London Heathrow Airport (LHR) LHR Transfer & Departures

London Heathrow is about 15 miles from the centre of the city. That might not sound like a lot, but London is a busy city, and there are a lot of roads and vehicles between these two points.

It could take you anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to complete this journey, depending on the option you choose:

• Car: It will take you about 40 minutes to reach Heathrow Airport by car if you start in the city centre. However, that’s assuming you don’t encounter any traffic issues, which would be fairly uncommon in London.
• Train: The Heathrow Express train takes approximately 21 minutes to go from Paddington to Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. It also stops at Terminals 2 and 3 and will get you there 5 minutes before Terminal 5.
• Bus: There are regular buses available and they will get you to your destination in around an hour. You may need to make a few stops though.

Discover your Terminals at London Heathrow Airport

There are four terminals at Heathrow Airport: 2, 3, 4, and 5. Terminal 1 has been inactive for some time:

Terminal 2: Also known as the Queen’s Terminal, the majority of flights from Heathrow airport depart from here. Services include:

• Currency exchange
• Food and drink concessions
• Retail concessions
• Baby care rooms
• Cash machines

Terminal 3: Deals with international flights to Canada, the US, and Dubai. It is used by Emirates Airlines, as well as Virgin and Delta. Services include:

• Multi-faith prayer room
• Pharmacy
• Currency exchange
• Food and drink concessions
• Retail concessions
• Free Wi-Fi
• Baby care rooms

Terminal 4: Deals with international flights to Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

• Multi-faith prayer room
• Pharmacy
• Food and drink concessions
• Retail concessions
• Baby care rooms

Terminal 5: Terminal 5 in Heathrow airport is a hub for British Airways, with many BA airport lounges and services, along with”

• Meeting points
• Baby care rooms
• Pharmacy
• Cash machines
• Smoking area
• Food, drink, and retail concessions
• Multi-faith prayer room

More Services, Facilities: Things to Do During a Layover at London Heathrow Airport

If you’re taking flights to London Heathrow Airport as part of a transfer, there are plenty of things to keep you busy while you wait:

• Rest and Relaxation: All London Heathrow Airport terminals have smoking areas, multi-faith prayer rooms, and other areas where you can relax.
• Connectivity: There are Wi-Fi facilities throughout the airport, and you’ll also find cash machines and currency exchanges if you need to top up your holiday funds.
• Drinks: London Heathrow Airport has numerous coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, including several Caffè Nero and Costa locations and a Starbucks.
• Restaurants: From Caviar House to a Gordon Ramsay restaurant and a Heston Blumenthal restaurant, London Heathrow Airport is not short of options if you need some sustenance.
• Shopping: Heathrow is home to numerous retail concessions, including pharmacies (Boots), clothing stores (Boss, Bulgari, JD Sports), fragrance stores (Dior), and food (Harrods, M&S).

Can you Sleep at London Heathrow Airport?

If you need to catch forty winks, there’s nothing stopping you.

London Heathrow has several dedicated Rest Zones where you can put your feet up. These Rest Zones include reclining chairs. There are also shower facilities in all four terminals if you’ve been traveling for many hours and need to freshen up.

How Long Does it Take to Go from One Terminal to Another at London Heathrow Airport?

London Heathrow Airport transfers must consider the travel time between terminals. If you want to know how to go from terminal 1 to terminal 2 in London Heathrow Airport, we recommend taking the pedestrian underpass, which should take just 10 minutes.

For all other connections, the train services are more suitable.

TFL Rail and Heathrow Express trains connect all of the airport’s terminals and are the quickest way to move from one terminal to the other.

Once you consider the time it takes to get to these services and wait for the trains, you can expect a travel time of up to 30 minutes.

How Long Does it Take to Go Through Security in London Heathrow Airport?

It should take no more than 30 minutes to get through security, but it depends on how busy the airport is and whether there are any hold-ups.

The airport recommends that you arrive at least 3 hours before your flight. That way, you have plenty of time to check in and get through security. It means you don’t need to worry about missing your flight if there are delays relating to your documentation, baggage, or general airport issues.

Airlines and Destination at London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow flies over 200,000 passengers to dozens of locations every single day. Here are a few facts about the airport’s most popular destinations and airlines:

• Where Does London Heathrow Airport Fly the Most? New York is the most popular destination, followed by Dubai, Dublin, Amsterdam, and then Hong Kong.
• What are the Biggest Airlines at London Heathrow Airport? In terms of total daily departures, British Airways is the biggest. Virgin Atlantic is second, followed by Aer Lingus, American Airlines, and Lufthansa.
• What is the Biggest Terminal at London Heathrow Airport? Terminal 5 is by far the biggest both in terms of square meters and total passenger numbers. It’s over three times bigger than terminal 4, the second-largest, and flies nearly twice as many passengers as terminal 2, the second busiest.

The History of London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow opened in 1946, at which point the land was already being used as an airfield. Originally known as London Airport, the airport cost £20 million, and after just 1 year of operation, it processed over 63,000 passengers.

Within 5 years, passenger numbers had ballooned to over 700,000 and by the end of the 1960s, around 5 million travellers were passing through every year.

Terminal 4 opened in 1986 and welcomed British Airways, which had just been privatised. In 2008, terminal 5 opened and became BA’s new home. In the proceeding years, terminal 2 expanded, terminal 1 closed, and Heathrow cemented its position as one of the world’s biggest airports.

What is the London Heathrow Airport Code?

An airport code is a unique three- or four-digit code that identifies an airport. Also known as an IATA Airport Code, these digits are used on official documentation and you will also find them stamped on your passport and luggage tags.

The London Heathrow Airport code is “LHR”.

Passengers waiting for their baggage after a flight at London Heathrow Airport. Source:Pixabay

Driving in and out of the City from London Heathrow Airport

Once you arrive at Paddington Station, London is at your disposal. There are many great restaurants and bars nearby, and you’re also a 15- to 20-minute walk from Hyde Park and a 5-minute walk from Norfolk Square Gardens and Talbot Square Gardens. From there, you can take a taxi, bus, or another train to see the city’s many other great sights.

London is pretty substantial, and there’s usually more than enough here for the average tourist, but if you’re looking for other destinations you should also check out Oxford to the northwest or Southend-on-Sea to the east.

Are There Other Airports in London?

Heathrow is by far the biggest London airport, but it’s not the only one. There are 5 other airports in and around the city:

• London City Airport: London City Airport is about 23 miles (37 km) from Heathrow as the crow flies. It’s the closest airport to the city centre and is popular among business travellers.
• London Stansted Airport: Stansted is an international airport about 42 miles (67.5 km) from the centre of London and 50 miles (80.4 km) from Heathrow. It’s one of the most popular destinations for European travellers.
• London Luton Airport: Luton Airport is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away from Luton, 28 miles (45 km) from the centre of London, and over 30 miles (48 km) from Heathrow. It is an international airport.
• London Southend Airport: Southend Airport is over 50 miles (80.4 km) from Heathrow and can be reached in about 1.5 hours by car. It’s an international airport offering flights from easyJet, and Blue Air.
• London Gatwick Airport: Gatwick is approximately 30 miles (48 km) south of Heathrow. It processes about half the number of travellers as Heathrow and covers many destinations. It is the second biggest airport in London.

Which airport near London is best for you? It all depends on where you are and what your travel plans look like. There are clearly a lot of options, but they all offer different destinations, dates, and prices, so do your research and check with Omio to find the best flights from all of the city’s airports.

For more top tips on travel, check out our Window Seat online magazine.