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Airport Transportation

London Heathrow Airport

Also known as: Heathrow Airport, Heathrow, London Heathrow.

LHR · EGLL · London

Airport facts

Name
London Heathrow Airport
IATA code
LHR
ICAO code
EGLL
City
London
Country
England
Coordinates
51.4707, -0.4599
Time zone
Europe/London

About London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the main international airport for London and the United Kingdom, and in 2025 the busiest airport in Europe. It sits in the London Borough of Hillingdon, about 14 miles west of central London.

British Airways has its main hub here and flies from Terminal 5, with some flights from Terminal 3. Virgin Atlantic, the other oneworld airlines and Delta use Terminal 3; Star Alliance airlines and UK domestic and Irish flights use Terminal 2; and most SkyTeam and unaligned airlines, plus Qatar Airways, use Terminal 4. Between them they fly to almost every continent.

The airport has four passenger terminals, numbered 2 to 5; there is no longer a Terminal 1. Terminals 2 and 3 sit together in the central area, within walking distance of each other, while Terminals 4 and 5 are on the south and west sides of the airfield and are reached by train or bus.

From the airport, most travelers head into central London, to the West End, the City and Canary Wharf, or out to Windsor, Reading, Oxford and the Thames Valley. The Heathrow Express, the Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line all run into London.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Heathrow Airport Holdings

Runways

Two parallel east–west runways (09L/27R and 09R/27L)

Passengers per year

About 83.9 million in 2024

Terminals

Four: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5

Main airline

British Airways (hub, Terminal 5)

Arrival tips for London Heathrow Airport

Check your terminal before you land: British Airways mostly arrives at Terminal 5, oneworld airlines and Virgin Atlantic at Terminal 3, Star Alliance airlines at Terminal 2, and most others at Terminal 4.

You clear UK passport control first. Many visitors can use the automatic eGates, while others queue at the staffed desks; queues can be long at peak times in the morning. Most visitors who do not need a visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling to the UK. After baggage claim, choose the green channel if you have nothing to declare or the red channel if you do.

In the arrivals hall, follow the signs for trains, buses or taxis. Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line trains leave from below the terminals, and the Piccadilly line has stations at Terminals 2 and 3, 4 and 5. Licensed black cabs wait at the taxi ranks outside each terminal. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you in the arrivals hall.

The UK is on GMT in winter and BST (GMT+1) in summer. Contactless cards work on trains, the Tube and buses.

Ground transportation

Trains are the quickest way into central London; a black cab or pre-booked car is easier with luggage or for addresses outside the center.

  • Heathrow Express to Paddington

    Non-stop trains about every 15 minutes, taking about 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3 (21 from Terminal 5). The fastest option, but the priciest train.

  • Elizabeth line

    Stopping trains through Paddington and across central London, about 35 minutes into town. Cheaper than the Heathrow Express and goes further east.

  • Piccadilly line (Tube)

    The cheapest rail option, about 40–50 minutes to central London, but slow and crowded with large bags.

  • Black cab from Heathrow

    Licensed taxis wait at the ranks outside each terminal. Door to door, but traffic into London can make the trip long and the metered fare high.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals hall, useful for families, groups and trips outside central London.

  • Coaches and local buses

    Coaches and buses leave from Heathrow Central bus station and the Terminal 4 and 5 bus stations, and Hotel Hoppa buses serve the nearby hotels.

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Moving between terminals

  1. Walking between Terminals 2 and 3

    Terminals 2 and 3 are in the central area, within walking distance of each other.

  2. Free trains to Terminals 4 and 5

    Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line trains link the Terminals 2 and 3 station with Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, and travel between the airport stations is free. The Piccadilly line also links them.

  3. Free H30 bus between Terminals 4 and 5

    Route H30 runs directly between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 at no charge.

  4. Airside transfer buses

    If you are connecting between flights, free airside buses run between terminals through tunnels under the airfield, so you stay airside.

Terminals

Terminal 2

The Queen's Terminal, used by Star Alliance airlines, some SkyTeam and unaligned airlines, and UK domestic and Irish flights.

Terminal 3

Used by most oneworld airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Delta and several long-haul carriers, plus some British Airways flights.

Terminal 4

On the south side of the airport, used by most SkyTeam airlines not in Terminals 2 or 3, Qatar Airways, and most unaligned airlines.

Terminal 5

British Airways' main terminal, also used by Iberia.

Airlines and destinations

This directory lists the main airlines at Heathrow and their terminal; it is not a full list of the airport's 80-plus airlines.

Air Canada T2

Canadian cities

Airline guide

American Airlines T3

US hubs

Airline guide

British Airways T5

Worldwide network; some flights use Terminal 3

Airline guide

Delta Air Lines T3

US hubs

Airline guide

Iberia T5

Madrid

Airline guide

Lufthansa T2

Frankfurt, Munich

Airline guide

Qatar Airways T4

Doha

Airline guide

United Airlines T2

US hubs

Airline guide

Virgin Atlantic T3

North America, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa

Airline guide

Airport lounges

  • Concorde Room, Terminal 5

    British Airways' flagship lounge, for its First and top-tier passengers.

  • British Airways lounges

    British Airways runs four further lounges at the airport for eligible passengers and members.

  • British Airways Arrivals Lounge

    A landside lounge where eligible arriving passengers can shower and change before heading into London.

Parking

Short-stay car parks

Multi-storey car parks at each terminal, for pickups and short visits.

Long-stay car parks

Multi-storey long-stay car parks with shuttle links to the terminals.

Terminal 5 car park

A multi-storey car park with about 3,800 spaces; driverless Heathrow Pods link Terminal 5 with the business car park.

Off-airport car parks

Independent car parks near the airport run shuttle buses to the terminals.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Heathrow Airport from central London?

London Heathrow is about 14 miles west of central London, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The Heathrow Express reaches Paddington in about 15 minutes, the Elizabeth line takes about 35 minutes into central London, and the Piccadilly line takes about 40 to 50 minutes.

How many terminals does Heathrow have?

Heathrow has four passenger terminals: 2, 3, 4 and 5. There is no longer a Terminal 1. Terminals 2 and 3 are next to each other in the central area, while Terminals 4 and 5 are on other sides of the airfield, linked by free trains and buses.

Which terminal does British Airways use at Heathrow?

British Airways flies mainly from Terminal 5, which it shares with Iberia, with some flights from Terminal 3. Its flagship Concorde Room lounge is in Terminal 5. Check your booking, as the terminal is shown on your boarding pass.

How do I get between terminals at Heathrow?

Walk between Terminals 2 and 3. To reach Terminals 4 or 5, take the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line, which are free between the airport stations, or the Piccadilly line. The free H30 bus links Terminals 4 and 5. Connecting passengers use free airside transfer buses.

What is the fastest way from Heathrow to London?

The Heathrow Express is the fastest, with non-stop trains to Paddington about every 15 minutes, taking about 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3. The Elizabeth line is slower, about 35 minutes, but cheaper and runs through central London without a change.

Do I need an ETA to visit the UK through Heathrow?

Most visitors who do not need a visa for the UK, including travelers from the US and the EU, need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they fly. Apply online before your trip. Visitors who need a visa apply for that instead.

Where do I find black cabs at Heathrow?

Licensed black cabs wait at the taxi ranks outside the arrivals area of each terminal. They are metered and can take you anywhere, but traffic into London can make the trip long and the fare high.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

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