London Heathrow Airport
Useful information for your journey through Heathrow airport.
Useful information about London Heathrow airport
British Airways operates from two of the five Terminals at London Heathrow. For further information about the Terminal you will depart from or arrive into please use the relevant link below.
For general information about Heathrow airport, please refer to the links below.
Open all linksClose all links- Which London airport terminal?
- Terminal map
- Flight connections at Heathrow
- Connecting between Heathrow and Gatwick
- Transport links
- Heathrow airport hotels
Which London airport terminal?
You may not know which London Terminal you're arriving into or departing from, so use our handy search.
Terminal map
Flight connections at Heathrow
Travelling between terminals at London Heathrow
If your onward flight departs from another terminal please follow the signs for that terminal. Coaches depart every few minutes to the other terminals.
Do I need to pick up my bags or check in again?
- You do not have to pick up your bags or check in again if your bags have been labelled through to your onward flight destination and you have been given a boarding pass for your next flight.
- If your baggage receipt shows the destination ‘LHR’, ‘LGW’ or ‘LON’ then you must collect your baggage at Arrivals/Baggage Reclaim before checking in for your next flight.
What should I do if I do not have a boarding pass?
- If you do not have a boarding pass for your connecting British Airways flight you will have to check in at London. Simply follow the Flight Connections signs and make your way to a Customer Service Desk where a member of British Airways staff will be able to assist you.
- If your flight is with another carrier, please make your way to the correct terminal for your onward flight and see an airline representative.
Can I leave the airport?
- We strongly recommend that customers wishing to visit London between flights should allow a minimum of six hours connection time.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the appropriate documents required to land in the UK.
- If you decide to leave the airport, you must return to the airport and pass through Security and be ready to fly at least 35 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure time, to ensure that you are accepted for travel.
Connecting between Heathrow and Gatwick
London Heathrow and Gatwick airports are located approximately 30 miles apart. The minimum connecting time between Heathrow and Gatwick is 3 hours.
- The best way to travel direct between Heathrow and Gatwick is to take a National Express coach. It is fast, frequent and great value for money.
- Heathrow to Gatwick coach services run 100 times a day.
Transport links
Heathrow Express trains
Non-stop service to and from central London
Heathrow Express is the fastest, most frequent way to travel between Heathrow Airport and Central London. No traffic jams, taxi queues or stops to worry about. Journey time is just 15 minutes and trains depart every 15 minutes.
Heathrow Connect
Heathrow Connect trains run between Heathrow Central and London Paddington station. This is a stopping service that calls at stations in West London. A free transfer service operates between Terminal 5 and Heathrow Central.
London Underground
Trains to and from central London run every 10 minutes throughout the day, from the underground station in Terminal 5.
Buses and coaches
National Express runs hundreds of services each day to and from London Heathrow Airport. Coaches will take you to the heart of terminals 3 and 5 from towns and cities throughout the UK. It is a safe, fast and reliable way to travel.
Taxis at terminal 5
There is a taxi rank outside the terminal building at Arrivals level.
Heathrow airport hotels
Take advantage of great prices on the most conveniently located airport hotels at Heathrow and the surrounding area. Before your flight or when you return, why not relax in an airport hotel? British Airways offers a range of hotels from contemporary to luxurious.
Whether you are a business or leisure traveller, you'll find our hotels meet all your needs, and are conveniently located only a short distance from the airport, with good transport links into central London.
- We offer a range of hotels to suit all tastes and budgets including the 3* Premier Inn Heathrow and 5* Sofitel London Heathrow.
- Park and Fly hotel rates are available.