✈️ LHR · London Heathrow Airport · Hillingdon, London

London Heathrow
Airport Guide

Everything you need before your flight — terminals, parking, transport, hotels, car hire, things to do nearby and more.

80M+
Passengers/year
5
Terminals
85+
Airlines
200+
Destinations
About the airport

London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow (LHR) is the UK's largest and busiest airport, located 15 miles west of Central London in Hillingdon. It is one of the world's busiest international airports, serving over 80 million passengers per year with flights to more than 200 destinations across 85+ airlines.

Heathrow operates from four terminals — T2, T3, T4 and T5 (Terminal 1 closed in 2015). British Airways operates primarily from Terminal 5, while Star Alliance carriers use Terminal 2. The airport is connected to London by multiple public transport options including the Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line, Piccadilly line, and National Express coaches.

Terminals

Which terminal is my flight?

Terminal 2
Star Alliance · United · Aer Lingus · Lufthansa · Swiss · Air Canada · Singapore Airlines
Terminal 3
Oneworld (non-BA) · American · Cathay Pacific · Qantas · Finnair · Japan Airlines
Terminal 4
KLM · Malaysia · Saudi Arabian · Kuwait · Flybe (historic)
Terminal 5
British Airways · Iberia (mostly) · Vueling · Level
Frequently Asked Questions

Heathrow Airport FAQs

How do I get from Heathrow to central London? +

The Heathrow Express is the fastest option (15 minutes to Paddington, from £25). The Elizabeth line takes ~35-40 minutes (from £13.50). The Piccadilly line is the cheapest (~£6) but takes 50-60 minutes. National Express coaches serve Victoria Coach Station from all terminals (~60-80 mins, from £6).

How early should I arrive at Heathrow? +

Short-haul: 2 hours. Long-haul: 3 hours. During peak periods (summer, Christmas) add 30-60 minutes. Check-in desks close 60 minutes before departure on most airlines.

Which terminal is British Airways at Heathrow? +

British Airways primarily operates from Terminal 5 (T5). Some BA partner and codeshare flights may depart from Terminal 3. Always check your boarding pass for confirmation.

Is there free Wi-Fi at Heathrow? +

Yes. Heathrow offers free unlimited Wi-Fi across all terminals. Connect to "HeathrowFreeWifi" — no time limit, no registration required.

Can I get the tube to Heathrow? +

Yes. The Piccadilly line serves Heathrow Terminals 2/3 and Terminal 5 directly. Terminal 4 has its own Piccadilly line station. Journey time from central London is approximately 50-60 minutes.

Getting There & Away

Transport to Heathrow

Heathrow Express15 min from Paddington · from £25 one way
Elizabeth Line~35-40 min to central London · from £13.50
Piccadilly Line (Tube)~50-60 min · ~£6 with Oyster
National ExpressCoach from Victoria ~70 min · from £6
Taxi (Licensed)~45-75 min central London · £45-80
Uber/Minicab~45-75 min central London · £35-60
DriveM4 Junction 4 / M25 Junctions 14 & 15
💡 Book an airport transfer: Welcome Pickups and HolidayTaxis offer fixed-price, meet-and-greet transfers from £42.
🚖 Welcome Pickups
Meet & greet · Fixed price · from £42
🚕 HolidayTaxis
150 countries · Instant confirmation · from £45
Heathrow Airport Parking

Compare parking options

Pre-booking can save up to 60% compared to turning up without a reservation.

T5 Short Stay
0-5 min walk · Best for short trips
from £35/day
Long Stay T2/T3
Free shuttle · 10 min · Best value official
from £18/day
🏆 Purple Parking (Best Value)
Off-airport · Free shuttle every 10 min · Meet & Greet option
from £9/day
APH Meet & Greet
Drive to terminal · Hand keys · Stress-free
from £22/day
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Things to do near Heathrow

Popular activities and attractions within easy reach of the airport

🏰
★★★★★
Windsor Castle Guided Tour
3h · 2,841 reviews
from £28
🌿
★★★★☆
Kew Gardens Entry Ticket
Half day · 1,204 reviews
from £20
🎡
★★★★★
London Day Trip from Heathrow
Full day · 892 reviews
from £45
🚌
★★★★☆
London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Full day · 5,621 reviews
from £35

Activities provided by Viator · 8% affiliate commission earned on bookings

Passenger Reviews

What travellers say

Check-in & Security
7.2
Shops & Dining
8.0
Wi-Fi & Facilities
6.5
Lounges
8.5
Overall
7.0
James T. · Business
★★★★☆
T5 is genuinely impressive — fast track security makes all the difference. BA Galleries lounge is one of the best in Europe.
Sarah M. · Family
★★★☆☆
Massive airport, can be confusing. Book parking well in advance online — prices on arrival are eye-watering.
Nearby airports

Other UK airports near London Heathrow

Prices too high or no direct flight to your destination? Consider these alternatives within driving distance.

London City (LCY)
22 miles · England
London Gatwick (LGW)
25 miles · England
London Luton (LTN)
28 miles · England
London Stansted (STN)
41 miles · England

Top routes from London Heathrow

Compare flights from LHR to popular European and long-haul destinations.

LHR → ACE
Lanzarote, Spain
LHR → AGP
Malaga, Spain
LHR → ALC
Alicante, Spain
LHR → AMS
Amsterdam, Netherlands
LHR → ATH
Athens, Greece
LHR → AYT
Antalya, Turkey
LHR → BCN
Barcelona, Spain
LHR → BER
Berlin, Germany
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial guide updated regularly with current data.