London Heathrow Airport

Overview

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the primary and largest international airport serving London, United Kingdom, and Europe's busiest airport for passenger traffic. Located 23 kilometres west of Central London, it handles over 89 airlines flying to 214 destinations across 84 countries.

Heathrow Airport is the main hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, and serves as a critical international gateway for the United Kingdom. Founded as a small airfield in 1930 and expanded significantly after World War II, the airport now operates four passenger terminals (numbered 2 to 5) and one cargo terminal across a 12.3 square kilometre site. It features two parallel east-west runways and handles more international passenger traffic than any other airport in the world. In 2021, Heathrow served 19.4 million passengers, with 17 million being international travellers. The airport is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings, part of an international group led by the Spanish Ferrovial Group.

Getting to and from the airport

• Heathrow Express Rail

  Direct rail service connecting Heathrow to London Paddington Station in Central London

  15-20 minutes · £11.50-£25 depending on booking method

• London Underground (Piccadilly Line)

  Direct tube connection to Central London and other areas; connects all terminals

  45-60 minutes to Central London · £3.40-£5.50 depending on zones

• Taxi/Minicab

  Licensed black cabs and private hire vehicles available from designated ranks

  30-90 minutes depending on traffic and destination · £40-£80+ depending on destination and traffic

• Car Rental

  Multiple rental agencies available; driving on left side of road (UK standard)

  Varies by destination · £30-£100+ per day

• Coach/Bus Services

  National Express and other coach operators provide connections to various UK cities

  1-4 hours depending on destination · £5-£30 depending on destination

Heathrow offers excellent public transport connectivity via the Heathrow Express rail service (fastest option to Central London at 15-20 minutes) and the London Underground Piccadilly Line (most economical option). Taxis are available but can be expensive and subject to traffic delays, particularly during rush hours (7-10 AM and 4-7 PM). Car rental is available but not recommended for first-time visitors unfamiliar with UK left-side driving. The airport is well-connected to the UK motorway network (M4, M25) for those driving. Consider pre-booking transport options online for better rates.

Security wait: 30-45 minutes average during peak hours; 15-20 minutes during off-peak times

Terminals and airlines

• Terminal 2 (The Queen's Terminal)

  Star Alliance members, other international carriers

  Opened 4 June 2014; modern facility replacing the original 1955 Europa Building; designed by Luis Vidal + Architects

• Terminal 3

  Multiple international carriers

  Handles approximately 15 million long-haul passengers annually through 35 airlines; features Pier 6 (opened 2006) accommodating Airbus A380

• Terminal 4

  Various international carriers

  Located south of the southern runway; connected to Terminals 2 and 3 via Heathrow Cargo Tunnel; accessible by dedicated tube and railway stations

• Terminal 5

  British Airways, Iberia

  Opened 2008; houses largest free-standing structure in UK; one of three global hubs for IAG; geographically separated from other terminals

Airlines: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Iberia, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, United Airlines, American Airlines

Tips for travellers

Good to know

Amenities: WiFi (throughout airport), Lounges (multiple airline and independent lounges), Prayer rooms (multi-faith facilities), Hotels (on-site and nearby), Restaurants and cafes, Retail shops, Currency exchange, Business centers, Children's play areas

Climate, customs and advisory

London experiences a temperate oceanic climate with mild winters and cool summers. Average temperatures range from 2-8°C (36-46°F) in winter to 13-23°C (55-73°F) in summer. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with no distinct dry season.

Customs: As a major international hub, Heathrow has dedicated immigration facilities for EU/EEA and non-EU passengers. Allow extra time for customs and immigration processing, particularly during peak travel periods. Have your passport, visa (if required), and travel documents ready. EU/EEA citizens may use eGates for faster processing where available. Non-EU citizens should expect standard immigration procedures including potential questioning about the purpose of visit and length of stay.