Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the UK and indeed Europe, serving over 75 million passengers a year.

With four terminals and 2 parallel runways, Heathrow facilitates a daily average of around 1,300 flights to and from 218 worldwide destinations. Heathrow hosts flights from 89 airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, American Airlines, Emirates, Delta and Etihad Airlines to name a few. Furthermore, additional expansion plans will further enhance the airport’s capacity and connectivity, increasing flight numbers by around 260,000 annually.

Location of Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow Airport is situated just 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Central London and spans 4.7 square miles (12.3 square kilometres) within the Metropolitan Green Belt.

LHR is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings and is one of six major airports serving the London area. The airport’s proximity to Central London makes it one of the easiest to travel to. The airport is accessible by car via the M4 and the M25; by train with a dedicated train or London Underground; or by bus or coach.

Terminal 1

This terminal is closed to the public and is now used for training and baggage handling for Terminal 2.

Terminal 2

Known as the “Queen’s Terminal”, it promises to offer travellers a world-class passenger experience, servicing airlines like Air Canada, Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Singapore Airlines and British Airways.

Terminal 3

Known for providing innovative travel solutions for passengers, Terminal 3 was opened in 1961 and houses the UK’s first moving walkways. British Airlines, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air France and Delta operate flights from this terminal.

Terminal 4

This terminal has been recently refurbished and is a hub for European and long-haul flights with KLM, Kenya Airways, China Eastern, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines.

Terminal 5

This terminal is the UK’s largest free-standing building and services flights for passengers flying with British Airways, American Airlines, Finnair, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines and Aer Lingus.

Car

LHR is located on Junction 4 of the M4 and Junctions 14 and 15 of the M25. Depending on your departure terminal, use the below postcodes for navigation:

Terminal 2: TW6 1EW

Terminal 3: TW6 1QG

Terminal 4: TW6 3XA

Terminal 5: TW6 2GA

Just 15 miles outside of London, LHR is easy to travel to by car and is often the most convenient option as the terminals and on-site car parks are well sign posted. To ensure your journey is as smooth as possible, be sure to check your terminal and parking location before you set off.

Alternatively, each terminal at Heathrow has a taxi rank right outside with convenient drop-off points; however, remember they can be significantly more expensive than other options as there will be an extra drop-off charge added to your fare.

Train

Several trains operate directly from Paddington Station to Heathrow’s Central and Terminal 5 stations. The non-stop service takes only 15 minutes to reach the airport and departs from London every 15 minutes. Alternatively, National Rail services operate trains, with Heathrow being a key part of their route.

For travellers using the London Underground services, the Piccadilly line offers a frequent service that departs every 5 minutes during peak travel hours. This line services each terminal at the airport and takes around 40-50 minutes to reach the airport. London Heathrow also offers an internal train service that connects travellers to each terminal at the airport, making travel within the airport a breeze.

Bus and coach

The Central Bus Station at Heathrow Airport serves Terminals 2 and 3 24 hours a day. Combined with the bus stations that service Terminals 4 and 5, they accommodate over 1,600 local bus and long-distance coach services daily. There are also complimentary transfer bus services provided for passengers travelling between terminals. Find out mor about travelling to Heathrow by bus and coach.

Arrive at least 2.5 hours before your flight

Heathrow Airport is known to be one of the world’s busiest airports, operating four terminals across 4.7 square miles. Be sure to arrive at the airport around 2.5 hours before your flight to give you enough time to navigate to your departure terminal, get through security and enjoy the facilities that the terminal has to offer.

Drop-off and pick-up parking

Heathrow Airport now imposes a £5 charge each time a car enters the terminal drop-off areas. Positioned just outside the terminals, these areas offer the most convenient and quick option for passenger drop-offs.

Mind your head

At Heathrow Airport, many of the on-site car parks have height restrictions that you should be aware of before you travel. The short stay car parks at Terminals 2, 3 and 5 have a height limit of 7ft 2in (2.2m), while Terminal 4's short stay car park is slightly smaller, with a limit of 6ft 6in (2m). Each terminal features a designated ground floor over-height area where you'll only be charged the standard short stay rate. Look for the appropriate signage if you're parking an over-height vehicle.

Getting to Heathrow Airport doesn’t have to be expensive or inconvenient. Looking4Transfers compares Heathrow Airport transfers for you, making it easy for you find the cheapest and easiest way to get to and from the airport.

Heathrow cabs

Taxi transfers are currently unavailable to book through Looking4, check back soon for further information.

Heathrow Express

The Heathrow Express offers passengers a direct and fast connection between London Paddington Station and London Heathrow Station. You can reach Heathrow from Central London using this service in just 15 minutes, with trains departing every 15-30 minutes depending on the time of day. If you’re travelling to Terminal 5, please note that this journey takes 21 minutes.

Plus if you’re travelling with little ones, kids ride free! Children under the age of 15 can travel on the Heathrow Express service for free if accompanied by a paying adult. A photo ID may be required for proof of age.

Download a timetable for the Heathrow Express service.

Find out how to book your Heathrow Express tickets.

Buses to Heathrow

Heathrow Airport offers a variety of bus services for travellers. National Express is the primary coach provider for the airport, known for its competitive pricing and comfort.

Most coaches are fitted with modern amenities, including toilets, power sockets and air conditioning, ensuring a pleasant and comfortable journey, especially if you’re travelling long distances.

Find out how to book your bus and coach tickets.

If you're transferring between airports, shuttles from Gatwick to Heathrow are available to passengers regardless of their departure terminal.

Despite being one of Europe’s busiest airports, servicing over 19.4 million passengers per year, Heathrow is more than equipped to keep everyone comfortable, entertained and prepped for their flight. Big high-street brands are available at each terminal, offering everything from last-minute travel essentials to luxury gifting if you fancy treating someone (or yourself) before you jet off.

The food and drink options at Heathrow seem endless with the selection of international cuisine, so even for the fussiest eaters, there’s bound to be something to tickle your tastebuds.

Find out more about special assistance support while at LHR.

Dine in style

Heathrow Airport takes pride in its diverse culinary offerings, influenced by visitors from around the globe. Whether you crave Far Eastern snacks, authentic Italian coffee, family-friendly pub grub, or innovative concept dining, LHR has an extensive range of popular high-street restaurants alongside exclusive opportunities to sample cuisine from renowned contemporary chefs.

Get an expert opinion

Navigating the wide range of stores at LHR can be overwhelming, especially if you're uncertain of what you need or where to find it. LHR has created an innovative passenger solution and was the first airport worldwide to provide a personal shopping service. The team consists of diverse, multilingual retail experts and stylists, meaning that finding the perfect gift for someone, or a pre-flight treat for yourself, is easier than ever. Personal Shoppers are available by appointment only, ensuring a tailored and stress-free shopping experience for every traveller.

You can book your personal shopping experience ahead of time.

Your holiday starts here

If you’re jetting off from Terminal 5, and need some pre-flight relaxation, head over to Be Relax Spa. They offer a variety of massage and relaxation services for passengers. From expert aromatherapy and reflexology to essential pre-holiday manicure-pedicures, the spa provides a much-needed dose of luxury, as well as shower facilities.

Take a look at the spa menu and pre-book your pre-flight appointment.

What happened to Terminal 1?

Terminal 1 at London Heathrow Airport was closed to the public in 2015 as the airlines that operated there moved to the airport’s larger and newly refurbished terminals. It Is now used for training, as well as luggage handling for Terminal 2.

How do I get to Heathrow Airport?

Thanks to its proximity to Central London, reaching Heathrow Airport is very easy. Clear signage and ample parking options make travelling by car one of the most convenient options. Additionally, LHR is easily accessible by the network of public transport that connects the airport to surrounding areas, including direct train routes, the London Underground, and bus and coach services.

Where can I find more information about my flight?

Your airline will send your flight confirmation and details directly to you. However, if you misplace this information, LHR has a comprehensive flight schedule on their site that includes all scheduled flights up to a year in advance. This schedule includes departure date and time, terminal details, airline information and aircraft type. Click the following links to view Departures and Arrivals.

How do I get between terminals?

The airport’s vast size can make travelling between terminals seem intimidating. However, the airport operates dedicated bus and train services to transport passengers between terminals from Heathrow Central Station, and better yet, they’re free to use.

I've lost something - what do I do?

If you’ve misplaced an item at Heathrow Airport, you can find information about reclaiming your items. All lost property at Heathrow is handled by Smarte Carte UK Ltd. You can use their online database to search for your lost items. All lost property is retained for three months from the date it was found or turned in.

Is there anywhere for me to charge my electronic devices?

There are free Power Pole charging stations located in all departure terminals at London Heathrow Airport, before and after security. They are compatible with UK and European plugs, as well as USB cables. View a map of the charging poles.

What shops are available at the airport?

Heathrow has a wide range of shopping facilities in all four of its terminals. From exclusive boutique designers to a global selection of food and drink, view the full directory of the shops available at LHR.