London Heathrow

About London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow Airport, usually known as ‘Heathrow’, is one of London’s five airports, along with Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City. The UK’s biggest and busiest airport, it carries over 65 million passengers each year, making it the world’s third busiest airport for passenger traffic. It is the UK base for many airlines, including leading UK carriers like British Airways, BMI and Virgin Atlantic. Both an important regional hub and a major international airport, it serves over 160 destinations and handles more international passengers than any other airport in the world. Heathrow has five terminals, the newest of which – Terminal 5 – opened in 2008 and is used exclusively by British Airways.

Heathrow is located around 14 miles west of central London in the borough of Hillingdon. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 can be reached via the M4, M25 and A4, Terminal 4 via the M4, M25 and A30, and Terminal 5 via a separate access road from the M25. Each terminal has short-stay car parks, as well as business, chauffeured and valet parking options. There are also several long-stay car parks, with prices generally falling as you get further away from the airport teminals.

If you’re travelling by public transport, there are a wide range of travel options. Heathrow is on the London Underground’s Piccadilly Line, which takes about 50 minutes to travel into central London. There are also trains running from three stations – Heathrow Central (which covers Terminals 1, 2 and 3), Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. Non-stop Heathrow Express services connect the airport to London Paddington station in 15-20 minutes, or the cheaper Heathrow Connect rail service takes 50 minutes and makes several stops in west London along the way. National Express coaches run from all terminals to London Victoria and destinations across the UK. Dot2dot minibus transfers connect to central London and offer pick ups from many London hotels, or if you are staying nearby, the Hotel Hoppa bus runs to hotels around the Heathrow area.

If you’re arriving early or late, an airport hotel can help you avoid a journey in the dark. There are a wide range of hotels around Heathrow, the closest being the Hilton, a five-minute walk from Terminal 4. Other hotels nearby include the Jury’s Inn, Marriott, Novotel, Radisson Edwardian and Premier Inn, among others. Or if you are on a budget, then there are also a number of local bed and breakfasts or hostels. Check the deals available as airport hotels often offer free transfers, and some have parking deals which may work out cheaper than paying for separate parking.

Airport code: LHR
Telephone: 0844 335 1801
Website: www.heathrowairport.com