How long is it taking to get through passport control at Heathrow?

95% of arriving passengers should be processed within 45 minutes - but as said above, there are so many variables...



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For British and European passengers, the “service level agreement” that Heathrow airport has with the Border Force is that almost everyone – 95 per cent of passengers – should be through passport control in 25 minutes. For other nationalities, the time is 45 minutes.

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How do I avoid immigration queues at Heathrow? Once the check is made successfully, the gate opens automatically for you to walk through. Using e-gates helps you to avoid the queues and get through passport control more quickly. A Passenger Ambassador is available to help should you need it.

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How long does customs usually take? On average, it takes travelers 17 minutes and 53 seconds to get through Immigration and Customs. This number will vary based on the airport you're traveling through, the time of year you're traveling, and the time of day you're arriving at the airport.

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If you are eligible to use an e-Passport gate then we recommend that you do so. E-Passport gates are automated, where a passport reader and camera, rather than a border officer, will verify your identity and check your passport. Once the check is made successfully, the gate opens automatically for you to walk through.

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Many flights from the United States arrive at Heathrow between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. (local time) each day, so this is when you can expect long lines at immigration. Similarly, each Sunday from 5 p.m. onwards many Brits will be returning from weekends away so there will likely be long waits.

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Use the eGates for quicker entry a national of an EU country, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the USA.

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Not only is the concept of precheck rarely to never seen outside the States, it's not in use at UK airports, period. Precheck can (stress that word) make a small difference at the airports that have preclearance for US flights but that is very, very hit or miss.

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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.

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It runs at 98% capacity most of the time with flights landing & taking off every 30 seconds. Quiet & Heathrow don't really go together. Brittraveller: As far as I'm aware Sunday is almost always the busiest day of the week at Heathrow, particularly in summer.

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Heathrow does not, in fact, offer US pre-clearance. It is, however offered at both Dublin and Shannon International Airports in Ireland. 'The term “immigration” is sometimes used, but the proper term is “Customs.”' Erm, no. The two are mutually exclusive.

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If you check in online in advance and don't have to check any luggage, you can be at the airport t 90 minutes for domestic flights. In general, most airlines recommend being at the airport at least two hours before departure.

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Allow enough time: Customs can be time-consuming, especially during peak travel periods. Make sure you allow enough time to clear customs and get to your connecting flight. As a general rule, it's best to allow at least two hours for international layovers.

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8 Ways to Breeze Through Customs Quickly
  1. Fill out customs and immigration forms in advance. ...
  2. Get in line faster. ...
  3. Ditch the food. ...
  4. Know the questions they'll ask. ...
  5. Retain your receipts. ...
  6. Put your phone away. ...
  7. Become a trusted traveler. ...
  8. Keep your cool.


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With services running every 15 minutes and with a journey time of approximately quarter of an hour, Heathrow Express is the quickest way to make your way into the capital after your flight.

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