Airport Guides
London Heathrow: Terminals, Transfers and the First Hour on the Ground
Heathrow handles more long haul traffic than any other European airport, and the difference between an easy arrival and a frustrating one usually comes down to knowing which terminal cluster you are in.
Comparing your options
Typical characteristics rather than live prices or timetables. Always check the operator on the day you travel.
| Option | Typical journey | Cost character | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth line | 30 to 45 min to central London | About 12 to 14 GBP | Best balance of cost and speed |
| Heathrow Express | 15 to 20 min to Paddington | 25 GBP and up | Fastest option, business travel |
| Piccadilly line | 50 to 65 min | About 5 to 6 GBP | Budget travel, light bags |
| Black cab or private car | 40 to 90 min | 70 to 110 GBP | Groups, luggage, late nights |
Four terminals, two clusters
Heathrow operates Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. Terminals 2 and 3 sit together in the central area and are walkable through a covered pedestrian tunnel. Terminals 4 and 5 are separate satellites, each with its own rail station and its own road access.
Free transfers between terminals are available on the Elizabeth line, the Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly line, but only for the airport hops. Allow 20 minutes plus waiting time for any terminal change, and considerably more if you are moving between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
Arrivals in practice
Automated border gates handle most passport holders from a wide list of countries, and they are genuinely fast when they are all working. The bottleneck at Heathrow is more often baggage reclaim, which can add 20 to 40 minutes after a full long haul aircraft lands.
Every terminal funnels arriving passengers into a single meeting area. It is busy, it is loud, and it is a poor place to make decisions. Decide on your onward transport before you land.
Getting into London
The Elizabeth line changed the arithmetic for most travelers. It runs from all Heathrow terminals through Paddington and on across central London to Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf, at a fraction of the Heathrow Express price and only 10 to 15 minutes slower.
The Piccadilly line remains the cheapest way in, though it stops frequently and its carriages were not designed with large suitcases in mind. Road transfers are predictable at night and unpredictable at any point between 07:00 and 10:00 or 16:00 and 19:00.
Things travelers commonly get wrong
- Assuming Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 are close together. They are on opposite sides of the airport.
- Booking a same day connection through central London without allowing for rail engineering works at weekends.
- Expecting to buy a physical travel card. Contactless bank cards and mobile payment work on every rail option.
- Underestimating the walk from the aircraft to the immigration hall in Terminal 5, which can exceed 15 minutes.
Keep reading
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