London Heathrow Airport Guide (LHR)

The Quick Overview

Heathrow is massive. It's the UK's busiest airport, one of the busiest in the world, and it handles around 80 million passengers a year. It sits about 15 miles west of central London, and despite its size, it's actually well-connected to the city by rail.

Here's what matters: Heathrow has four active terminals (2, 3, 4, and 5), each serving different airlines. Getting between them can eat up serious time if you're not prepared. And getting into London? You've got options ranging from cheap to fast, but not both at once.

Terminal Breakdown

There's no Terminal 1 anymore. It closed permanently, so don't let old guides confuse you. Here's how the four terminals shake out:

Terminal 2 (The Queen's Terminal)

This is Star Alliance territory. United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, and most other Star Alliance carriers operate here. It's the newest terminal and feels the most modern.

Terminal 3

A mix of oneworld and other carriers. American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic all call T3 home. It's older but functional.

Terminal 4

SkyTeam airlines land here, including KLM, Air France, and several Gulf carriers. It's physically separated from the other terminals, so factor in extra time if you're connecting through T4.

Terminal 5

British Airways owns this one. If you're flying BA, you're going to T5. It's the largest terminal at Heathrow and has the best shopping, including a Harrods outlet.

Getting Between Terminals

Terminals 2 and 3 are the only ones connected by a walkway. It's about a 10-minute walk between them, but you'll need to exit the secure area to do it.

For everything else, you've got two free options: the Elizabeth line (formerly Heathrow Connect) and shuttle buses. The Piccadilly line on the Underground also stops at all terminals. Budget about 20-30 minutes to move between T5 or T4 and the others.

Pro tip: If you're making a connection between terminals, always check your airline's minimum connection time. Moving between T4 and T5, for example, can take 45 minutes or more once you factor in security.

Getting to Central London

You've got four main options, and they differ wildly in price and speed.

Piccadilly Line (Underground)

The cheapest option at around 5-6 pounds. It takes about 50-60 minutes to reach central London, and it stops at pretty much every station along the way. It's fine for budget travelers, but it can feel endless with luggage during rush hour. Trains run from around 5am to midnight.

Elizabeth Line

This is the sweet spot for most travelers. It runs from Terminals 2/3 station to Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street, and beyond. Journey time is about 25-30 minutes to Paddington. Fares start around 13-14 pounds. Trains run roughly every 10 minutes during peak hours.

Heathrow Express

The fastest option at just 15 minutes to Paddington, but it's the priciest. Walk-up tickets cost around 26 pounds one way. Book in advance online and you can snag tickets for as low as 10 pounds. Trains depart every 15 minutes. Worth it if you're in a rush or your employer is paying.

Coaches and Buses

National Express and other coaches run to various London destinations and beyond. They're cheap (sometimes under 10 pounds) but slow, especially during rush hour. Only worth considering if you're heading somewhere outside central London.

Taxis and Rideshares

A black cab to central London runs 50-100 pounds depending on traffic and destination. Uber is available too, usually somewhat cheaper. The ride takes 45-90 minutes depending on traffic. Generally the worst value unless you're splitting with a group or have mountains of luggage.

Lounges

Heathrow has over 40 lounges scattered across its terminals, which is among the highest of any airport worldwide. Here are the standouts:

• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (T3): Rooftop terrace with tarmac views, full bar, sit-down dining, and showers. One of the best airline lounges in Europe.
• British Airways Galleries First (T5): Spacious, excellent food, and the Concorde Room for First Class passengers is genuinely special.
• Singapore Airlines SilverKris (T2): Solid food options and a calm atmosphere in the Star Alliance zone.
• Plaza Premium Lounges (T2, T4, T5): Pay-to-enter lounges accessible to anyone. Decent food, showers, and comfortable seating. Walk-up prices start around 40-50 pounds.

If you have a Priority Pass, you can access several lounges across the terminals. AMEX Platinum and Centurion cardholders also get into Plaza Premium locations.

Dining and Shopping

Heathrow's food scene is genuinely good for an airport. Terminal 5 has a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, Plane Food, where you can get a proper sit-down meal. The Perfectionist's Cafe in T2 is another solid option.

For quicker bites, you'll find Wagamama, Pret A Manger, Leon, and Itsu across most terminals. Prices are airport-inflated, as you'd expect, but not outrageously so by London standards.

Shopping is where Heathrow really flexes. Terminal 5 has Harrods, Burberry, and Tiffany. Terminal 3 has Gucci and a solid World Duty Free. If you're looking for tax-free luxury goods, Heathrow is one of the best airports in the world for it.

Practical Tips

• Arrive early. Security queues can be brutal, especially at T3 and T5 during peak hours. Budget at least 2.5-3 hours before international departures.
• Check your terminal before you leave. Some airlines have recently moved terminals, and showing up at the wrong one is a costly mistake timewise.
• Get an Oyster card or use contactless. Tap-and-go contactless payments work on all London transport. You don't need to buy a separate Oyster card anymore; just use your credit or debit card.
• Wi-Fi is free. Heathrow offers free unlimited Wi-Fi across all terminals. No registration tricks.
• Currency exchange at the airport is terrible. Use an ATM or exchange money before you arrive. The bureau de change rates at Heathrow are consistently among the worst you'll find.
• Liquid rules. The UK has started rolling out new scanners that should eventually eliminate the 100ml liquid restriction, but it's not fully implemented across all terminals yet. Check before you fly.

Sleeping at Heathrow

If you've got an overnight layover, the Yotel in T4 and T5 offers small but clean cabin-style rooms bookable by the hour. There's also the Aerotel in T3 for similar pod-style accommodations. For a proper hotel, the Sofitel at T5 is connected directly to the terminal and is genuinely nice, though it's priced accordingly.

Sleeping on the floor? Heathrow isn't the worst for it, but security will move you along in some areas. T5's departures area tends to be the most tolerant of overnight sleepers.

Frequently Asked Questions