London Heathrow Airport
Also known as: Heathrow Airport, Heathrow, London Heathrow.
Private transfer from LHRSee pricesSee pricesAbout London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the main international airport for London and the United Kingdom, and in 2025 the busiest airport in Europe. It sits in the London Borough of Hillingdon, about 14 miles west of central London.
British Airways has its main hub here and flies from Terminal 5, with some flights from Terminal 3. Virgin Atlantic, the other oneworld airlines and Delta use Terminal 3; Star Alliance airlines and UK domestic and Irish flights use Terminal 2; and most SkyTeam and unaligned airlines, plus Qatar Airways, use Terminal 4. Between them they fly to almost every continent.
The airport has four passenger terminals, numbered 2 to 5; there is no longer a Terminal 1. Terminals 2 and 3 sit together in the central area, within walking distance of each other, while Terminals 4 and 5 are on the south and west sides of the airfield and are reached by train or bus.
From the airport, most travelers head into central London, to the West End, the City and Canary Wharf, or out to Windsor, Reading, Oxford and the Thames Valley. The Heathrow Express, the Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line all run into London.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Heathrow Airport Holdings
- Runways
Two parallel east–west runways (09L/27R and 09R/27L)
- Passengers per year
About 83.9 million in 2024
- Terminals
Four: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5
- Main airline
British Airways (hub, Terminal 5)
Arrival tips for London Heathrow Airport
Check your terminal before you land: British Airways mostly arrives at Terminal 5, oneworld airlines and Virgin Atlantic at Terminal 3, Star Alliance airlines at Terminal 2, and most others at Terminal 4.
You clear UK passport control first. Many visitors can use the automatic eGates, while others queue at the staffed desks; queues can be long at peak times in the morning. Most visitors who do not need a visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling to the UK. After baggage claim, choose the green channel if you have nothing to declare or the red channel if you do.
In the arrivals hall, follow the signs for trains, buses or taxis. Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line trains leave from below the terminals, and the Piccadilly line has stations at Terminals 2 and 3, 4 and 5. Licensed black cabs wait at the taxi ranks outside each terminal. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you in the arrivals hall.
The UK is on GMT in winter and BST (GMT+1) in summer. Contactless cards work on trains, the Tube and buses.
Ground transportation
Trains are the quickest way into central London; a black cab or pre-booked car is easier with luggage or for addresses outside the center.
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Book a transfer from LHRHeathrow Express to Paddington
Non-stop trains about every 15 minutes, taking about 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3 (21 from Terminal 5). The fastest option, but the priciest train.
Elizabeth line
Stopping trains through Paddington and across central London, about 35 minutes into town. Cheaper than the Heathrow Express and goes further east.
Piccadilly line (Tube)
The cheapest rail option, about 40–50 minutes to central London, but slow and crowded with large bags.
Black cab from Heathrow
Licensed taxis wait at the ranks outside each terminal. Door to door, but traffic into London can make the trip long and the metered fare high.
Private transfer
A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals hall, useful for families, groups and trips outside central London.
Coaches and local buses
Coaches and buses leave from Heathrow Central bus station and the Terminal 4 and 5 bus stations, and Hotel Hoppa buses serve the nearby hotels.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Walking between Terminals 2 and 3
Terminals 2 and 3 are in the central area, within walking distance of each other.
- 2
Free trains to Terminals 4 and 5
Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line trains link the Terminals 2 and 3 station with Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, and travel between the airport stations is free. The Piccadilly line also links them.
- 3
Free H30 bus between Terminals 4 and 5
Route H30 runs directly between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 at no charge.
- 4
Airside transfer buses
If you are connecting between flights, free airside buses run between terminals through tunnels under the airfield, so you stay airside.
Terminals
Terminal 2
The Queen's Terminal, used by Star Alliance airlines, some SkyTeam and unaligned airlines, and UK domestic and Irish flights.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air Canada, Lufthansa, United Airlines
Terminal 3
Used by most oneworld airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Delta and several long-haul carriers, plus some British Airways flights.
Airlines commonly assigned here: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic
Terminal 4
On the south side of the airport, used by most SkyTeam airlines not in Terminals 2 or 3, Qatar Airways, and most unaligned airlines.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Qatar Airways
Terminal 5
British Airways' main terminal, also used by Iberia.
Airlines commonly assigned here: British Airways, Iberia
Airlines and destinations
Airport lounges
Concorde Room, Terminal 5
British Airways' flagship lounge, for its First and top-tier passengers.
British Airways lounges
British Airways runs four further lounges at the airport for eligible passengers and members.
British Airways Arrivals Lounge
A landside lounge where eligible arriving passengers can shower and change before heading into London.
Parking
Short-stay car parks
Multi-storey car parks at each terminal, for pickups and short visits.
Long-stay car parks
Multi-storey long-stay car parks with shuttle links to the terminals.
Terminal 5 car park
A multi-storey car park with about 3,800 spaces; driverless Heathrow Pods link Terminal 5 with the business car park.
Off-airport car parks
Independent car parks near the airport run shuttle buses to the terminals.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Heathrow Airport from central London?
London Heathrow is about 14 miles west of central London, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The Heathrow Express reaches Paddington in about 15 minutes, the Elizabeth line takes about 35 minutes into central London, and the Piccadilly line takes about 40 to 50 minutes.
How many terminals does Heathrow have?
Heathrow has four passenger terminals: 2, 3, 4 and 5. There is no longer a Terminal 1. Terminals 2 and 3 are next to each other in the central area, while Terminals 4 and 5 are on other sides of the airfield, linked by free trains and buses.
Which terminal does British Airways use at Heathrow?
British Airways flies mainly from Terminal 5, which it shares with Iberia, with some flights from Terminal 3. Its flagship Concorde Room lounge is in Terminal 5. Check your booking, as the terminal is shown on your boarding pass.
How do I get between terminals at Heathrow?
Walk between Terminals 2 and 3. To reach Terminals 4 or 5, take the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line, which are free between the airport stations, or the Piccadilly line. The free H30 bus links Terminals 4 and 5. Connecting passengers use free airside transfer buses.
What is the fastest way from Heathrow to London?
The Heathrow Express is the fastest, with non-stop trains to Paddington about every 15 minutes, taking about 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 3. The Elizabeth line is slower, about 35 minutes, but cheaper and runs through central London without a change.
Do I need an ETA to visit the UK through Heathrow?
Most visitors who do not need a visa for the UK, including travelers from the US and the EU, need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they fly. Apply online before your trip. Visitors who need a visa apply for that instead.
Where do I find black cabs at Heathrow?
Licensed black cabs wait at the taxi ranks outside the arrivals area of each terminal. They are metered and can take you anywhere, but traffic into London can make the trip long and the fare high.