How do you pick someone up at Heathrow?

Picking-up at Heathrow If you are picking-up a passenger from Heathrow, it is prohibited to wait on the terminal forecourt. Please park in one of our Short Stay car parks, and pay at a pay-on-foot machine, or one of our Long Stay car parks for 30 minutes for free.



Picking someone up at London Heathrow (LHR) in 2026 requires using the Short Stay Car Parks, as private vehicle pick-ups are strictly prohibited on the terminal forecourts. Each terminal has its own designated parking level: Terminal 2 (Level 4), Terminal 3 (Level 3), Terminal 4 (Level 1), and Terminal 5 (Level 1). For a standard pick-up, you should park and walk to the arrivals hall. In 2026, parking rates for up to 29 minutes start at approximately £7.50, and prices increase steeply thereafter (e.g., £18.00 for 1-2 hours). If you prefer not to enter the terminal, your passenger must walk to the designated pick-up zone within the car park. Blue Badge holders are entitled to two hours of free parking for pick-ups. It is important to note that a £5 charge applies for dropping off at the forecourt, but this does not apply to pick-ups, which must stay in the car park. For those seeking a more premium service, "Meet & Greet" options allow a driver to wait inside with a name board for an additional fee.

People Also Ask

If you are picking up please park in a designated pick up space. Parking is free for the first 30 minutes, with roll-up prices applying thereafter.

MORE DETAILS

Designated pickup area at LHR Terminal 2 - Level 4, Row H (Short Stay Car Park 2) Terminal 3 - Level 3, Row A (Short Stay Car Park 3) Terminal 4 - Level 1, Private Hire Pickup. Terminal 5 - Level 1, Row R (Short Stay Car Park 5)

MORE DETAILS

How long can you wait at Heathrow Drop Off? Unlike some airports, there isn't a time limit in place at the Heathrow Terminal Drop Off zone. Please keep in mind, however, that you cannot leave your car unattended and must pay the charge every time you re-enter the Drop Off areas.

MORE DETAILS

Payments should be made at the car park pay-on-foot machines, not booked online.

MORE DETAILS

If you're coming from an international flight, it is recommended to schedule your pick up an hour or 1.5 hours after landing to give enough time for getting through customs. It's also recommended to call your assigned driver once you've landed to inform them that you've arrived so they know to expect you soon.

MORE DETAILS

The nearest location to Terminal 5 for pick-ups is the Terminal 5 short stay car park. Alternatively, you can also collect passengers from the Terminal 5 Long Stay car park, where the first 30 minutes are free.

MORE DETAILS

It's prohibited at most airports to wait more than 5-10 minutes at the curb outside of the terminals. In order to follow the airport's rules and to be courteous to other people picking up their parties, wait until your traveler is actually standing at the curb with their bags before you drive around to pick them up.

MORE DETAILS

How long does it take to get through arrivals at Heathrow Terminal 5? Terminal 5 Arrivals. For international flights it usually takes about 40 to 60 minutes to get to the Arrivals hall. For Domestic flights it takes around 20 to 30 minutes.

MORE DETAILS

Heathrow Terminal 5 parking FAQs You can park for free for up to 30 minutes in our Terminal 5 Long Stay Car Park.

MORE DETAILS

Passengers have the option to travel via a shuttle train, with 2 departures an hour to Terminal 4 and 4 departures an hour to Terminal 5, or by riding the regular London Underground trains that connect the terminals along with onward travel to London.

MORE DETAILS

But the good news is that in most cases there's no need to pay anything when saying goodbye to family and friends, as almost all airports have a free area for drop-offs – as long as you're willing to take a short walk or shuttle ride to the terminal.

MORE DETAILS

Terminal 3 is used by the majority of the members of the Oneworld airline alliance: American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, and SriLankan Airlines. British Airways, which mainly uses Terminal 5, also offers some flights from this terminal.

MORE DETAILS

Heathrow Terminal 2 Arrivals International Arrivals and Baggage Reclaim are on Level 1 of Terminal 2. Check Heathrow Flight Arrivals for information on scheduled times and destinations, details of delays and cancellations, and find out which terminal to use.

MORE DETAILS

How long are waiting times at customs? The Non-EEA immigration waiting time is meant to be 45 minutes or less. In March 2022, Terminal 2 was running at 76.48 per cent efficiency whilst Terminal 3 was running at 76.68 per cent and Terminal 5 at 78.41 per cent.

MORE DETAILS

You will get off the plane, go past customs (unless you have something to declare), and will need to wait at Immigration/passport control. This might take five minutes or two hours; it depends on how many people arrive at the same time you do. As a rule of thumb, I'd allow about an hour.

MORE DETAILS

Terminal 5 - Use junction 14 of the M25 to reach the separate access road for this terminal, located on the Western Perimeter Road. The postcode is TW6 2GA.

MORE DETAILS