Navigating Heathrow Airport isn’t complicated with clear signage throughout. With four main terminals (T1 closed in 2015) and fast connections, here’s everything you need to know to travel smoothly. Consult the official Heathrow Airport website for useful maps and information.
Flight connections
- Follow the purple Flight Connections signs if transferring between flights on a single ticket.
- Transfer between terminals takes a few minutes and is by airside buses departing every 6-10 minutes.
- You will need to clear security again*, though not immigration, so beware of liquids restrictions.
- Only do this if any hold luggage is checked through to your final destination.
* Expect to go through security again. This is because domestic and international arrivals are mixed. The exception is if you arrive at T5 from a destination in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man (CTA link) destination and you are departing from T5 too. See UK Gov website for UK Government information. The following only applies if landside: you will have cleared passport control and customs. Heathrow Airport official guide to changing terminals.
Train connections: quick and free between terminals
- Trains are the fastest way to travel between terminals.
- Options are: Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly Line underground/tube.
- Helpful staff are available at ticket barriers and on platforms for advice.
- Terminal transfers are free; a contactless card is required but you won’t be charged.
- There is a lot less space for luggage on the smaller Piccadilly Line trains.
- A separate means of contactless ‘payment’ for each passenger is required.
- Charges apply for journeys beyond the airport.
- Piccadilly Line trains do not have air conditioning.
Best options are:
- Terminal 2, 3 to/from Terminal 4: Elizabeth Line. 5-minute journey at 15 minute intervals.
- Terminal 2, 3 to/from Terminal 5: Elizabeth Line or Heathrow Express 5-minute journey every few minutes.
- Terminal 4 to/from Terminal 5: change at Terminals 2/3.
Bus tips: what you need to know
- With the exception of the free H30 route a flat fare of £1.75 applies regardless of where you get off.
- Each passenger must use a separate contactless card or device.
- You can’t make a single purchase for more than one passenger.
- Contactless touch only when boarding. No need to scan on exit as fares are fixed.
- For more details on payment options, visit the official TFL website.
when catching a bus, put your hand out to signal the bus driver to stop. Board at the front and exit at the middle door. Press a red bell button to signal before your stop. Stops are displayed on electronic screens.
for information on how to get to or from a specific hotel, see the ‘Bus Details’ tab on the relevant Heathrow hotel directory entry.
Third-party Hotel Hoppa buses are more expensive than local buses. They also often go via numerous other hotels; for example from Hyatt Place, the Hotel Hoppa H5B goes via another 6 hotels, taking over 40 minutes to reach Terminal 5. The same journey on a local 423 bus from opposite the hotel takes just 6 minutes.
Example journey: from Terminal 4 to a hotel north of the airport
- Take the Elizabeth line train to Terminal 2/3 with trains departing every 15 minutes for a 5 minute journey.
- Walk, following signs to the Central Bus Station.
- From there, catch a local bus like the U3 (stop 18) or the 105 (stop 19) as explained in the Heathrow hotel directory entry for your hotel.
Travelling with luggage
There is ample storage space on trains. You can also bring luggage on buses, but space may be limited during busy times and storage is limited. If a driver refuses travel due to overcrowding, consider these alternatives: Alternative bus: Either the next one or an alternative covering the same route. Taxis: Uber or a (more expensive) black taxi are convenient options for direct journeys. Ranks are outside each terminal. There is a £7 drop off charge which is included in your Uber fare.
NB The RIBA Stirling Prize winner Elizabeth Line, is affectionately known as the “Lizzie Line” in honour of Her Majesty the late Queen.
Allow plenty of time
allow 90 mins for connections from a different terminal and 75 minutes if staying at the same one. Be at the gate by departure time-20, when flights normally close. If you arrive later than that you may be denied boarding. Note that for many airlines, the gate team have no ability to exercise discretion once the flight is closed. Clearing security via Flight Connections can be protracted, particularly if the number of machines in use are restricted so do allow plenty of time.
Information is correct at the time of publication but should be checked for accuracy.