Question 1

Which Heathrow terminal does my airline use?

Accepted Answer

Check the airport’s official terminal finder — assignments follow the airline, and sometimes the route. Broadly: British Airways and Iberia fly from Terminal 5; Virgin Atlantic, American, Delta, Emirates, Cathay Pacific and Qantas from Terminal 3; Qatar Airways, KLM, Air France, Etihad and Korean Air from Terminal 4; Lufthansa, United, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada and Turkish from Terminal 2. British Airways is the one airline with flights out of two terminals (T5 plus some T3 departures), so confirm your specific flight.

Question 2

Is it free to travel between Heathrow terminals?

Accepted Answer

Yes — by rail and by the H30 bus. Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express trains cost nothing within the airport: tap in and out with contactless or Oyster, or collect a zero-fare transfer ticket from the platform machines (those tickets are not valid on the Underground). Terminal 4 has a free transfer train from Terminals 2 & 3 every 15 minutes taking 4 minutes, and the free H30 bus joins T4 and T5 every 20 minutes. One trap: the Piccadilly line loop is one-way, so the T4 tube station is reached by changing at Hatton Cross.

Question 3

I have a connecting flight at Heathrow — what should I expect?

Accepted Answer

Follow the purple Flight Connection signs from your arrival gate. Every connecting passenger clears security again, though liquids up to 2 litres and large electricals can stay in your cabin bag. Same-terminal connections go on foot or by free tram; terminal-to-terminal connections use a free airside shuttle bus every 10 minutes. The departure boards at arrival show which terminal your onward flight leaves from. If you booked two separate tickets, none of this applies: you exit through immigration, collect bags and check in again.

Question 4

How much does it cost to drop someone off at Heathrow?

Accepted Answer

£7 each time a vehicle enters a terminal forecourt, captured by number-plate cameras — there are no barriers and no pay machines on site, so pay online or by phone before midnight the next day (unpaid visits become an £80 charge, £40 if settled within 14 days). The free alternative is any Park & Ride car park: 29 minutes at no cost with a free bus to the terminal. Blue Badge holders can register for a 100% discount, applying at least 7 days ahead.

Question 5

Can I sleep inside Heathrow overnight?

Accepted Answer

The airport itself says there is nowhere to sleep overnight in the terminals and it has no sleeping pods. Three hotels connect physically to terminals: the Aerotel inside Terminal 3 Arrivals, the Hilton on a covered walkway from Terminal 4 and the Sofitel walkway-linked to Terminal 5. Airside, the airport offers No1 Bedrooms — day rooms inside the No.1 Lounge after security in T3, available 06:00–22:30, aimed at connecting passengers.

Question 6

How early should I get to Heathrow?

Accepted Answer

The airport’s own guidance: three hours before an international flight, two hours for domestic or European departures. Connecting passengers who leave the airport mid-layover must pass UK immigration (visa rules apply) and return in time to clear security like any departing traveller.

London, England

LHR questions travelers actually ask