How To Get Between Terminals at London Heathrow Airport [LHR]

Key Takeaways

• Heathrow’s terminals are connected by a shuttle train, offering free transfers within the airport and quick access between terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5.
• The London Underground can also be used to get between terminals for free with an Oyster card or contactless credit or debit card.
• Terminals 2 and 5 are the most modern and recently built terminals with satellite terminals to accommodate larger planes and to reduce congestion within the main terminal buildings.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is one of the busiest airports in the world, transporting over 79 million passengers in 2023. As a major connection hub for flights all over Europe, LHR has implemented efficient processes and transportation for airside flight connections.

Although you can only walk between terminals 2 and 3, it’s quite easy to get between the other terminals by hopping on several free train services, one of which is the London Underground subway system, so it is convenient for passengers looking to travel to or from London.

London Heathrow Airport Layout

Other than terminals 2 and 3, LHR’s terminals are spread apart from one another.

Terminals 4 and 5 are the edge of the airport’s perimeter, whereas terminals 2 and 3 are situated between the 2 runways.

Since there’s only an underground tunnel for road traffic, getting between terminals via the free bus, pre-security, can be slow. Thankfully, you can connect between terminals with the good underground train systems as a preferred alternative.

For passengers taking a connecting flight, there is also the option of changing terminals by airside bus.

Hot Tip: In addition to using the airport’s terminal transfer guide, passengers can use the British Airways Digital Wayfinding app to find routes around the airport.

LHR Ground Transportation Before Security (Landside)

If you’re taking an onward flight without a connecting itinerary, you may need to travel between terminals outside of the secured area. Depending on which terminals you’re traveling between, there are several ways of getting around LHR.

Train

The map above shows free travel routes around the airport. The dark blue and purple lines represent the train routes running between the terminals, and the dotted line shows the out-of-hours bus route.

Passengers can travel between terminals on the Heathrow Express or the new Elizabeth Line, or they can use the regular London Underground trains that connect the terminals and to the city of London. Both options are free. The Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line options require an interterminal transfer ticket that is available inside the station or by tapping in using an Oyster card or contactless credit or debit card. This doesn’t incur a charge; it’s just the method used to track entry and exit points.

The Heathrow Central station serves terminals 2 and 3, whereas terminals 4 and 5 have their own stations. From Heathrow Central Station, it takes approximately 20 minutes to travel by train to terminals 4 or 5, accounting for walking time in and around the stations and waiting time.

Hot Tip: London Underground trains are free when using an Oyster card or contactless credit or debit card within the free zones indicated above. If you leave these zones, you will incur a charge.

Bus

Passengers traveling between terminals from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. need to ride the out-of-hours free bus route H30, which runs every 20 minutes.

• From Hatton Cross
• From Terminal 4, bus stop 10 or 11
• From Terminal 5, bus stop 20
• From the Heathrow Central Bus Station (terminals 2 and 3), bus stop 20

Walkways

Terminals 2 and 3 are close together. You can walk between them in about 10 minutes, and there are moving walkways available.

From Terminal 2, follow the signs to Terminal 3 by taking the elevator or escalator down to level -1, walking through the pedestrian underpass (bypassing the London Underground station), and following the walkway around.

From Terminal 3 ground check-in level, take the stairs near the Virgin Atlantic check-in desks or the elevator or escalator opposite zone D down to level -1. From here, you can walk through the pedestrian underpass to Terminal 2. The route is well-marked.

LHR Airside Ground Transportation

For multileg connecting itineraries, you should be able to remain airside to travel to the departure terminal for your onward flight. Once you’ve disembarked at LHR, follow the signs for flight connections, where a shuttle bus will transfer you to your connecting terminal, if necessary. Buses depart every 10 minutes.

Hot Tip: LHR states that a few airlines are unable to transfer luggage for flight connections, so check with your airline to see if you will need to collect your bags and re-check in for your connection. 

Layout of LHR Terminals

LHR Terminal 2

Terminal 2 (T2) is the smallest terminal, split across multiple levels and zones. Mostly, European flights operate from T2, with some long-haul international flights also operating at the terminal.

Level 5: Check-in

The check-in area is on level 5, accessible directly from the T2 parking lot. If you’re arriving by bus, taxi, or private drop-off, you’ll need to take the escalator or elevator from level 0 to level 5 departures.

If you’re connecting to T2, you likely wouldn’t need to pass through the check-in area as you would arrive airside on the flight connections bus.

Level 5: Departures

Once you’ve passed through the main security checkpoint, you’ll emerge into the level 5 departures area, where there are shops, restaurants, and the Aer Lingus and Lufthansa lounges. The gates are not accessible from this level.

Level 4: A Gates

From level 5 departures, take the stairs, escalator, or elevator to level 4 departures for access to the A gates and onward access to B gates. Level 4 departures has 11 gates numbered A16 to A26, with the furthest approximately 500 meters (0.31 miles) from security or about a 5-minute walk.

This level also has more shops and restaurants, a Plaza Premium Lounge, and the entry point for T2 connections.

Terminal 2B: B Gates

If your flight is departing from one of the B gates, you need to follow the signs for these gates, taking a left at A16. Take the escalator or elevator to level -2 and walk through the underground tunnel with moving walkways before heading back up using the escalator or elevator to B gates level 1.

B gates are 875 yards meters (0.5 miles) from security — it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to walk to them from security. Terminal 2B has 16 gates numbered B31 to B36, B38, B39, B41 to B44, and B46 to B49.

Level 1: Arrivals

If you’re arriving on an international flight, you need to clear immigration on level 1 and claim your bags if necessary. Once you’ve cleared customs, you will emerge into the arrivals area for passengers and non-passengers.

There are a few shops and cafes on this level, as well as the United Arrivals Lounge, an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, and a Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge.

Ground Floor: Ground Transportation

From level 1 arrivals, take the stairs, escalator, or elevator to level 0, where you can access onward travel options such as buses and taxis, or continue to level -1 for the walkway to London Underground services and Terminal 3.

LHR Terminal 3

Terminal 3 (T3) is next to Terminal 2, and these are the only 2 terminals connected via a walkway. T3 handles mostly long-haul international routes, along with some European flights. Its facilities are spread across multiple floors, requiring a fair amount of walking to navigate.

Ground Floor: Check-in

From curbside drop-off or via public transportation, you arrive on the ground level and walk straight into the check-in area at T3. Use the boards to find the applicable check-in zone for your airline. Once you’re checked in, you can proceed upstairs to level 1 upper departures. You’ll also find the Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge near check-in.

Level 1: Departures

This level has a zone outside of the secure area before clearing security. There are some shops and restaurants in this area, along with the Regus Express Business Lounge (temporarily closed) and the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Wing, for exclusive, expedited check-in for eligible passengers.

Level 1: Departure Lounge Area

Once you’ve cleared security, you’ll arrive at the level 1 departures lounge area, where you can find a wide variety of shops, bars, and restaurants.

This area houses the American Airlines Admirals Club, Qantas London Lounge, British Airways Galleries Lounge, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Emirates Lounge, American Express Centurion Lounge, No1 Lounge, Cathay Pacific Lounge, and the Club Aspire lounge.

After passing through the departure lounge area, T3 has 31 gates, split across 3 areas.

Level 1: Gates 1 to 11

Gates numbered 1, 3, 3a, 5, 5a, 7, 9, and 11 are to the left as you enter the departure lounge area. They are about a 10-minute walk from security. Apart from a Caffè Nero, there are no other shops or restaurants in this gate area.

Level 1: Gates 13 to 22

Gates 13 to 22 are directly ahead upon entering the departure lounge area, and reaching your gate may take up to 20 minutes on foot. From the departure lounge area, take the corridor (with moving walkways) near the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. When you reach the end, gates 13 and 16 are to the left, and 17 through 22 are to the right.

Level 1: Gates 23 to 42

Gates 23 to 42 are to the right. Gates 25 to 29 are up to a 10-minute walk, and gates 30 to 42 are up to a 20-minute walk. Make sure you grab a bite or do any shopping in the departure lounge area before heading to these gates because there are only a Pret a Manger and a WHSmith at the far end of the gate area.

Ground Floor: Arrivals

The arrivals area is on the same level as check-in on the ground floor but is in the north part of the terminal. Once you come through passport control, you’ll take the stairs or elevator or escalator to the ground level and baggage claim.

There are several shops and restaurants outside of the secure area, along with access to onward travel.

Ground Floor: Ground Transportation

From the arrivals area, you can make your way to level -1 to walk through an underground walkway to London Underground train services or exit the terminal on the ground level for buses, taxis, and curbside pick-up.

LHR Terminal 4

Terminal 4 (T4) is at the south end of the airport and is not connected to another terminal with any direct walkways. Passengers must travel from T4 to other terminals via the airside connection bus or outside of the secure area by train or bus. T4 serves a combination of long- and short-haul international flights.

Level 2 and Mezzanine: Check-in

T4 check-in is on the top level (level 2), with curbside pickup and drop-off outside of the terminal on the same level. The security checkpoint is in the middle of the check-in zones.

Level 2: Departure Gates

Once you’ve cleared security, you arrive at the departures lounge area on the same level. T4 has 28 gates numbered 1A-C, 2 to 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7 to 9, 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 12, 14 to 17, and 19 to 25. Gates are approximately 650 feet to 1/4 mile from security and take 5 to 10 minutes to walk to.

Gates 7 to 9 are directly ahead after clearing security, 1C to 6 are to the left, 9 to 21 are to the right, and 22 to 25 are to the right and through a long connector tunnel with moving walkways.

Level 2 is also home to several lounges, including a Plaza Premium Lounge, the Gulf Air Falcon Gold Lounge, the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge (temporarily closed), the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge, and the Art & Lounge (temporarily closed).

Ground Floor and Mezzanine: Arrivals

When arriving on a flight into T4, you will pass through immigration on the level 1 mezzanine before continuing to the ground-level arrivals area to collect any luggage and clear customs.

There are a few shops and cafes in the arrivals hall, and you have access to ground transportation outside of the terminal on this level.

Outside of the arrivals hall are the pickup areas for shuttle services, taxis, and buses. To catch the London Underground or a train to another terminal, you need to make your way to level -1, where the stations are situated.

LHR Terminal 5

Terminal 5 (T5) is the largest and busiest of the 4 terminals at LHR and is used exclusively by British Airways. Facilities are split across 8 levels, including underground walkways and ground transportation services.

T5 consists of the main terminal building and 2 satellite terminals, 5B and 5C, connected by a walkway or transit train.

Level 3: Check-in and Departures 

The check-in area is on level 3 and is on the same level as curbside pickup and drop-off and access to the T5 short-stay parking lot. There are almost 100 check-in kiosks available, in addition to staffed check-in desks, and the 2 security checkpoints are at either end of the terminal.

Once you have cleared security, you will arrive at the level 3 departures lounge area, which has several shops and restaurants. The British Airways Concorde Room, Galleries Club Lounge North, and First Class Lounge are also on this level.

Level 2: Gates A1 to A23

To reach the departure gates, take the stairs or elevator or escalator to level 2, where you’ll have access to the A gates and onward access to the B and C gates.

The A gates are numbered A1 to A23, with the lower-numbered gates at the north end of the terminal and the higher-numbered gates at the south. The A gates are around 475 yards (about 1/4 mile) from security and are about a 10-minute walk. There are more shops (including duty-free), restaurants, and a Plaza Premium Lounge on this level.

Terminal 5B: Gates B32 to B48

Terminal 5B is a satellite terminal between the main terminal building and Terminal 5C. Terminal 5B has gates numbered B32 to B39 and B42 to B48 and a small selection of shops and restaurants.

To reach Terminal 5B, either ride the transit train or walk through the underground passageway with moving walkways; both take around 10 minutes. The train and walkway are between gates A14 and A15 in the main building, with the walkway on level -4 and the train on level -2.

Gates B32 to B35 and B45 to B48 are at the north end of the terminal, and B36 to B39 and B42 to B44 are at the south end. There’s another British Airways Galleries Lounge in Terminal 5B on level 2.

Terminal 5C: Gates C52 to C66

Terminal 5C is another satellite terminal next to Terminal 5B and the furthest from the main building. To reach Terminal 5C, you can ride the train from the main building or use the underground passageway with moving walkways; both are between gates A14 and A15 in the main terminal building and take around 15 minutes.

Terminal 5C has 12 gates numbered C52 to C57 and C61 to C66. Gates C55 to C57 and C62 to C64 are at the north end of the terminal. Gates C52 to C54 and C65 and C66 are at the south end. There are a few shops and cafes within this gate area.

Ground Floor: Arrivals

At either of the satellite terminals, the transit train or underground passageways will transport you to where you need to take the escalator or elevator to level 1 for immigration or flight connections. Once you have cleared immigration, travel back downstairs to the ground-level arrivals area and baggage claim.

Ground Floor: Ground Transportation

There are a few shops and cafes within the arrivals hall, and onward travel services for buses, taxis, and trains (on level 2) are outside of the terminal.

Estimated Walking Times Between Terminals

In some situations, it may be quicker to walk than ride the train, as the travel time to the station and waiting period may be longer.

• Walking between Terminals 2 and 3: around 10 minutes
• Walking between Terminal 5 main building and the 5B satellite terminal: around 10 minutes
• Walking between Terminal 5 main building and the 5C satellite terminal: around 15 minutes

Connecting to any other terminal requires riding a train or bus. Please refer to the ground transportation section mentioned earlier.

Flight Connections at LHR

Connecting is easy at LHR, with purple “Flight Connections” signs guiding you on arrival. If you’re arriving on an international or domestic flight connecting to an international flight, you won’t need to clear immigration at LHR. If you’re arriving on an international flight connecting to a domestic flight, you will need to clear immigration on arrival.

If your luggage is checked through to your final destination, you won’t need to collect your luggage at LHR. Once you’ve checked the flight connection boards to confirm the correct terminal, ride the flight connections bus directly there and visit the airline desk if you require an additional boarding pass.

All passengers must clear security at their connecting terminal before they can relax in the departures lounge to await their flight.

Hot Tip: LHR has a convenient flight connections guide where you can fill in your flight details to see a step-by-step guide to your connection with estimated journey times.

If you booked 2 separate tickets, you need to clear immigration, collect your baggage, clear customs, and use one of the landside ground transportation methods to travel to your onward terminal to check in as normal.

Accessibility

London Heathrow’s terminals are all accessible to passengers with disabilities, mobility concerns, and wheelchair users. All flight connection buses are available to passengers with reduced mobility, and the shuttle train that travels between terminals is at platform level.

The London Underground stations at all Heathrow terminals have elevator access, and special assistance buses are available for terminal connections in the forecourt outside each terminal.

Electric buggies are available to transport passengers to and from the departure gates, with phones in the terminals, parking lots, and stations to request assistance.

Phone Numbers for Assistance

• General inquiries: 44 (0)20 8757 2700
• Short-stay parking lots: 44 (0)20 8757 2700
• Long-stay parking lots: 44 (0)20 8745 4625
• Lost and found: 44 (0)20 3761 1800

Final Thoughts

London Heathrow is a huge airport with large terminals that sometimes require quite a bit of walking to reach the departure gate. That said, LHR has plenty of moving walkways to make the journey a bit easier. It was even the U.K.’s first airport to have a moving walkway, all the way back in 1970.

If you’re flying from one of Terminal 5’s satellite terminals, you can walk or ride the train from the main building; however, it’s disappointing that LHR didn’t build a train to its newer Terminal 2 satellite building, where it can take up to 20 minutes to walk to a gate!