Is it difficult to navigate Heathrow airport? The sheer size of Heathrow airport can be daunting but thankfully there are signs everywhere to help you find your way. Just keep your eyes peeled, and allow plenty of time and you should be fine.
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However, it's important to know how to navigate the 5 terminals so your travels can run smoothly. Heathrow has world class infrastructure designed to make getting around as simple as possible using three different methods: Shuttle train, bus (only between terminals 4 and 5) and walking (only between terminals 2 and 3).
We recommend that you allow the following minimum connection times: 1 hour for connections within the same Heathrow terminal. 1 hour 30 minutes for connections that require travel between terminals at Heathrow.
There are five terminals at Heathrow: Terminals 1 (currently closed), 2 and 3, which are connected and a short walk from each other. Terminal 4. Terminal 5; the A Gates are in the main terminal building, B and C Gates are in separate satellite buildings connected by a transit train from the main terminal.
We recommend that you allow at least 3 hours if you're connecting between these airports. Your baggage will not be automatically forwarded so please collect all your bags before leaving Heathrow or Gatwick airport.
We recommend that you allow the following minimum connection times: 1 hour for connections within the same Heathrow terminal. 1 hour 30 minutes for connections that require travel between terminals at Heathrow.
Everyone who boards an aircraft at Heathrow has to be security screened to UK government standards. Even if you've already been through security checks at another airport, we're obliged to screen you again before you fly from Heathrow.
Although some of the terminals are a fair distance apart, Heathrow runs airside transfer buses between terminals for those passengers who have to transfer from one terminal to another. These buses depart every six to 10 minutes.
Yes, a security check is mandatory when you take a connecting flight. This is because there is a time lag between getting off one aeroplane and getting on-board another to reach your destination.
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.
If your itinerary was purchased as one ticket (as in: you have only one itinerary and one confirmation number), and the connection time was too short and you miss the second (or third) flight, you can rest easy, no matter what happens. The airline will simply put you onto the next available flight, free of charge.
We recommend that you allow at least 3 hours if you're connecting between these airports. Your baggage will not be automatically forwarded, so please collect all your bags before leaving Heathrow or Gatwick airport.
You will need to go through passport control (and customs if applicable) and then check in again as normal for your connecting flight, so please ensure you have enough time.
Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.
What is a good connection time? Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.