About London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow is Europe’s busiest airport and welcomes more than 80 million passengers every year. It is one of the world’s top aviation hubs, servicing more than 80 airlines and taking people to more than 200 destinations around the world. London Heathrow is comprised of four terminals: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Why no Terminal 1? This terminal was in operation from 1969 to 2015 and is now mostly used to process baggage for Terminal 2.
What facilities are at Heathrow Airport?
There is a comprehensive array of facilities and services at London Heathrow. All travellers are considered, with business meeting rooms, play areas for kids, multi-faith prayer rooms and more. From the moment you check-in, you’ll have a whole lot of options.
Check-in
Before you arrive at Heathrow to check in, you’ll need to know which terminal your flight is departing from. Your booking should include this information but if not, ask your Flight Centre Travel Expert or look it up on Heathrow Airport’s website.
Most airlines will allow you to check-in online and download your boarding pass prior to arriving at Heathrow Airport. If you have your boarding pass and don’t need to check-in any bags, you can make your way straight to security at your departure terminal.
Need to check-in at the airport? Self-service machines are available in the check-in areas as well as check-in desks. Simply head to your departure terminal and look for your airline’s check-in and bag drop area. More information on check-in and helpful terminal maps can be found on Heathrow Airport’s website.
Heathrow Airport recommends that you arrive at check-in/bag drop at least three hours prior to a long-haul international flight, and at least two hours prior to departure for a UK or European flight.
Hot Tip for Heathrow check-in: You can now speed up the time it takes to clear security by pre-booking a slot with the Fast Track security service. For around 13 pounds (AU$26) you can reserve a 1-hour Fast Track Security window.
Baggage
Luggage restrictions will vary depending on your airline and cabin class, so the best approach is to confirm with your airline or talk to your Travel Expert about what’s right for your particular flight.
In terms of hand luggage, your bags will need to meet the size restrictions to get through security at London Heathrow. Passengers are allowed a maximum of two pieces of hand luggage each, measuring no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Anything bigger than that will need to be stowed in the hold.
The Excess Baggage Company at Heathrow Airport provides services such as forwarding of excess or unaccompanied baggage, baggage wrapping, or baggage storage. It’s a good idea to advise your Travel Expert if you expect to be travelling with any oversize luggage and they can advise you on the procedure for handling this at the airport.
Packing tip: Don’t wrap any gifts. Security staff at London Heathrow may wish to view the items and so will need to unwrap the gift.
Is there a currency exchange?
You'll find lots of currency exchange facilities throughout each terminal at London Heathrow to stock up on pounds or euros for your holiday. Prefer to get your foreign currency sorted out in advance? Travel Money Oz can help you get organised before you head to the airport so you're ready to go as soon as you land!
What are the other services and facilities?
- ATMS across all terminals
- Bag wrapping
- Baggage delivery
- Baggage shipping
- Business services
- Kids play areas
- Family-friendly restaurants
- Fast Track – priority access through Security
- Group Travel Services
- Internet and Wi-Fi
- Sim cards and mobile rental
- Lost property
- Phone and laptop charging
- Emergency medical treatment and pharmacies
- Multi-faith prayer rooms
- Postal services
- Porters
- Premium services (Meet and Assist, luggage delivery, valet parking etc)
- Smoking and vaping areas
- Runway viewing areas
- Showers and toilets
- Trolleys
- St George’s Chapel
- VIP services
- VAT refunds (Visitors from non-EU countries can reclaim the sales tax (VAT) on purchases from many British retailers)
Transport and terminal transfers
What’s the best way to get to and from Heathrow Airport?
Heathrow Airport is located around 27 kilometres west of central London and very well-connected by transport links. Below is an overview of all the Heathrow transport options, to help you plan your airport journey.
Cheapest: London Underground
Let’s start with the iconic London Tube. The Piccadilly Line provides the most budget-friendly rail route between Heathrow and central London. The trip will take you just under an hour and trains arrive around every ten minutes. Heathrow Airport has three London Underground stations. One station serves Terminals 2 and 3, while Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 each have their own station. You can pay for your journey on the Tube using contactless payment methods.
Although not technically considered part of London’s Underground, the new Elizabeth Line offers another convenient and affordable transport option for those heading from central London to Heathrow Airport.
Fastest: Heathrow Express
Trains provide the fastest option for travel to and from central London and there are two rail services to choose from.
Heathrow Express runs non-stop from Terminals 2 and 3 to Paddington Station in 15 minutes. From Terminal 5, just add another three minutes onto the travel time. From Paddington Station you can connect to the greater Underground and TfL network.
Easiest: National Express
If you’re coming from or travelling to anywhere in the UK other than central London, the National Express is likely to be your easiest option. National Express and other coach operators run services from Heathrow to hundreds of destinations across the UK.
There is also an extensive local bus network around Heathrow, as well as luxury coaches and buses connecting Heathrow with the National Rail networks at Feltham, Watford, Woking and Reading.
Door-to-door: Taxi, Minicab, Car, Chauffeur service
Black taxi
If you want the classic London experience from the moment you set foot on UK soil, you could hail yourself a London black taxi from outside the terminal. Drivers are fully licensed and have passed the Knowledge of London examination, although you can expect to pay for the experience. As a general guide, a trip from Heathrow to central London in a black taxi will set you back anywhere from £61 to £114 (around AU$125 to AU$235).
Minicab
An alternative to the traditional London black taxi is to book a fixed-price journey to or from any UK destination with a private-hire minicab company. WeKnow London is Heathrow’s only TfL-licensed on-site car service, with help desks at Arrivals in every Heathrow terminal.
Chauffeur service
If you’d like to experience a 5-star arrival or departure, you could arrange for your transport to or from London Heathrow via chauffeur-driven luxury car. Vehicles include premium executive saloons such as the Mercedes-Benz S Class. If you have clients to impress, the 8-seat executive minibuses, such as the Mercedes-Benz Viano, are also available. For more information or help organising your airport transfers, talk to your Travel Expert.
Car rental
Renting a car for pick-up at Heathrow Airport is an excellent option if you plan to do a bit of exploring during your visit, whether you’re on holidays or visiting family and friends. All the major car rental companies have reception desks in the Arrivals zones. Talk to your Travel Expert about organising car hire for your trip or book it yourself online before you leave.
Parking
Heathrow Airport offers travellers a number of parking options, with 11 different official car parks within the airport perimeter. You can make significant savings by booking online, in advance, and note that all car parks are well lit, have 24-hour security, and at most are only around 15 minutes from the terminals by frequent shuttle. Below are the choices you have when it comes to parking at Heathrow Airport.
Short Stay
Located right next to the terminals, short stay parking is perfect for short trips or if you’re meeting or dropping off friends or family. You can book short stay parking in advance online for stays of one hour or more.
Park & Ride
Park & Ride parking is a great option if you prefer to drive your own car to the airport and will be away for a couple of days or more, or you're picking-up or dropping-off. All Park & Ride travellers are entitled to free shuttle transfers, which run every 15 minutes and take you straight to the terminal.
Pod Parking
First things first – what is a Heathrow Pod? These futuristic-like vehicles form a small fleet of self-driving cars. Heathrow Pods serve as a rapid shuttle to and from Terminal 5. They are electric, autonomous capsules that travel along guideway tracks and will have you at the terminal in just six minutes.
Meet and Greet
This parking option is a more economical version of Valet Parking. Great for families travelling with children or anyone with a lot of luggage. Simply drive right up to the dedicated Meet and Greet area within the Short Stay car parks, where Heathrow staff will meet you, greet you, and park your car while you check in.
Valet Parking
Heathrow Valet Parking gives you the freedom to drive right up to the drop-off points you’ll find on each terminal forecourt. You save on taxi fares by driving your own car to the airport, and get to offload with a minimum of fuss. Valet Parking is perfect if you’re on a tight schedule, travelling with children, or have oversize or excess baggage.
How do I transfer between terminals?
If you’re connecting between flights at Heathrow Airport, there are plenty of transfer options and many of them won’t cost you a cent! The London Underground, Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line run various free services between the terminals. There’s also the free local H30 bus. Talk to your Travel Expert or check the Heathrow Airport’s website before you fly to find the most convenient transfer option for your specific travel plans.
