Heathrow Airport Guide | London

Airport Location

London Heathrow Airport is located at the edge of Greater London, 22 kilometres to the west of London city centre.

Address

The Compass Centre, Nelson Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW6 2GW

Telephone

0844 335 1801/0844 741 7410

Fax

+44(0)20 8745 4290

Website

http://www.heathrowairport.com

Airport Facts

Establishment: 1929
Owner: BAA Limited
Operator: Heathrow Airport Limited
Terminals: 5
Runways: 2
London Heathrow Airport is UK’s largest and busiest airport in London and the fourth busiest airport in the World.

Terminals

Heathrow Airport Terminal 1 commenced operations in 1968 and serves domestic flights. BMI, Aer Lingus and several other Star Alliance airlines have their bases at Heathrow Airport Terminal 1. Terminal 1 operation is expected to close by 2014. Terminal was opened in 1955 and is heathrow’s oldest terminal. The terminal is currently under renovation and expected to open by 2019. Terminal 3 started operations in 1961 and serves flights operating to long haul routes. Terminal 4 was opened in 1986 and serves as home to Skyteam Alliance. Terminal 5 is the newest terminal opened in 2008 and is mainly dedicated for British Airways.

Heathrow Airport Airlines and Destinations

Heathrow Airport serves 89 Airlines operating fleets to 176 destinations in 90 countries. It is home to Air Canada, Air China, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Airlines, Japan Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airlines. New York, Dubai, Dublin, Amsterdam and Paris are the most popular destinations.

Airport Parking

Heathrow Airport offers four different car parking options.

Short Stay Parking

Short Stay Parking areas are located next to all terminals and are recommended for parking up to five hours. There are height restrictions for vehicles parking in the car parks.

Long Stay Parking

Heathrow Airport has three official long stay parking areas serving Terminal 1 and 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. Transfer services operate to all the terminals.

Terminals 1 and 3(Eastern Perimeter Road) - transfers for every 10 minutes with journey time of 7-15 minutes

Terminal 4(Southern Perimeter Road) - transfers for every 12 minutes with journey time of 3-7 minutes

Terminal 5(Northern Perimeter Road) - transfers for every 10 minutes with journey time of 5 minutes

Business Parking

Business car parks are located close to the terminals and quicker to reach than the long stay car parks.

Terminal 1 - frequent transfers with journey time of 3 minutes

Terminal 1 and 3 - transfers for 5 minutes with journey time of 8 minutes

Terminal 4 - transfers on demand with journey time of 3 minutes

Terminal 5 - frequent transfers on call with journey time of 4-6 minutes

Valet Parking

Valet parking is available at all terminals and the cars are parked in a BAA approved secure car park. Additional options like car care can be chosen for car wash and interior vacuum. British Airways Valet parking is available at terminals 3 and 5 for passengers flying with British Airways.

Hotels

London Heathrow Airport has many hotels inside the airport and within its close proximity. Some hotels are linked directly to the terminals including Hilton London Heathrow Airport and YOTEL in Terminal 4 and Sofitel London Heathrow in Terminal 5.

Arora Hotel, Premier Inn Heathrow, Hilton Heathrow, Holiday Inn Heathrow, Renaissance Hotel Heathrow, Sheraton Heathrow, Radisson Heathrow, Marriott London Heathrow and Novotel London Heathrow are some of the best Heathrow Airport hotels. Hotel reservation desk is available at the arrivals of each terminal. National Express operates hotel hoppa bus services between the airport and nearby airport hotels.

Shops and Restaurants

American Express, Boots, British Hotel Reservation Centre, M&S Simply Food, Thomas Cook, travelex, Voyager Entertainment, WHSmith and World Duty Free Arrivals Store are some of the best stores available at the arrivals of the terminals.

Heathrow Airport has about 86 stores for shopping including beauty and perfume, books and magazines, food and wine, technology and entertainment, duty free, fashion and accessories, bureaux de change, children and travel essentials and souvenirs.

The airport houses about 42 restaurants/bars in all the terminals offering travellers great breakfasts, healthier eating, budget foods, coffee to relax with some snacks, family favourites and pubs and bars to dine in style.

Lounges

Heathrow Airport has lounges after security control in Terminal 1 and 3. Servisair Executive lounges are available in terminal 1 and 3 offering great services including internet access, phone, fax, television, magazines, newspapers, complimentary alcoholic and soft drinks, snacks, tea, coffee and enough space and chairs to relax.

No.1 Traveller lounge is available in Terminal 3 and offers family rooms, Wi-fi, magazines, newspapers, food and drink, spa, showers and bedrooms with all amenities to relax in style.

British Airways operates six lounges for First Class, Club World, Club Europe, Gold and Silver Executive Club travelers with facilities including spa, restaurant and spa, communication facilities and entertainment zones.

Business Services

Business travellers can enjoy all sorts of business services at Heathrow airport. Airport hotels have conference rooms for holding business meetings and have access to all business facilities with full support. Internet terminals and broadband facilities are available for business travellers. Business parking facilities, airline lounges and easier arrivals offer great comfort to travellers saving time.

Information Desks and Help
Information desks are available at all the terminals.

Terminal 1 - In the arrivals (06:00 - 23:00)

Terminal 3 - In the check-in (07:00 - 21:30), in the arrivals (05:30 - 22:30)

Terminal 4 - In the arrivals (05:30 - 22:30)

Terminal 5 - In the arrivals

Courtesy telephone can be used for 24/7 service when the information desks are closed. Help locations have a map and phone to get help from porters.

Medical Help

Emergency treatments are offered for patients with quick ambulance service and other medical aid. The Heathrow Health Centre is open between 08:00 - 17:00 and qualified nurses help with basic treatments for all kinds of medical disorders. Boots has its branches in all the terminals and hence you can get any medicine from the pharmacy.

Facilities for the Disabled

Wheelchair ramps, adapted elevators, restrooms and telephones are available at all the terminals for the disabled. Special needs with parking and seating are also arranged separately.

Terminal Transfers

Terminal 1 and 3 - Terminal 1 and terminal 3 are located at the centre of the airport and are linked with moving walkways. It is an 11 minute walk between the terminals following signs along the walkway.

Terminal 1 or 3 and Terminal 4 -Heathrow Connect rail shuttle services operate for every 30 minutes between Terminals 1 and 3 and terminal 4 with journey time of 6 minutes. Heathrow Central is linked to Terminal 4 rail station. 555 bus runs for free between the terminal bus stops for every 19 minutes.

Terminal 1 or 3 and Terminal 5 - Heathrow Express operates for every 15 minutes between terminal 5 and Heathrow Central with journey time of just 3 minutes. 441 bus and N9 bus serve transfers between the terminals.

Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 - Heathrow Express offers free rail transfers between the terminals. 482 and 490 bus services operate between bus stops outside the terminals with journey time of 12-15 minutes.

Transportation

By Bus and Coach

Buses and coaches run to and from the Heathrow Airport central bus station and bus stations at Terminal 4 and 5. National Express and other Coach operators serve 500 different destinations in the UK. Local buses serve Heathrow and destinations in West London and the Thames Valley. Rail Air coach connects Heathrow to national rail network at Feltham, Watford, Woking and Reading. Night buses run in the N9 line.

Train

Heathrow Express runs between London Heathrow Airport and London Paddington Station for every 15 minutes with journey time of 15 minutes. Heathrow Connect runs between the airport and London Paddington calling at local West London stations with journey time of 26 minutes. The Underground Piccadilly Line offers transfers between the airport tube stations and London.

Taxi

Taxis are available at all the terminals and can be taken any time. Private hire companies operate professional chauffeur services to and from all destinations in London, the United Kingdom. Some companies have their booking counters at the airport.

Spending Time at the Airport

Art gallery, massage and spa therapy, airport runway views, lounges and shopping in different shops and stores at the airport gives great experience and pleasant time for passengers to Heathrow Airport.

Nearby Attractions

The London Eye, British Museum, Tower of London, Madame Tussauds, Houses of Parliament, Sea Life, St Paul’s Cathedral, Windsor Castle, London Zoo, Legoland Windsor