London Heathrow Airport Guide

Heathrow Airport

To get to London the nearest and most accessible airport is Heathrow Airport. With 90 airlines flying to over 180 destinations worldwide Heathrow Airport is one of the largest international airports in the world. Heathrow Airport is also one of the busiest airports in the world so it is best you plan your trip carefully and know a bit about the airport and the airport regulations before you arrive.

Terminals

Heathrow Airport has 5 terminals, therefore you must makes sure you know which terminal you will be flying to or from so that you can plan your transport accordingly. The terminals are usually used for the following journeys:

• Terminal 1 is used mostly for domestic flights from within the UK or European destinations.
• Terminal 2 is closed for a redesign and is not due to reopen until 2014.
• Terminal 3 provides mainly long haul flights.
• Terminal 4 is used for KLM and British Airways long haul flights and some European flights.
• Terminal 5 is Heathrow’s newest terminal exclusively used for British Airways flights.

Security

Once you have arrived at your terminal and checked in you will need to go through security. Security is vigilant at Heathrow airport due to past terror threats and also to prevent unlawful activities. This means every person who passes through Heathrow Airport must put their luggage through a scanner while they walk through a body scanner. This can be time consuming, especially at peak travel times, therefore visitors must leave enough time to get through security before boarding their flight. Airlines recommend arriving 2 hours before a short haul flight and 3 hours before a long haul flight. Even if you have checked in online and only have hand luggage you must consider the chance you may be held up at security so still need to arrive in plenty of time.

Hand Luggage restrictions

There are strict regulations involving passenger's hand luggage. For a start, due to recent security threats, passengers must put all their liquids in a clear re-sealable bag maximum capacity 1 litre. Each individual liquid container must not exceed 100 ml. The bag containing your liquids must be removed from your bag and put through the X-ray scanner separately. The only exception to the liquids size restriction is baby food and baby milk, however, passengers may be requested to taste the liquid to prove it is safe at security.

There are also certain items that are banned from being carried in hand luggage. They are as follows:

• Sharp items,
• Printer ink or toner,
• Weapons,
• Any toy or replica weapon,
• Tools,
• Blunt instruments,
• Explosive substances,
• Dangerous goods.

On top of this passengers may only take 1 piece of hand luggage in the cabin and each piece of hand luggage must not be any larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Some airlines also have weight restrictions so you should check this on the airline website before you pack.

Transport

There are a number of transport options available for travel between Heathrow Airport and London and it is best you plan your journey beforehand to get the cheapest deals. It is most essential to plan your travel if you are departing from Heathrow as you do not want to miss your flight due to poor transport planning. The transport options are as follows:

• The Tube: The tube runs from Heathrow terminals 1, 2 and 3 on the Piccadilly line into central London. The journey takes around 45 minutes to 55 minutes. For a list of pros and cons for using the London Tube see the Transport in London page.
• Coach: National Express provide a coach service from Heathrow Airport Central Bus Station to London Victoria train station. The journey takes about 1 hour and fares start at £5.
• Train: Heathrow Express is a train service from Heathrow Airport to London Paddington station. The journey is only 20 minutes, however, this may be a slightly pricier option than getting the tube or National Express coach.
• Bus: The bus may be the cheapest option for getting into London with fares costing as little as £2 and you can buy your ticket when you get on the bus.
• Hire a car: There are 8 car hire providers located at Heathrow Airport. This is a good option if you are planning on being mobile when you arrive in the UK or are just visiting. However, London is a hugely congested city and a journey which could takes minutes on the tube can take up to an hour during busy times in London. Due to the high traffic the UK government has instigated a congestion charge. This means if you drive in Central London between 7am and 6pm on a week day you will be charged. There are various options for paying the congestion charge which are explained on the Transport for London website. However, if you are hiring a car they may include the congestion charge in your fee or pay it for you so you must check with your provider for their regulations. Overall, you may find it easier and cheaper to use public transport if you are planning on staying in Central London.
• Taxis and transfers: There are plenty of companies that provide taxis and transfers which you can find online. You should ask for a quote off a few companies before you book to make sure you are getting a reasonable price.

The Heathrow Airport Guide provides all the information you need to plan your journey to or from Heathrow Airport. You can also check the status of your flight on the site, find out the latest airport news and discover what facilities and shops are available at the airport.