Heathrow Airport

How to navigate landing at Heathrow: Your essential guide to terminals and layout

Heathrow has four terminals: Terminal 2, 3, 4 and 5. Terminal 3 is located towards the centre of the airport, with Terminal 2 to the east and Terminal 5 to the west. Terminal 4 is towards the south of the airport.

When you land at Heathrow, you’ll disembark your aircraft and make your way to the terminal building. Once you’re off your flight, you’ll go first to passport control. It’s then through to baggage claim and customs, before you get through to the arrivals hall. In arrivals, you’ll find ATMs and currency exchange, as well as a variety of other services.

If you land at Terminal 5, you can hop on the Heathrow Express at Terminal 5 station. For arrivals from Terminal 2, 3 or 4, you can take the Heathrow Express from Heathrow Central station. It’s a short walk from Terminal 2 and 3, using the inter-terminal walkway. For arrivals from Terminal 4, you can take a quick shuttle bus to Heathrow Central.

To learn more about the layout of Heathrow, use our helpful interactive airport map.

Heathrow Airport Guide

There’s nothing like arriving at the airport with all the excitement of your next big adventure. Whether your airport tradition revolves around a quick pre-flight pint, shopping in Duty Free, grabbing a bite to eat or catching up on some last-minute work before your flight, Heathrow Airport has you covered for all this and more.

If you’re flying from Terminal 2, 3, 4 or 5, this page helps you to find everything you’re looking for. You can find your terminal, understand how to travel between terminals or find facilities and services at the airport. It’s all here.

Getting around Heathrow

It’s easy to get around Heathrow Airport. Whether you’re flying yourself or meeting someone from the airport, you’ll see plenty of signs for both departures and arrivals at each terminal.

When it comes to checking in and going through security for departures, look out for the following:

Terminal 2: Both check-in and security are located on the 5^th floor of Terminal 2.
Terminal 3: There are check-in areas A and B depending on your flight. Security is then located on Level 1 above the check-in zones.
Terminal 4: Check-in for Terminal 4 is located on the first floor, right by departures. You’ll clearly see it marked with signs and digital screens. Security is near Check-in Zone B and next to Excess Baggage
Terminal 5: At Terminal 5, check-in is located in Zones C, D and F. It is clearly signposted. Then you’ll need to head through security at either the North or South security.

How long it takes to get through security depends on a variety of factors including how early you arrive before your flight, the time of year, day of the week and time of day. You should expect to spend between 20 and 40 minutes getting through security on busy days.

Heathrow Airport is also wheelchair accessible, with lifts between floors. It has travelators to assist with walking to gates and between terminals. If you need specialist assistance, there are staff members that will welcome you at the airport and help you before your flight. You’ll need to inform your airline, tour operator or travel agent if you need assistance, at least 48 hours before your flight.

Plan your route from our terminal train stations to your departure lounge

Find your way around Heathrow

Find out when your planes taking off with our flight checker tool

Arrivals and departures information

Collect gifts, last minute accessories or refreshments for the plane

Heathrow's Reserve & Collect Service

Essential airport amenities & services: Enhancing your Heathrow experience

There are plenty of airport amenities and services at Heathrow to boost your airport experience, including:

Wi-Fi

You’ll find free airport Wi-Fi in all the terminals at Heathrow. There’s even a “Friendly Wi-Fi” across all terminals that’s safe for children to use.

Shopping & Dining

Not only is Heathrow one of the top airports in the world, but it’s also a shopping destination in its own right. Top brands at the airport include the likes of Cartier, Prada and Tom Ford, as well as a host of high-street and Duty Free shopping options too. Each terminal is packed with dining options, whether you want a sit-down meal or some fast food before your flight. Kids also eat free at selected restaurants during the school holidays.

Currency & Cash

If you need to order currency before you travel or to pick up when you land, you can order online with Travelex and collect it from any of the terminals at Heathrow. Plus, you’ll find plenty of ATMs throughout the airport to grab any cash you need.

Support Services

You’ll find assistance and support areas in all terminals, both before and after security. There are accessible toilets throughout the airport too. If you need special assistance before your flight or when you land, simply let your airline know at least 48 hours before your flight and the airport will arrange everything for you.

Heathrow shops, restaurants and cafés

Heathrow Airport has an extensive and varied selection of shops, cafes and restaurants to choose from. Looking for last-minute gifts or souvenirs? Designer shopping or just a bite to eat? Whatever you need for your travels, you'll find it at Heathrow.

Click here to browse all of the shops, restaurant and cafes available at each Heathrow terminal.

Premium Services

Designed with the passenger in mind, the range of Services at Heathrow will help you to create your perfect airport experience. From lounges, porters and a concierge service, choose how you wish to enhance your journey from our variety of options.

Choose from:

Fast Track Security: Sail through security in double-quick time.

Porters and baggage wrapping services: Ensure your luggage is looked after at the airport and safe during your flight.

Currency exchange services: Pick up last-minute currency, so you’re prepared for anything when you land.

Assistance and accessibility services: Let your airline or tour operator know within 48 hours or more before your flight and airport staff will meet you when you arrive.

Click here to see the range of services available

Heathrow Reserve & Collect

Reserve your shopping with Heathrow Reserve & Collect to buy when you fly. Who doesn’t love picking up a bargain at Duty Free before you hop on your flight? But what if you’re pushed for time before you get on the plane?

With Heathrow Reserve & Collect, you can shop online well in advance of your trip and still benefit from the great discounts available at the airport. Simply browse what you’re after – whether makeup, sunglasses, technology, bags or watches – pay online and it will be waiting for you when you get through security. You can even book to pick something up on the way back from your trip or enjoy a personal shopping experience before your flight.

Click here to find out more about this service.

You can find a full Heathrow Airport guide here

Heathrow V.I.P

If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury service at Heathrow Airport, Windsor by Heathrow caters to your every need. You’ll be met by your own personal chauffeur at home, who’ll whisk you to the airport. You’ll go through private check-in and security before being able to relax in your own personal lounge. Dine on exquisite food crafted by Michelin starred chef Jason Atherton and served by your personal butler. You’ll then enjoy a private chauffer to your flight. What a way to travel.

Explore our dedicated Heathrow V.I.P site here.

Real-time flight information: Stay updated on arrivals and departures

It’s super simple to stay up-to-date on flight departures and flight arrivals with Heathrow Express. You’ll find a dedicated tool on our site that provides live real-time data for current flights.

It details:

The scheduled time

Airline

Flight number

Destination or origin airport

Terminal

Current flight status

You’ll see a snapshot of current flights and the live flight status, but you can also search for a specific flight using a flight number or destination/origin. This gives you real-time information whether you’re travelling to Heathrow to catch a flight or pick someone up.

10% off your first purchase

Download the Heathrow Express App

Passenger support & special services: Ensuring a smooth journey

Enjoy a smooth journey at Heathrow with the following services:

Assistance services: Airport assistance is available to help you get on or off your plane, as well as to get around the airport. You need to inform your airline at least 48 hours before your flight to book in.

Family services: You’ll find baby change facilities at Heathrow in each terminal, both before and after security. Plus, you can even reserve and collect baby milk at the airport, if you don’t want to bring it through security. You’ll also find play areas in each terminal, with dedicated zones for babies and older kids.

Medical services: If you fall ill at Heathrow, you can use any internal telephone to dial 222, and the operator will be able to send an ambulance to you. Alternatively, there are Boots pharmacies in each terminal, before and after security, where you can buy over-the-counter medicines and treatments. There are even branches in Terminal 5 that can dispense prescriptions.

Multi-faith prayer rooms: There are multi-faith prayer rooms in each terminal at Heathrow that offer a quiet retreat for prayer or meditation. They are open to people of all faiths and none.

Lost property: There are two lost property offices at Heathrow. The main office is between Terminals 2 and 3, at Heathrow Central station. The second is at Terminal 5 near domestic arrivals. If you’ve lost something at the airport, you can also search the database to see if your item has been found – sometimes it can take 24-48 hours for items to appear on the database.