London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the United Kingdom's largest and busiest airport, serving as the primary hub for British Airways. Located 14 miles west of Central London, Heathrow handles over 80 million passengers annually, making it one of the world's busiest international airports.

The airport has four terminals: Terminals 2 (The Queen's Terminal), 3, 4, and 5. Terminal 5 is the newest and serves as British Airways' home, while Terminal 2 houses Star Alliance carriers. Terminals are connected by free shuttle trains.

London's Other Airports

London is served by six airports. Budget carriers often offer fares 50-70% cheaper than Heathrow—always compare all airports when booking.

Gatwick (LGW) — 41 km south

• Second busiest UK airport
• easyJet's largest base, plus British Airways, Norwegian
• Gatwick Express to Victoria (30 min, £20)
• Best for: Budget European travel, South London stays

London City (LCY) — 36 km east

• Closest to the City of London financial district
• Premium focus: BA CityFlyer, KLM, Swiss
• DLR direct to Bank/Canary Wharf (22 min, £5)
• Best for: Business travelers, East London/Docklands

Stansted (STN) — 67 km northeast

• Ryanair's main London base
• Stansted Express to Liverpool Street (47 min, £20)
• Best for: Budget European flights, Essex/East Anglia

Luton (LTN) — 45 km north

• easyJet and Wizz Air hub
• Thameslink to St Pancras (25-40 min, £18)
• Best for: Budget travel, North London

Comparison:

Airport	Main carriers	To Central London	Cost
Heathrow (LHR)	BA, Star Alliance	30-40 min (Elizabeth)	£12.80
Gatwick (LGW)	easyJet, BA	30 min (Express)	£20
Stansted (STN)	Ryanair	47 min (Express)	£20
Luton (LTN)	easyJet, Wizz	25-40 min	£18
City (LCY)	BA, KLM	22 min (DLR)	£5

Pro tip: For short-haul Europe, check Stansted/Luton first—fares can be £50-150 cheaper. For long-haul and connections, Heathrow's network is unmatched. Gatwick offers a middle ground with both budget and legacy carriers.

Heathrow is well-connected to Central London with multiple transport options:

• Heathrow Express: Fastest option, 15-21 minutes to Paddington
• Elizabeth Line: Direct to Paddington, Liverpool Street, and beyond
• Piccadilly Line: Cheapest option, about 50-60 minutes to central London
• National Express: Coaches to various UK destinations

The Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) has transformed Heathrow access, offering affordable, frequent service directly into central London.

Uber is available at Heathrow. Follow signs to the rideshare pickup areas. A typical fare to Central London is £45-70 depending on traffic and destination.

Licensed black cabs queue outside all terminals. Fares are metered and typically run £60-100 to Central London. Black cabs can use bus lanes, which can be faster during rush hour.

The Elizabeth Line is now the best value option:

• Terminals 2, 3, 5: Direct service
• Terminal 4: Free transfer from Terminal 2/3 stations
• Fares: £12.80 to Central London (Oyster/contactless), about 30-40 minutes

The Piccadilly Line is the budget option at around £5.50, though journey time is 50-60 minutes to central stations like King's Cross or Leicester Square.

The Heathrow Express (£25-37) remains the fastest at 15 minutes to Paddington, with trains every 15 minutes.

Heathrow offers extensive parking options:

• Short Stay: From £5.50/hour, closest to terminals
• Long Stay: From £6.50/day, free shuttle to terminals
• Business Parking: Premium spots for frequent travelers

Pre-booking online typically saves 60% or more versus drive-up rates. Third-party services like Purple Parking offer competitive alternatives with shuttle service.

Heathrow's dining has improved significantly:

• Terminal 2: The Gorgeous Kitchen, Comptoir Libanais, Carluccio's
• Terminal 3: Wagamama, The Grain Store, Gordon Ramsay Plane Food
• Terminal 4: Yo! Sushi, Giraffe, Pret A Manger
• Terminal 5: Gordon Ramsay Plane Food, Fortnum & Mason, The Perfectionist's Café

Terminal 5's offerings are particularly impressive, with Gordon Ramsay's restaurant and the Fortnum & Mason bar being highlights.

Free WiFi is available throughout Heathrow. Connect to "Heathrow Wi-Fi" and register with an email address. Speed is reasonable for general browsing.

For faster, ad-free connections, purchase Boingo access or use airline lounge WiFi. Most British Airways and oneworld lounges offer excellent connectivity.

SIM cards are available at:

• WHSmith stores (all terminals)
• Vodafone and EE stores (Terminal 5, Arrivals)
• Carphone Warehouse (Terminal 3)

UK pay-as-you-go SIMs from GiffGaff, Three, or Vodafone offer good value with EU roaming included. Order online before travel for best rates.

ATMs are located throughout all terminals, operated by major UK banks including Barclays, HSBC, and NatWest. Foreign transaction fees vary by your card.

Currency exchange at Travelex and Moneycorp is available but rates are poor. Use your bank card at ATMs or exchange currency before arrival for better rates.

Heathrow offers world-class duty-free shopping:

• World Duty Free: Main duty-free retailer with shops in all terminals
• Harrods: Mini-version in Terminal 3 and 5
• Fortnum & Mason: British luxury goods in Terminal 5
• Burberry, Mulberry: British fashion (Terminal 5)

For British souvenirs, Harrods and Fortnum & Mason offer quality options, though at premium prices.

Hotels near Heathrow cater to all budgets:

• Sofitel London Heathrow: Connected to Terminal 5
• Hilton Garden Inn: Connected to Terminal 2
• Premier Inn Heathrow: Budget-friendly with Bath Road options
• YOTEL: Capsule-style rooms inside Terminals 4 and 5

The YOTEL concept is perfect for short layovers, with rooms bookable by the hour starting around £40 for 4 hours.

From Heathrow, London's attractions are easily accessible:

• Central London (West End, Oxford Street): 30-45 minutes via Elizabeth Line
• Windsor Castle: 30 minutes by bus or taxi
• Stonehenge: Day trips available via National Express
• Oxford or Cambridge: 90-120 minutes by coach

Get an Oyster card or use contactless payment for the best fares on London transport. Daily price caps mean you'll never overpay for tube and bus travel.