Heathrow Airport Guide
Heathrow Airport is London’s busiest and largest airport that sees over 80 million passengers every year.
Being a busy and large airport can be confusing for some travellers, so we have put this ultimate guide together.
This guide will make your travelling less stressful so you have one less thing to worry about.
Heathrow Airport Important Information
- Location: Heathrow is located 15 miles west of London in Hounslow.
- Address
- Longford TW6, UK
- Phone Number +44 844 335 1801
- Website Visit website
- Flight tracker: Track arrivals here and departures here
Which terminal at Heathrow Airport am I flying from?
The airport has 5 different terminals (although one of them is no longer in use) and getting dropped off at the wrong one could mean you end up missing your flight, so we highly recommend double-checking what terminal you are flying from before you travel.
You can find out which terminal you are flying from at Heathrow Airport by either checking with your airline or using Heathrow’s Terminal guide.
You should check your terminal before travelling or booking your hotel because being away from your terminal will either add extra distance on your journey or it could cost you more to get to your terminal.
How many terminals are there at Heathrow?
There are 5 terminals at Heathrow airport but terminal 1 is no longer used by commercial flights. Terminal 1 was in operation from 1968 to 2015. With 4 other terminals to think about, travelling to Heathrow Airport can be overwhelming for some.
One tip that has worked well for me is that arrivals and departures at Heathrow Airport are on separate levels, with departures being on the upper levels of the terminals. Visit Welwyn Taxi Online Booking Guide
Travelling to Heathrow Airport for the first time may seem daunting but with a little preparation, you will be fine. Heathrow is a well laid out airport and it’s also easy to navigate.
How to get to Heathrow Airport?
As a private airport transfer service, we would hope you would consider using us when travelling to Heathrow Airport, but if you are looking for other options too there are a few you can choose from.
Getting to Heathrow Airport is simple enough and you can either use a private service like ours, drive yourself or use public transport. When getting to Heathrow Airport you will want to arrive at the correct terminal so once again check your terminal before starting your journey.
How to get to Heathrow Airport Terminal 2
Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport is accessible by car, by our Heathrow airport taxi service, and by train/tube. You can also use a bus, but they aren’t as convenient and won’t drop you off at the terminal.
If you do want to use a bus, the National Express runs from the centre of London and will drop you off at Heathrow. From there you will have to find your way to your desired terminal.
Getting to Terminal 2 by Train/Tube
Using the train/tube to get to Heathrow terminal 2 is simple. You can get on the Heathrow Express from Paddington Station and it will stop at both terminals 2 and 3 within 15 minutes.
Getting to Terminal 2 by Taxi
London Black cabs will charge around £70+ to drive you to terminal 2, so if you do want a private airport transfer to Heathrow you may want to compare prices with our service to save money. Travelling via taxi is convenient but it is worth comparing prices before you travel.
Getting to Terminal 2 by Car
When travelling by car to terminal 2 you will have to find parking. You have a few options with parking at Heathrow. You can either do a long or short stay. Parking at Heathrow can be expensive so try looking for discount vouchers online and booking well in advance.
You can find terminal 2 short stay car park at:
- Heathrow Terminal 2 Short Stay
- Heathrow Terminal 2
- Heathrow Airport
- Hounslow
- Middlesex
- TW6 1EW.
You can find terminal 2 long-stay car park at:
- Long Stay Terminals 2&3
- Eastern Perimeter Road
- Heathrow Airport
- Hounslow
- Middlesex
- TW6 2SB.
How to get to Heathrow Airport Terminal 3
Thankfully terminal 3 is very accessible and once again can be reached via, Car, Taxi, Tube/Train. Once again you can also use the bus but it won’t drop you off at this terminal and you will need to find your way to terminal 3 on your own.
Getting to Terminal 3 by Train/Tube
Once again the Heathrow Express train will take you from Paddington station and get you to terminal 3 within 15 minutes.
Getting to Terminal 3 by Taxi
A black cab to terminal 3 should cost around £70+. If you want to save money you can use our service which will scan for the cheapest airport transfers to Heathrow terminal 3 and provide you with a choice.
Getting to Terminal 3 by car
When travelling to terminal 3 by car will require you to need parking. You will have two options when parking, long stay and short stay parking.
You can find terminal 3 short stay parking at:
- Short Stay Terminal 3
- Heathrow Terminal 3
- Heathrow Airport
- Hounslow
- Middlesex
- TW6 1QG.
You can find terminal 3 long stay parking at:
- Long Stay Terminals 2&3
- Eastern Perimeter Road
- Heathrow Airport
- Hounslow
- Middlesex
- TW6 2SB.
From both car parks, you will then be able to catch a shuttle to terminal 3.
How to get to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4
Getting to Heathrow Airport terminal 4 is a little more challenging via public transport than terminal 2 and 3 but it is still possible. If you don’t want the hassle of changing from train to bus to get to terminal 4 you may want to consider booking an airport transfer with us.
Getting to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 via Tube/Train
To get to Heathrow Airport terminal 4 via the train/tube you will need to make your way to Leicester Square and then take the Piccadilly line to Hatton Cross station. This should take around 45 minutes.
When you arrive at Hatton Cross Station go to Stop A and take the 490 bus to Heathrow terminal 4. This bus should take around 6 minutes.
Getting to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 via Taxi
If the hassle of changing from train to bus isn’t for you a taxi is a good option for getting to terminal 4. A black cab should cost between £70-£80. Whereas our private transfer service will give you the best deal on getting to terminal 4.
Getting to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 via car
If travelling by car to terminal 4 you have the option to drop off out the front of the terminal and you also have the option of using the Long Stay car park at Terminal 4. If the long stay car park is full you may want to park with Purple Parking.
How to get to Heathrow Airport Terminal 5
Getting to terminal 5 is easier than terminal 4 in our opinion and terminal 5 is accessible via tube/train, private transfer and car.
Getting to Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 via Tube/Train
Terminal 5 is very accessible via the train/tube and all you will need to do is get to Paddington station. From here you can catch the Heathrow Express train to terminal 5.
Getting to Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 via Taxi
A black cab to terminal 5 will cost you £80+ but it is very convenient. If you want the convenience of a black cab without the high fees you can use our airport transfer to Heathrow terminal 5 service.
Getting to Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 via Car
When travelling to terminal 5 via car you have three different options for parking. Short stay, Long stay and Pod Parking.
To park at the short stay parking you will need to head to the following address:
- Short Stay Terminal 5
- Heathrow Terminal 5
- Heathrow Airport
- Hounslow
- Middlesex
- TW6 2GA.
To park at the long stay parking you will need to head to the following address:
- Long Stay Terminal 5
- Northern Perimeter Road
- Heathrow Airport
- Hounslow
- Middlesex
- TW6 2QE.
Your final option is something called pod parking which allows you to park closer to terminal 5 and instead of using a shuttle to take you to the terminal you use a new “pod”.
You can find pod parking for terminal 5 at:
- POD Parking
- Northern Perimeter Road
- Heathrow Airport
- Hounslow
- Middlesex
- TW6 2GX.
Getting to the airport – Additional tips
Getting to the airport is one of the most stressful parts of travelling. Sometimes whatever can go wrong will go wrong too, so when travelling to the airport via car, taxi, train or tube be sure to leave enough time for travelling in case your vehicle breaks down or there’s traffic, or there are delays to public transport.
There have been multiple times where public transport has let me down and I have nearly missed a flight. By giving yourself an extra hour or two you can avoid this situation entirely and also have a less stressful journey.
When should you arrive at Heathrow for an international flight?
It is recommended that you arrive at Heathrow Airport 3 hours before your international flight. Heathrow is a large airport so getting to your terminal and check-in gate can take longer than other airports you may have been used to in the past.
How to pick someone up from Heathrow
Each terminal at Heathrow Airport will have pickup points where you can collect arrivals. When heading to the terminal of your choice you will need to find the corresponding short stay car park.
Prices vary on these short stay car parks so be sure to have enough money on you as there will be a fee needed to be paid. Costs run between £2.50 and £4.50.
Other travellers have found cheaper alternatives by parking nearby, however, the choice is yours.
Facilities in Heathrow to help when travelling
Travelling can be a tiring and stressful experience, and if you have additional needs it can be even tougher. Thankfully Heathrow Airport has facilities that can help.
Travelling with Kids
Travellers with kids should look for “Stay & Play” locations around Heathrow Airport. The stay and play areas have everything needed to keep your children entertained while you are waiting for your flight.
At the stay and play areas, you can expect slides, soft play, colouring activities and more. The stay and play areas are open from 6 am to 9 pm every day.
You can find stay and play in the following terminals:
- Terminal 2 – Stay & Play is in the main Terminal 2A departure lounge (after security), near Gate 16.
- Terminal 3 – Stay & Play above the departures lounge (after security), access via stairs and lifts behind Dixons Travel
- Terminal 4 – Stay & Play is in the departure lounge (after security), on the way to Gates 1-6.
- Terminal 5 – Stay & Play is in the main Terminal 5A departure lounge (after security), near Gate A7.
Do you need special assistance when travelling?
If you are travelling to or from Heathrow Airport and need help you can call the airport’s assistance team and they will help you with everything from parking to getting around the airport.
You can call Heathrow’s assistance team on 020 8757 2700.
Alternatively, you can use one of the special assistance areas within the terminals for help. You can see a map of these points here.
Top UK Attractions from Heathrow Airport
Other Heathrow Related Frequently Asked Questions
In this article, we have discussed everything a traveller would need to know about visiting Heathrow Airport. Below are some other questions that we frequently get asked as Heathrow Airports best transfer service.
How long does it take to fly to New York from Heathrow?
A direct flight from Heathrow Airport to New York will take 7 hours 54 minutes. With a total distance of 3,450 miles. The quickest flight available at the moment takes 7 hours 30 minutes, while some airlines can take over 10 hours.
How long does it take to fly from JFK to Heathrow?
The average flight time from JFK international airport to Heathrow is 7 hours 24 minutes.
How long does it take to fly from Heathrow to Johannesburg?
The average flight time from Heathrow Airport to Johannesburg is 11 hours 30 minutes with a total distance of 9080 kilometres flown. Non-direct flights which stop in Abu Dhabi can take 21 hours+.
How long does it take to fly from Heathrow to Melbourne?
The average direct flight time from Heathrow to Melbourne is 22 hours, With a total distance of 10,520 miles flown.
How long does it take to fly to Sydney from London Heathrow?
The average direct flight time from Sydney to London Heathrow is 21 hours 41 minutes.
How long does it take to fly from Bangkok to Heathrow?
Depending on the airline you use, Bangkok to London Heathrow could take between 11 hours 30 minutes and 13 hours.
How long does it take to fly from Heathrow to Dubai?
The average flight time from Heathrow to Dubai is 6 hours 50 minutes.
How long does it take to fly from Heathrow to Calgary?
The average time taken to fly from Heathrow to Calgary is 9 hours.
How long does it take to fly from Dublin to Heathrow?
You can expect a flight time of 1 hour 15 minutes when you fly from Dublin to Heathrow.
How long does it take to fly from Heathrow to San Francisco?
The average flight time from Heathrow to San Francisco international is 11 hours.
How long does it take to fly from London Heathrow to Miami?
The average flight time from Heathrow to Miami is 9 hours and 50 minutes.
How long does it take to fly from Heathrow to Amsterdam?
The average flight time from Heathrow to Amsterdam airport is 1 hour.
How long does it take to fly from Heathrow to Chicago?
The average flight time from Heathrow to Chicago Airport is 8 hours 45 minutes with a total of 3,939 miles flown.
How long does it take to fly to Heathrow from Glasgow?
The average flight time from Heathrow to Glasgow airport is 1 hour 20 minutes.
How long does it take to fly from Heathrow to Cape Town?
The average flight time from Heathrow to Cape Town is 11 hours and 45 minutes.
How long does it take to fly from Heathrow to Helsinki?
The average flight time from Heathrow to Helsinki is 2 hours and 50 minutes.
How long does it take to fly from Heathrow to Newcastle?
The average flight time from Heathrow to Newcastle is 1 hour and 25 minutes.
How long des it take to fly from Heathrow to LA?
The average flight time from Heathrow to LA is 11 hours 10 minutes.
How long does it take to fly from Hong Kong to London Heathrow?
It takes 12 hours 55 minutes to fly from Hong Kong to London Heathrow.
How much is Heathrow Express?
A single one-way ticket costs £5.50 for the Heathrow Express when booked in advance either on their website or through their app.
Which terminal does Virgin fly from at Heathrow?
Virgin Atlantic use terminal 3 at Heathrow airport (LHR).
Where does British Airways (BA) fly to from Heathrow?
British Airways fly to a wide range of destinations from Heathrow including France, the USA, Vienna, Prague and much more. You can find a full destination list here.
What terminal do Emirates fly from at Heathrow?
Emirate Airlines use terminal 3 at Heathrow airport.
How many flights per day Heathrow?
Around 1300 flights a day take off or land at Heathrow airport. Due to coronavirus restrictions, this number may be affected.
How many runways does Heathrow airport have?
Heathrow Airport currently has 2 runways with plans for a third.
How to get from Heathrow to Gatwick Airport?
You can get from Heathrow Airport to Gatwick airport by using our Gatwick Airport transfer service. You can also use the National Express bus service which has a direct transfer service between the airports. However, this option is slower than a private taxi service and can take up to 70 minutes in transfer time.
How long does it take to get through Heathrow arrivals in 2021?
The agreed time to get through Heathrow arrivals is 25 minutes, however with Covid and Brexit restrictions travellers are experiencing 1 hour+ delay.
How to get a taxi from Heathrow Airport?
Black cabs are located outside in the taxi ranks of each Heathrow Airport terminal. Black cabs can be more expensive than private cabs and if you want to compare prices check out our Heathrow transfer service.
What train line is Heathrow on?
Heathrow Airport is on the Piccadilly line. Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect run every 15 minutes, seven days a week.
How do you get to Heathrow at night?
The best way to get to Heathrow at night would be to either drive or use a private transfer service.
How far is Windsor from Heathrow?
Windsor is 10 miles away from Heathrow and could take anywhere from 14 minutes in a private taxi to over 1 hour 20 minutes on public transport. You can expect to pay anywhere from £2 to £30 depending on your mode of transport.
How much is a taxi from Gatwick to Heathrow?
A taxi from Gatwick to Heathrow could cost between £70-£80. Please check our private transfer service for a better rate.
Which terminal does United Airlines use at Heathrow?
United Airlines use terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport.
How to get from terminal 5 to terminal 3 Heathrow?
You can transfer between terminal 5 and terminal 3 at Heathrow airport by using the underground and shuttle service. The service is free and can take around 20 minutes in transfer time.
To see how to transfer between other terminals at Heathrow check out this page.
How long does it take from St Pancras to Heathrow?
There is a direct train between St Pancras International and Heathrow airport which depart every 15 minutes and take up to 55 minutes in total.
Where can I buy an oyster card at Heathrow Airport?
You can buy an Oyster Card at any of the tube stations in Heathrow Airport. You can purchase them either from a clerk at the window or you can use one of the available machines. Both options will take cash or a card.
The Ultimate Guide to Heathrow Airport – Summary
Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in the UK and for a first-time traveller, it can be confusing and a little daunting. With our guide, we hope to have covered any questions you may have and we hope your travels are a little easier because of it.
If you have found this guide useful or know someone who could use it please feel free to share it with them. If you have any questions we haven’t answered or you think there is something we could add to this guide to make it better please let us know too.
Thanks for reading and safe travels.