Traveling Through LHR — Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport serves 4 terminals, 10 airlines. Everything you need to know before you fly — terminals, transit, tips, and more.
📋 Key Facts for Your Trip
Essential info before you fly through LHR
✈️ Airlines at LHR
Terminal assignments — always confirm with your airline before travel
| Airline | Terminal(s) |
|---|---|
| British Airways | Terminal 5Terminal 3 |
| Virgin Atlantic | Terminal 3 |
| United Airlines | Terminal 2 |
| Lufthansa | Terminal 2 |
| Air France | Terminal 2 |
| Emirates | Terminal 3 |
| Cathay Pacific | Terminal 3 |
| American Airlines | Terminal 3 |
| Singapore Airlines | Terminal 2 |
| Qatar Airways | Terminal 4 |
🚗 Getting To & From LHR
Ground transportation options for London
Rail / Train
Heathrow Express: 15 min to London Paddington, £22-37. Elizabeth Line (Crossrail): ~45 min to central London, £12.80. Piccadilly Line: ~50 min, £6.
Bus / Shuttle
National Express coaches to major UK cities; local bus services
Rideshare
Uber and Bolt available; pickup from designated zones
Taxi
Black cabs available at all terminals; metered fare to central London ~£50-80
Parking
From £18/day (long stay) · From £40/day (short stay)
Rental Cars
Car rental center accessible via bus from all terminals
🍽️ Inside LHR
Food, lounges, and shopping at Heathrow Airport
Food & Dining
Before security: Restaurants and cafes in all terminal check-in areas · After security: Extensive dining in all departure lounges; Terminal 5 has the best selection
Lounges
British Airways Galleries First (Terminal 5)British Airways Galleries Club (Terminal 5, 3)No. 1 Traveller Lounge (Terminals 2, 3, 5)Plaza Premium Lounge (Terminal 2, 3, 4)Aspire Lounge (Terminal 4)
Shopping
World-class duty-free and luxury retail; Terminal 5 has the best shopping
💡 Frequent Traveler Tips for LHR
Insider knowledge to make your time at Heathrow Airport smoother
- 1 Terminal 5 is British Airways' hub — it's the most modern and best-equipped terminal
- 2 The Heathrow Express is the fastest way to London but the Elizabeth Line is cheaper and nearly as fast
- 3 T4 is the most remote terminal — allow extra time if connecting from T4
- 4 Security queues at T3 can be very long during peak hours; use FastTrack if available
- 5 Heathrow has a strict baggage reclaim process — keep your boarding pass handy
Track Your Flight from LHR — Automatically
TripTrack shows your terminal, gate, and real-time delay status the moment you book. Connect your Gmail once and your trips appear automatically — no manual entry.
Frequently Asked Questions — LHR
How many terminals does LHR (Heathrow Airport) have?
Heathrow Airport has 4 terminals: Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, Terminal 5. Always confirm your terminal with your airline before travel, as assignments can change.
Does LHR have free WiFi?
Free Wi-Fi (Heathrow Wi-Fi) available throughout all terminals. For real-time connectivity updates and to stay on top of gate changes, download TripTrack — it tracks your flight automatically.
How early should I arrive at LHR?
For domestic flights, check-in closes 45 minutes before departure. For international flights, check-in closes 3 hours before departure. As a general rule, arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights to allow time for check-in, security, and reaching your gate.
What airlines fly from LHR?
Heathrow Airport is served by 10 airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France and 5 more. See the full airline and terminal list above.
How do I get from LHR to London?
Ground transportation options from Heathrow Airport include rail/train (Heathrow Express: 15 min to London Paddington, £22-37. Elizabeth Line (Crossrail): ~45 min to central London, £12.80. Piccadilly Line: ~50 min, £6.), bus/shuttle service, rideshare apps, taxi. See the Getting To & From section above for details.
Is there parking at LHR?
Yes, Heathrow Airport offers parking options. From £18/day (long stay) From £40/day (short stay) Rates and availability change — check the airport website for current pricing.
How can I track my flight from LHR in real time?
TripTrack automatically tracks your flights from Heathrow Airport — showing real-time gate changes, delays, and terminal info. Connect your Gmail once and your trips appear automatically. Available free on iOS and Android.