London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Guide
Quick summary
The Elizabeth line is the cheap, fast way into central London (about £15.50, ~35 min); the Piccadilly line is the cheapest of all at around £5.90. The four terminals are not all walkable — you often need the free inter-terminal train or bus.
Terminals at LHR
Heathrow runs four passenger terminals: T2 (the 'Queen's Terminal', mostly Star Alliance — United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore), T3 (a mix including Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Emirates and American), T4 (SkyTeam and many Middle Eastern/Asian carriers — Air France, KLM, Qatar, Etihad), and T5 (almost entirely British Airways and Iberia). T2 and T3 are close together and linked by a covered walkway/tunnel, while T4 and T5 sit on opposite sides of the airport. Free transfers between all terminals are available by the airside Flight Connections bus (follow the purple signs) for connecting passengers, and landside by the free Heathrow Express / Elizabeth line trains between terminals. Important: connecting passengers must re-clear security at their departure terminal, so leave plenty of time — allow at least 90 minutes for a terminal change.
LHR parking rates & options
| Terminal (short stay) — up to 2 hours | About £19.50 (minimum charge) |
| Terminal (short stay) — 24 hours | About £45–£60 |
| Long Stay / Park & Ride — per day | About £30 per day (cheaper if pre-booked online) |
| Business Parking — per day | About £50 per day |
| Terminal drop-off charge (per visit) | £7 (max 10-minute stay) |
| Free drop-off | £0 at Long Stay / Park & Ride car parks (free bus to terminal) |
🚆 Getting to & from the airport
The Piccadilly line (London Underground) is the cheapest route to central London — a flat fare of about £5.90 from Zone 1, but slow at around 50 minutes with many stops. The Elizabeth line is the sweet spot: roughly £15.50 one-way, air-conditioned with luggage racks, and about 35 minutes to central London (Paddington, Bond Street, Liverpool Street). The Heathrow Express is fastest at just 15 minutes non-stop to Paddington but the priciest — around £26 on the day, though advance singles can drop to about £10 if booked well ahead. Black cabs and rideshare (Uber, Bolt) pick up from designated ranks; a cab to central London runs roughly £70–£100 and 45–75 minutes depending on traffic. Note the £7 terminal drop-off charge applies to all taxis and private cars entering the drop-off zones, and Heathrow sits inside the ULEZ zone (non-compliant vehicles pay a daily charge).
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🛋️ Lounges
Terminal 5 has the strongest lineup: British Airways Galleries Club and Galleries First lounges for BA premium flyers, the exclusive Concorde Room for BA First (à la carte dining, spa, sleep pods, accessed via First Wing security), plus independent Plaza Premium (around £43 walk-in) and Club Aspire lounges. Priority Pass is the most widely accepted membership across LHR, covering around 10 lounges including the No1 Lounges at T2 and T3 and Plaza Premium/Club Aspire rooms at most terminals. Star Alliance and SkyTeam carriers run their own branded lounges in T2 and T4 respectively. Walk-in paid access is available at most independent lounges if you're not flying premium.
📶 Wi-Fi
Heathrow offers free unlimited Wi-Fi throughout all terminals — connect to the '_Heathrow Wi-Fi' network, register once, and there's no strict time limit for basic browsing.
😴 Layovers & overnight
Heathrow is a night-restricted airport: no flights depart between 11pm and 6am, and airside areas close in most terminals overnight (T2 airside typically shuts from around 11pm to 4am), so there is no true 24-hour airside to sleep in. For rest, the Aerotel in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall (landside) sells compact rooms in flexible 6-, 9-, or 12-hour blocks — the closest thing to sleep pods. Note that the YOTELAIR in T4 closed in 2024 and has not reopened, so ignore older guides pointing there. Attached Sofitel (T5) and Hilton (T4) hotels are convenient for overnight stays. For a long daytime layover, T5 has the best shops and dining. If you must overnight in the terminal, landside seating with armrests and full lighting is your only option — bring a travel pillow.
Insider tips
- Book Heathrow Express or car parking online in advance — walk-up prices can be more than double the advance fare.
- For most travellers the Elizabeth line beats the Heathrow Express: barely slower to central London and roughly £10 cheaper.
- Allow at least 90 minutes when changing terminals — you must re-clear security and terminals can be far apart.
- Being dropped off? Have someone drop you at a Long Stay/Park & Ride car park (free) and take the free bus, instead of paying the £7 terminal drop-off charge.
- Tap in and out with a contactless card or phone on the Underground and Elizabeth line — no need to buy paper tickets, and daily capping saves money.
LHR airport — FAQ
What is the cheapest way from Heathrow to central London?
The Piccadilly line (London Underground) is cheapest at a flat fare of about £5.90 from Zone 1, though it takes around 50 minutes. The Elizabeth line is only a little more (about £15.50) but much faster and more comfortable at ~35 minutes.
How much is parking at Heathrow?
Terminal (short stay) parking starts at a £19.50 minimum for up to 2 hours. Long Stay / Park & Ride is about £30 per day (cheaper pre-booked online) with a free bus to the terminal. Business parking runs around £50 per day.
How do I transfer between terminals at Heathrow?
T2 and T3 are linked by a walkway. All four terminals connect by the free airside Flight Connections bus (follow purple signs) for connecting passengers, or the free Heathrow Express / Elizabeth line trains landside. Allow at least 90 minutes as you must re-clear security.
Is Wi-Fi free at Heathrow?
Yes. Heathrow provides free unlimited Wi-Fi across all terminals — connect to '_Heathrow Wi-Fi' and register once, with no strict time limit.
Is there a drop-off fee at Heathrow?
Yes. Since January 2026 the terminal drop-off charge is £7 per visit with a 10-minute maximum stay. You can avoid it by using the free drop-off at the Long Stay / Park & Ride car parks and taking the free shuttle bus.
Sources
This guide is independent and not affiliated with London Heathrow Airport. Parking rates, terminal layouts, and transit options change often — always confirm on the airport's official website before you travel.