London Heathrow airport Arrivals and Departures

Heathrow Departures Information

Heathrow Airport has four terminal buildings: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Heathrow Terminal 2

Terminal 2 is largely for flights to European destinations as well as a few long-haul destinations. Some airlines include Air Canada, Air China, German Wings and Lufthansa. Terminal 2 can be accessed on foot via a pedestrian underpass that links it to Terminal 3. This will take approximately 10 minutes. Special assistance can be requested for those with difficulty walking. Check-in desks are located on the top floor of the terminal. LHR Arrivals are located on Level 1 and Flight Departures on Level 5.

Heathrow Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is largely for long-haul flights, although some are to European destinations. Some airlines operating from Terminal 3 include Cathay Pacific, Delta Airlines, Emirates, Finn Air, Oman Air and Virgin Atlantic. Terminal 3 can be accessed on foot via a pedestrian underpass that links it to Terminal 2. This will take approximately 10 minutes. Special assistance can be requested for those with difficulty walking. Check-in desks are located on the ground floor at the front of the building. LHR Departures are on the first floor.

Heathrow Terminal 4

Terminal 4 is largely for long-haul and European destinations, with airlines including Air India, Delta and KLM flying from this terminal. Free shuttle trains operate between Heathrow Central station (at Terminals 2 & 3) and Terminal 4. There are four trains every hour and the journey time is approximately 20 minutes. Check-In desks are located on the first floor. LHR Flight Arrivals are located on the ground floor and Flight Departures are on the first floor.

Heathrow Terminal 5

Heathrow Terminal 5 is used exclusively by British Airways and Iberia airlines. Heathrow Express trains travel between Heathrow Central station (Terminals 2 & 3) and Terminal 5 and are free. They operate every 15 minutes and take approximately 20 minutes. London Underground trains also operate between the terminals but are only free of charge with an Oyster card or a contactless payment card. The journey by underground is approximately 16 minutes. Check-In desks are located on level 3. LHR Flight Departures are from levels 2 and 4 and Flight Arrivals from the ground floor.

When do I check-in at Heathrow Airport?

Heathrow Airport recommends the following minimum check-in times:

Long-haul flights you should arrive three hours before scheduled departure.

European flights you should arrive two hours before scheduled departure.

UK and Ireland flights it is best to be at the airport 90 minutes before scheduled departure.

If you have already checked in online still allow plenty of time for dropping off bags, collecting boarding passes and getting to your gate.

Heathrow Arrivals Information

Check which Heathrow terminal the flight is arriving into if you're meeting friends and family – you should be able to find out via the airline or using our flight schedule above. The official airport meeting points at Heathrow are signposted and can be found in the following locations;

Terminal 2 – Opposite the exit to international arrivals

Terminal 3 – In the Arrivals building ground floor seating area

Terminal 4 – Next to WHSmith in arrivals on the ground floor

Terminal 5 – There two signposted meeting points on the ground floor, opposite Travelex and another near Costa coffee

Hotels at the terminal

If you need to stop over at Heathrow Airport there is a choice of hotels available;
Terminal 3: Traveller Lounge – mid-price hotel
Terminal 4: Hilton Hotel – luxury four star hotel and YOTEL – Japanese capsule hotel
Terminal 5: Sofitel – luxury five star hotel
National Express operates free buses between the airport and most of the above hotels. Check with your hotel for further information. Alternatively there are hotel and parking packages combining a room in a hotel and a space in a Long Stay Car Park.

Pick up and drop off at Heathrow Airport

If you are meeting someone from a flight you must use the Short Stay Car Park as waiting is not permitted on any terminal forecourt. Alternatively you can use the Long Stay Car Park which is free of charge for up to two hours. Please note that re-entry to the Long Stay is prohibited within 24 hours. Dropping someone off for their flight? There are set-down lanes outside the terminals but waiting is not permitted.

Where should I park at Heathrow Airport?

Heathrow Airport has a number of parking options:
There are Short Stay car parks right next to each terminal which can be booked in advance for stays of two hours or more at Terminal 2, 3, 4 and 5. Short Stay car parks are located as follows;

• Terminal 2: Latitude: +51.47029. Longitude -0.45205. Postcode TW6 1EW
• Terminal 3: Latitude: +51.47047. Longitude: -0.45546. Postcode TW6 1QG
• Terminal 4: Latitude: +51.45857. Longitude: -0.44674. Postcode TW6 3XA
• Terminal 5: Latitude: +51.47443. Longitude: -0.49087. Postcode TW6 2GA.

Heathrow has Long Stay car parks at every terminal, all of which are serviced by buses that run every 10 to 15 minutes and take between 5 and 10 minutes to reach each terminal. This is the best parking option if you are going away for a couple of days or more. Long Stay Car Parks are located as follows;

• Terminals 2 and 3: Latitude: +51.47676 Longitude: -0.42088.
• Terminal 4: Latitude: +51.45533 Longitude: -0.44848.
• Terminal 5 Latitude: +51.47986 Longitude: -0.46902.

There is also Premium and Valet parking available at all terminals.

How to get to and from Heathrow Airport

Heathrow by car

Heathrow Airport is 15 miles from central London and easily accessible via the M4 and M25 motorways. From the M4 exit at junction 4 or from the M25 exit at junction 15 to reach LHR Terminals 2 and 3. Satnav postcodes are;

• Terminal 2: TW6 1EW
• Terminal 3: TW6 1QG
• Terminal 4 is in the southern part of the airport site with a separate entrance. Exit the M25 at junction 14 or from the M4, exit at junction 4b and follow signs for the airport. Satnav postcode; TW6 3XA
• Terminal 5 is on the Western Perimeter Road with its own entrance. From the M25 exit at junction 14 or from the M4 exit at junction 4b and follow signs to the airport. Satnav postcode; TW6 2GA
  

  Heathrow by train

  Heathrow Central Station is located at Heathrow Airport 'Terminals 1-3' and connects the airport to central London and beyond. There are two services to choose from, the Heathrow Express which runs between the airport and London Paddington in just 15 minutes departing every 15 minutes or Heathrow Connect which departs every 30 minutes, takes between 30 and 50 minutes and calls at various local stations in west London. The airport is also served by the London Underground Piccadilly Line, which has dedicated stations at all terminals.

Book train tickets with Skyscanner

Heathrow by bus or coach

National Express and other coach companies run services from Heathrow to more than 500 destinations across the UK. There is also an extensive local bus network running services to west London, the Thames Valley and beyond.

Heathrow by bicycle

Heathrow can be accessed via a network of cycle paths, both from central London and further afield. The Grand Union Canal towpath is the scenic route from the airport to Paddington. There are secure parking racks in the Heathrow Cycle Hub which is on Newall Road (adjacent to Bath Road) from where there is a complimentary bus service to the airport. These run 24 hours a day. Alternatively, bikes can also be stored in the left baggage office for up to 90 days. Cyclists are not allowed to access Terminals 2 and 3 using the main tunnel.
Cycle parking is located;

• Terminals 2 and 3: The Cycle Hub, Heathrow Academy, Newall Road, TW6 2AP
• Terminal 4: Opposite the arrivals forecourt
• Terminal 5: At either end of the terminal building

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