Frequently asked questions

The easiest way is probably by coach with the journey typically taking 50 mins to an hour. With road works or heavy traffic on the M25 motorway it can take longer. National Express is one option and The Oxford Bus Company is another.

Travelling by train, catch the Elizabeth line train (see TFL map) to Farringdon, change to a Thameslink train which stops at Gatwick airport.

Car parks at the airport are run by Heathrow Airport. Short stay at terminals or long stay with park and ride options can be found on the Heathrow website.

Please see our guide to connecting flights here.

Yes and the modern train carriages are larger with more space for luggage. Tickets are slightly more expensive though and there aren't as many stations. Elizabeth line trains, unlike the Piccadilly line, are also air conditioned.

It depends on your status.

• First, Club World, Club Europe and Executive Club Gold, Silver and Bronze Members: From 05:00 on the day of departure.
• World Traveller Plus, World Traveller and Euro Traveller: From 3 hours before your flight departure, but not before the earliest opening time of 05:00.

Overnight Bag Drop is available if you are travelling on a flight departing before 10:00. You can then check bags in between 16:00 – 21:30 the evening before.

See your airline website for advice and allow longer if you need to check in hold luggage. Two hours should still be fine unless there are any issues on the day. There are time limits for scanning boarding passes prior to security, typically 35 minutes before scheduled departure. Note that if your flight is delayed this may still apply to the ORIGINAL departure time.

Yes, the drop off charge is currently £7. Pay online before or after you drop off, noting the charge is for a single trip. Failure to do so results in a penalty of £80, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days.

For payment details and rules see: Heathrow drop off charge Payment must be made by midnight the following day to avoid a penalty.

There is a 10-minute maximum stay limit which came in on 1 January 2026. Worth noting free drop-off is available at Park and Ride car parks.

Yes if they are on the same booking. You will need their passports and any travel documents as well as your own.

Gates are only shown on display boards around 40 minutes before departure. Be careful if using 3rd party sources in advance as gates often change.

No, passengers only go through Border Control on arrival at Heathrow. On departure your airline will check your passport and visa if applicable.

The bus station serves Terminals 2 and 3. To get to Terminal 4, take the Elizabeth Line, which runs every 15 minutes and takes about 5 minutes. There is plenty of room for luggage. You will need to use a separate contactless payment method for each passenger but note this is free within the airport so you won't be charged.

Follow the purple Flight Connections signs and note these times.

• Between domestic and short haul flights T5 to T5 - 60 minutes.
• Between T3 to T3 for all flights - 60 minutes.
• Between long haul and any other flights T5 to T5 - 75 minutes.
• Between Heathrow and Gatwick - 3 hours.
• Between Heathrow and London City - 3 1/2 hours.

Note that if transferring via Gatwick or London City, you may be checked all the way through but you MUST collect any checked luggage and take that with you yourself.

Visas
Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to change flights at Heathrow. For many passengers including British, EU, US and other visa exempt citizens this won't be a requirement. The visa you need depends on your transit situation.

• If you are staying airside (not passing through UK Border Control)
  • You may need a Direct Airside Transit (DAT) visa. This applies if you are changing flights at Heathrow on your way to another country and will not go through UK border control. Details on applying.
• If you must go through UK Border Control (to collect baggage, change airports, or your next flight is not departing the same day, etc)
  • You may need a Visitor in Transit visa. This applies if you’ll be entering the UK briefly before taking your next international flight (must leave the UK within 48 hours). Details on applying.

Check if you qualify to travel without a visa or need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) here.

New scanners are now in place in all terminals. See Heathrow Airport latest information. Up to two litres of liquids may remain in your cabin baggage, providing they are not in refillable metal or double walled containers in which case they must be empty. Heathrow warns that some airports outside Heathrow still have a 100ml limit, so check the rules before your return journey.

Liquids up to 2 litres can remain in cabin bags and be taken through security in all terminals.
Refillable metal or double walled containers must be emptied but these can be refilled at water fountains once through security. Some airports outside Heathrow still have a 100ml limit, so check before you fly home.

Non-British passport holders may require an ETA to travel to or transit through the UK, or failing that a visa. An ETA is a digital permission linked to your passport and must be obtained before you travel.

ETAs are currently required for nationals of many countries including the USA, Canada, Australia and EU member states. British and Irish citizens do not need one.

Check the UK Government ETA page to see if your nationality requires one and to apply. Applications cost £20 and are usually processed quickly.

See here for a list of nationalities who may apply for an ETA:

The best option is the Elizabeth Line train. See this map. It runs frequently and takes about half an hour to Bond Street, which is just off Oxford Street. Fares are £15.50 with a contactless card. Check the current price with the TfL single fare finder. See the Elizabeth Line map for all stops.

Alternatively the Heathrow Express runs non-stop to Paddington in 15 minutes from Terminals 2/3, or 21 minutes from Terminal 5. On the day tickets cost £26 Standard Class.

The Piccadilly Line is the cheapest option at £5.90 but takes around 50 minutes and can be busy with limited luggage space. It runs all the way through London with options to change to other lines. It is charged on a zone basis. See the full tube map for connections to other lines.

Children aged 8 to 17 may use e-gates but must be accompanied by an adult. They must also be at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall.

It is about a 20 minute drive using Uber or a taxi. Alternatively the 703 bus departs from Terminal 5 directly to Windsor, with the Theatre Royal stop being just outside Windsor Castle. See the 703 bus timetable for current times. The journey takes around 30 minutes depending on traffic.
For more information see the 703 bus timetable here.

Yes, luggage storage is available at all Heathrow terminals. The service is provided by Excess Baggage Company. Charges vary depending on the number of bags and duration.
See here.

Terminal 2: M&S as you exit immigration. Opens 06:00.
Terminal 3: M&S on your left as you exit customs. Opens 05:30.
Terminal 4: Pret a Manger in arrivals, opens 05:00. Or WH Smith.
Terminal 5: M&S in arrivals (to the right as you exit immigration). Open 24H.

No hotel runs a shuttle service due to airport regulation. There are Hotel Hoppa bus services but these are expensive and can have protracted routes.

For example, to get from the Hyatt Place Hotel to T5 takes 40 minutes and costs £7.00 with Hotel Hoppa. Catch the regular 423 bus opposite the hotel instead. It takes just 6 minutes and costs £1.75!

Yes. Take the 703 bus from Terminal 5 towards Windsor and ask for Legoland. The journey takes around 30 minutes. Check the current timetable before travelling as services vary by season.
See timetable here.

Here are some options:

• The Ostrich, Colnbrook (closest)
• The Loch & The Tyne by Adam Handling, Old Windsor
• The Greene Oak, Windsor
• Barley Mow, Englefield Green
• The Fox and Hounds, Windsor Great Park

We would suggest allowing a minimum of 6 hours but yes you can. See how to get to Windsor.

Top Tip: If Heathrow are landing on easterlies (wind from the east) you will most likely land on runway 09L. Those with a window seat on the left hand side (not directly over the wing!) will be able to get a good view of the castle immediately below you on final approach.

There are 4 terminals. Terminals 2 and 3 are in the central area, Terminal 5 (Home of BA) is on the western side of the airport and T4 is to the south of the runways. Terminal 1 closed in 2015.