the train and they vary in price depending on where you bought them. National Railcard discounts are available at Heathrow Express station ticket offices only (with the exception of Disabled Persons Railcard, which can be used on-board). Child fares (5–15 years inclusive) are about half the adult fare. Under 5s travel free. If you book your ticket online you can have it sent to you as an email message to print out or as a mobile phone picture message, both contain a barcode and the conductor scans this on the train. Prebooking can go as low as £10. Walk-up rates are notorious in comparison: Single: any time £25, on-board £27; Return: £37. reduced fares available when booking online (as low as £5.50, more details here). Oyster Cards are valid, any time £25. (updated Dec 2022)
• Elizabeth line. Formerly known as TfL Rail and Heathrow Connect, the Elizabeth line follows the same route to London Paddington as the Heathrow Express but is a slower, less frequent train which also serves intermediate local stations in West London. The Elizabeth line provides a convenient connection to the London Underground’s Central line at Ealing Broadway station. Trains depart Terminal 5 for London Paddington every 30 minutes; after Terminals 2 & 3, the Elizabeth line stops at Hayes & Harlington, Southall, Hanwell, West Ealing and Ealing Broadway. The journey time from Terminal 3 to London Paddington is 28 min. From Paddington, trains continue onto stations in the West End, City of London, Canary Wharf and East London. The new Class 345 trains on the Elizabeth line feature accessible seating, luggage bays and Wi-Fi on board. To London Paddington: adult single £11.60 (anytime) via Oyster Card or contactless; to Hayes & Harlington £6.70 peak/£6.40 off-peak. (updated Dec 2023)
• South Western Railway (bus link from Terminals 2 & 3, bus 285, and Terminals 4 & 5, bus 490, to Feltham railway station.). Trains every 20 minutes. Although a slower route, if you are heading for south London or the west London suburbs, Richmond or Windsor, this could prove a useful shortcut. Regular bus services run from the airport to Feltham station (single fare £1.30 on Oyster) and a frequent east-west rail line runs between Reading and London Waterloo (single fare £5). Depending on the route, some trains take 30 minutes (trains via Richmond), others take 45 minutes (trains via Hounslow and Kew), so it is advised to check the train times carefully if you are rushing to catch a plane. You must buy your train ticket before boarding as this is not an airport express train but a standard suburban rail service. You can use Oyster cards valid for zone 6 to use the train and bus on this route.  

By Tube

London Underground’s Piccadilly line direct to central London. Up to every 5 minutes (depending on the terminal). Oyster cards are valid.

The tube entrance is poorly signposted and actually on the opposite side of the terminal from the train entrance. At the train entrance, you will not find anything, neither tickets nor wagons for the tube.

The Piccadilly line runs directly from all the terminals to the very centre of London, stopping at stations close to many of London’s landmarks, shopping and entertainment areas, as well as the major transport hub at King’s Cross St. Pancras. However, the small, cramped Tube carriages have no luggage space to speak of and many central London stations that are deep underground have yet to install step-free access, making the Piccadilly line far from ideal for travellers with lots of luggage. The line also has a large number of stops and is comparatively slow (60 minutes from Terminal 5 to King’s Cross St. Pancras at the far end of central London, vs 45 minutes using the Heathrow Express and changing to the Tube at Paddington). Nonetheless, it is an integral part of Transport for London’s network so Travelcards, Oyster cards, and Contactless credit or debit cards are valid, making it a good value option. It’s also a better option if you want to get to much of west London instead of having to go into Paddington and then back out again.

Trains depart Terminals 4 & 5 every 10 minutes and stop at Terminals 2 & 3 before continuing to London, thus making the frequency from Terminals 2 & 3 every 5 minutes. Trains to and from Terminal 5 do not stop at Terminal 4 and trains to and from Terminal 4 do not stop at Terminal 5. Be aware that if you are heading from central London to Terminals 2 & 3 then it is normally quicker to wait for a train which terminates at Terminal 5 as the trains to Terminal 4 wait there for up to 7 minutes before continuing to Terminals 2 & 3. Terminal 5 trains go directly to Terminals 2 & 3 first, then continue to Terminal 5. The Tube closes during the night for maintenance work and the first trains leave Heathrow at about 06:00. Last trains are around 00:00, but check beforehand!

During peak rush hour periods the Tube becomes extremely overcrowded, particularly in the central zones. Trains designated for Heathrow are sometimes rerouted down the Rayners Lane branch or terminate short at Acton Town or Northfields to deal with peak-hour congestion - the driver will normally make an announcement if this is going to happen. If you are using the Tube to travel to Heathrow during rush hour, ensure that you leave central London in plenty of time. Also, try to join the train as far up the line as possible - King's Cross St Pancras is a good bet - since you will stand a much better chance of finding a seat and somewhere to put your luggage. Also, if you are going to T4 or T5 and a train to the other terminal comes along and it looks like it has space, it can be a good bet to get on that train, then get off at Hatton Cross station (just before Heathrow) and wait until the right train comes along, since in central London the train you actually want may be very crowded.

As the Tube is a rapid transport system designed with short journeys in mind, the trains are not as comfortable as a mainline train. However, from Heathrow there will almost always be seats available and luggage space is provided. There is space for wheelchairs and the Heathrow stations are accessible, but as the first parts of the Tube system were built in the 19th century, very few stations in central London are accessible to wheelchairs. Almost all involve negotiating staircases and escalators. Earls Court is an exception and some other stations can be reached by wheelchair users by changing to alternative lines here. More stations are being adapted (King’s Cross St. Pancras is now accessible, for instance) and accessible stations are shown on the Tube Map available on TfL’s website. Audio and visual journey information is usually provided on board.

Ticketing: The Tube is a closed system and nearly all stations have ticket barriers. Penalty fares are in force for those caught without a valid ticket for the zones they are travelling through. An example fare for travel from Zone 6 (the zone the airport is in) to Zone 1 (central London, including King's Cross St. Pancras) is:

Oyster/Contactless (any time)	Cash (any time)
£5.60	£6.70

If you travel Off Peak (other than Monday to Friday from 0630 to 0930 and from 1600 to 1900) and really want to save a few pound, travel from any airport terminal to Hatton Cross tap out, you will not be charged on your Oyster/Contactless for the journal as you are travelling within the Heathrow free travel zone, you can then immediately tap in and travel to your destination from Hatton Cross (Zone 5), for example, you will be charged £3.50 on your Oyster/Contactless for the journal from Zone 5 (the zone the Hatton Cross is in) to Zone 1 (central London, including King's Cross St. Pancras).

Travelcards (day, or period tickets which allow unlimited travel on all of London’s public transport, not just the Tube) are available and will almost certainly provide better value if you plan on using London’s transport system more than a couple of times. The cheapest option for anyone spending a longer time in London will probably be to get an Oyster card (a Transport for London travel smartcard) or to use a Contactless credit or debit card, which is always cheaper and easier than paying fares in cash. However, the Oyster card can only be returned (including getting back your deposit) after 25 hr or more of purchase. Also, your card amount is not allowed to be above £10, otherwise you need to register online to return the card. See the London article and Transport for London’s website for more information on Oyster cards and other available fares. If you both enter and exit the paid area at one of the terminal stations, you will not be charged anything.

By coach

• National Express coach (direct to London Victoria Coach Station). approx. 07:00-23:30. A direct coach service from Heathrow Central Bus Station to London Victoria Coach Station every 30 min. Journey times are 40-50 min. Tickets can be bought from the National Express ticket office at Heathrow Bus station or on the Internet. Some services operate via Terminals 4 & 5, but the service is more limited. Free transfer is available to Terminals 2 & 3 and the Central Bus Station from Terminals 4 & 5 via the Heathrow Express and Connect trains or the shuttle bus services. All coaches are accessible to wheelchairs. to London Victoria Coach Station from £6; transfer to Gatwick Airport £20; London Travel cards and Oyster Cards are not valid. (updated Nov 2015)

By bus

Day time local buses to the areas surrounding Heathrow.

In the day time there are no local bus services to central London (that service is provided by the Tube), but there are plenty of services to areas of west London and outlying towns such as Slough and Maidenhead. Heathrow Airport have a map and journey planners on their website showing the routes available.

Fares vary depending on the operator, but Transport for London services (red buses) are subject to the standard flat fare when paying by cash (Travelcards and Oyster Cards are also valid on these buses).

If you really want to go by local bus during the day from central London (perhaps you have a bus pass not valid on trains or coaches), expect a journey time of about three hours, depending on exactly where you start from. If you're intrepid, use the TfL journey planner to find details, times and (most importantly) where to change buses, which you may end up doing three or four times depending on where you start from and when you travel.

N9 Regular late night London Bus Service.

During the night, when most of the rail and coach links (and the flights!) have stopped operating, one of the few ways you can get to and from Heathrow is by using the N9 night bus service, which operates to and from Aldwych in central London via Hammersmith.

The service runs every 20 minutes on weeknights and takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes to Heathrow Central Bus Station and continues to Terminal 5. The service is operated using modern, accessible, low-floor busses with a wheelchair space.

The N9 is a normal Transport for London Night Bus service and so is subject to a flat cash fare of £2.00. All Travelcards and Oyster Cards are valid on London Bus services.

By taxi

• Black cabs - London’s famous black taxis - are available for hire outside each terminal. Journey time into Central London varies wildly depending on distance, time of day and traffic conditions. It can take anything from 40 minutes to 2 hours. Fares vary similarly, as a rough guide it could cost about £55 to Central London.
• Minicabs (private hire cars) must be ordered in advance by phone (or the Internet in some cases) and usually cost less than a black cab. Never take a minicab if you haven't pre-booked it, because then it's just a stranger's car.
• Pre-booked airport transfers – Private hire services must be pre-booked and often cost less than black cabs. Options like Heathrow Airport Pickups provide pre-booked services directly to and from Heathrow terminals, offering fixed rates and a meet-and-greet option. For more details on these services, consider searching for airport-specific providers online.

If you are thinking of taking a taxi into London then consider the Heathrow Express (you can pick up a taxi at Paddington station to complete your journey). They will probably be faster, cheaper, and almost as easy to use.

Public transport to the rest of the UK

By coach

Coaches at Heathrow Central Bus Station

• National Express. Operate direct coach services from Heathrow to many cities around the UK, as well as direct links to all of the other London airports. Most coaches serve Terminal 5 and the Central Bus Station, some stop at Terminal 4. You should give careful consideration as to whether National Express is the right means for you compared to rail, as there is a three-way tradeoff between price, speed and convenience in play. (updated Nov 2015)
  • One significant benefit of National Express' service is that they have a generous luggage allowance, dedicated holds for the same on their coaches and direct routes from all three terminals, meaning that while National Express may be slower than the train (often by hours) it is also significantly less hassle and usually a lot cheaper into the bargain - especially if booked in advance. You are also guaranteed a seat, as unlike rail (where unlimited tickets can be sold for a given journey and you may be expected to stand if you can't find an open seat) National Express will not sell more tickets than they have seats available, and these seats are usually comfortable and relatively roomy. Given that rail journeys will often involve multiple changes onto services that may have limited luggage storage space, and journeys on the London Underground, which is often absolutely ram packed and has absolutely no luggage storage whatsoever, this makes National Express arguably the easiest and most comfortable means of getting to Heathrow from around the country with anything other than a carry-on bag.
  • The downside is that the coaches run, obviously, on normal roads and will stop at any number of small towns on the way to their final destinations - any delay (particularly on the notoriously traffic jam-prone M25 orbital motorway around London) can therefore be catastrophic if you have a tight connection, and the journey will be a lot slower and more circuitous than any on rail. National Express also offer limited to no compensation in the event of delays (whereas the railways have a regulated delay repay scheme and a legal duty of care to get you to your destination no matter what, even by taxi if need be - albeit not in any particular timescale) and their customer service is often dubious at best.

Additionally, while some National Express services stop at well-lit, staffed and pleasant central bus stations or even dedicated coach terminals (e.g. Norwich's modern central bus station or Southampton's dedicated National Express terminal in the city centre), many if not most pick up and drop off points will be at normal roadside municipal bus stops which may or may not have seating or even a shelter, and will have no direct contact point with National Express if anything goes wrong. This compares unfavourably to rail, where stations almost invariably are well lit, have seating, have shelters (if not heated and lit waiting rooms), often have manned ticket offices to provide assistance and are covered by CCTV.

• The Airline. Oxford Bus operate a 24 hour frequent (every 20 minutes during the day) coach shuttle service to and from Oxford. Adult: single £23, day return £24, period return £29. (updated Nov 2015)

Connections with trains:

• RailAir (Central Bus Station (Terminals 2 & 3), Terminal 5, Reading station), ☏ +44 118 957-9425. First runs express coach between Heathrow Central Bus Station and the Reading railway station to connect with train services. Adult single £20 (advance online or via iOS and Android app £17). (updated Nov 2015)
• Green Line's #724 (to Watford Junction for trains to the Midlands, Manchester, Liverpool, NW England and Scotland), ☏ +44 844 801 7261. (updated Nov 2015)
• National Express coaches (to Woking station for trains to Aldershot, Winchester, Salisbury, Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth). (updated Nov 2015)
• Bus #285 (to Feltham for trains to Richmond, Camberley, Bracknell, London Waterloo, Clapham Junction and the South), ☏ +44 20 7222-1234. Single under £5. (updated Nov 2015)
• Bus #490 (from Terminal 5 to Richmond via Terminal 4, Hatton Cross and Feltham station.), ☏ +44 20 7222-1234. Single under £5. (updated Nov 2015)

By train

Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain

Heathrow does not yet have any direct rail services to anywhere outside of London, meaning that you will have to go into the centre of the city and then come back out again, but making a connection in one of the central London railway stations is fairly easy.

Through tickets are available to & from Heathrow Airport from any station in the UK, using either the Tube network, Heathrow Express or Connect from central London or the RailAir coach links. If you want to use the Heathrow Express it’ll probably be cheaper to buy your ticket for it separately. Make sure you specify the method you want to use to reach Heathrow when you buy your rail ticket.

All of the major railway stations are also on the Tube network, making cross-London connections from Paddington fairly straightforward. Below is a quick summary of the principal connections available:

• Paddington: (by Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect) For Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Penzance, Cardiff, Swansea and the overnight sleeper to Cornwall.
• Euston: (Tube - Circle line: Euston Square then walk 200m) For Birmingham (New Street), Manchester, Liverpool, the Lake District, Glasgow and overnight sleepers to Scotland.
• Liverpool Street (Tube - Circle line  CIR ) For Cambridge, Stansted Airport, Norwich and the Essex coast.
• Marylebone: (Tube - Bakerloo line  BAK ) For Birmingham (Snow Hill) - slower than the main route from Euston but can be cheaper.
• St Pancras: (Tube - Circle line  CIR ) For Luton Airport, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, high-speed services to Kent - and Eurostar services to Paris and Brussels
• King's Cross: (Tube - Circle line  CIR ) For Cambridge, York, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and daytime trains to Inverness, Dundee and Aberdeen.
• Victoria (Tube - Circle line  CIR ) For Brighton and Gatwick Airport.

If you plan on travelling on the Great Western line to the South West of England or South Wales then another option is to take the local U3 bus from the Central Bus Station to West Drayton railway station. The bus takes around 20 minutes to complete this journey when there is no traffic. From there take a local train to Reading railway station in order to connect to other services. The benefit of this route is that you are buying a normal railway ticket, as opposed to one that has a premium attached for a journey starting or ending at Heathrow.

For information, time and fares for trains to & from Heathrow Airport check the National Rail Enquires website.

See By coach sub-section for connections via coach services.

By taxi

There are many airport transfer services that provide personal transport services to Heathrow Airport. All transport companies that operate transfer services must be licensed with the relevant local authority. Drivers are issued a badge after undergoing various checks and vehicles are issued licenses confirming that they have passed rigorous safety checks and have the correct insurance in place. Drivers and vehicles are licensed as either Hackney Carriages or Private Hire, each one is covered by different regulations. When booking an airport transfer you should always check that the company has a license from the council. This is particularly important when booking over the internet or over the phone. Booking directly with a taxi company rather than with an online booking agency will usually be more cost effective.

Get around

A train connects Terminal 5 and its satellite buildings.

As it's such a difficult to understand and constantly changing place, Heathrow has a significant internal transport system so people can get around. All travel within the airport boundary on Heathrow Express & Connect trains is free:

• The Central Terminal Area houses Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the Central Bus Station, which are all within walking distance, linked by underground tunnels with travelators. The Central Terminal Area is in the middle of the airport between the runways; Terminal 4 is in the south-eastern corner of the airport, beyond the southern runway; and Terminal 5 is in the far west of the airport, between the runways.
• To get from the Central Terminal Area to Terminal 4 you can take the free shuttle train (every 15 min, journey ~20 min) or Tube (free only with Oyster card).
• To get from the Central Terminal Area to Terminal 5 you can take the free Heathrow Express train (every 15 min, journey ~20 min) or Tube (free only with Oyster card).
• To transfer between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 you can either take buses (#482 or #490, £1.75, journey ~20 min) or take the train or Tube to the Central Terminal Area and change.
• To reach Terminal 5 from the car parks, there is a free, automated personal rapid transit (PRT) system called Heathrow Pod which provides a quick shuttle to/from Terminal 5.
• If you are connecting to another flight airside there is a network of free buses that will take you between terminals (if you need to change terminal).
• To reach the satellite buildings within Terminal 5, there is a free airside automated people mover (APM) train called the Transit which shuttles passengers between the Terminal 5A building (Gates A1-A23), Terminal 5B (Gates B32-B48), and Terminal 5C (Gates C52-C66).
• To reach the satellite building within Terminal 2, there is a series of escalators and travellators that take passengers below the tarmac to move between the Terminal 2A (Gates A1-A26) building and Terminal 2B (Gates B30-B49). Give yourself at least 15 min to move between the areas. If you are connecting between two flights at the satellite building, you'll need to make your way to the main building, clear security, then make your way back to the satellite building to catch your connecting flight.

It's always good to have a little extra time when transferring from one flight to another, and this is true especially in a place like Heathrow. On a really busy day or during inclement weather your plane may not be allowed to land at its scheduled time, therefore two or three hours is certainly not "too much" time, especially if your next flight departs from another terminal.

Wait

Many airlines from many destinations serve Heathrow.

Heathrow encourages its passengers to wait near the restaurants, shops, and duty free areas by deliberately waiting to announce gate assignments until 45-90 minutes before flights depart. As the walk to your gate can take 10-20 minutes, pay attention to announcements and keep an eye on the time, lest you miss your flight.

None of the terminals have a viewing gallery that is accessible from landside, but the Heathrow Academy on the Northern Perimeter Road has a viewing deck which gives good views of the northern runway (27R/9L). It is adjacent to the Renaissance Hotel, and the buses within the airport campus (numbers 105, 111, 140 and 235) stop at the deck.

Hatton Cross tube station is also a good spot for viewing the end of the runways, depending on what time of day the aircraft are landing or departing.

Lounges

Due to the prominent status of London as a destination, many airlines have their own specific lounges:

• 1 Aer Lingus Lounge. £30/€30. (updated Jul 2018)
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, Terminal 2B. 6AM-10PM. (updated Jul 2018)
• American Airlines Lounges. (updated Jul 2018)
  • American Arrivals Lounge. (updated Jul 2018)
  • American Admirals Club. (updated Jul 2018)
• British Airways Lounges. (updated Jul 2018)
  • British Airways Concorde Room, Terminal 5 South Concourse, after security on Level 3 (after security, turn right and head toward "Millionaire's Door" to take a First Class exclusive passageway to the lounge - it's almost at the southern end of the terminal). This elite, exclusive lounge only has one other location - New York JFK - and is restricted to British Airways First Class passengers and Concorde Card holders. It has, interestingly, three private cabanas available for rental, which are not available at the JFK location (more details below). It also has a terrace with a sweeping window where one can look at the flights, but be warned that there is a lack of outlets. (updated Jul 2018)
    • British Airways Concorde Room Cabanas. 5:30AM-10PM. Private room with a lounge chair and an ottoman, as well as an ordinary chair. Each one has a private bathroom, which means that it can be a good way to save time as the main showers of the Concorde Room are shared with other lounges. Room service available. (updated Jul 2018)
  • British Airways Galleries Club Lounge. (updated Jul 2018)
  • British Airways First Class Lounge. (updated Jul 2018)
  • British Airways First Class Club. (updated Jul 2018)
• Cathay Pacific Lounges. (updated Jul 2018)
  • Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge. (updated Jul 2018)
  • Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge. (updated Jul 2018)
• Emirates Lounge, Terminal 3. Open 24 hours. (updated Jul 2018)
• Gulf Air Falcon Gold Lounge, Terminal 4, between Gates 6 and 7. (updated Jul 2018)
• Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge, Terminal 4, next to gate 6 at the Departures level. Open 4 hours before departure. Access is complementary for Malaysia First and Business passengers as well as oneworld Emerald and Sapphire tier members. (updated Jul 2018)
• Qatar Airways Premium Lounge. 5AM-9:30PM. Qatar Airways and oneworld First and Business class passengers only. (updated Jul 2018)
• Qantas London Lounge, Terminal 3. 8AM-9:15PM. Allows Qantas and Emirates First (with one guest) and International Business (no guest) passengers, as well as certain Qantas, Emirates and oneworld statuses (see the website for more info). (updated Jul 2018)
• Singapore Airlines Silverkris Lounge, Terminal 2, close to gate B36. 5:30AM-10PM. Allows access to Singapore Airlines and other Star Alliance first and business class passengers, as well as those with gold status in Singapore Airlines and other Star Alliance frequent flyer programmes and flying on Star Alliance flights. (updated May 2019)
• United Airlines Lounges, Terminal 2 opposite Gate B46. (updated Jul 2018)
  • United Club. 5AM-10PM. (updated Jul 2018)
  • United Global First Lounge. (updated Jul 2018)
• Virgin Clubhouse. Available to passengers flying on Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, or passengers with Virgin Atlantic Gold status and flying on Virgin Atlantic flights. (updated May 2019)

There are also several other lounges, which can be prebooked here (click on one of the "Book into..." buttons):

• Plaza Premium Lounge. (updated Jul 2018)
• Club Aspire Lounge. (updated Jul 2018)
• No1 Lounges. (updated Jul 2018)
  • No1 Lounges - Bedrooms, Terminal 3. 6AM-10PM. The overnight accommodation facility for Terminal 3, with stays of at least 3 hours required. (updated Jul 2018)
  • No1 Lounges - Lounge. (updated Jul 2018)
• Rest and Relaxation Room. (updated Jul 2018)
• SkyTeam Lounge, Opposite Gate 10, after security. 5AM-10:30PM. Available for First and Business class passengers on any international flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline and for SkyTeam Elite Plus members regardless of class (only for departing and transfers, no arrivals). First Class passengers and their guest can enjoy a VIP area. (updated Jul 2018)
• Aspire - The Lounge and Spa, Near Gate A18, after security. 5AM-10:30PM. (updated Jul 2018)

Eat and drink

Terminal 2 Waiting Area

Terminal 2

Splurge

• The Gorgeous Kitchen. Four chefs teamed up to create the menu of light modern dishes and traditional British fare. (updated Dec 2019)
• The Perfectionists' Café. Classic British comfort food from celebrity chef and scientist Heston Blumenthal. (updated Dec 2019)

Terminal 3

Budget

• AMT Coffee (Arrivals hall). 24 hours. A coffee shop which also serves a range of snacks. 
• Boots (Departures, before and after security, and in the Arrivals hall). 6AM-10PM. Sells a limited range of pre-packed sandwiches, salads and bottled drinks at a very good price. 
• Costa (Departures, before security). 24 hours. Serves fresh coffee, tea, hot drinks, sandwiches and pastries. 
• O'Neills (After security). 6AM–last flight. An Irish bar, which sells a range of reasonably priced pub meals with your pint of Guinness. 

Mid-range

• Eat (After security). 5AM-9PM. Serves fresh, simple, seasonal sandwiches, soup, salad and cakes, bottled drinks and tea & fresh coffee to eat in or take away. 
• Garfunkel's (Departures, before security). 6AM-11PM. Serves a range of British and American food including decent breakfasts. 
• Marks & Spencer Simply Food (Arrivals hall). 6AM-10PM. Sells a large range of pre-packed sandwiches, salads, cakes pastries and bottled drinks. Not cheap, but good quality and value, after all - it's not just food! 

Splurge

• Brasserie Chez Gérard (After security). 7AM–last flight. Serves a range French food and drink in a casual atmosphere. 
• Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar (After security). 7AM-9PM. Serves caviar, smoked salmon and seafood. 

Terminal 4

Budget

• Boots (Departures, before and after security). 6AM-10PM. Sells a limited range of pre-packed sandwiches, salads and bottled drinks at a very good price. 
• Costa (After security). 5:30AM–last flight. Serves fresh coffee, tea, hot drinks, sandwiches and pastries. 
• Pret (After security - turn left and walk to the gates at the end). British chain of sandwich shops. £2+. 

Mid-range

• 1 Caffè Nero (formerly Bridge Bar). 24 hours. Serves fresh coffee, tea, hot drinks and Italian style sandwiches and pastries. (updated Oct 2018)
• Prince of Wales (formerly Bridge Bar) (After security). 5:30AM–last flight. Serves "pub" food. There are a couple of cask beers on tap and a selection of keg beers as well. (updated Mar 2017)

Splurge

• Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar (After security). 8AM-8PM. Serves caviar, smoked salmon and seafood. 

Terminal 5

Terminal 5 Waiting Area

Budget

Heathrow Airport and British Airways are trying to give their new terminal a feeling of quality, so you won't find any of your regular cheap high-street fast-food joints in T5. There are a few places where you can grab a bite to eat without breaking the bank though:

• Boots (Departures, before and after security). 6AM–last flight. Sells a limited range of pre-packed sandwiches, salads and bottled drinks at a very good price. 
• Costa (After security). 24 hours. Serves fresh coffee, tea, hot drinks, sandwiches and pastries. 
• The Crown Rivers (After Security). 4:30AM-10:30PM. Wetherspoons pub. 

Mid-range

• Caffè Nero (Departures level in the north of the check-in area). 5:30AM–last flight. Serves fresh coffee, tea, hot drinks and Italian style sandwiches and pastries. Has great views of the northern runway. 
• Marks & Spencer Simply Food (Arrivals concourse). 5:30AM–last flight. Sells a large range of pre-packed, sandwiches, salads, cakes pastries and bottled drinks. Not cheap, but good quality and value, after all - it's not just food! 
• Giraffe (After security). 5:30AM–last flight. An alternative restaurant with a very upbeat atmosphere and style. Serves food from around the world, including cooked breakfasts, curry dishes, pizza, sandwiches, fish and chips, salads, burgers, and grilled steak. Not too expensive. 
• Eat (After security). 5:30AM–last flight. Serves fresh, simple, seasonal sandwiches, soup, salad and cakes, bottled drinks and tea & fresh coffee to eat in or take away. 

Splurge

• Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar (T5 and T5B, after security). 5:30AM–last flight. Serves caviar, smoked salmon and seafood. 
• Gordon Ramsay Plane Food (After security, south side of the terminal). 5:30AM–last flight; breakfast until 11AM. An airport restaurant from the 3 Michelin star celebrity chef based on the Boxwood Cafe. Serves a range of fine food tailored toward the needs of airport customers, such as "Foie gras and chicken liver parfait, celeriac remoulade, toasted country bread" as a starter, "Escalope of veal, lemon, capers and a nut brown butter" main and "Valhrona chocolate fondue with banana, marshmallows and waffle" dessert. Not cheap. Casual dress code. 
• Huxleys (After security). 5:30AM–last flight. Serves great traditional British food and drink, including afternoon tea. 

Buy

Harrods at Heathrow.

Amongst its other attributes as an excellent orienteering course and exercise facility, Heathrow is also something of a haven for shoppers with branches of shops from the British high-street and beyond, including the London icons Harrods and Hamleys.

Connect

• Airport website

Internet access

Free Wi-Fi is widely available in the airport. Connect to _Heathrow Wi-Fi. Paid upgrades are available for a faster connection. There are some USB power sockets and some mains sockets (UK sockets and a few European ones) in the lounge areas, but these are heavily used. There are also a few Internet terminals for those who don't have their own device.

In terminal 3 there is a fast and free internet connection with SSID The Club Aspire and password recharge3. No further authentication is required to get online.

Cope

Showers are available to travellers in both Terminals 3 and 4, and in the airline lounges in each terminal. Every terminal has at least one pay-to-enter lounge that doesn't require airline status or membership.

Left baggage: if you're planning a quick visit to London during a long lay-over at Heathrow, you can leave your bags with Excess Baggage Co., which has locations before security on the Departures level and on the Arrivals level of each terminal. The cost is £7.50 for up to 3 hours, or £12.50 for up to 24 hours, with rates for longer deposits available (Sep 2019).

There are multi-faith prayer rooms in each Heathrow terminal, and the airport has its own Christian, interdenominational chapel located landside.

Sleep

You are spoilt for choice if you want a hotel on the airport grounds, with various options to suit different budgets. You have at your disposal 3 full-service hotels, 3 mid-ranged business hotels and 2 budget hotels

• 1 Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3, ☏ +44 20 3729700, reservations@hgiheathrowterminal2.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Mid-ranged business hotel next to Terminal 2 
• 2 Aerotel London, ☏ +44 20 8745-9805, hello.lhr@myaerotel.com. Mid-ranged business hotel next to Terminal 3. 
• 3 Hilton London Heathrow Airport, ☏ +44 20 8759-7755, fax: +44 20 8759-7579, info.heathrow@hilton.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. 4-star hotel next to Terminal 4. 
• 4 Crowne Plaza London Heathrow T4, ☏ +44 20 3971-4411, Reservations@cpheathrowt4.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. 4-star hotel next to Terminal 4. 
• 5 Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4, ☏ +44 20 3971-4433, Reservations@hiexheathrowt4.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Mid-ranged business hotel next to Terminal 4. 
• 6 Premier Inn London Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 hotel, ☏ +44 333 234 6600. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Budget hotel next to Terminal 4. 
• 7 Sofitel London Heathrow, ☏ +44 20 8757-7777, fax: +44 20 8757-7701, guestrelations1@sofitelheathrow.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. 5-star hotel next to Terminal 5. 

There are also several other options in the area near Heathrow.

• 8 Beaumont Estate, Burfield Road, ☏ +44 1793 819000, fax: +44 1753 640100, beaumont@principal-hayley.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 6 miles from the Heathrow Airport. It was built as a family home from the 14th century, and is made up of several buildings - including an old school house and an iconic white mansion – featuring ornate architecture like grand white exterior pillars, barrel-vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows. It provides 2 on-site restaurants and bars, a gym and pool. From £84. 
• 9 Crowne Plaza London Heathrow, Stockley Rd, West Drayton, ☏ +44 871 942 9140. The hotel near Heathrow Airport has a number of facilities including a restaurant, bar and health club. 
• 10 Holiday Inn London Heathrow, Sipson Road, West Drayton, ☏ +44 871 942 9095. Near to London Heathrow Airport and the M4. It also provides airport parking and business facilities. 
• 11 Holiday Inn Slough-Windor, Church St, Chalvey SL1 2NH (M4 to Jct6. A335 signed Slough (centre), 1st roundabout take 3rd exit which is Church St: 10 mi (16 km)), ☏ +44 1753 551551. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Long stay parking. 3-star hotel for airport stopovers, hotel conferences near London or visiting Legoland and Windsor Castle. (updated Aug 2018)
• 12 Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre London Heathrow, Bath Road (Building A), West Drayton, Heathrow, London, UB7 0DU, ☏ +44 20 8759-6611, info.heathrow@rezidorparkinn.com. Modern hotel with 895 rooms and a shuttle service to Heathrow Airport. (updated Sep 2020)
• 13 Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Airport, Eastern Perimeter Rd, Hatton Cross, Hounslow TW6 2SQ (5 min walk from Hatton Cross Tube station), ☏ +44 20 8266-4664, operations@hgiheathrow.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Formerly Jury's Inn, served by shuttle buses and often surprisingly cheap for a hotel in the location it is under the Hilton marque, with prices comparable to Premier Inn and Travelodge if booked in advance (between £48 and £76 per night for a double room). Hatton Cross Tube station is nearby, one station away from Heathrow T2&3 on the Piccadilly Line (£1.50 single fare if paying using contactless or Oyster). (updated Sep 2020)
• 14 DoubleTree by Hilton London Heathrow Airport, 745 Bath Road, Cranford, Hounslow, TW5 9QE (near Heathrow Airport Terminals 2 and 3), ☏ +44 20 8564-4450, fax: +44 20 8897-7014, lhrcl.hotel@hilton.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Airport hotel with a British restaurant, 7 meeting rooms, and parking. (updated Oct 2020)
• 15 Premier Inn Heathrow Terminal 4, Sheffield Road, TW6 3FH, toll-free: 0333 234 6600 (domestic). Check-in: 24 hours. Directly connected to Terminal 4 by a (very long and somewhat serpentine) walkway. One of the major hotel chains in the UK, this one is pretty typical Premier Inn fare - comfortable, affordable, functional and blandly international. Has a pub-style restaurant on site, with buffet and cooked breakfasts available. Usually has the most affordable rates for a hotel directly linked to T4, without having to get a taxi or shuttle bus. (updated Jan 2023)

Nearby

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

• London is the obvious destination for the traveller trapped in Heathrow. With hundreds of years of history and a cosmopolitan and exhilarating culture, one can never be bored in the metropolis!
• Windsor and Eton (for Windsor Castle) are also a short cab ride away, if you would prefer a more sedate option.

Routes through Heathrow Airport

END ←	W  E	→ London Paddington
END ←	W  E	→ West London → Piccadilly Circus
END ←	W  E	→ West London → London Paddington
Reading ← Slough ←	W  E	→ Central London
South London ← Chertsey ←	anticlockwise  clockwise	→ Watford → North London
Reading ← Slough/Windsor ←	W  E	→ West London → Central London
Basingstoke ← Windsor Great Park ←	SW  E	→ merges with → Central London