London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Airport Guide

Lounges

• British Airways Galleries lounges (T5) — oneworld premium, BA status
• Plaza Premium / Priority Pass lounges (T2, T3, T4) — Priority Pass, pay-in

WiFi

Free unlimited WiFi is available across all terminals.

Airlines

Notable carriers operating at London Heathrow Airport:

London Heathrow Airport operates 4 passenger terminals.

Getting to & from LHR

Transit & visa requirements

• Most passengers connecting airside between international flights do not pass UK immigration — but some nationalities require a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV).
• If your itinerary requires changing terminals landside or collecting bags, you will pass through UK border control and need a visa if your nationality requires one.

Check visa requirements by country →

Hotels near LHR

Need a room near the airport for an early departure or a long layover?

Things to do during a layover

Got time between flights? See our dedicated LHR layover guide. In short:

Before You Fly from London Heathrow Airport

A little preparation before your visit to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) keeps check-in smooth and security fast. Work through this list in the days before you travel:

• ✓Check passport validity — most countries require at least six months of validity beyond the travel date, and airlines will not allow boarding without it.
• ✓Complete online check-in as soon as it opens, usually 24 to 48 hours before departure, and save the boarding pass before leaving home.
• ✓Confirm which terminal the airline uses at this airport; at larger airports, terminals can differ significantly and are not always connected.
• ✓Book airport parking or a pre-arranged transfer in advance if driving — last-minute options near airports are costly.
• ✓Pack liquids in containers of 100 ml or less and keep them in a single clear, resealable bag ready to remove at the security checkpoint.
• ✓Check the baggage allowance on the ticket — limits vary by airline and fare class, and oversize or excess bag fees are high.
• ✓Download offline maps, travel documents, and any entertainment before leaving — airport WiFi can be slow and in-flight connectivity is not universal.
• ✓Allow at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international departure to clear check-in and security comfortably.

Security and Check-in Tips

Security at London Heathrow Airport follows international aviation standards. These habits keep the process quick and avoid the most common hold-ups:

• ✓Use self-service kiosks and automated bag-drop where available — they are faster than staffed desks at busy times.
• ✓Remove laptops and large tablets from bags before reaching the scanner; they pass through separately at most checkpoints.
• ✓Place all liquids — each in a container of 100 ml or less — in a transparent resealable bag and have it ready to take out; oversized containers will be confiscated.
• ✓Choose easy-to-remove shoes and avoid bulky metal accessories; both slow the process at security.
• ✓Keep the boarding pass and passport in an easy-to-reach pocket throughout check-in, security, and boarding.
• ✓Lounge or priority access sometimes includes a security fast-track lane — worth checking before joining the standard queue.

Arriving at LHR: What to Do First

If London is your destination rather than a transit point, here is what to expect on arrival at London Heathrow Airport:

• ✓Follow signs to immigration or passport control immediately after leaving the aircraft — do not exit to arrivals without going through.
• ✓Have the passport, visa or entry documentation, and any arrival card ready for inspection before reaching the desk.
• ✓Collect checked bags from the baggage carousel shown on the arrivals screens — carousels can change, so confirm on arrival.
• ✓Clear customs through the correct channel: green for nothing to declare, red if carrying goods above the local allowance.
• ✓Find pre-arranged ground transport in the arrivals hall — taxi ranks, shuttle buses, and public transport signs are posted once outside customs.
• ✓For meeting someone, look for designated meeting points in the main landside arrivals hall.
• ✓Check timetables for trains and bus shuttles to the city centre, which often run to fixed schedules rather than on demand.

Connecting Through London Heathrow Airport

If LHR is a transit stop, these steps help connections at London Heathrow Airport run smoothly:

• ✓Confirm whether bags transfer automatically or need to be collected and re-checked — it depends on the airline and whether flights are on the same booking.
• ✓The gate and departure time for the onward flight are on the boarding pass; at large airports the next gate can be a long walk or a bus ride away.
• ✓Follow signs for Connections or Transfers on leaving the aircraft; do not exit to the arrivals hall unless intentionally clearing immigration.
• ✓Moving between Schengen and non-Schengen zones, or between international and domestic concourses, usually requires a passport check — allow extra time.
• ✓Check the flight information screens to confirm the connection is running on time before relaxing or visiting a lounge.
• ✓If the inbound flight is delayed and a connection is at risk, speak to airline staff at the gate early — airlines normally rebook passengers for delays within their control.
• ✓Keep travel documents, insurance details, and airline contact numbers together and easy to reach throughout a transit.