Complete Guide to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in 2026

London Heathrow handles 80.9 million passengers a year through just four terminals and two runways. I mention the runway count because it shapes the Heathrow experience in ways most guides gloss over. This is one of the busiest airports on the planet, yet it operates with fewer runways than virtually every airport in its league — Atlanta has five, Dubai has two but is building a third, Chicago O'Hare has eight. The result is an airport where landing slots are rationed like wartime supplies and delays cascade through the day from about 6 AM onwards.

For you as a passenger, the two-runway squeeze means a few practical things. Morning departures tend to run on time because the daily backlog hasn't built up yet. By mid-afternoon, delays of 15–30 minutes are routine. Fog is the real villain — Heathrow essentially falls apart in low visibility because the runways sit too close together for independent instrument approaches. If you're booking a connection through Heathrow, give yourself at least two hours, ideally three if your flights use different terminals.

All of that said, Heathrow remains the UK's most important airport and one of Europe's primary long-haul gateways. Sitting 23 kilometres west of central London, it serves as the main hub for British Airways and the UK base for Virgin Atlantic. The terminals range from dated but functional (Terminal 3) to genuinely excellent (Terminal 5), and the transport links into London — particularly since the Elizabeth line opened — are among the best of any major European airport.

Terminal-by-Terminal Guide

Each of Heathrow's four active terminals has its own personality, its own strengths, and its own frustrations. Terminal 1 closed in 2015 and has been demolished, so if any guide still references it, close that tab. Terminals 2 and 3 sit together on the north side, connected by an underground walkway. Terminals 4 and 5 are physically separate, requiring train or bus transfers.

Terminal 2 — The Queen's Terminal

Opened in 2014, Terminal 2 is Heathrow's Star Alliance hub and a genuinely pleasant place to spend time. Lufthansa, United, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, and the rest of the Star Alliance operate from here. The design is clean and modern with a large central atrium, a striking Richard Wilson sculpture, and enough natural light to make you forget you're in an airport.

The standout dining is Heston Blumenthal's The Crown Rivers, with inventive British cooking that goes well beyond typical airport fare. His Perfectionists' Café next door does outstanding burgers and fish and chips at a gentler price point. The United Polaris Lounge is one of the better Star Alliance business class lounges in Europe, with à la carte dining and a proper cocktail bar — a real one, not the usual self-serve spirits next to a coffee machine. The Hilton Garden Inn sits right next to T2, connected by a short covered walkway, which is genuinely useful for dawn departures. The main downside is congestion during morning peak hours when multiple long-haul flights push out simultaneously.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 handles the most eclectic airline mix at Heathrow — Virgin Atlantic uses it as their main base, alongside American Airlines, Delta, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qantas, and Japan Airlines. If you're flying oneworld but not British Airways, you'll likely end up here.

I'll be straight with you: T3 is the oldest active terminal and it shows. The architecture is functional rather than inspiring, and the airside area can feel cramped during peak times. That said, it houses two of Heathrow's best lounges: the Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge, intimate and beautifully maintained with a noodle bar that makes genuinely excellent dan dan noodles, and the Emirates Lounge, spacious with a full bar and hot buffet. For food, Wagamama is reliable, and Wetherspoons (The Three Bells) serves the cheapest pint at the airport and is refreshingly honest about what it is. The dining scene in T3 is noticeably weaker than T5 or T2. T3 connects to T2 via an underground walkway, about 10 minutes on foot.

Terminal 4

Terminal 4 is the odd one out. Physically isolated on the south side of the airfield, it requires a free shuttle (15–20 minutes from T2/T3) or the Elizabeth line to reach. This makes it genuinely inconvenient for connections — you don't just pop over to T5 from here.

The airline mix includes Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, and El Al. The silver lining of T4's remoteness is that passenger volumes are lower, so security is quicker and the departure lounge less hectic. The Hilton connects directly to the terminal, and YOTELAIR operates airside sleep pods for overnight layovers. But the dining and retail options are the weakest at Heathrow. My advice for T4: arrive, clear security, and board. Don't expect to be entertained.

Terminal 5

Right, here's where I get enthusiastic. Terminal 5 is British Airways territory exclusively, purpose-built for the airline in 2008, and it's the best terminal by a comfortable margin. The architecture is striking — a massive glass-and-steel canopy by Richard Rogers that floods the interior with light. Even stepping off the train here feels different from any other Heathrow terminal.

The main building connects to two satellite buildings (5B and 5C) via automated transit — gates in these satellites need an extra 10–15 minutes, so don't dawdle at Fortnum & Mason if your gate starts with B or C. Retail is the best at any UK airport: Harrods, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Jo Malone, and a sprawling World Duty Free. Dining is led by Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food, which I'd argue is the best airport restaurant in the UK, and Fortnum & Mason The Bar for pre-flight champagne. The BA Galleries First Lounge is one of the best airline lounges in Europe, with à la carte dining, a champagne bar, private cabanas, and complimentary Elemis spa treatments. If you have any choice in the matter, T5 is where you want to be.

Terminal Transfers

Moving between terminals is free but takes longer than you'd think, and this catches people out constantly:

• T2 to T3: Underground walkway, 5–10 minutes on foot. The easiest transfer.
• T2/T3 to T5: Free shuttle train, allow 20–25 minutes total.
• T2/T3 to T4: Free shuttle or Elizabeth line, allow 20–30 minutes.
• T4 to T5: Free shuttle, allow 25–35 minutes. The most painful transfer.

If your connection requires a terminal change and re-clearing security, add another 15–30 minutes. Minimum connection times are listed as 60–90 minutes, but experienced travellers will tell you that's cutting it uncomfortably fine.

Getting To and From Central London

Getting into central London from Heathrow is easy once you know which option suits your budget and patience level — and there are meaningful differences between them. Five main choices, one clear winner for most people.

Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) — The Best Option for Most People

The Elizabeth line genuinely transformed Heathrow transport when it opened, and it's my recommendation for almost everyone. Trains run from Heathrow directly through central London — Paddington (28 minutes), Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf — all without a single change. The trains are spacious, air-conditioned, and have proper luggage space that actually fits real suitcases. They run every 5–10 minutes during the day for around £5.50 off-peak with contactless.

It's about 13 minutes slower than the Heathrow Express to Paddington specifically, and trains fill up during rush hour. But the ability to ride straight through to Bond Street, Liverpool Street, or Canary Wharf without changing at Paddington makes it genuinely faster door-to-door for many London destinations. Daily and weekly fare caps apply automatically with contactless.

Heathrow Express — Fast but Usually Overpriced

The Heathrow Express markets itself hard as the premium airport train, and at over £25 one way, it better be. But here's the thing — the Elizabeth line gets you to Paddington in about 13 minutes more for less than half the price, and the trains are brand new and comfortable. Unless someone else is paying, the Express isn't worth the premium.

The one exception: advance online booking, where prices sometimes drop to £5.50. At that price it's a bargain. At full price, it's a relic of the pre-Crossrail era. The Express serves T2/T3 and T5. T4 passengers need a shuttle first, which defeats the speed advantage.

Piccadilly Line (Underground) — Cheap but a Bit of an Ordeal

The cheapest option at £3.50 off-peak, with useful stops at South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, and King's Cross. The downsides: 50–60 minutes on old, cramped trains with minimal luggage space. During rush hour, manoeuvring a large suitcase through packed carriages while people give you the uniquely British look of restrained irritation is, frankly, miserable. Fine if you're travelling light. Otherwise, spend the extra couple of quid on the Elizabeth line.

National Express Coach

Coaches from the Central Bus Station (between T2 and T3) to Victoria Coach Station and UK cities. Fares from £6, journey times to central London 40–75 minutes depending on traffic. Reasonable if you're heading out of London without wanting to go through central.

Taxi and Rideshare

Black cabs: £50–90. Uber: £30–60. Journey times 40 minutes to over an hour depending on the M4 and A4, which are notoriously unreliable. Only makes sense for groups splitting the cost, excessive luggage, or late-night arrivals when trains have stopped.

One thing worth knowing: contactless payment works on every form of London public transport — Tube, Elizabeth line, buses, DLR, even river boats. You don't need an Oyster card. Just tap your bank card or phone at the yellow reader. Daily and weekly caps apply automatically.

Where to Eat

Heathrow's dining has improved dramatically, to the point where you can eat genuinely well — particularly in T5 and T2. Expect a 20–40% markup over high-street prices. For current menus, see our LHR restaurants page.

Celebrity Chef Restaurants

Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food (T5) is the headline act, and it delivers. The menu focuses on dishes designed to taste good at altitude — robust flavours, excellent steaks, and a surprisingly serious wine list. Mains £18–30. A proper restaurant, not a celebrity vanity project. If you're flying from T5 and have 90 minutes, this is genuinely the best £25 you'll spend at the airport.

Heston Blumenthal's The Perfectionists' Café (T2) applies the scientific approach to comfort food. The burgers are outstanding — the bun-to-patty ratio and seasoning are clearly the work of someone who thinks obsessively about what makes a great burger. Fish and chips equally good. Mains £15–25.

The Crown Rivers (T2) is the more ambitious Blumenthal sibling — full-service with inventive British cooking. Of the two, The Crown Rivers is the better restaurant but the Café is more practical for a quick meal. My rule: have 90 minutes? The Crown Rivers. Have 45? The Café.

Sit-Down Dining and Pubs

Fortnum & Mason The Bar (T5) is perfect for a pre-flight champagne, or honestly just a Tuesday afternoon drink — I won't judge. The smoked salmon is excellent. Prices are high (£12–18 for small plates) but the atmosphere justifies it.

Comptoir Libanais (T2) does excellent Lebanese mezze and wraps, one of the more affordable sit-down options at £10–16. Carluccio's serves reliable Italian across multiple terminals. Giraffe (T5) has a globally-inspired menu popular with families.

Quick Bites and Budget Options

Wagamama (T3) — reliable noodles and katsu, £12–16. Leon (multiple terminals) — halloumi wraps and chicken boxes, £8–12. Pret A Manger (all terminals) — you know what you're getting, and the coffee is genuinely good, £4–8. Wetherspoons (T3) — cheapest pint at the airport, practically a British institution before a flight.

The terminal gap in dining is stark. T5 is miles ahead. T2 has the Blumenthal pair and Comptoir Libanais. T3 and T4 are noticeably weaker. If departing from T3 or T4, eat before you get to the airport.

Airport Lounges

After a proper meal, you might want somewhere more comfortable than a gate seat — and Heathrow's lounge scene has options at every price point. Whether you've got airline status, a premium ticket, or just a willingness to pay £40 for some peace and quiet, there's something worth knowing about.

BA Galleries First Lounge (Terminal 5)

The best lounge at Heathrow, full stop. Reserved for BA First Class passengers and Gold Guest List members, this is worth arriving three hours early for. The à la carte restaurant rivals good London restaurants — properly cooked steaks, seasonal British mains, Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle at the champagne bar. Private cabanas with daybeds let you sleep in peace, and the complimentary Elemis spa treatments are genuinely excellent. If you have access, use every minute of it.

United Polaris Lounge (Terminal 2)

Arguably the best Star Alliance lounge at Heathrow. The key difference: à la carte dining rather than a buffet where everything's been under a heat lamp for two hours. A cocktail bar with custom drinks, private daybeds, and excellent showers. Access is limited to United Polaris business class only — no Star Alliance Gold, which keeps crowds manageable and the experience premium.

Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge (Terminal 3)

Small, elegant, impeccably maintained — the kind of lounge that makes you feel looked after the moment you walk in. The noodle bar serves made-to-order dan dan noodles and wonton soup that taste genuinely good, not just good-for-a-lounge good. It only accommodates around 80 guests, so it never feels crowded. One of the most pleasant lounge experiences in Europe.

Pay-Per-Visit: Plaza Premium, No1 Lounge, Aspire

If you don't have airline status, these are your escape from the terminal scrum. Plaza Premium is most widespread (T2, T4, T5), from £40 for two hours — the T2 location is the best. The No1 Lounge in T3 has noticeably better food, with a bistro menu and proper cocktails. Aspire in T5 is the budget option — adequate for a quiet drink, nothing more. All three accept Priority Pass.

Things to Do During a Layover

A Heathrow layover doesn't have to mean six hours of staring at departure boards. Depending on your time and how adventurous you're feeling, you can do everything from a spa treatment to a proper day trip into London.

Under 3 Hours — Stay Airside

• Terminal 5 Shopping: Harrods, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Jo Malone, and a massive World Duty Free. Even if you're not buying, it kills time more pleasantly than a gate seat.
• Spa Treatments: Be Relax operates in T3 and T5, from £25 for 15 minutes. A quick neck and shoulder massage after a long-haul flight is genuinely the best £25 you'll spend at Heathrow.
• YOTELAIR Sleep Pods (T4, T5): Compact airside cabins with bed, shower, TV, and USB charging. From £40 for four hours. No need to clear security again — brilliant for red-eye recovery.
• Quiet Zones and Prayer Rooms: Multi-faith prayer rooms in all terminals, free to use. T5 has reclining seats in designated quiet zones.

3–6 Hours — Quick Excursion

• Windsor Castle: 20 minutes by taxi (£25–35 each way). The State Apartments, St George's Chapel, and castle grounds need 2–3 hours. Pre-book tickets online. With a 5–6 hour layover, achievable but tight — don't linger in the gift shop.
• Kew Gardens: 30 minutes on the Piccadilly line. A UNESCO World Heritage Site with Victorian glasshouses and 300 acres of gardens. Allow 2–3 hours. A calmer option than Windsor, and lovely on a decent day.

6+ Hours — Central London Day Trip

With 6 or more hours, central London becomes properly realistic — and it's one of the best layover day trips from any airport anywhere. The Elizabeth line puts you in Paddington in 28 minutes. My usual quick itinerary: Elizabeth line to Bond Street (35 min), walk through Mayfair, cut through Green Park, see Buckingham Palace, stroll down The Mall to Trafalgar Square, lunch in Soho or Covent Garden, then return from Tottenham Court Road. That loop takes 3–4 hours at a comfortable pace.

The critical maths: allow 28–40 minutes each way on the Elizabeth line, 30–60 minutes for immigration on return, and 30–60 minutes for the security queue. That's roughly 2–3 hours of travel and admin. A 7-hour layover gives you 4–5 usable hours in London. A 9-hour layover gives you 6–7 hours — enough for a museum, a proper lunch, and a walk along the Thames. Store luggage with the Excess Baggage Company (£10–15 per item, all terminals) — trust me, you don't want to drag suitcases around Westminster.

Visa note: leaving the airport requires clearing UK immigration. UK citizens can walk straight through, but most other nationalities — including EU, US, Canadian, Australian, and Japanese citizens — now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country. It costs £10, takes a few minutes to apply for online, and you should sort it out before your trip (not at the airport). If your nationality requires a full UK visa and you don't have one, you'll need to stay airside — check before you get your heart set on seeing Big Ben.

Hotels and Sleep Options

If you've got an early departure or overnight layover, the key question is whether your hotel connects directly to a terminal. That distinction matters enormously when your alarm goes off at 4 AM.

The Sofitel is the premium choice and the only genuinely luxurious hotel at the airport. Directly connected to T5, soundproofed rooms, excellent restaurant, proper spa. Rooms facing the runway have triple-glazed windows — you can watch planes take off without hearing a thing, which is oddly mesmerising. If you're flying BA and want to maximise sleep, it's worth the splurge.

YOTELAIR fills a unique niche. The cabins are airside in T4 and T5, so you don't clear security again after your stay — invaluable for transit passengers. Compact (about 10 square metres) but clever: motorised bed, rain shower, smart TV, effective blackout blinds. From £40 for four hours. I've used these after red-eye arrivals and four hours of proper sleep transforms the rest of your day.

The Hilton Garden Inn (T2) and Hilton at T4 are practical for early departures — roll out of bed and walk to check-in. Standard Hilton quality, nothing remarkable but nothing to complain about. For budget travellers, the Premier Inn near T5 and Holiday Inn on Bath Road have free shuttles every 15–20 minutes. Just build in extra time — missing the 4:30 AM shuttle and waiting 20 minutes is stress nobody needs before a flight.

Parking

If you're driving to Heathrow, the single most important advice: book online in advance. Pre-booking saves 50% or more. The difference between £30/day and £15/day adds up brutally over a week. For current prices, visit our LHR parking page.

• Short Stay: Adjacent to terminals, walking distance. Ideal for drop-offs but eye-wateringly expensive for stays (£30–50/day).
• Long Stay: Free bus transfers every 5–10 minutes. Pre-booked: £10–20/day. The sweet spot for trips of several days.
• Business Parking: Between Short Stay and Long Stay in location and price. Good for 1–3 day trips.
• Valet: Drop at the terminal kerb, collected on return. £35–60/day. Worth it for heavy luggage or limited mobility.
• Purple Parking: Most popular off-airport operator. 30–40% cheaper than official Heathrow with shuttle transfers included. I've used them multiple times without issue.
• NCP: Another established provider. Compare prices between NCP, Purple Parking, and official Long Stay on aggregator sites like Holiday Extras — prices fluctuate and you can usually find a good deal a couple of weeks ahead.

Practical Information

The nuts and bolts that save you time, money, or frustration — all the small things that are easy to overlook until you need them.

Wi-Fi and Connectivity

Free Wi-Fi across all terminals, no time limit. Connect to "_Heathrow Wi-Fi" and register with an email. Adequate for browsing and messaging, but don't count on it for video calls during peak hours. Lounge Wi-Fi is generally more reliable.

Contactless Payments and Currency

London is essentially cashless. Your contactless card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay works everywhere — shops, restaurants, all transport. The currency exchange bureaux at Heathrow offer famously terrible rates. If you need pounds, use an ATM, not the bureau de change. Better yet, just tap your card for everything.

Left Luggage

The Excess Baggage Company operates in all terminals at £10–15 per item for up to 24 hours. Essential for layover excursions — wandering the South Bank with a 23-kilo suitcase is nobody's idea of fun.

SIM Cards

Prepaid UK SIMs available from WHSmith in arrivals, from £10–15 with data and calls. If your phone supports eSIM, buy a UK plan digitally before landing. But check your existing roaming plan first — you may not need a local SIM at all.

VAT Refunds

Non-UK residents can reclaim 20% VAT on purchases. Get a form from the shop, take it to the refund desk before check-in, show goods to customs. Processing fees apply, so only worth it for purchases over about £100.

Medical and Charging

Boots pharmacies in each terminal for medications. USB and UK three-pin outlets are available throughout, especially near gates. Bring a universal adapter — the UK uses Type G plugs and no amount of creative bending will make a European or American plug fit. Charge early; outlets near gates fill up during boarding times.

Pro Tips from Frequent Flyers

After countless trips through Heathrow, these are the things I wish someone had told me the first time. Some are money-savers, some are time-savers, and a couple are sanity-savers.

1. The Elizabeth line beats the Heathrow Express for most journeys. The Express markets itself hard, and at over £25 one way, it better be good. But the Elizabeth line gets you to Paddington in about 13 minutes more for less than half the price, on brand new comfortable trains. Unless you've pre-booked the Express at £5.50 or someone else is paying, the premium isn't worth it. And if you're heading beyond Paddington, the Elizabeth line is often faster door-to-door.
2. Check your terminal before booking tight connections. A T4-to-T5 transfer with under 90 minutes is asking for trouble. A T2-to-T3 connection works with an hour. Booking engines don't always account for this properly.
3. Avoid the Piccadilly line with large luggage. I've learned this the hard way. Narrow carriages, packed aisles, 50 minutes of trying to keep a suitcase from rolling into someone's shins. The Elizabeth line has modern trains with proper luggage space for a marginal price difference.
4. Buy Fast Track security for T3. T3's security queue is the worst at Heathrow during morning peak — I've seen it stretch to 45 minutes. Fast Track costs £7 pre-booked and saves 30–45 minutes. Genuinely the best £7 you'll spend at the airport.
5. Eat in T5 or T2 if you can. The dining gap between terminals is real. If departing from T3 or T4 and you care about eating well, eat before arriving. This isn't snobbery, it's practical advice.
6. Pre-book everything. Parking, Express tickets, lounge access, restaurant tables — advance booking saves money on almost everything at Heathrow. Walk-up and pre-booked prices can be dramatically different.
7. Morning flights depart more punctually. The two-runway bottleneck means delays accumulate through the day. Before 9 AM, flights typically run on time. After 3 PM, delays become increasingly likely. If you have booking flexibility, go morning.
8. The BA app shows your T5 gate early. Gates in satellites 5B and 5C need an extra 10–15 minutes via automated train. The BA app shows gate assignments before the departure boards, giving you a head start.
9. Don't exchange money at the airport. The rates are some of the worst in London. Use contactless for everything. If you need cash, find an ATM rather than a bureau de change — the exchange rate difference can cost £10–20 on a modest exchange.
10. Keep your boarding pass ready for duty-free. Staff require it at the till for UK departures. The hold-up while someone rummages through their bag is a daily ritual that slows every queue. Have it accessible and everyone behind you will silently appreciate it.